Saturday, April 21st
 
  ANZAC Day on 25 April is considered the most important national occasion in Australia and New Zealand, marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during the First World War. The brave soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom in Gallipoli in Turkey in 1914 are remembered this day across these nations. The pride they took in the name “ANZAC” endures to this date. 
  Here in Kobe, groups of Australians, New Zealanders and their friends gathered at the Kobe Club on Saturday, April 21st to mark this anniversary. Over 100 adults and 16 children filled the Ballroom, decorated with Aussie and Kiwi flags, posters and photos. This was the 2nd ANZAC Day anniversary organized at the Kobe Club by Gloria Pollington, our Club member from Sydney, Australia. Filled with vibrant Aussie spirit, her initiative and enthusiasm made this event even bigger and more exciting than last year.

  Our Master of Ceremony was none other than Australian Consul General Christopher Rees. His welcoming speech included a prologue to explain the meaning of ANZAC Day and a moment of reflection for the fallen soldiers.
  Chef Kamiki and his culinary team prepared a sumptuous Aussie buffet with BBQ, including meat pie, steak and spicy prawns and pleased everyone’s eyes and palates. The Aussie desserts “Pavalova” and “Peach Melba” were colorfully prepared in line with Gloria’s deliberate guidance.
  Australians know how to enjoy a party! A series of trivia quizzes challenged the audience of various nationalities, and the quiz winners received prizes. Young children were never bored as they were given a coloring project. When they completed the coloring, a crochet koala handmade by Gloria was presented to each one of them. Both adults and children crowded the dance floor while Aussie &Kiwi music was played. They would not have stopped unless the raffle drawing started.
  A long list of the raffle prizes, collected mainly by Gloria, included dinners at restaurants, hotel accommodations, wines, Aussie goods and more. Many winners brought handfuls of prizes back home, and the raffle ticket sales amounted to \97,000 that will be donated to charity to help the earthquake-tsunami victims in the northern part of Japan.
  A big Thank You goes to the organizer Gloria Pollington who created this Aussie tradition at the Kobe Club. This is a great example to show how a member’s initiative can add diversity to an organization such as the Kobe Club and energize it! Special thanks go to a group of ladies (Robin Porter, Liz Irving, Gizelle Bates &Colleen Redeker) who baked ANZAC Biscuits and added \21,000 to the charity fund. Thank you to Jack Porter, who prepared a series of trivia quiz, and George Bourdaniotis who coordinated the Aussie and Kiwi music. Thanks also go to absent member Sheena Gibson who sent flags from New Zealand to Kobe, and Kei Foran who designed the flyers for the event. At last but not least, we thank Neil Pollington and his Toll Company who supported Gloria’s great efforts behind the stage. Remembering ANZAC Day, we’ve seen the vital spirit rising from the continent in the South Pacific!
- William Foran