Sgt Edward David (Ted) Smout OAM was Queensland’s Last Anzac who died on 22 June 2004. A man, who typically at the time lied about his age to enlist, survived the ravages of war after spending some time fighting at the Somme in 1918. He was an eyewitness to the final moments of the infamous “Red Baron”, Manfred von Richtofen. He was discharged on 8 September 1919 10 months following the Armistice on 11 November 1918. Smout was awarded France’s highest honour, a Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur in 1998 and an OAM for service to the community. The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge which crosses Bramble Bay linking Clontarf and Brighton was named in his honour in 2009.

On May 16, 2002, the last of the Anzacs - Alec Campbell - died at age 103. To mark his passing Tony Stephens and Steven Siewert have updated their book The Last Anzacs: Lest We Forget to include an interview with Alec Campbell. Together with the interviews and photographs of seventeen other Anzacs, this book, in recording the individual life stories of those men, stands as a historic tribute to those who survived the horrors of Gallipoli, a military campaign that has come to symbolize an important moment in Australian history and a potent reminder of what it means to be Australian.

This picture book for the very young is a simple, moving look at Anzac Day through the eyes of a little girl. She goes to the pre-dawn Anzac Day service with her father where they watch the girl s grandfather march in the parade. This beautifully illustrated book explains what happens on Anzac Day and its significance in terms a young child can understand It is an excellent introduction to this highly venerated ceremony, and poignantly addresses the sentiments aroused by the memory of those who gave their lives for their country.

In recent years Anzac, an idea as much as an actual army corps, has become the dominant force within Australian history, overshadowing everything else. The commemoration of Anzac Day is bigger than ever, while Remembrance Day, VE Day, VP Day and other military anniversaries grow in significance each year.