The ANZAC Spirit started long before the war began. From early settlement, when men were free the spirit was there to always help those in need. When New Zealand experienced Maori Wars in the early 1860's volunteers from colonies within Australia assisted the Kiwis to establish independence in their own country. In 1885 colonies were willing to fight to avenge the death of Britain's General Gordon at Khartoum and troops from NSW were sent. When war erupted in South Africa (Boer War) the colonies again competed to for a place to fight beside the Mother Country. This all took place before the federation was formed in 1901, showing true ANZAC Spirit. When Britain was again threatened by war in 1914 the ANZACs didn't hesitate to help. The ANZACs were fairly new to this form of fighting but faught openly, independently, bravely and without fear. It was proved that even though we were a young country we produced men equal to any in the world, possibly the greatest fighting force the world has ever known - the ANZACs. On April 25th 1914 the ANZAC Spirit was truly shown when with determination they moved forward on the beaches of Gallipoli. As the fallen fell the troops behind continued on. The ANZAC Spirit is alive and well today, in schools, on the sports field, we fight for our rights, our freedom-freedom of speech, worship and to think and live as we please, their goal was to have freedom for the land they loved. Today we are free and safe, we have priviledges as citizens - we owe this to the men who fought, suffered, endured and died for us and this is the ANZAC Spirit