Paying Respects At Sydney's ANZAC Memorial

ANZAC is Australia New Zealand Army Corps. The alliance gained fame for its joint fighting during WWI and ANZAC Day is now Australia's biggest military observation event. Every town, city has an ANZAC memorial and the building in Sydney is impressive.

Imposing, solemn, Art Deco in design, built in 1934.

In the central rotunda, a slightly moving, slightly freaky sculpture of a nude man, martyr on a column. The basement of the memorial contains extensive exhibits on all wars that involved Australians, including artifacts from air battles against the Japanese during WWII.

There's a central, underground courtyard that features every town in Australia that has sent people into battle and a corresponding sample of dirt, soil from that town.

WWII uniforms and a signed Italian flag, commemorating the capturing of Tobruk, Libya. Fun with HMAS ship logos, seals. Go get 'em, mighty Oxley.

There's a nice, Claes Oldenburg-like sculpture of giant bullets and spent cartridges near the memorial. It was designed by indigenous artist Tony Albert and the installation honors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have served in the Australian Defence Force.

Doing (A Little) Time At Hyde Park Barracks

In Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks was a sort of a flop house for convicts. Australia brought in many UK convicts to come settle the land, develop a new world. Despite having a record, convicts weren't sitting in prisons. They did need a place to rest their tough bodies at night and Hyde Park Barracks was constructed in 1819. Vacancy!

A grand brick building, looking a bit like a factory for cheap labor.

Keeping track. Convict clothes and pardon paperwork. Be good, get out.

No privacy for the sleep of the unjust. The Hammock Room, capacity infinity.

Tools of the trade. Tiny, eensy-weensy pistol and gunpowder holder. Items more productive, woodworking implements.

Eventually, convicts became model citizens and the barracks evolved to become the Female Immigration Depot. Mmm, hammocks to beds, progress.