Australians are looking forward to two successive long weekends, with the second week of school holidays sandwiched between.
With Easter and Anzac Day supplementing the holidays, families are stretching out their road trips, beach days and backyard catch-ups.
But while the calendar gifts us this rare stretch of downtime, it’s worth pausing to remember why.
Easter sits at the heart of the Christian story; a time of sacrifice, death and ultimately, resurrection.
It’s a story of hope emerging from loss.
A reminder that endings are not always the end.
Anzac Day carries a similar weight for Australia and New Zealand.
It marks not a victory, but a defeat – the costly Gallipoli campaign that shaped two young nations.
Out of hardship and loss, we forged a national character defined by courage, mateship and quiet resilience.
Across our own region, that spirit is honoured in growing numbers.
From the packed dawn services at coastal cenotaphs to quiet ceremonies in hinterland villages, more people are rising early to remember.
Schools, community groups and young families are stepping forward to commemorate, not just out of tradition, but out of something deeper: respect.
Both Easter and Anzac Day ask us to look beyond ourselves.
They call us to remember stories bigger than our own, stories of suffering, sacrifice and renewal.
Yes, the extra days off are welcome.
Yes, the chance to switch off is needed.
But the heart of this week isn’t found in the road trips or the sleep-ins.
It’s found in the pause.
The moment of reflection.
The gratitude for those who came before us.
The story of loss giving way to new life.
Long weekends come and go.
What stays with us is the reason we stop.
Lest we forget.
David Abrahams – Managing Editor
NOTE: The CCN print team will take a break over Easter, so our next print issue will come out on May 1. Do go to our website for fresh local stories published every day.
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