On the 24th April, 2011 I went to Kramer’s Bar & Grill to celebrate ANZAC Day with fellow Aussies which was organized by YACA (Australians in Canada Association). I also celebrated with YACA in 2009 for my birthday, when I had just moved to Toronto. It’s so good to connect with fellow Aussies and feel at home again!

The Significance of ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a very meaningful day for both Australians and New Zealanders. It is a national day of remembrance to honour the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought in Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. At the end of 1915, the Allied Gallipoli casualties included 21,255 from the UK, an estimated 10,000 dead soldiers from France, 8,709 from Australia, 2,721 from New Zealand, and 1,358 from British India.

ANZAC Day is commemorated by both countries on the 25th of April every year by both Australia and New Zealand and is a national public holiday. It is the most solemn day of the year and marches by veterans, including the Australian Defence Force and Reserves, the Australian Defence Force Cadets and the Australian Air League, are held in cities and towns nationwide. The Anzac Day Parade from each state capital is televised live with commentary. ANZAC Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tonga.

Kramer’s Bar & Grill

Kramer’s used to be a run-down bar, but has recently been purchased by some Aussies and has been cleaned up quite nicely. The patio out the back was nice to relax and enjoy the company. We enjoyed an Aussie burger, Fish & Chips, Meat Pies, ANZAC Biscuits over some Aussie Trivia (which proved extremely difficult). Kramer’s also offered VB (Victorian Bitter!), Pavlova and Aussie footy was playing on the telly!

Paola, Louise and Grace accompanied me to this event. Thanks so much girls!

Below are the photos :)

Kramer’s Bar & Grill

(Davisville, Toronto, Canada)

1915 Yonge St, Toronto
(North East corner of Yonge & Davisville, 1 minute walk from the TTC Subway station!)

And here’s me reppin Aus! :D

In light of ANZAC Day, I decided to make ANZAC biscuits (or biccies!). I’ve grown up loving ANZAC biscuits (and not just because ANZAC Day is my birthday) but because they are truly delicious!

They are popular in Australia and New Zealand, being made out of rolled oats, flour, coconut, sugar, butter, golden syrup, bicarbonate of soda and boiling water.

I’ve been asked numerous amount of times why these biscuits are called ANZAC Biscuits and I have to be honest, I did not know. I did know however that ANZAC stands for the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps and ANZAC Day is a national day that we hold in honourary memory of them.

Upon some internet research, I found that the biscuits were sent by wives to soldiers abroad because they were worried about the nutrition of their husbands, and also the ingredients do not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well during naval transportation. These biccies can stand up to months unrefrigerated!

What I love even more about these biccies is that they are extremely easy to make with very little ingredients. I used this recipe I found online. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup plain flour
1 cup sugar
125g (4oz) butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 300F (150C)

Mix oats, flour, sugar and coconut together.
Melt syrup and butter together.
Mix soda with boiling water and add to melted butter and syrup.
Add to dry ingredients.
Place 1 tablespoonfuls of mixture on greased tray (allow room for spreading).
Bake for 20 minutes.
Loosen while warm, cool on trays.