Playing music for the ANZAC memorial on King Island! (pictures)

I’m back on my absolute favorite dot in the Bass Strait — King Island — exactly as promised in the ‘back to the island’ post. This trip’s different though: no multi-month marathon like before, just a focused two-week pit stop for work shifts, Yentl As Anything reunion jams, and — biggest honor yet — performing at King Island’s ANZAC Memorial. Daniel and I held percussion while Stuart’s bagpipes wailed through the Currie Centre on Sunday, April 25th around 10am.

Rehearsal with the ensemble for the King Island ANZAC parade — The ensemble is rehearsing for the ANZAC Memorial day performance!

What ANZAC Day means on King Island

April 25th marks ANZAC Day across Australia and New Zealand — short for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. It’s not tied to one battle or event; it’s their national day of remembrance, honoring everyone who’s served, fought, fallen, or suffered through wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. Massive dawn services, parades, community gatherings everywhere — a true coming together. The day recognizes veterans’ sacrifices and their families’ quiet endurance. Nothing captures King Island’s spirit better than Michael Laskey’s photos below — small community, giant heart.

The full parade for the ANZAC memorial on King Island — We are starting the parade in the Currie centre.

The ANZAC memorial service — The ANZAC service is held at the Currie town hall.

Yentl Doggen marching on the ANZAC parade for King Island — It was early in the morning, haha

Daniel Bear and Yentl Doggen playing percussion in the ANZAC parade — Daniel and I played the percussion

Marching in the ANZAC parade on King Island — Stuart is in front with the bagpipes

Picture of the ANZAC memorial service on King Island — The memorial service

Picture of the ANZAC parade on King Island — Lest We Forget, this is all that ANZAC day is here for.

Group picture of the ANZAC parade ensemble — The parade In Currie

A minor update on the ANZAC day!

Performing at the ANZAC Memorial was honor enough — standing there with locals remembering their own, adding our music to something so meaningful. Then months later? A proper thank you note arrives out of nowhere. Didn’t see it coming, didn’t need it, but wow — what an absolute gift. Back in Belgium, ANZAC Day wasn’t even on my radar. No idea it existed. Now here I am, on the literal opposite side of the planet, and this tight-knit island community took the time to say “thanks” for those few minutes of percussion and heart.

That moment hit different. When your music — something you pour yourself into — touches people’s remembrance day halfway around the world? Magic. Pure, unexpected connection. Felt so proud, so seen, so genuinely part of their world. Not just a traveler passing through, but someone who contributed, even in a small way. Had to share it here because honestly? It made my entire month — maybe more.

Thank you note for the ANZAC — Thank you note for the Anzac Memorial Day performance.

Island rhythm calling me back

Two weeks suddenly feels way too short. Dairy shifts at King Island Dairy, band rehearsals for the Yentl As Anything reunion gig, Sunday sessions at Wade’s studio. After mainland hustle — Melbourne reunions, Grampians dreams ticking off, Great Ocean Road nostalgia — slipping back into island rhythm feels like coming home.

When a place (and its people) embrace you like family, the pull is irresistible. More music, more memories, more reasons this speck in the Bass Strait keeps stealing my heart. See you at the reunion show!

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