Bond, Catherine: Anzac: The Landing, The Legend, The Law

Catherine Bond

Anzac: The Landing, The Legend, The Law, Australian Scholarly Publishing, Melbourne, 2017

The year 2016 marks an ‘Anzac’ anniversary of a different kind: the centenary of legal regulation over use of the term ‘Anzac’ in Australia and internationally. In Anzac: The Landing, The Legend, The Law, Catherine Bond interrogates the legal history of one of Australia and New Zealand’s most revered words and the restrictions on the acronym that still exist today.

This book examines how, in 1916, control of ‘Anzac’ was introduced initially for businesses then extended, without precedent, to more private spheres, including prohibiting the use of the word as the name of a home. It documents the effect that these laws had on the Australian home front and the devastating impact on soldiers and families. Yet, such use and regulation was not limited to Australia, with New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States authorities also grappling with how to respond to the increased adoption of ‘Anzac’ within their borders. Bond explores these issues and how this legal history can be used to inform the restrictions on ‘Anzac’ that remain in force in Australia to this day. (blurb)

The book is reviewed for Honest History by Jo Hawkins. (For other related material from Jo Hawkins, use our Search engine.) Media mentions, including radio. ABC The World Today. Long article in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The law regarding the protection of the word ‘Anzac’ is summarised on the website of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, with a link to the actual regulations. Honest History has from time to time contacted DVA to point out possible breaches. The response has usually been prompt and effective, although there is sometimes a problem when companies are located overseas. A couple of companies we have contacted did not know of the law but have withdrawn or adjusted their product quickly. The ill-fated Camp Gallipoli enterprise got into difficulties selling unauthorised material in Target stores, although it was beset by other problems also.

 

 

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