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The word "Anzac"
As a Technical Writer, I am interested in writing Style issues and subscribe to a newsletter titled Stylewise, produced by the Australian Government department, AusInfo. In their April 2000 Newsletter the following article appeared about the use of the word (not acronym) Anzac.
I have obtained permission from theAustralian Government Legislative Services Department to reproduce the article on this web page. I hope readers find the article of some interest.
Index
Anzac
the name behind the legend
In Australia and New Zealand the word Anzac evokes considerable passion. The Anzac legend has significant tradition in Australia's history, possibly the most important since European settlement.
It is generally unknown, however, that the word Anzac is subject to laws that prohibit or protect its use - legislation was passed in 1920 and the first regulations were gazetted in 1921.
The government of the day wished to prevent possible exploitation of the word which had become synonymous with the bravery of the men of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs administers the Protection of Word 'Anzac' Regulations which require the Minister to approve any use of the word or any word resembling it in connection with trade, business, calling or profession; any entertainment, lottery or art union; any building, private residence, boat or vehicle; or any charitable or other institution.
'Entertainment' includes exhibitions, performances, lectures, amusements, games, sport or social gatherings held on conducted for the purpose of raising money.
Requests to use 'Anzac' also range from the names of clubs and stage shows through to buildings and food.
The recipe for Anzac biscuits predates the Gallipoli campaign but the biscuits have become part of the Australian culture and the recipe is widely available.
A general policy, allowing the word to be used in connections with biscuits, was agreed to in 1994. The Victorian RSL drew the Minister's attention to a company's use of the word, noting that it had no objection.
The company's recipe was published in the Australian Women's Weekly, which said t he name came about when the biscuits were sold as fund-raisers for returned World War 1 soldiers.
Two general rules apply to applications relating to biscuits. The biscuits must be made to a traditional recipe, although some variation is permitted, and the preferred term is 'Anzac biscuits'. The term 'cookies' is frowned upon. Approvals are also conditional on the word not being used in association with advertising or other material that attempts to invoke Anzac symbolism or tradition.
Ministerial approval is needed to include Anzac in the name of roads, streets and parks unless there's a public memorial relating to World War 1 or World War II in the immediate vicinity.
Approval isn't needed to use the words 'Anzac Day' in connection with an entertainment held on 25 April - or consecutive days including 25 April - if the words don't describe or designate single events within an entertainment consisting of two or more events. So, an Anzac Day Sports Carnival, held on 25 April, would not need approval but an Anzac Day footrace, held as part of a carnival on 25 April or on any consecutive day of the carnival would.
When considering whether to approve use of t he name for commemorative products, buildings and other constructions, and business names, the Minister looks at a number of factors, which include:
1. In the case of products, the association with the word 'Anzac' should be respectful and consistent with the Anzac tradition;
2. The association with commemorative activity should be consistent with public expectations of such use (such as with coins or spoons which are collected);
3. Buildings should have a direct geographic association with a site or memorial using the word; and
4. Businesses should be in a street or road named Anzac.
Three years ago the Returned & Services League of Australia Limited (RSL) carried a motion at their 81st National Congress to spell the word to spell the word Anzac in all capitals to emphasise the significance of the word and the sacrifices made by the Australian and New Zealand servicemen. While the thrust of the RSL's proposition is understandable, it overlooks the fact that ANZAC is not longer merely an acronym. It has passed into history as a word in its own right, with its meaning and connotations. In fact, in 1915 while the Anzacs were still at Gallipoli they wrote The ANZAC Book which was published the following year. Throughout that publication the word ANZAC was written as a word and not as an acronym
Over the last 80 years the word has been used extensively in official history books and acts of parliament throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. To change the word Anzac to the acronym ANZAC would be, to a degree, rewriting history. However, if for personal reasons you prefer all capitals as the RSL has promoted, the choice is yours.
Further information on the regulations is available from
The Department of Veteran's Affairs, PO Box 21, Woden Act 2606, ph (02) 6289 1111
Reproduced from Stylewise, Volume 6 Number 1, 2000
AusInfo, Commonwealth of Australia copyright (Ref 2049, 99/57(6), 99/17(2))
Reproduced by permission