Anzac Square, Brisbane

This coming Friday Australians and New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day. Preparations are already underway here in Anzac Square, Brisbane. Groups of schoolchildren collected there today to learn about their country's part in wars from 1914 onwards.

I was in Brisbane shopping for a birthday girl (my grandaughter, in a few days time) and it was hot and humid - and yet the fashion shops are filled with knee-length boots and thick jumpers and coats! Admittedly, Brisbane does have a few chilly weeks each year but today it was quite surreal to see.