OUR OPINIONS!

Clearing the Land for Farming
By Pippi Miller (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

I totally and absolutely disagree with clearing the land for farming.
Thousands of native species have become extinct because people have come along and smashed, destroyed and demolished their natural habitat! How would you like it if someone came along and cleared your home so that someone else could live there?
People suddenly decide that the ground looks fertile and they want it!
The cows come and trample nests and dirty the water, which kills the native water birds. Then they chop down the trees for the sheep and kill the beautiful songbirds!
I strongly disagree with clearing the land for farming.



Were the Beijing Games a Success?
By Alex McMillan (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

So, were the Beijing Olympic Games a success? I don’t think so!
Bussing spectators in to make it look good. So much pollution they couldn’t breathe. I didn’t mind the fake firework footsteps, but the little lip-synching girl was outrageous!!! Many citizens also lost their houses – they were bulldozed down just to make space for the Olympics.
There were some good things. I loved the Chinese drumming, 3 gold medals for NZ (9 altogether), but all the bad things made it a bit crazy.
I believe the Olympics should be in a place that doesn’t need changes. I don’t believe Beijing was the right place for the 2008 Olympics.



Robbie Deans
By Mana Robinson-Poutama (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

I strongly disagree with the NZRU for not giving Robbie Deans a 4-year contract to be the coach of the All Blacks.
Instead they gave the job to Graham Henry who is one million times worse than the ABs new enemy coach, Robbie Deans. For the next World Cup I think that the Aussies will get a better result than the Kiwis. That’s just not cool!
Robbie Deans had a lot of success being the Crusaders coach, so the NZRU should’ve given him a chance.
Come on NZRU – you should have given Robbie a go!!!





Dunedin Stadium
By Chris Gillett (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

Why should we take away 100 years of rugby history at Carisbrook?
Think about it. One hundred years and people want to throw it away! I mean, Aucklanders want a new stadium but they are making do with rebuilding Eden Park, and Christchurch is doing the same too.
It isn’t like we are going to get big All Black games, because we need 35000 seats but we are only going to have 30000.
All we need to do is make a big stand at Carisbrook like AMI Stadium. A new stadium is going to cost too much!
With having a roof on a new stadium the caretakers would have to take the grass outside a lot or it will die, and that’s a lot of work.
I say NO WAY to a new stadium!!



Beijing Olympics
By Amy Jones (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

Beijing Olympics. Have they been cheating us?
At the Olympic Opening Ceremony Lin Miaoke (age 9 in a red dress) sang a beautiful song. You think??? It was actually a 7-year-old girl named Yang Peiyi who sang, but because of her bucked teeth they thought she wasn’t pretty enough. I think that is such an insult!
Also, they have been drafting in spectators armed in yellow T-shirts and thunder sticks. They just want to look good.
I think Beijing have been cheating us.




University Student Behaviour
By Fa’ao’o Lale (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

I think University student behaviour is absolutely appalling. First of all, look at what it has led to – the Undy 500, drugs, alcohol, parties, fires, and they don’t even clean up after themselves! They should be sentenced to jail for 3 months or something.
Secondly, they’re thieves, robbers and vandals, vandals, vandals. You should see them. They are kind-of polite and nice in the day but at night they beat up things and people. I mean come on, we can’t keep ignoring them. We’ve got to take action on this!
In conclusion, I disagree with University Student Behaviour, and I think they are a disgrace to Dunedin and New Zealand.


Teens and University Students Behaviour
By Holly (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

I strongly disagree with Teens’ and University Students’ behaviour. I hate it how they:
• set things on fire
• get drunk and cause trouble
• damage people’s houses or apartments
• and steal things from shops and houses

I get very angry about this. Even my Mum hates it!!! I just wish there was a way to stop all that trouble.
DO YOU HAVE A SOLUTION???



Child Labour
By Philip Trebilco (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

Child Labour is wrong and inhumane!!! Children should not be the ones working for families.
Child Labour is what it sounds like - little children about 5~18 years old being put to work. Why? To pay for medicine. Maybe the adults aren’t up to the job or the job is too badly paid. It’s just as bad as drugs but people just don’t take it seriously.
The cultures and countries aren’t setting good examples and the Government in those countries like Bangladesh, China, India, and Nepal should be harder on Child Labour and completely wipe it out!!!!!
As a Conclusion think about what you’re buying. If it says ‘Made in China’ think twice. Don’t support Child Labour!!!!!!
DO YOU THINK CHILD LABOUR IS OK?


Lego Prices
By Braeden Crake (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

I strongly think that prices of Lego are too high!
Have you ever wondered why Lego is so expensive? 5 men and 1 machine has more than 5 men, so why does 5 men cost more?
Firstly, Lego is only plastic. It could probably break easily so why does it have to be such a ridiculous price?
Secondly, most families that have lots of children will probably be buying stuff for the whole family rather than individual children and even if they did it probably wouldn’t be Lego.
Lastly, it takes most children ages to save up their pocket money so they wouldn’t want to waste it all in one go.
This is why I strongly think the price of Lego is too HIGH!




Promotions
By Molly McKinnon (Year 5, Opoho Primary School)

Here are three questions you should think about:
1. How many hours of TV do you watch a day?
2. How many promotions do you see a day?
3. How many times do they lie each day?
Think about it, on TV there are heaps of promotions and they exaggerate so much!
For example, say a company is advertising for one of their products, they present it as if when you buy it, it will change your life!
Buying things is not the answer.
And it’s not just TV. I mean, how many times do you walk into a shop and look at something you want to buy, and you look at the cover of the product and it looks so good, clean and shiny. But when you buy it and open it, it looks nothing like it does on the cover! Then you’re left there thinking, I’ve just wasted a load of my money!
So by now, hopefully, I have told you enough for you to realize that every now and then promotions and ads aren’t always telling the truth!



Norovirus
By Mhairi Rowbottom (Opoho Primary School)

STOP! WASH YOUR HANDS!
Norovirus has started up in Dunedin Hospital. I am wondering how it got here? Lots of different viruses have the same effect, why is Norovirus so different? People aren’t allowed in the hospital, so people can’t get to work.
Why don’t doctors tell us more?




Drugs
By Daymon Houston

Death comes your way if you take drugs!
Drugs can make a big, bad difference to your life PLUS they can kill you or your body can get very sick.
Drugs can stop you from doing all your favourite activities and hobbies.
Why would you get involved with drugs? DON’T TAKE THEM!




Anti Drugs
By Te Ari

I strongly believe that drugs are bad for you.
Firstly because drugs could take your life or have a big effect on your life and family.
Secondly drugs are illegal.
I mean, why would you take drugs anyway?
Lastly, if you take drugs you are just stupid! Therefore, BAN DRUGS!



Beijing 2008, Successful?
By Matt Dukes (Year 6, Opoho Primary School)

Bolt, Phelps, false singers and false crowds! My opinion is that Beijing has been amazing!
Firstly, AMAZING that they built two stadiums in a year and we can’t build a roof over Carisbrook in that time!
Secondly, AMAZING someone can win 8 golds in one Olympics, more golds than NZ have won in the past three Olympics! And Bolt can beat the World Record and be jogging the last 10 metres!
Also a Cuban martial arts contender kicked a ref!
Lastly, AMAZING. How do you know what is real and what is fake? The giant’s footprints, lipsynching girls, paid crowds.

So I strongly believe 2008 Beijing Olympics were AMAZING!


Smoking
By Kezia Bates (Year 6, Opoho School)

It is a disgrace that in our world there are millions of people smoking! Have you seen what they put in those things? Tobacco, nicotine, tar! YUCK!!!
And even worse you can get terrible diseases from smoking such as: cancer, rotten mouth, your toes can go funny shapes, your teeth go yellow, fingernails go brown and your breath will stink! If you are pregnant you could have a miscarriage.
It is disgusting that in Japan today there are cigarette dispensers.
I strongly agree that smoking should be banned. So next time you light up a cigarette think about what you are doing to yourself!



Ban The Drugs
By Anton (Year 5, Opoho School)

Who wants to become a drug addict? NOT ME!
Drugs are the main cause of suicide. Eighty percent of drugs are not good for your health, and the remaining drugs are for medicine only.
Most people have HUGE bills and fines because of getting too drunk.
“Stop the drugs”.
One other bad thing is that drugs are flammable.
I think I do not need to say more.



What Bad Behaviour
By Case (Year 6, Opoho School)

I think it’s disgraceful how university students start setting couches on fire, smashing beer bottles and glass on the ground, trashing peoples’ houses, parking their cars in the middle of the road, and throwing eggs at houses and apartments. I hate all of this stuff because it makes me angry.
Why do university students have such bad behaviour and what can we do about it?


Whaling Has To Stop!!!
By Zoe Liddell (Year 6, Opoho School)

It is completely outrageous that whaling is still going on. They’re an endangered species for crying out loud! I just want to scream when I see it on TV. What did the whales do to you?
Secondly, what happens when they do become extinct? They normally kill about 5 whales a day. The government should help out by finding the people who do the whaling another job!
Finally, THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR SEA MAMMALS!



Drugs Should Be Banned!!!
By Jack (Year 6, Opoho School)

I wonder why people take drugs?
People who take drugs will go mad, and it’s bad for your health. Eighty percent of drugs are bad, and drugs can kill people, like if people drink too much alcohol or take too many drugs it can kill them.
So I strongly disagree with drugs and I think drugs should be banned!!!




University Students
By Maddy Kiore (Year 6, Opoho School)

I personally think that these students should all be sentenced to jail for how many days, weeks, months even! They don’t clean up after themselves. They’re vandals!
They get drunk then they go off walking down the streets and a policeman comes by and they don’t do anything!
My family one day were in the car and we went down where all the students live and we popped our tyre because of all the glass on the road! Dad had to put another tyre on the car!
They are vandals to our beautiful city. It’s not fair. They get off easy – one night in jail and they’re off running naked again!
If my Mum and Dad were burning a couch out our front door they would be put in jail.
Come on! They are a disgrace to Dunedin and NZ!



Drink Driving
By Melissa (Year 6, Opoho School)

I strongly agree that drink driving should be banned!
People think that drink driving is fun, and get drunk so it all ends in death! Just think how many children and wives lose their Dads, or the children could have been in the car when Mum and Dad have been drinking.
Lots of kids could have died all because of drink driving.
It is also not good for your body to drink alcohol. Have you seen the commercials where people die in car crashes all because of a few bottles of beer? This is what happens : Beer + car = CRASH!
That’s why you shouldn’t drink and drive. It’s a dangerous habit!




Rescuing Animals
By Sian (Year 6, Opoho School)

I strongly believe that in other countries people don’t put in enough effort into getting animals rescued or adopted enough!
For example, in some countries they don’t do anything about behaviour problems, and if a certain amount of people reject them they get put down. People only seem to want little cute puppies and kittens, so older animals don’t get much of a chance.
And what’s worse is people buy a puppy when it is a cute little thing, but then it grows up and gets big and the owners just dump it on the street!
I don’t like the way some countries treat animals!

Buzzing Book Reviews

Frankel Mouse and the Bestish Lair

By Odo Hirsch

Reviewed by Mhairi Rowbottom, Opoho School, Dunedin

Do you know what a Mousepanic is? Well, cousin Ruthie would tell you.
Frankel, Berrel, Cousin Ruthie, Michel and Steven the newcomer try to find the bestish lair.
I think this book has a sense of adventure, and I know I want to read the first book.
I rate this book 10/10. All ages will enjoy this book.

The Assassins of Rome

By Caroline Lawrence

Reviewed by Philip Trebilco, Opoho School, Dunedin

This book is filled with fun, mystery and wonder. It is about 4 children – Flavia, Nubia, Jonathan, and a mute boy Lupus. They are in the Roman Port of Ostia and are trying to solve the mystery of the assassins of Rome, but they don’t know the full truth. You’ll have to read this book to find out.
This is a book in a series of 7, but they don’t need to be read in order for them to be enjoyed.

Knocked for Six

By Alison Robertson

Reviewed by Ben Lovelock, Opoho School, Dunedin

This has to be my favourite book ever. It is a story about a boy named Tony who lives in Porirua in the North Island. Tony really wants to play for his school cricket team but his Mum tells him that he has to visit his dying Grandma, so he will miss the trials. On top of that he falls off his bike, his best friend goes away to boarding school, his new cricket gear is stolen, the girl he hates most in the world gets him in trouble at school, and his Mum wants to sing in public – how STINK!
Will life improve for Tony? Will he get to play cricket? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
I would recommend this book for anybody who loves cricket, and give it a massive 10/10.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

By J.K.Rowling

Reviewed by Finn Booth, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is not the first in the series, it is actually the 6th, so I would recommend reading the others first.
J.K Rowling is a very good author. This one is when Harry finds out about horcruxes and searches for some of Voldemort’s horcruxes with Dumbledore.
There are a lot of twists and turns and a dynamic finish. I rate this book an excellent 10/10.

Eragon

By Christopher Paloni

Reviewed by Pippi Miller, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is an epic fantasy tale of a moving relationship between boy and dragon. Eragon is a 15-year-old farm boy. He finds a blue stone in the Spine (a ridge of mountains) and brings it home thinking it will at least pay for some food. When the ‘stone’ hatches to reveal a shining blue dragon he is forced to flee from his home village Carvahall, away from the maddened King Galbatorix. You will have to read the book to find out about his choices and adventures.
This is definitely my favourite book and I would rate it 10/10.


Deltora Quest
The Shadowlands

By Emily Rodda

Reviewed by Mana Robinson-Poutama, Opoho School, Dunedin

Emily Rodda is back with her next book ‘The Shadowlands”.
This is a book about Lief, Barda and Jasmine who cross into the Shadowlands to find the third and final piece of the Pirran Pipe. There is lots of trouble, mayhem and life-threatening decisions. Will Lief and his friends get the last piece of the Pirran Pipe, or will they come to their doom? Read this book to find out.
This book is suited for the ages 9-14.

Lizzie Zipmouth

By Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Zoe Liddell, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is one of my favourite books by Jacqueline Wilson.
The book stars Lizzie and her mum. Lizzie has 2 step dads. Her first is all jolly and friendly and buys her heaps of presents when he is in a good mood, but then shouts and fights with her when he is in a bad mood. So Lizzie and her mum run away, and her mum meets Sam with his 2 sons Rory and Jake. Lizzie does not want to be with them. Will Sam have the same bad moods? You will have to read and find out.
This is a good weekend book. I give it a 10/10!

Uncovered

By Paul Jenning

Reviewed by Te Ari

This book explains lots of funny stories like bad rabbits and a kid that goes through a point in his life when he gets teased. It is a great book to read, and has 8 stories in it that are just a good length.
I recommend this book for ages 10-14 years.

One Day at Horrorland

By R.L. Stine

Reviewed by Holly Stringer, Opoho School, Dunedin

“As we entered the gates to Horrorland we had no idea that in less than 1 hour we would be lying in our coffins.”
This book is the best book I’ve ever read! It is about Lizzie, Luke, Clay, and Mum and Dad who get lost going to a theme park and end up at Horrorland. Then the children get lost, and get told by strangers that their parents have left without them.
Will the kids ever see their parents again? I hope so!
I rate this book 10/10 and recommend it to people ages 9-12 years old. I know you will enjoy it if you read it!

Kid’s Survival Handbook

By Claire Llewellyn

Reviewed by Anton, Opoho School, Dunedin

I liked this book because it is fun to read. It has how to survive in rough conditions like in the middle of a hurricane or a vast ocean with stingrays, sharks and jellyfish! It shows you how to tie different knots, and gives medical information that would definitely help you survive. It has extremely interesting facts – for example, if you are waterless in a dessert to look for a shrub and place a plastic bag on it, wait an hour and you will have some water!
If you like interesting facts you will enjoy this book. I give it a 9/10.
Pride and Prejudice

By Jane Austen

Reviewed by Molly McKinnon, Opoho School, Dunedin

It’s the funniest love story in history! When the Bennet family goes to the Netherfield Ball they make an acquaintance with visitors who are going to live in Netherfield – Mr. Bingly and Mr. Darcy.
Read the book and find out about the romantic relationship between Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. At the same time the four other daughters and mother are trying to convince Elizabeth that even though Mr. Darcy is a man of good fortune his manners are disgraceful because he thinks he is high above his company.
My favourite part is when Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth.
I rate this book a huge 10/10.

Lizzie Zipmouth

By Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Grace Kiore, Opoho School, Dunedin

This book is about Lizzie and her mum who are moving in with another man after her mum has just got divorced. Sam, the new step dad, is very nice but Lizzie will not talk to him or his 2 sons Rory and Jake. Lizzie just wants to be happy. The question is do Lizzie and her mum stay with Sam? Will Lizzie ever get on with Sam and his boys?

Monster Mission

By Eva Ibbotson

Reviewed by Sian Stables

On a secret island, three aunts are plotting a wicked crime. Armed with stun-darts, tranquillizers and a large trunk, they set off to capture two boys and a girl, and plunge them into an amazing, thrilling and magical adventure. Are the Aunts trustworthy? You will have to read this book to find out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes magic, and give it a 10/10.

Pro Wrestling

By WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)

Reviewed by Daymon Houston, Opoho School, Dunedin

This book explains about the sport of World Wrestling Entertainment, filmed in the United States. This sport is all re-enacted but the injuries are real. The great thing about this book is that it tells you all about the wrestlers when they were younger and how they got into this sport.
I would rate this book 10/10 and to the ages 11-17.

The Miserable Mill

By Lemony Snicket

Reviewed by Maddy Kiore, Opoho School, Dunedin

This book is about three orphans (Violet, Klaus and Sunny) who were put in a mill by Mr. Poo. Their parents died in a house fire, and Mr. Poo is the guardian of the huge amount of money left to them. This evil man wants the money for himself and will not stop until he gets it!
This is the fourth book in the series, and I recommend reading the books in order. I believe this is a great book for 8 years and older.

The Dare Game

By Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Kezia Bates, Opoho School, Dunedin

I think this Is Jacqueline Wilson’s best book yet!
Tracy Beaker is back in The Dare Game, a book about a 10-year-old girl and all the adjustments she is tired of making in her life. Read about how she deals with her poxy social worker ‘Elaine the Pain’, her new school, foster mum, friends, and her ups-and-downs with her real glamorous mum! Will it all work out for her?

The Bad Beginning

By Daniel Handler (written under his pen name Lemony Snicket)

Reviewed by Amy Jones, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is a nail-biting story. Three children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny are the survivors of a tragic fire which kills both their parents and they are sent to live with Count Olaf. He is a terrible man who will do everything to get the fortune that was left for the Baudelaire orphans.
Travel through the series to see if Count Olaf gets the fortune.
I rate it 10/10.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

By Roald Dahl

Reviewed by Jack Cho

WHOOSH into SPACE! Charlie’s family and Mr. Wonka went up to space mistakenly inside of the glass elevator. Some aliens appear and aliens chase Mr. Wonka’s glass elevator.
If you want to know what happens to Charlie’s family and Mr. Wonka, READ THE BOOK! Then you will find out what happens.
Book of World Records

By Scholastic Books

Reviewed by Matthew Dukes

311 pages of facts! Nature facts, human made records, science and technology facts, money and business records, sports records, popular culture records. So as you can see – a big bunch of records! And the best thing is they also name the 4 runners-up!
I give it a 10/10

It’s Great To Be Eight

By Beverly Clearly, Roald Dahl and others

Reviewed by Chris Gillet

This book has 12 stories about being eight. I think this book has fabulous stories, some of the best stories in the world, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I give this book a great 8/10.

Candyfloss

By Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Fa’ao’o Lale, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is one of my ultimate favourites! The main character is Floss. Her stepfather Steve gets a promotion and has to go to Australia but Floss does not want to go, so she decides to stay with her Dad. He’s not much good at ironing or putting up swings, but they muddle along on a diet of chip butties and candyfloss. But then disaster strikes and they find themselves homeless. You’ll have to read the book to find out what will become of them?
My opinion is that this is an amazing book. It is a bit sad, but also gives you lots of giggles. I definitely give this a 10/10.

A Series of Unfortunate Events
The Wide Window

By Lemony Snicket

Reviewed by Ezra King, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is the third in a long series of eight books. In this book the Baudelaire children are in the care of their paranoid Aunt Josephine who is tricked into being charmed by one of the many dessing of Count Olaf. But what will Count Olaf do to gain control of the Baudelaire orphans and their fortune? Read to find out!

Shadow of the Whale

By Celia Davis

Reviewed by Casey Wheeler, Opoho School, Dunedin

Shadow of the Whale is a great book. It is about a boy called David who is 13 and hates his family. Emma, his bratty 10-year-old sister who is a miss goody good, tries everything to get him in trouble and it works! His Mum and Dad don’t do much to help him out.
But then everything changes when a bus hits Emma and David. David looks at Emma and her eyes are closed and there is blood running down her face. Will David ever talk to his sister again?
This book is one of my favourites, and I recommend it.

Framed

By Frank Cottrell Boyce

Reviewed by Alex McMillan, Opoho School, Dunedin

I feel Framed is a very funny book. It is all about a boy called Dylan who is the only boy in Manod, a small town in Wales. Manod is an ordinary town until strangers from London arrive and have a secret up in the old quarry up the mountain. Is it the Ninja Turtles lair? I’m not going to tell you. You’ll have to read the book. But I will tell you that Manod slowly changes because of the visitors.
I rate it a 9/10 for funniness. You should be around 10-13 years old to understand the humour.

Anzac Diaries

Diary of Trooper Spencer Foster

28th May 1915

Dear Diary

I am very choked up about missing my family, but knowing I have one gives me hope and a warm feeling in this cold weather.
I was shot today, but only in the arm, so it was not fatal. Murphy and Duffy saved it from infecting so I gave them each a biscuit.
I have a lot of friends here, namely John. He is one of the strongest men here, he also got shot in the leg, but he kept on fighting the Turks.
The weather here is cold and rainy, I haven’t worn dry clothes in weeks! Wet clothes are so uncomfortable.
We went swimming today and the Turks shot at me, but the missed miserably. We saw dolphins today and that was pleasant. Some came close so we swam with them.
Never will I have an adventure such as this. Many of our men are as good a shot as the Turks, but they have the better position up on the cliffs. I never get sleep at night with all the gunshots from above.
I am very frightened by the Turks. Every time I hear a shot I think I have been…

By Spencer



Diary of Private Bauchop 1915

Thursday 29th May 1915

Dear Diary

Gunfire rolls overhead, as it always does in the trenches. The mud and grime splatters up above me and onto the blood-caked walls.
My feet are throbbing and swollen with trench foot. My best mate is dead and I have no friends to comfort me.
Life here is like ever-going murder and hatefulness. I feel like getting up and yelling at them to stop it!
A few days ago a Turk came yelling and screaming to the edge of the trenches. He fell. His neck cracked and he went still. A soldier looked over the edge and grinned. “We got him!” he yelled. Then a sound of metal on flesh, and his grin faded. His head flopped against the side of the trench.
They give me the shivers. I hope my fortune allows my life so I may write in you tomorrow.

By Pippi

Diary of Jones 1915

Dear Diary

This is the worst mistake of my life. I could only wish now that I could get out of this. The soggy clothes, all the mud in my boots and my stinky socks make me feel sick. I was not surprised when the second line of defence came down with trench foot.
I have already seen enough lives lost for my eyes. All my dreams are about just going home and living in my cottage on the farm with my wife and three children. Just raising the cattle and sheep with my two sons. It would be a dream for me, but when I wake up all I hear is crying and gunfire and moans for the dead.
I have always been cold around winter, the smell of dead bodies makes me sick, but the food is the worst. Most is off, and the biscuits are so hard jam does not make them any softer. Every biscuit I take I end up eating three flies with.
Every day I wake up with terror.

By Te Ari

Diary of Trooper Robinson 1915

Tuesday 9th

I am feeling ever so unwell.
We are in the same clothes all the time. Over fifty men are currently suffering from trench foot and I am not too far away from it either.
The smell is just dreadful, must be all the dead bodies lying around. All I ever hear is shooting, people dying and wounded men. And on top of that the food tastes horrible too.
The smell here is absolutely rotten, being all crammed together in a dirty trench with dead bodies and blood. It’s a ghastly sight, everywhere there is rotten feet and blood!
I miss my family so much. I wonder how my wife Kathy is doing with our three children. Belinda will have started school last week and little James will turn two next month. As for Danielle, Oh I hope she’s been behaving herself, considering she turned fourteen a few months ago.
Oh I would do anything to be back home.

By Kezia

Diary of Trooper B. Lovelock 1915

16th July 1915

The weather here is beginning to get stormy and it’s getting worse every day. Troops are dying by the second. The only good thing about this place is that we get a day off to bury the dead or have a swim. But burying the dead isn’t that great because the smell is horrendous, and going for a swim isn’t good either because there is more chance of getting shot!
My sleeping hours aren’t good. It is extremely uncomfortable and I’m always getting only one or two hours sleep every night. Every night I have terrible pain in my stomach, this is because I am usually so hungry.
I wish I could leave this terrible place, but I can’t because I have to help the other troops to not get hurt.
I am writing in this diary so I can keep busy and have less chance of getting shot.
My best friend passed away today. First he ran into one of the donkeys that was carrying a wounded soldier and tripped on a rock breaking both his legs. While he was on the ground calling for help a Turk soldier came up and shot five bullets in his face. At least I’ll beablt to bury him tomorrow but once again the smell will be terrible.
I hope I can see my family soon.

By Ben

The Diary of Soldier William Oakes 1915

28th May 1916

Dear Diary

I was up all night and day because of all the screaming. The ships came and the Turks got more shells and they’re starting to get higher. I think in the morning we will have to dig the trenches deeper.
My friend Roger Hewitt died yesterday of food poisoning, he died while sleeping. Tomorrow I am going to bury him. This afternoon I am going to carve a cross out of limestone for Roger. . I am really upset he passed away only being 16 and so lovely. I found the limestone yesterday, on the side of the trench.
If I don’t survive I want to be buried.
Today is my seventeenth birthday, but at the moment it could be my last day alive. I am on night duty with Harrison Upbright.
This diary is starting to get full. We’ve got a big load of Anzac biscuits but I don’t want to risk it like Roger. I wonder how long till we go back to the beach again. It has been about a month.
I can smell rotting bodies everywhere. Most people are injured and some are just ill. It is hard for me to walk because someone shot through the trench and hit my leg.

By Mhairi

Diary of Lieutenant Chalmers 1914
8th Battalion

Wednesday 28th May

I hate this place. All that training and yet here we are falling like dominoes! I’ve been looking forward to this and now I don’t know what I’ve been waiting for. We’ve been given orders to dig in, but we are losing more men than ever!
I’m covered in blood and not just mine. This place is hell. The sea is littered with floating bodies, among them I can see four of my bodies. I’ve got to get out of this place.

After hours of work it’s finally nightfall. The fighting has calmed down a bit. I headed over to my tent for a drink and some rations just to find four bullet holes in my tent and a dead soldier. As I carried out the body I thought this has to stop. It just has to. There was dead everywhere, we ran to our trenches, the firing had already started.
Right now I am sitting in my tent with a bandage around my leg catching up on some diary. I know I’ll get sent back when they find me here but at least I can have some time to grieve.


By Oscar