ANZAC Day is a day to commemorate Australians and New Zealanders killed in war. It’s also an opportunity to honour returned servicemen and women from the past through to the present who have protected our country, allowing us to live the life we enjoy today.
In 1914, Australia was a young federated nation and a part of the British Commonwealth. When Britain went to war, so did Australia and New Zealand as they wanted to show their support and offer value to an important cause. In 1915, the battle of Gallipoli in Turkey was a disaster which saw more than 8,000 Australian soldiers die, and many men were injured. However, Gallipoli represented the determination, reckless valour, loyalty, humour and mateship that Australian and New Zealand soldiers became legendary for.
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It was a defining moment in our history, an opportunity for men of all backgrounds to see the world, have an adventure, be brave, and wear their own national uniforms. It also saw towns and communities lose many young men along with their hopes and dreams for the future. The first ANZAC Day commemorations were held on 25 April 1916 to remember the first landing at Gallipoli, with many services and ceremonies in Australia, as well as a march in London, and a sports day in Egypt where Australian soldiers were camped. The ANZAC spirit is now a part of our identity and culture, where we still believe in helping our mates in a time of need, while protecting and remembering the legacy of those who came before us.
ANZAC Day will remain important as many men and women fought in wars and battles or helped the war effort, whether it was on the battlefield or on the home front. While men fought in wars, women did their part by working in factories producing materials for the Australian war effort. I know this as one of my great grandmothers worked in a factory as a machinist making parachutes during WWII. My other great grandmother served in the army, even though she was underage when she joined. She became a Private stationed at Bathurst in the Munitions Factory Stores. She was also on a boat in Sydney Harbour when the Japanese submarines made it through the nets, so she was lucky as the submarines failed to fully complete their mission to destroy the harbour. Both of my great grandmothers lived into their 90s and were involved with organisations such as Legacy and War Widows until they both passed away two years ago.
My Great Great Grandfather served in the Boar War fighting for England, but after migrating to Australia, he fought for the Australian Army in WWI. One of my great grandfathers also served in the Australian Army, and he was stationed in Papua New Guinea as a Corporal training soldiers for combat during WWII. My other great grandfather, who is still alive, served in the Australian Navy as an Able Seaman, and he was 17 when he joined the navy. He served on the HMAS Hobart and was in Tokyo Bay for the official signing of the Surrender of War by the Japanese on the USS Missouri. He still remembers the historic Japanese surrender as the HMAS Hobart’s presence amongst the other naval vessels was a quiet show of Allied strength.
It is essential to hear these stories first-hand as they are the real experiences of people who came before us, but sadly, many of the previous generations are gone, and we are the ones left to tell their story. It is vital to acknowledge the men and women who helped their country during such hard times, whether they are family or people we don’t know. It is still important today to remember every person who helped in the war effort and the ANZACs for giving and risking their lives to keep our nation safe. We must also reflect upon and appreciate the work of the current Australian Armed Forces who continue to serve, as we enjoy many freedoms today because of their ongoing sacrifice.
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