Ann Sudmalis (Gilmore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Our national journey towards the centenary commemoration of Anzac Day began more than 100 years ago. At a recent Boer War commemorative wreath-laying, where some of the descendants in Nowra recognised the contribution of their forebears, we were reminded by the speaker that this war straddled Australia's Federation. This battle was the first stage of our national patriotism. That fledgling government was not to know of the deep and enduring contribution of efforts that would be initiated in 1914, would show Australia coming of age in 1915 in association with New Zealand and finally would be recognised all over our country 100 years later.

In the words of Arthur Burke OAM:

These bold, laughing soldiers were a new, unknown factor of a very old Empire.

He also refers to the words of poet laureate John Masefield as he describes Australian and New Zealand infantrymen, 'They seemed to be of one race, for all of them had something of the same bearing, and something of the same look of humorous, swift decision.' He went on to say:

These 'colonials' fought as they lived—bravely, openly, independently, and without fear. They proved that their young countries could produce men equal to any in the world, perhaps the greatest fighting force this world has known—the ANZACs.

Retired Colonel Arthur Burke also wrote that this spirit of Anzac is not just a part of history but that it lives in schools, sports fields and many other aspects of Australian and New Zealand modern-day life.

Soon after the 2013 federal election, the Shoalhaven Anzac Commemorative Committee invited me to attend. The original committee members included Nowra RSL Sub-Branch members Rick Meehan OAM, Fred Dawson, Debbie Rayner, John Bailey, Jan Bailey, and Ian Strathie; Bob O'Grady from Bomaderry RSL Sub-Branch; Stuart Christmas of Berry RSL Sub-Branch; Barry Edwards from Huskisson RSL Sub-Branch; Don Handley, Harry Back and Alan Beasley from Sussex Inlet RSL Sub-Branch; Iris Selby and James MacDonald of Callala Bay RSL Sub-Branch; and Clyde Poulton representing the Vietnam Veterans Association, South Coast. I might add that Gilmore is much more than just the Shoalhaven. Members from other RSL sub-branches including Kiama-Jamberoo, Shoalhaven Heads, Gerringong, Milton-Ulladulla and Warilla were all equally passionate and dedicated in their pursuit to keep the history of Anzac well remembered and well honoured, keeping closely connected and active in their passion and dedication to keep traditions alive and educate the young.

The committee was determined to make the most of their available funds, particularly the increased amount allocated by the new coalition government, up to $125,000 for local commemorative projects, which was an absolute godsend for our local communities. The nucleus of the committee worked hard to bring me up to speed as a matter of urgency, as many of the projects needed long lead times. In addition, the projects were to assist groups to cover the length and breadth of the electorate. Warilla RSL Sub-Branch, under the guidance of Barry Young and Kim Kearney, gained funds to support the Anzac Day event itself as well as promoting their Adopt a Digger educational program for local school students. The primary goal is to assist students research the life of a local digger and to immerse themselves in the life experience of that digger so that the student can really relate to the events and emotions of the times and empathise with the amazing resilience that our diggers had.

Shell Cove Public School established a commemorative plaque on a very large rock in their school grounds to impress upon the students just how special this event was. Kiama Municipal Council, acting as the project manager for the Kiama memorial arch, gained part funds. They worked closely with Colonel Puller, Dennis Seage and the members of the Kiama-Jamberoo RSL Sub-Branch. Gerringong had an allocation for their brand-new flag pole and commemorative plaque and rock to be constructed alongside the area where in previous years a 'lone pine' descendant had been planted. Congratulations to Garry Hingle, Bill Popple, Bill Humphreys and Joh Koehler from their local RSL sub-branch for all their efforts with this project.

Congratulations to the Shoalhaven Anzac Centenary Committee for their commemorative dinner spectacular, including a special message from the Prime Minister Tony Abbott to the 350 attendees. The Nowra RSL Sub-Branch is coordinating with Robyn Florence the centenary edition of TheWaratah March, which was the South Coast's answer to TheCoo-ee March. The Vietnam veterans, under the guiding hand of Clyde Poulton, are putting together an amazing event that not only helps to promote the book just mentioned but is also a re-enactment of the Waratah March later this year.

The Shoalhaven City Council, with Tania Morandini, Margaret Simoes and Bruce Tindale, created the In Memory exhibition, honouring the service of Indigenous men and women in the Anzac conflicts. This was a healing and special collection of memories and artefacts that has meant a great deal to members of our Indigenous community. For descendants of those who fought and returned, or those who fought and died, there has not always been a significant effort for these elders to be either acknowledged or honoured. This was a very special exhibition on so many different levels.

The new commemorative wall in Huskisson, silver-etched black granite, is nothing short of a miracle. This commemorative space that is right next to Jervis Bay is quite spectacular. Congratulations to Rod Simpson, Barry Edwards, Don Handley and Shirley Rundel. Well done also to Craig Smith, Alan Beasley, Harry Back and Stan Berriman of the Sussex Inlet RSL. The new and improved memorial wall is outstanding. The special uplights for the dawn service give this space a very solemn and honoured presence, and the community are overawed with the successful improvement.

Benjamin Barry and the students at Ulladulla High School put their heart, soul and artistic endeavour into creating banners and memorabilia for the 100 years of Anzac. The displays at the Milton Show were outstanding, and I look forward to seeing them in the Lake Tabourie Museum as part of a rotating exhibition space, also utilising the skills of the local Men's Shed and the local historic society.

The Milton Ulladulla RSL Sub-branch must have a special connection to the weather angels. After weeks of rain, contractors resorted to building the paths, laying the turf and fixing the wall together under tarps with very dedicated workers, and the project wall is brilliant. I am sure Darryl Bozicevic, Paul Warren and Bruce McIntosh are all relieved that, except for the astro turf that had to be used to protect the newly-laid real turf, the memorial was superb.

The Shoalhaven Heads Memorial Park was the scene for a talented and philanthropic local sculptor, Grant Findlay of Unreal Rocks. He crafted four life-size sculptures in the likeness of a World War I field nurse, airman, gunner and sailor, demonstrating classic Australian mateship.

Anzac Day 2015 was not a single day event. You can probably see that these memorials and events are only a part of the story, and the extra elements completed the picture for the entire region. Schoolchildren had a colouring-in competition, and children from every school in the area made the most amazing achievements in colouring-in. Kangaroo Valley had special programs and medals for their school students, as did the students at Berry Public School.

The Anzac ceremonies, always so poignant and heart-touching, began on 18 April at Jamberoo, where a special sculpture had been made with a cast rifle on a stand and a leaning slouch hat on top. Of course, the great voice of Daniel D'Amico rounded out the day's event. There was the Anzac Service at the Christ Church on Terralong Street and the Sunday Anzac Service at Warilla by their sub-branch with a huge contingent of navy and air force cadets. This was a particularly moving ceremony for some, as they had only just lost a parent who was a child at the time of the war. In addition the Kiama-Jamberoo RSL Sub-Branch worked solidly to have the logo for the Anzac commemorative event displayed proudly on the lighthouse up from Storm Bay. It is outstanding—congratulations, Dennis Seage.

Anzac Day itself was busy, but there is always the emotional connection of a dawn service. This year I was at Gerringong and I would like to take a few words to share just how wonderful this service was. Apart from the beauty of the sun gently coming up over the ocean and the rays shining through the branches of the lone pine, there was a single poignant event that truly stirred my heart, and the incident enabled me to know that the spirit of Anzac will live beyond us all. As the sounds of the Last Post were being played, there was a little boy, blonde and very active, dancing to the music, holding his Dad's hand. He noticed the descending flag, and the next few minutes went something like this: 'Daddy, the flag's coming down. Daddy, why has the music stopped?' All curious and never-ending questions, and the father quietly said: 'Sshh, this is the time that we think of the soldiers.' So little Rueben—I found out his name later—stood quietly to attention, eyes focused on the flag. Then as the Reveille sounded and the flag was raised, he said, 'So we remember the soldiers like this?' Our history is safe in the hands of parents like these, in the innocent acceptance of children like Reuben—our soldiers, sailors, nurses and airmen will never be forgotten.

There were a number of school services where children had made poppies and left them on the stage, with Indigenous people playing didgeridoo and Peter Williams playing a Boer war bugle. I would like to conclude with a poem.

When we look at the half-mast flag we think of fallen men,

Of battles won and battles lost and those who'll not come home again.

We see the flutter in the breeze,

The rise of the Southern Cross

We look to dawn with certain ease,

And know, we will not forget.

We hear the words and stories from those dark and desperate days

Thinking as they're spoken, bringing images to mind

Of pain, of courage and of great bravery displays.

We almost hear their cries of pain and rage

As they climb the bloodied hills,

Knowing that many from this day forward will simply never age,

Yet we will never forget.

We listen as the Last Post, sends shivers down our spine with sadness in those plaintive notes causing tears for all to see.

The dawn is nearly done, the light and wind combine,

The Southern Cross and Union Jack are flying proud and free.

The symbol of a nation, the coming of an age, for those who went before us, for the likes of you and me.

And on this day we stand and firmly say,

Lest we forget and we will remember them!

See this speech in context