Chris Hayes (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I too would like to thank the member for Higgins for bringing forward this important motion regarding the upcoming Anzac Centenary commemoration. The initiative to commemorate the Anzac Centenary, and World War I to that extent, across Australia is very much a bipartisan effort. I am glad that the current government has decided to continue the funding under the Anzac Centenary local grant initiative, which was brought forward by the former government.

World War I and, in particular, what occurred at Anzac Cove nearly 100 years ago has greatly contributed to building Australia's national identity and shaping the country that we have today. This grant will allow communities across Australia to participate in commemorating a vital time in world history and in shaping Australia as a nation. I am proud to say that my local community has been working hard to develop unique and highly thoughtful ways of participating in this project. The Anzac Centenary Committee, which I established in my electorate last year, has been meeting regularly. It consists of representatives from local clubs, ex-serviceman's associations and schools. It has been working particularly hard to involve the community and young people in very much a collective effort.

I would particularly like to thank Elizabeth Godwin, Principal, Cabramatta High School; Michael Foulkes, Group General Manager, Cabra-Vale Diggers; George Taylor, Jim Thompson and John Dillon from Cabra-Vale Diggers; Barry Brooks from the Fairfield RSL Sub-branch; John Baron from the City of Liverpool RSL; Reg Bonney from the National Servicemen's Association; Taffy Pritchard from Canley Heights RSL; Bill Lottey from St Johns Park Bowling Club; and Geoff Lewsam, committee chair of the St Johns Park Bowling Club. The committee has met regularly and has worked in a very cooperative way to ensure what we regard as a truly unique and exciting way of placing the younger generation at the forefront of these commemorative activities.

The primary project in my local community that will commemorate Australia's involvement in World War I will involve more than 20,000 students from 41 local schools participating in an art competition. The students will have the opportunity to express their understanding of Australia's involvement in World War I and its effect in shaping modern-day Australia in a reasonably unique but certainly very artistic way. The opportunities for learning are immense, not only for the students taking part in the art competition but for the entire community. The winning works will be displayed during a large commemorative event on commemorative Sunday in 2015. The winning pieces will form part of a travelling exhibition and will be turned into a permanent print and electronic resource to be distributed throughout the electorate and particularly throughout schools. The overall theme of the project is 'The importance of not taking peace for granted'. It is a poignant theme. It is a lesson that is important to pass on to younger generations. To optimise the learning opportunities an educational calendar, highlighting daily events from 28 June 1914 to Remembrance Day 11 November 1918, will be created and disseminated using social media. I will be participating in the launch of this actual calendar later on this week.

Between 2015 and 2018, we will be planting a tree at each school in my electorate, a tree which is a descendant from the actual Lone Pine itself.

The Anzac centenary project that will be carried out across my electorate of Fowler, and similar projects across Australia, provide a great opportunity for the whole community to embrace and recognise the importance of maintaining peace and of paying respect to those who gave their lives to ensure that Australia remains a democratic and free country. I commend this motion and I commend all members of parliament taking part in these commemoratives celebrations.

Debate adjourned.

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