April 25th has officially been known as ANZAC DAY since 1916. It’s a day that has become symbolic of the Australian fighting spirit and a time to remember the sacrifices made in times of conflict. But all too often, it becomes the source of its own kind of conflict.
The Department of Veterans’ Affair sparked outrage last month when it revealed the findings of it's $370,000 study into ANZAC Day. The study, undertaken to gauge public attitudes ahead of the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli, discovered that many saw the occasion as a good excuse to have few drinks and a sleep in. The same report warned that 2015 celebrations run the risk of dividing a nation - our nation. It suggests that celebrations be ‘culturally sensitive and inclusive’ as to not offend minority groups. Many, including the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, have dismissed the report’s findings.
Callers inundated talk-back-radio and comments flowed in to news.com.au to slam the report and it’s findings. Many suggesting it is indeed the actions of our soldiers during WWI that make Australia such a fine country to emigrate to. If anything is going to cause offense and tension between migrant groups it is likely to be this findings of this report.
But this kind of controversy is not new. For years debate has raged about whether the descendants of diggers should be allowed to march in ANZAC Day parades, the involvement of Vietnam Veterans in the parades and the need for memorials to recognise the involvement of Indigenous servicemen and women. And of course ANZAC Day has always sparked fresh debate about the involvement of Australian troops in modern day conflicts around the globe.
In the lead up to the 100th anniversary in 2015, there will no doubt be countless debates about the most suitable way to mark this very special occasion. One thing is certain though, it must be done right. We must continue to teach our history in schools and continue to acknowledge the immense sacrifice made by our nation's finest in times of war. We must support our veterans and current servicemen and women as they defend our country.
So whether you attend the Dawn Service, an ANZAC Day Ceremony, watch the traditional ANZAC Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood, or simply enjoy the day with your family, spare some time, think about the sacrifices made in the name of freedom and remember the day when a nation, still in the early days of its adolescence, grew up. A day we should never forget.
For more information on ANZAC Day, and to find commemoration services in your area, visit www.rsl.org.au.
Tell us what you think? How do you like to commemorate ANZAC Day and what do you think of this latest report?
For the fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Laurence Binyon (1869–1943)
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