The Merimbula Anzac Day service contained many reflections and readings, but it was Lumen Christi student Anna Newman’s speech that really left an impression.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Year 11 student assured veterans that although over a century has passed and WW1 seems incredibly distant to much of her generation, the true meaning of Anzac Day was not lost on Australia's youth.
“The motivation of these young men and women was not to gain status or fame... Not to prove a point or become a hero. But for one simple idea. That it was the right thing to do,” Anna said.
“My generation and the generations to come will need to work harder and look deeper into maintaining the connection to the Anzac spirit in order to honour and commemorate it fully.”
Bega Valley Shire mayor Kristy McBain attended the Merimbula service and said she was impressed by young Anna’s speech.
“Amazing speeches by our school kids, especially Anna Newman,” Ms McBain said. “It was another terrific service!”
Anna finished her speech leaving the audience with no doubt in their mind that the Anzac tradition has been readily embraced by the younger generation and will be continued into the future.
“It is so important to recognise that we meet here today, not to glorify war or praise victors, but to remember those who have served our country during times of conflict and crisis, and to reflect upon the importance of continuing the legacy of the Anzacs and the Anzac spirit as well as recognising the role each one of us has to play in fulfilling their legacy.
Anna’s full speech:
From my earliest memory I have been told the importance of Anzac Day. Throughout my school life I have been encouraged to participate in Anzac Day ceremonies while wearing my school uniform with pride, as our school uniform defines us as one with the power of many, just like the uniform of the Australian soldiers as they bravely went into battle.
I have always understood that on days like today, I owe respect to those who were faced with the demands of war. Demands I will hopefully never be asked to face. And that I should be grateful to them for the life I live.
Pride, respect and gratitude. These qualities, which the youth of our community are taught through the commemoration of Anzac Day, are attributes which I hope would make not only our ANZACS, but all, Australian veterans proud.
In being asked to present this speech I was forced to deeply reflect on my personal opinion of the importance of ANZAC day and what it genuinely means to me. As over a century has now passed, WW1 seems so incredibly distant. Today we are left with the memories and stories told through generations from those who experienced its reality. However, aside from this one day in the year, I've noticed that between my peers — very few conversations take place of its importance and yet every day we live with the luxury of a life granted to us, from it.
Today, I do not live with the fear that my brother, father, or boyfriend are going to be drafted. I do not live with the fear that something will happen to my mother, leaving me with the primary care of my siblings. And I do not live with the fear of an unknown future, a future determined upon whether or not the men I love will make it back from the war.
My generation are today immersed in a new world of politics that revolves around robust debates about world leaders such as Clinton vs Trump or Putin vs Trump, or any one vs Trump! And that’s OK. We should be concerned with these matters, as it is our future. However, while it is necessary to focus on the future, remembering and respecting our past is the key to ensuring we do not relive past mistakes and that we continue to grow and thrive as individuals with honour and integrity.
On remembrance day in 1993, “The Tomb of the Unknown Solider” was interned in Canberra. Prime Minister Paul Keating gave a speech on that day where he said;
“We do not know this Australian's name and we never will. We do not know his rank or his battalion. We do not know where he was born, nor precisely how and when he died. We do not know where in Australia he had made his home or when he left it for the battlefields of Europe. We do not know his age or his circumstances — whether he was from the city or the bush; what occupation he left to become a soldier; what religion, if he had a religion; if he was married or single. We do not know who loved him or whom he loved. If he had children we do not know who they are. His family is lost to us as he was lost to them. We will never know who this Australian was.”
For me, this embodies my own understanding of the Anzac spirit. The idea that these brave men and women, some not much older than I, with families and friends to leave behind, went to Gallipoli to fight for our country and have similarly been followed by other generations who served in our Nation’s uniform — when our leaders decided it was necessary. The motivation of these young men and women was not to gain status or fame within a community. Not to prove a point or become a hero. But for one simple idea. That it was the right thing to do. This dedication and pride to our country and our people is continued today in the Australia that we now know. Differently of course, but continued nonetheless.
The Polish Poet, Czeslaw Milosz once said; “The living owe it to those who no longer can speak to tell their story for them”. Personally, history is my favourite subject in school, however, my love for history does not stem from the memorisation of significant start and end dates, as much as the learning of the personal stories and experiences that are connected to the events which took place.
We can never deny the historical importance of the names and personal details in journals of these men and women because through this we know who these people were, the fears they faced and their overarching sense of duty to the welfare of a future Australia many did not return to see.
What I know through my historical studies is that my generation and the generations to come will need to work harder and look deeper into maintaining the connection to the ANZAC spirit in order to honour and commemorate it fully. Most importantly we must accept our responsibility to contribute purposefully to enhancing this nation for which they sacrificed so much.
This is why it is so important to recognise that we meet here today, not to glorify war or praise victors, but to remember those who have served our country during times of conflict and crisis, and to reflect upon the importance of continuing the legacy of the ANZACs and the ANZAC spirit as well as recognising the role each one of us has to play in fulfilling their legacy.
Lest we forget.
