ANZAC Day

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON (16:03): I move:

That this council—

1. Recognises that ANZAC Day was commemorated on Thursday 25 April 2024;

2. Pays its respects to the families of those ANZACs who tragically lost their lives during the capture of the Gallipoli Peninsula;

3. Shows its gratitude to all Australian personnel who have served in defence of their country; and

4. Remembers all Australians who have been injured or killed while serving.

ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during the First World War. Last Thursday 25 April was the 109^th anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli.

On this day in 1915, before dawn, battleships, destroyers and troopships with Australian and New Zealand troops on board approached the Turkish coast. Leaving the ships, they rowed the final distance to shore in the dark, landing in the wrong position. They found themselves at a 600 metre long cove, in steep and difficult terrain, surrounded by headlands, where they were met with fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders.

The purpose of the Gallipoli campaign was to force Turkey, Germany's ally, out of the war. The British had been trying to capture Constantinople but were unable to make their way through the narrow strait known as the Dardanelles. The naval attempts were thwarted, therefore it was decided for the troops to land on the peninsula to overcome the Turkish defences. Sixteen thousand Australian and New Zealand troops landed at the cove on 25 April 1915, and by the first evening, more than 2,000 people had been killed or wounded.

When it was obvious the stalemate would continue after making no advancement over the next eight months, a general evacuation was recommended. By late December of the same year, the ANZACs were successfully evacuated with few casualties. The campaign resulted in over 26,000 Australian casualties, including more than 8,000 who paid the ultimate price. At the time of the war, Australia was a young federation and was only in its 14^th year. For the majority of its soldiers who had landed at Gallipoli, it would have been the first experience of combat.

Despite the failure of the Gallipoli campaign, Australians saw a display of characteristics in their troops that they would continue to identify with in later years of wars and conflicts as well as crisis and hardships. ANZAC came to stand for positive qualities of endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship, also known as the spirit of the ANZACs. The spirit of the ANZACs is something that has lived on. As Arthur Burke OAM in his article pointed out, the spirit of ANZAC is not confined to the battlefield but lives on in schools, on the sports fields and all over our great countries of Australia and New Zealand.

Since the First World War, sadly, the world has known further wars and conflicts, all of which have been brutal and costly, often leaving permanent scars for those who have had to endure it and impacting families, friends and future generations to come. On ANZAC Day, we also commemorate the Australians who died in World War II and those who have lost their lives in all military and peacekeeping operations we have been involved in since. It is a sobering reminder of the cost and brutalities of wars and conflicts. In a modern world of screens and digital worlds, it is a reminder of the reality that there is no reset button in war, that the costs are real.

On the eve of this year's ANZAC Day, I had the privilege of laying a wreath at the ceremony of remembrance in Morphett Vale, where I saw young community members from the local youth and cadet groups keeping vigil overnight at the ANZAC memorial. It was great to see the next generation recognise the significance of remembering and honouring the service of our defence personnel. On ANZAC Day, I had the honour of paying my respects, along with many others in the community, at the Colonel Light Gardens dawn service, where I laid a wreath.

Today, we commemorate all the Australian and New Zealand men and women who served and continue to serve and the sacrifices that they make, particularly those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation, our values, our ways of life and our democratic freedom. We remember and we honour the sacrifice of all Australians who have served our nation in wars and conflicts. We honour their endurance in hardships and their courage to be daring in what they do. We are grateful for their willingness to serve and sacrifice for our country as well as for the sacrifice of their families and friends. We will remember them. Lest we forget.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.