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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-05-15 Daily Xml
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ANZAC Day Commemoration Services

Ms LUETHEN (King) (15:11): I rise today to acknowledge the ANZAC Day services I was humbled to attend to represent the people living in King. This year, when I attended the services I felt very emotional, and other community members have told me since that they experienced the same strong emotions, emotions we now can feel from our position of peace, comfort and privilege as a result of the sacrifices made by others from our families and communities.

Many people have told me that their family members were never the same on their return from service and that this impacted their own childhoods and lives. For me, ANZAC Day is about the supreme sacrifice that so many people have made and continue to make. Our own life is the most precious gift we have, and to risk that, for whatever reason, is a sacrifice that demands respect.

The local ANZAC services I attended were spread across the City of Playford, the City of Salisbury and the City of Tea Tree Gully and each was as moving as the next. One of the special things I have noticed in the past few years when attending these services locally is the increased number of people attending, the number of children actively involved in the services, as well as the growing number of wreaths being laid.

The first service I attended was at Golden Grove Primary School. HB23 presented a wonderful ANZAC Day ceremony on 5 April. The catafalque party's presence captured the students' attention. Mr Rick Baker proudly spoke about his great uncle, Thomas Baker, who served in World War II as a flying ace and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Vietnam veteran Mr Michael Sherlock presented Sophie with a Perseverance on the Home Front medallion in recognition of her bravery while her dad has been on deployment for the past five months.

Harry stood proudly and recited the Ode of Remembrance. Defence students, Daniel, Liam, Jemima and Kaitlin, each laid a wreath, as did the member for Florey and myself. Musician Isaac White played the Last Post and Rouse on his bugle and our Primary and Senior Voices sang a beautiful rendition of The Green and the Gold.

At the City of Playford overnight vigil, I was impressed once again by the local service groups, including the Australian Navy Cadets, Ridley District Scouts, St John Cadets and Playford District Girl Guides, who took part in the Cross of Remembrance Memorial at Smithfield throughout the evening until the dawn service. I love seeing children being involved and having the opportunity to learn about their family members and connecting with the wider community. They also learn about other people's lives, not just about the military but their own family history, the impact of war, and how others have made and continue to make sacrifices for us to have the peace and harmony that we have today.

At the well-attended Tea Tree Gully RSL dawn service, I counted roughly 50 wreaths being laid, including the beautiful wreath of fresh flowers I laid on behalf of King constituents. I thank Hilltop Fresh Flowers for the very special wreath created for this important service and for the services at One Tree Hill and Salisbury. I also thank the Golden Grove Football Club junior members, the Golden Grove High School and the Greenwith Scouts for all laying a wreath.

At the Tea Tree Gully service, RSL president Bill Bates made a very moving speech and read a poem, which made me cry. An excerpt from Bill's poem is, as follows:

I've travelled down some lonely roads,

Both crooked tracks and straight.

An' I've learned life's noblest creed,

Summed up in one word …'Mate'.

I'm thinking back across the years…

An' this word sticks between me ears…

Me mind goes back to '42,

To slavery and 'ate,

When man's one chance to stay alive

Depended on 'is Mate.

With bamboo for a billy-can

An' bamboo for a plate.

A bamboo paradise for bugs

Was bed for me and 'Mate'.

You'd slip and slither through the mud

And curse your rotten fate,

But then you'd 'ear a quiet word:

'Don't drop your bundle Mate.'

An' so to all that ask me why

We keep these special dates,

Like 'Anzac Day' …

I answer: 'WHY??!—We're thinking of our MATES.'

An' when I've left the driver's seat,

An' handed in me plates,

I'll tell ol' Peter at the door,

'I've come to join me Mates.'

From Tea Tree Gully, I attended a lovely service at the Ferns Lifestyle Village at Salisbury East, followed by a delicious breakfast and fellowship in the hall. I commend the residents who decorated the hall, which included a lovely wall of knitted poppies.

The King electorate was also represented at the One Tree Hill dawn service, and I thank the One Tree Hill Progress Association for all their efforts to make this possible. I thank the City of Salisbury and the Salisbury RSL for putting on their annual service.

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