Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

As I was saying earlier, I was really pleased to attend so many of the services that were held in my community of Robertson on Anzac Day itself, beginning, of course, with the incredible dawn service organised by the Terrigal Wamberal RSL Sub-Branch, which was held on Terrigal Beach itself. Thousands of people were out at dawn, and one of the most memorable and moving parts of this service—in addition to the schoolchildren who laid wreaths, and to the many representatives and returned servicemen and women who laid wreaths—was the sight of 12 surf-lifesaving boats coming to shore, representing and re-enacting the landing at Gallipoli. It was an incredibly moving moment. Of course, there were many other dawn services held around the Central Coast that day, including by the Davistown RSL, by the Gosford RSL and at Woy Woy.

There were special commemorations all around the community, including at the Tarragal Glen Retirement Village in Erina, organised by Eric Flood; at Ettalong, a moving morning service organised by the Vietnam Veterans Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia on the Central Coast; at Pine Needles retirement village at Erina, and I thank Alan Redding for that; at Woy Woy, a morning service organised by the Woy Woy Ettalong-Hardy's Bay RSL Sub-Branch. There were other services as well, including in Gosford, Hardys Bay and Pearl Beach.

One of the most special aspects of Anzac Day in my community is the service that is held at Macmasters Beach at five o'clock as the sun goes down right on the beach there. It reminds you very much of Gallipoli. It is an incredibly moving service, and it is always a memorable occasion. Even if we were seeing thunder and lightning go off as The Ode was read and some other things were happening, it was a very special moment. I do thank Vince Roberts and the organising committee.

Of course, there are so many young people who also commemorate Anzac Day, and they want to know more about our history and the legacy of the men and women who have served our country. Time only permits me to mention two such services. One was at Holy Cross Catholic School in Kincumber, where they not only had a very moving service, but they also secured an Anzac Centenary local grant to construct a plinth monument and a memorial garden. I do want to say thank you to the principal, Gerard McGilvray, and to the teacher, Kelvin Maxwell, who helped organise this. The other, of course, was at Chertsey Primary School in Springfield, with another Anzac Centenary local grant. They had a local sculptor and parent, Michael Vaynman, create a beautiful sculpture of poppies and a slouch hat, in the garden at the entrance to the school. It really is a spectacular and memorable sculpture. I thank the principal, Toni Skinner, and Ann Dore as well. Finally, I also acknowledge the work of Peter Rae and the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre, who received a grant to construct a travelling education World War I exhibition.

In closing, I thank the members of the Robertson Electorate Anzac Day Grants Committee, who served us tirelessly and well, including Mal Brian, Greg Mawson, Patsy Edwards, John Green, David Ferry, Peter White, Bob Ilhein, Councillor Gabby Bowles and Bevan Router. I also acknowledge the life of Mick Waddell, a former president of Terrigal Wamberal RSL Sub-Branch, who, sadly, passed away in December of last year. He gave tirelessly and willingly of his time and his friendship to all who knew him, and he is greatly missed. May he rest in peace.

These Anzac Day commemorations around our community demonstrate that, together in the electorate of Robertson, we will ensure that the legacy of those who served—and of the men and women who continue to serve our country in Australia and, indeed, right around the world—will not be forgotten. Lest we forget.

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