Matt Williams (Hindmarsh, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On 25 April, we commemorated the 100th anniversary since the Gallipoli landings. I was honoured to mark this occasion at the dawn service at Moseley Square in Glenelg and I joined thousands of others who came out to remember those who have given their lives in service during conflicts and peacekeeping operations. I am sure all members will join me in saying that there was that spine-tingling feeling when the bugler played the last post or the odewas spoken. It is one that most people know well.

This year was even more special because it commemorated the centenary of the landings of the Australian and New Zealand troops in Gallipoli—a watershed moment in our nation's history. Charles Bean, Australia's official historian of the First World War, long held the view that the consciousness of Australian nationhood was born on 25 April 1915, and many share this common view.

As the Prime Minister stated, in his address to the many that made the pilgrimage this year to Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, for the 100 year commemoration: 'In volunteering to serve, they became more than soldiers; they became the founding heroes of our modern nation.' Today, Australians are in awe of the efforts of those first Anzacs, and we are rightly proud of their achievements, as the Minister for Veterans' Affairs stated in his address at the Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine, when he called them 'ordinary men, achieving extraordinary deeds'.

At the dawn services I attended at Glenelg and Henley, the young and old gathered to remember and pay their respects. I want to congratulate all the RSLs in Hindmarsh for their efforts in organising the very special and moving Anzac Day ceremonies: Plympton Glenelg; Henley and Grange; and Hilton. I also want to thank the numerous community groups who supported the services, such as the Bendigo Bank team, who cooked the breakfast enjoyed by my family and many others after the Henley service. On this centenary, there were record numbers at all the dawn services in Hindmarsh. Many groups in the community—and schools such as William Light and the Nazareth Catholic Secondary College—also paid their respects at special ceremonies.

To give another example, the Messinian Association of South Australia held a commemorative event to recognise the Australia-Greek alliance in the Great War, and the Australian soldiers of Hellenic origins who fought as Anzacs. The Australian Hellenic community is a significant community in my electorate, and I was privileged to attend the event on April 26.

I also attended the Lemnos Association of South Australia's Anzac Day memorial service and luncheon. The landing at Gallipoli was launched from the island of Lemnos, which was also the place where many of the wounded were taken and where many Anzacs are buried. Lemnos was the location of the major nursing stations for the Gallipoli campaign and is the location of two major Commonwealth war graves. Both services honoured the critical roles and strong links forged by Greece and its people and Australia—and Lemnos—during the Gallipoli campaign and was celebrated in true Greek fashion, with family, friends, food, music and dance. It was clear that Anzac Day is a day for all Australians, regardless of religion, race or even place of birth.

I was also one of thousands who braved the cold and rain and attended the Camp Gallipoli commemorations, held in Morphettville, following a youth vigil organised by the Henley and Grange RSL. The Centenary of Anzac captured the interest and imagination of communities right across Australia. Groups across Hindmarsh participated in the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program, funding new memorials and honour boards to demonstrate that we truly do remember them.

The government's Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program provided up to $125,000 per federal electorate to support community based commemoration. Across 150 electorates, almost 1,800 individual projects sought funding. The Messinian Association of SA were successful in their application, and it was great to make the announcement at their commemorative event.

Moseley Square in Glenelg is home to a new and impressive memorial—thanks to the efforts of the Plympton Glenelg RSL, the City of Holdfast Bay and funding from the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program. It was a momentous occasion to see the numerous wreaths laid in front of the memorial which stands in front of the Glenelg Jetty. I congratulate Will Smith and his team at the Plympton Glenelg RSL for the great work they did in making this memorial a reality.

RSL SA also received funding to assist in the development of the 'RSL virtual war memorial', an outstanding interactive website which allows members of the community to search for, or contribute information about, family members who served. It tells their story, and each and every day recognises the Australians who fell on this day in history.

I acknowledge my own Centenary of Anzac committee, chaired by Mr Peter Summers OAM. The committee did an outstanding job in deliberating over the many applications, and I commend all involved for their time, effort and input—especially Peter for his commitment and diligence.

In closing, I would also like to acknowledge the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, and his staff and department, for their efforts and assistance. As we commemorate the events of World War I and the centenary of Gallipoli, we reflect on the terrible cost of war. We pay respect to the 60,000 Australians who fought in the Gallipoli campaign; the nearly 9,000 who died; the 20,000 who were wounded; and the thousands more who carried the unseen scars for the rest of their lives.

Anzac Day is not about mourning a defeat or honouring success. It is about remembering the original Anzacs and the legacy of all who have followed in this path. We honour all who have served, and continue to serve, our nation, and their families. We honour all of those who have given their lives in the service of our nation over the past 100 years.

We have not forgotten and we will not forget.

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