Julian Simmonds (Ryan, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I have to say that, although the member for Solomon seconded the motion, we were just as keen to second the motion as well. Member for Parramatta, we mightn't agree on everything in this place, but we can agree that this is an enormously beneficial initiative to establish this bursary within the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund. I echo the words of your motion: this is a true act of friendship by our Turkish Australians, who have made an enormous contribution of themselves to this country and are now giving back. I really just want to take the opportunity, in speaking to this motion, to thank them for their contributions and their generosity in establishing this. It is clear that the bonds between Australia and Turkey and within our Turkish Australian community are growing ever stronger and that everybody is keen to see that relationship flourish.

It is built on a difficult experience which is also marked by Anzac Day. I was particularly touched when our Governor-General said:

Ask almost any Australian—young or old, in uniform or civilian, those whose families have been here for generations or our newest Australians—what is significant about the 25th April and they will be able to give you an answer.

He's right. Anzac Day is a day that binds us. It's interesting that, when we as a nation chose to commemorate Anzac Day as a celebration of our forces, we chose a day that wasn't a magnificent victory but a difficult defeat. But it's a day when we come together and acknowledge the service of those who served our community and who continue to serve and those who we have lost and the great debt we owe them and their families. We reflect on the impact they have had on the Australia that we are today.

Educating our youth on the importance of Anzac Day is so important. I do it every Anzac Day with my young boy. He's three, almost four, and we talk to him about what Anzac Day means and why we commemorate it. I think he still likes making the Anzac biscuits the best! But the bursary and the entire Gallipoli scholarship program is very important to ensure our children learn the of the history and tradition at a young age.

I have the Gallipoli Army barracks within my own electorate of Ryan in Enoggera. It is so named for the commitment to our Anzac traditions. It's very strong. We have a large veteran community in the Ryan electorate, but it's also strong in the broader community—in our schools, community groups and businesses.

We saw the power and the importance of Anzac Day last year ironically when we couldn't celebrate it because of COVID, and yet many, many people were out on their driveways still to mark this significant national day as part of the Light Up The Dawn campaign. In this place, we heard MP after MP talk about their communities standing at the end of their driveways for their own little dawn services. We may have been physically apart but, on this day, we came together. I like to think it is a day that also brings together the Turkish community and the Australian community as one.

Programs like this instil values and support continuing our incredible stories of service that are so important to our nation. Our nation is one built on service. We can get a little bit caught up in this place, but it's always important to remind ourselves regularly that we are here to serve. There are few higher callings than of those who serve in our community, whether it be in this place, whether it be in the Defence Force or whether it be as a community voluntary or anything else.

I'm particularly touched by the fact that the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund seeks to perpetuate amongst young Australians an understanding of those traditions and the importance to our community of service, courage, self-sacrifice and mateship, everything that the Turkish Australian communities themselves show by their support of the Australian community. They themselves show perseverance, they give back, they have a strong sense of service, and that is so important to the foundations of our community. So I just want to thank again those within the Turkish Australian community who have established this bursary. You are to be congratulated. Both sides of politics congratulate you. We are very keen to support you.

See this speech in context