Emma McBride (Dobell, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Centenary of Anzac 2014-18 is one of the most important commemorative periods in Australia's history. This year Remembrance Day marked 100 years since the Armistice of the First World War. I was privileged to support community groups to commemorate this solemn anniversary through the Armistice Centenary Grants Program. The program allowed grants for community based projects and activities to commemorate the end of the First World War, to remember Australian service men and women from all conflicts and to reflect on a just and secure peace. I was pleased to bring together local RSL sub-branch representatives and the National Servicemen's Association to select the local projects. I would like to acknowledge and thank for their participation in the panel: Steven Reynolds from The Entrance Long Jetty RSL Sub-branch, David Pankhurst from the Ourimbah-Lisarow RSL Sub-branch, Mr Bob Wilson from the Toukley RSL Sub-branch, Bill Hansen of the National Servicemen's Association Tuggerah Lakes Branch and David Mehan, member for The Entrance and keen military historian.

Out of a number of applications, the panel supported: the Wyong Family History Group and their commemorative banner project on Tuggerah Strait; Bupa Aged Care Bateau Bay to restore a World War I monument and host a quilting project; the National Servicemen's Association's sandstone memorial on the grounds of the Glenvale School for Excellence in Special Education at The Entrance North; the Wyong RSL Sub-branch in partnership with Central Coast Council to construct a memorial at Jilliby Cemetery for Australian service men and women from the Wyong region who contributed to the Australian war efforts; and the installation of life-sized bronze statues at the Toukley RSL Sub-branch cenotaph.

Our community honours and remembers the great sacrifice made by all Australian service men and women throughout our country's history and in particular those from the Central Coast. We'll remember the solemn sacrifice that played such a formative role in shaping our nation's identity. On Remembrance Day I was with community members of the Toukley RSL Sub-branch and earlier with the Tuggerah Lakes Nashos. We heard from local teenager Mia Thomas, whose great-great-grandfather Captain Alfred Shout was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in battle shortly before he died from injuries in August 1915.

The First World War touched the lives of many families, including my own. My great-great-grandfather William Henry Murray enlisted in 1915 and saw combat at Gallipoli. He was promoted to lance corporal and, whilst serving in France in the 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion, he was awarded the military medal for conspicuous bravery for assisting wounded troops under heavy fire.

On behalf of the people of the Central Coast I would like to acknowledge and support the work done by community groups, the RSL sub-branches and the National Servicemen's Association in their care for all returned service men and women, who have given their all to Australia at home and abroad in all conflicts and peacekeeping operations. I conclude by thanking all the community groups, the RSL sub-branches and the National Servicemen's Association for their contribution to the commemorations on the Central Coast.