Ninety-eight years on from the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the beaches of Gallipoli, our community will pause this Anzac Day to reflect on the meaning of service and sacrifice.
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Mark Coulton, Federal Member for Parkes, said Anzac Day was Australia’s annual opportunity to give thanks to those who served, and continue to serve, their nation.
“Anzac Day is our nation’s day of thanks for all those who have worn, and who wear today, our nation’s uniform,” Mr Coulton said.
“More than one million Australians have served their nation since the formation of the Australian Defence Forces last century, including many, many locals from this region. Anzac Day is their day and our nation’s opportunity to show our appreciation for their service and sacrifice.”
On April 25 1915, thousands of brave Australian and New Zealand men stormed ashore a foreign beach in the dim light of a breaking dawn. Sadly, hundreds would not live to see another dawn as they battled a hidden foe in a land far from home.
“Over the course of the Gallipoli campaign, more than 8000 Australians were killed in action and many more were wounded in action as a result of the campaign against Ottoman Turkey,” Mr Coulton said.
“Many of those who survived the Gallipoli campaign were then sent to the Western Front where more than 50,000 Australians were killed in the bloodiest fighting of World War I.
“Whilst Anzac Day rightly commemorates one of the first occasions of Australians in battle, it is fitting that it also commemorates those who served in World War II, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and in peacekeeping and peacemaking operations across the world.”
Mr Coulton said there would be services in communities right across the Parkes electorate, giving everyone the opportunity to commemorate these sacrifices in their own way.
“I encourage everyone living in electorate of Parkes to participate in Anzac Day services across the community,’’ he said.
“Buying an Anzac badge to support the work of the ex-service community and attending a commemorative service are just two ways we can, as a community, show our appreciation for the service and sacrifice of others in times of war and peace.”
