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THE message to the young people of the Hastings was received loud and clear – nurture and share the Anzac spirit so it remains relevant for the generations to follow.
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Thousands of people lined Horton Street in Port Macquarie on April 25 for the Anzac Day march and main service.
School groups, marching bands, defence cadet personnel to preschoolers were a show of force at this year’s commemoration service proving the Anzac spirit remains in good hands.
The promise to respect, honour and find meaning in Anzac Day on behalf of her generation was delivered in an outstanding address by St Columba Anglican School year 11 student Alexandra Hawes.
In reflecting on the values of the Anzac spirit – that you don’t let your mates down – Alexandra encouraged the audience to think about whether this remained at the core of Australia’s national identity and reminded everyone that it was not just a story about white Australian men.
“We must remember that more than 3000 Australian women volunteered as nurses in World War One, and the nearly 9000 women serve in the Australian defence force today,” she said.
“It wasn’t only service men who forged what we call the Anzac spirit. It was also women, particularly female nurses.”
Alexandra spoke of prominent Australian nurses who in their time, were at the frontline of some of the most atrocious horrors. To withstand the emotional and mental brutality of war, women found strength in each other.
They have shaped our values and beliefs. They have shaped how we relate to one another and how we see our place in the world. They have given us a greater belief in ourselves and a deeper understanding of what it means to be Australian.
- Alexandra Hawes, St Columba Anglican School
She also reflected on the people of many races and cultures who have also contributed to building what we know as the Anzac spirit.
“We must also recognise the ethnic diversity of current and past service men and women, and particularly recognise the contributions of the many indigenous personnel in the Australian defence forces.
“Their significant contribution to the defence of Australia and to the Anzac spirit went unrecognised for many decades simply because of their racial heritage.
“So, back to my first question – is the Anzac spirit still at the core of our national identity?
“It definitely it is. The Anzac spirit is not about gender or race. The Anzac spirit is about the qualities and values that Australian service men and women have displayed during times of war and hardship.
“They have shaped our values and beliefs. They have shaped how we relate to one another and how we see our place in the world. They have given us a greater belief in ourselves and a deeper understanding of what it means to be Australian.”
Four World War Two veterans participated in this year’s procession, the oldest at 102 years.