Australia

Bogan Shire pauses to reflect this Anzac Day

The unity, sacrifice and human decency of soldiers and the meaning of Anzac day was discussed during the address given by Nyngan High School Captain Abbey Buchanan, while talking about the respect that lives on in the community. Ms Buchanan addressed hundreds of residents who gathered at the Cenotaph to remember not only the Anzac's, but all the brave Australian and New Zealanders who had fought for our country. "I think it's incredible as a community we stand together and celebrate Anzac Day and during this celebration the perspective of many community members young and old are heard and considered," she said. "It is because of the participation of everyone here, especially the school students who marched, that the efforts of those who served for our country will never go unnoticed." During her address Ms Buchanan described the Gallipoli campaign which cost over 130,000 lives and wounded 260,000 people from Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, France, New Zealand and the Ottoman Empire. She however questioned the crowd as to why we stop to celebrate Anzac day, a day centered around the deaths of the soldiers who fought at Gallipoli 104 years ago. "When I think of Anzac my attention immediately turns to the noble qualities of mateship, courage and sacrifice. Three words which are spoken from thousands of mouths each Anzac day, that is still set in the core of what it means to be Australian," Ms Buchanan said. She discussed the accounts of Turkish soldiers who fought, one discussing the armistice and how race and ethnicity were not a barrier in achieving understanding and tolerance between soldiers during the ceasefire where they traded cigarettes and souvenirs. "Soldiers 100 years ago exhibited qualities we should be striving for today," the school captain said. "The term Anzac is and never was about the glorification of war, rather it exemplifies why peace and unity is associated with diversity, because today the whole country stands together and pay their respect to those who have fought in war." Story continues after video: For Ms Buchanan it's the reflection and perspective of the despair and sacrifice during the First World War, which makes the celebration of Anzac day extremely pivotal and relevant. "I can't imagine the battles the Australian Defence Force have endured, and I can't imagine the devastation that's left behind after these battles," she said. "I can't imagine the physical and mental fight of return soldiers. "I can't imagine my own mother, brother, father or sister going off to fight in war, because I cant imagine the heartbreak and sacrifice the thousands of people took for me, for our country and still continue to make today. "It makes the celebration of Anzac day extremely pivotal and relevant. "But this relevancy will never match the despair faced by soldiers and their families on the 25th April in 1915 and that is why we celebrate Anzac Day."

Bogan Shire pauses to reflect this Anzac Day

The unity, sacrifice and human decency of soldiers and the meaning of Anzac day was discussed during the address given by Nyngan High School Captain Abbey Buchanan, while talking about the respect that lives on in the community.

Ms Buchanan addressed hundreds of residents who gathered at the Cenotaph to remember not only the Anzac's, but all the brave Australian and New Zealanders who had fought for our country.

"I think it's incredible as a community we stand together and celebrate Anzac Day and during this celebration the perspective of many community members young and old are heard and considered," she said.

"It is because of the participation of everyone here, especially the school students who marched, that the efforts of those who served for our country will never go unnoticed."

During her address Ms Buchanan described the Gallipoli campaign which cost over 130,000 lives and wounded 260,000 people from Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, France, New Zealand and the Ottoman Empire.

She however questioned the crowd as to why we stop to celebrate Anzac day, a day centered around the deaths of the soldiers who fought at Gallipoli 104 years ago.

"When I think of Anzac my attention immediately turns to the noble qualities of mateship, courage and sacrifice. Three words which are spoken from thousands of Read More – Source

[contf]
[contfnew]

Nyngan Observer

[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]

Related Articles

Back to top button