Anzac Day remains important, yet Australia has grown and diversified

“Though born from the doomed campaign at Gallipoli, the spirit of Anzac is not really about loss at all. It is about courage and endurance, and duty, and love of country, and mateship, and good humour and the survival of a sense of self-worth and decency in the face of dreadful odds.”

These words are inscribed in the Australian National War Memorial in Canberra. They epitomise my understanding of the Anzac spirit and what it means.

It began when I was very young in the small country town where I was born. Throughout the 1950s and beyond my father was president of the local sub-branch of the Returned Services League (RSL) and each year on Anzac Day a march and gathering of local people took place to commemorate Anzac. Returned servicemen and women from around the district met at the post office for the beginning of the march down the main street. There were men and women who had served in both world wars. The importance they placed on remembering those who did not return was instilled in me by both my grandfather and father. It was that on Anzac Day I marched with them; their Service Medals pinned to my coat lapels.

My grandfather had served in the Australian Light Horse in Northern Africa and in Europe during the World War I and as a result of “being too bloody close to an exploding shell” had received wounds that left him with a gammy leg and fingers on one hand that didn’t move. He walked with a stick and I well remember marching beside him wondering how he could walk so quickly. He would say, “Come on young fella, keep up. Hold your head up high, be proud and do not let the wind slow you down.”

I have never forgotten those words for within them was meaning and wisdom far beyond a simple reminder to walk a bit quicker.

My father had served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the World War II and was steadfastly loyal to the values and beliefs that came from serving his country. Mateship, courage, sense of duty, love of country, self-worth, good humour and endurance are words that I heard on Anzac Day all those years ago. Words that describe the very essence of Anzac.

Over the years Anzac Day has remained an important date on our calendar. Yet, Australia has grown and diversified culturally, religiously and politically and subsequently in our multi-cultural society we see conflicting beliefs and values. We see an element of disruption and social anarchy arising. We see traditional social and family values being questioned.

On Anzac Day 2018, I wonder what my grandfather and father would think of modern day Australia were they here to march on Anzac Day in a country so different to the one they fought for. Would they weep for Australia? No, because despite all the things that threaten the freedom that they and so many others fought to preserve, we remain Australia. A nation that has always kept up, has always held her head high, been proud and has never let the wind slow her down.

“And with Australia’s flag shall fly
A spray of wattle bough,
To symbolise our unity,
We’re all Australians now”
Banjo Paterson/Letter to the troops 1915.

We will always remember and the spirit of Anzac will live on.
Lest we forget.

What do you think about the Australia of today?

Want to go in the draw to win some great prizes? It’s as easy as putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, and sharing your thoughts with other 60-pluses. Sign up as a contributor and submit your stories to Starts at 60 here, and join the Starts at 60 Bloggers Club on Facebook here to talk to other writers in the Starts at 60 community and learn more about how to write for Starts at 60.