Anzac Day 2022: Public show up in force to support our veterans
In the final hundred metres of Sydney’s Anzac Day march, 101-year-old World War II veteran John ‘Jock’ Wilkinson made a silent pledge with himself to rise from his wheelchair.
NSW
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It was the final hundred metres of Sydney’s Anzac Day march when World War II veteran John ‘Jock’ Wilkinson made a silent pledge with himself to rise from his wheelchair.
As the march rounded the corner near Hyde Park’s Anzac Memorial, the 101-year-old took to his feet, walking the final stretch up the slight gradient of Liverpool Street.
But good luck getting a humble digger – one who served on the front lines of New Guinea, no less, where he was a sergeant in the “native unit” tasked with carrying out daring jungle raids against the Japanese – to talk himself up.
“I got a bit sick of sitting down,” he smiled when asked about his motivation for finishing on his feet.
He was one of less than two dozen World War II veterans in this year’s march, applauded by thousands of onlookers in the biggest Anzac Day commemoration the state has held in three years.
More than 5000 attended the Martin Place Dawn Service and over 9000 marched in the CBD parade in the largest Anzac Day scenes since 2019.
Among those marching were Mr Wilkinson – who made the seven-hour trip from the tiny town of Coleambally to take his place in front of the 2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion banner, the unit where he fought alongside Papua New Guinean troopers against the Japanese.
“They were a great lot – I really enjoyed them. They were wonderfully loyal,” he said of his comrades in the unit.
This year’s march was highlighted by the prominence of Australia’s Middle East veterans who served over the last two decades, such as Afghanistan veteran Mick Leayr, now the president of the North Ryde RSL Sub-branch.
“It’s a privilege to be up the front,” he said.
“My father served in Vietnam and he didn’t get a welcome home parade.
“Now that the RSL has graciously invited us up the front, I feel very privileged to have that status.”
They were joined by a small band of WWII veterans, like Gordon Richardson, 99, from Belrose.
He served in the Royal Australian Airforce in the Pacific campaign, and said it was “very special” to join the march on Anzac Day.
“In the Second World War, 10 of my family went and they all came back. We were lucky in a way – but it’s what you do for your country,” he said.
He marched with fellow veteran Valerie Ireland, who was part of an all-woman anti-aircraft battery tasked with watching over the shoreline at Newcastle during the war.
She joined the army a week after turning 18 and said Anzac Day brought back the memories of friends who died in the massive conflict.
“I was 16 when World War II broke out and I lost so many beautiful friends from my youth. So it’s very sad remembering all those beautiful people,” she said.
After two years of commemorations hampered by Covid-19, having a full contingent of veterans wasn’t lost on onlookers and those participating in the march.
Ron Leckie, who turned 100 on Monday, said there was two major points he took from his service as a RAAF navigator in the second world war.
“One is that you’re damn glad to be back when others didn’t,” he said.
“(The second is) we better not let it happen again.”
Former Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove chose to march with his fellow 9RAR Diggers as a face in the crowd as generals and privates are the same rank on Anzac Day.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said officers responded to “a few isolated incidents” but said crowds were mostly well-behaved.
The return of full-hearted Anzac Day commemorations roared back to life with thousands braving chilling rain at the 95th Dawn Service held at the Martin Place Cenotaph.
Thousands also turned out for major services at Bondi and Coogee, as well as across the bush.
Major General Matthew Pearse, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, spoke of the values of mateship and courage instilled by the Anzacs.
“It’s a story of a group of Australians who were determined not to give up despite the threat to their life, a group of ordinary Australians like us who braved in supporting their mates during the most challenging circumstances,” he said.
“They identify the values our nation holds of mateship, courage and never give up attitude.”
Ninety-six-year-old Private Leonard McLeod laid a wreath and reflected on his time serving in WWII as a teenager.
“The Japanese had taken Singapore and were coming our way, Australia was in a terrible place, I thought it was my duty to be in there too,” he said.
“I lost a lot of friends”.
Despite McLeod’s age and a few failed attempts of enlisting he made it through to the ranks thanks to his excellent shot.
“My brother and I used to shoot rabbits so I could handle a rifle, so a 303 was only a bit heavier and not much different. I was 15 at the time and a pretty good shot.”
Air Force Reserves veteran Reg Gough told the Daily Telegraph what Anzac day meant to him.
“Memory, tribute, reflection and folk.”
Martin Place was filled once again to the delight of Leonard McLeod who was more than impressed with the turn out.
“It’s unbelievable, I’ve been to a lot (of dawn services) around the country, but here today is unbelievable.”
Hundreds also lined the shoreline at North Bondi to remember and honour the sacrifices of Anzac veterans.
The North Bondi dawn service paid respect to service men and women and fallen soldiers from 1898 to present day.
The service was attended by several politicians including Federal member for Wentworth Dave Sharma, state MP Gabrielle Upton, and Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos.
In a service which uniquely focused on elevating Indigenous voices, and began with a welcome to country, speakers then acknowledged the war in Ukraine as well as the issues faced by Indigenous Australians throughout the country’s history.
Onlookers crowded roads and footpaths on all sides of the North Bondi RSL, some gathered in the sand with heads bowed while others lined the nearby hill to get a glimpse of the laying of wreaths.
Thousands also turned out at Coogee beach in Sydney’s east for the dawn service for the first time in two years.
Men, women, children, dogs, and in a touching local gesture - lifesavers - gathered in front of the beach in the pre-dawn light to pay their respects with the waves pounding below, reminiscent of Anzac Cove on the morning of April 25, 1915.
The rain held off long enough for the ceremony to take place which included a welcome to country by Dr Peter Mckenzie from the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, prayers by Chaplain Stephen Brooks, an Anzac address by Commander Tina Brown, wreath laying and a moving performance of the John Williamson song “True Blue” performed by local country music star Amber Lawrence with children from the South Coogee School choir - many of whom have parents who serve in the military.
As the sun rose, the Last Post and Reveille rang out and the Australian national anthem was performed twice, once by Jo Elms in English and a second time in the local Dharawal language by Cianna Walker.
The ceremony was followed by a free breakfast for current service men and women and veterans at Coogee Diggers club and an Anzac Day march will begin at 9.30am from the Coogee Diggers to Coogee Beach.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor frontbenchers paid their respects at a moving Anzac Day dawn service along the Darwin waterfront.
At least 9000 people were expected to fill the park in front of the cenotaph, 107 years after the arrival on Gallipoli beach. Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles and frontbencher Terri Butler joined Solomon MP Luke Gosling and Senator Malarndirri McCarthy to represent Anthony Albanese, who remains in isolation with Covid-19.
Both Mr Morrison and Mr Marles will put politics to bed for the morning, taking turns to address the thousands - speaking of the Anzac legacy and the lasting impact it has had on Australia.
Beautiful ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Terrigal War Memorial pic.twitter.com/r2z7pO4H1Z
— Michael Phillips (@phillips_1981) April 24, 2022
After two years of cancelled and restricted marches and showing locked down support from the end of driveways, everyone is encouraged to attend.
“We can all show our appreciation for the sacrifices our Diggers made by showing up in force this Anzac Day,” Mr Perrottet said.
“For young people, Anzac Day is also an opportunity to express their gratitude by appreciating everything our nation offers: the peace, the opportunity, the prosperity, the freedom. These gifts have been purchased at a great price and we must cherish and protect them,” he said.
“With the passing of time the legacy and tradition of Anzac Day only grows stronger and, as a society, we cannot know where we are going unless we know where we have come from.”
Afghan veteran Jim Grey, who works at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, said: “Public recognition and the support of the public is so important in the role that we do.”
He said it was a lesson learned from Vietnam, when that visible public support was not there. “If soldiers feel supported and valued it goes a long way towards our mental health and wellbeing,” he said.
NSW Veterans Minister David Elliott said: “I think for the defence family, this is going to be a very, very special day.”
He said this year had enormous historical significance because “it’s 50 years since we withdrew from Vietnam, it’s 70 years since we’ve completed operations in Korea and 80 years since the Kokoda Track.
“For three years veterans have not been able to commemorate in the way that they traditionally do,” he said.
“And on top of that, that is the first Anzac Day since the complete withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
“We’ve got family and friends, we’ve got free transport, and the fact that it’s the Monday after a prolonged period of school holidays and public holidays – that’s the perfect combination for a wonderful commemoration,” he said.
Mr Elliott, who as an army officer served on peace keeping operations in Bougainville, will be joined on the march by Labor Veterans spokesman Greg Warren, who served in the army for almost a decade.
“Ultimately we’re post lockdown so I’d love to see everyone get back out as we pay our respects to those who have served and continue to serve and paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Mr Warren said.
“Like every Australian I love Anzac Day,” he said. “The best part of it is after all the official stuff done, is to go for a few schooners at the local with my mates and fellow veterans.”
Labor leader Chris Minns said: “Anzac Day is a day we remember the bravery and sacrifices of our service men and women. We remember the men and women who did not return and we remember those who did, forever changed by the atrocities they had seen and experienced.
“Anzac Day has certainly been different over the past couple of years. Not being able to have Anzac events because of Covid really illustrates the value and importance of being able to come together and pay our respects.
“Which I why this year, I encourage everyone to get the kids and take them to your local service and ensure that the Anzac spirit lives on generation after generation,” he said.
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