Anzac Day 2019: Australians defy security risks to honour war dead
Australians have turned out in big numbers at dawn services and parades around the country.
Scott Morrison has used his first Anzac address as Prime Minister to pay tribute to those servicemen who had lost their lives fighting for Australia in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister will not campaign for the rest of the day after he and Bill Shorten decided to suspend electioneering on Anzac Day.
The PM said the end of World War I a century ago means Australians should now remember those soldiers who return from conflict “wounded in body and soul”.
He recalled his own grandfather who never spoke much of his time in service, nor the “carnage that cannot he unseen.”
“Pop would wake in the middle of the night but he didn’t talk about,” Mr Morrison said at the dawn service in Townsville. “Anzac Day was part of the calendar of his life. His reflections of the war were personal and private. “Few remain now of my grandfather’s generation. But their successors walk among us.
“The veterans of Korea, Vietnam, the first Iraq War, our peacekeepers and a new generation of veterans — Iraq again and our longest war, Afghanistan.
“Today, we remember soldiers like Private Benjamin Ranuado, who served as part of the First Battalion based here in Townsville. He was 22 years of age when he fell in Afghanistan, struck by an IED while on a mission to disrupt a bomb-making operation north of Tarin Kowt.
“You know, whether it be in Afghanistan, or in generations before, the story of Australia’s sacrifice in war is also the story of the quiet and deep and personal struggles of the families left behind.
“I met Bree Till 10 years ago. Her husband of less than a year, Sergeant Brett Till, was also killed. He was part of the incident response regiment. He was just 31, in Afghanistan.”
Mr Morrison laid a wreath at the cenotaph by the water in Townsville’s city, joined by wife Jenny Morrison. “Today we remember veterans learning to live with the scars, the
absences,” he said. “Kids growing up without their parents, with only the photos and the stories.”
Mr Morrison called on Australians to remember those Defence Force personnel currently defending the nation and the families left behind.
“The men and women of our ADF come from every part of our continent. And with their service, a new generation of families who know the cost of war and sacrifice support them,” he said.
“They are a generation who also deserve to be remembered and honoured here today. They serve across the world in Iraq, in Afghanistan, Israel, Lebanon, the Philippines, protecting our people, our interests, our values, and in the seas beyond our shores, protecting our borders as well.”
More than a century ago, on the bloody battlefields of Pozieres, a seriously wounded soldier, grappling with the end of his young life, asked: “Will they remember me in Australia?†Across our nation, we join together as one today & answer “We will remember them. Lest we forget." pic.twitter.com/ph4vtkWQDI
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) April 25, 2019
Bill Shorten in NT
Labor leader Bill Shorten has paid tribute to the Anzacs for protecting the Australian way of life in his address at the dawn service in Darwin. The Opposition Leader addressed thousands of locals on a barmy 25 degree morning, declaring Australians could “live our lives” because of the service of diggers.
“The true memorial, the most powerful monument to those who have served and suffered and died, is all around us,” Mr Shorten said.
“The greatest legacy of Anzac is the free country we call home. The peace we live in, the democracy we vote in. The fact that we can gather here today with families and friends to share a meal and raise a glass under the beautiful Territory sky. We can do these things because of those who have served and do serve.”
Mr Shorten laid a reef at the cenotaph on the Darwin’s Bicentennial Park, along with Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner and outgoing Indigenous Affairs Minister Michael Nigel Scullion.
One veteran at the event, 93-year-old Austin Ashe, served as a radar operator in World War II. Mr Ashe said Anzac Day should be the most important day for every Australian.
“It is embedded in us. The traditions of mate ship and not caring too much about authority,” Mr Ashe said. “You have always got to keep it in mind. You don’t say it too much but it was there. It was created for you by a group of courageous men and women who faced the most appalling conditions and faced them with bravery.
“Just imagine if we hadn’t shown bravery at Gallipoli, what sort of a country would we be now? But we can look back at Anzac and be proud to be Australians.”
Guest speaker at the ceremony, Royal Australian Air Force wing commander Steven Parsons, said Territorians should never forget the Top End came under attack in the second world war.
“In a perfect world there would be no wars, no aggression and no requirement to maintain defence forces. Unfortunately, as we know, this is not a perfect world,” Mr Parsons said.
“When necessary to preserve peace in our region or elsewhere in the world, we must be prepared to deploy our forces, to struggle for and protect the rights of our own nation and that of our neighbours. We must, when necessary, stand up for what we as a nation believe is right.
“Some might say that this day glorifies war but every veteran would tell you that their greatest wish, their most fervent desire, is that their children, and by extension this nation, may never have to witness the horrors of war.”
Mr Shorten left Darwin after the ceremony and is headed to Melbourne, where he will watch the traditional Anzac Day AFL clash between Collingwood and Essendon.
GG’s final message
Governor-general Peter Cosgrove has thanked troops and their families in his last Anzac Day message as the Queen’s representative in Australia.
“I’ve considered it an absolute privilege to have served with, and been associated with, the great men and women of the Australian Defence Force and, by association with their families and loved ones,” he said in a video address.
“For service past, for those who serve today, Anzac Day always has, and always will be about those who serve, their stories, and the sacrifices they make.
“It is on their conscience and courage that we live as we do, and aspire for peace and prosperity for future generations.”
The Governor-general, a former chief of the Australian Defence Force, will deliver the Commemorative Address at the Anzac Day National Ceremony in Canberra later this morning.
The dawn service in the nation’s capital this morning — held at the Australian War Memorial — was attended by 35,000 people.
Sir Peter will retire in June and will be replaced by NSW Governor David Hurley, another former ADF chief.
Mark Donaldson’s message to millennials
A recipient of Australia’s top military honour has urged the nation’s millennials to learn more about the young men and women who died for their country during war this morning.
Corporal Mark Donaldson VC — the first Australian to receive the Victoria Cross in 40 years for his actions during an enemy ambush in Afghanistan — gave the keynote address at Canberra’s national Anzac Day dawn service.
The Victoria Cross recipient and war hero said the best way to honour the fallen Anzacs was for Australians to live a good life and respect others.
“We honour their sacrifice by living a good life, in respect of others, enjoying the freedoms, and inspiring others to build a better Australia, a stronger Anzac spirit,” he said this morning.
“We should strive to be worthy of these sacrifices made for us. The Australian War Memorial was built on a promise — one our nation has a responsibility to uphold.
“A promise not just to an individual but for an individual, all of them. Those who served in the past, serving today, and who will serve in the future.
“This place reminds those who wear our uniform that we care, that we are grateful for their sacrifice above self. That we have a place to reflect and that we will never forget.”
Corporal Donaldson called on young Australians in particular to visit the Memorial and reflect on how many fallen soldiers were in their teens or early twenties when they died.
“Even if it is for just one of them. I urge the young people to visit, learn and be inspired by these deeds. Look at the age of those who went, who stood up, and who committed.
“They were your age. If not younger. That which we commemorate today and the brave and courageous behaviours we honour were undertaken by young men and women.”
Dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide
The normally bustling Martin Place in Sydney fell into an stillness as the crowd of thousands fell silent to commemorate the ANZAC troops at the Sydney Cenotaph.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Tanya Plibersek both attended the 4.30am dawn service.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, the NSW Governor General David Hurley laid wreaths on the cenotaph along with representatives from the police and the Australian Army.
Consuls-General for New Zealand, America and Turkey also laid wreaths to commemorate their fallen soldiers.
Thousands of war veterans, army personnel, and families of fallen soldiers then marched along Elizabeth Street through Sydney’s CBD to mark Anzac Day.
James Craig, 10, was on the sidelines of the march with his mother and brother, waving an Australian flag to commemorate his great grandfather, who served at Pearl Harbor in World War II. “All the army people saved us so that’s why we’re here — to remember them,” James told The Australian.
At 103, Albert Collins waved to the crowd with a toothy smile as he was pushed in his wheelchair past Sydney’s Hyde Park.
“I’m 103 and my batteries are still working,” Mr Collins said. “I think today should never be forgotten, we must always remember all those who preceded us,” Mr Collins continued.
Mr Collins served in Dutch New Guinea in World War II.
Young representatives from the Navy were out in force, looking forward to catching up with friends normally deployed around the country and overseas.
“It’s what Anzac Day is really about — it’s about mateship and it’s the one time of the year where we can all catch up with each other, otherwise everyone else is out on deployment,” said 23-year-old Christine Fine who serves in the Navy.
President of the RSL and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s son-in-law James Brown was at the march, shaking hands with veterans, and paying tribute to his grandfather who survived a bullet wound on the Kokoda track in World War II.
Mr Brown served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It’s amazing that so many Australians turned out and what I’ve really noticed this year is how many people are saying thank you to veterans, they’re actively going out of their way to say thank you,” Mr Brown said.
“For me it’s a busy day but it’s a day where I think about people I served with family members who have served, and of course mates who are still serving today,” he added.
Melburnians have turned out in droves to pay their respects with some arriving at the Shrine of Remembrance in inner Melbourne hours early to get a good spot. The crowds were hushed in anticipation with the darkness of early morning punctured by artificial light.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews says it’s up to every Australian to honour the sacrifice of returned servicemen by being good citizens.
Mr Andrews drew on conversations he had with returned servicemen at his local RSL as he addressed thousands of Victorians gathered on the hills around the Shrine of Remembrance war memorial after the Last Post played.
“In response they tell me their stories, stories of sacrifice wounds and battles,” he said
“Remembrance and responsibility. How they were thrown together by circumstance and bound together by service.”
“To take of the next generation, the next generation of service man will be the next generation of ANZACS,”
“Because as one wise Anzac told me we won’t be around forever.”
Jodi and David Ujimoto with their two children Jackson, 8, and Abigail, 5, arrived in Melbourne at 3am from the Philippines just to attend the dawn service. “It teaches us to remember our history and those who came before us and fought so we have a great country we could live today,” Mrs Ujimoto said. “We have freedom and a right to live life like we choose.”
Two days ago the Ujimotos were at the World War II memorial in Palau in the Micronesia and also visited the site of Hiroshima. “Just to give the kids an education in how it impacted everyone,” Mr Ujimoto said. “Whether they were enemy or allies.”
The family will now jump on a train to their home in the northern Victorian town of Echuca.
“It was very important for us to come.” she said.
The contribution of migrants in the defence of Australia was a key theme at this morning’s dawn service in Adelaide. Ian Smith, chair of South Australia’s RSL Anzac Day committee, said many migrants were forced to overcome the restrictions of the White Australia policy and the Defence Act in order to enlist.
“On the badge of the RSL, alongside sprigs of wattle, are a leek, a rose, a thistle and a shamrock,” he told the estimated 2000 people who gathered in chilly conditions in Adelaide’s CBD. “But if you look at the rolls of honour inside the National War Memorial on North Terrace and on the memorials surrounding it, alongside names like Llewellyn, Brown, McDonald and O’Connor, you will find names like Jergens, Corigliano, Radke, Weidenhofer, Radoslovich.
“All fell in Australian uniform while fighting for the country they called home.”
Mr Smith said migrants from many nations had a strong record of service in the Australian armed forces, including current president of the Royal Australian Regiment Association in South Australia, Mike von Berg, and RSL state president Bronson Horan.
Mr von Berg had to be hastily naturalised in Vietnam after it was discovered he was actually a German citizen, and not Australian as he and the Army had assumed, while Mr Horan was wounded in Afghanistan just six months after becoming an Australian citizen.
“Today we remember the service and sacrifices of all Australians who have served our nation in wars and conflicts since Federation,” Mr Smith said.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall was one of a number of politicians who laid a wreath at the cenotaph on North Terrace in Adelaide’s CBD.
Senator David Fawcett represented the Prime Minister, while Senator Penny Wong represented the Opposition Leader.
Mr Marshall urged people to take time today to honour not only those who had served and given their lives in past wars, but those currently deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other operations across the globe.
“To all in the Veterans community: today is your day, enjoy it in the knowledge that those you have served will be honouring your service and sacrifice,” he said.
“It’s an important day in our nation’s history, and a tradition that we must ensure remains for all time.” Around 9000 South Australians have died in battle while serving Australia.
Security tight in NZ
Anzac Day services across New Zealand were scaled back in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack, but that didn’t stop thousands of New Zealander’s gathering around the country to commemorate the day.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern:
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) April 24, 2019
Let us recommit to those simple values of freedom, democracy and peace.
MORE: https://t.co/IHJsB7fjJ2 #anzacday pic.twitter.com/ys3Kgutg7B
With the memory of the 50 people killed in the Christchurch attack weighing heavily on the minds of people attending services in New Zealand this morning, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told the crowd at the Auckland War Memorial Museum the country needed to recommit to principles of freedom, democracy and peace.
Prince William flew to New Zealand to attend the Anzac Day service in Auckland, and will fly to Christchurch this afternoon to meet with survivors of the terrorist attack.
Additional reporting: Remy Varga, Sascha O’Sullivan, Luke Griffiths
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