Prologue
We are assembled here to commemorate that immortal day when the young men of Australia and New Zealand, by their deeds and sacrifice, demonstrated to the world at Gallipoli that Australia and New Zealand were truly rising Nations.
The sons and daughters of ANZACs came forward without question, accepted gladly and discharged fully, their responsibilities during World War II, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, and in peace-keeping and peace-making operations, and the Afghanistan conflict.
On this day we remember the sacrifice of such men and women for an ideal, for a way of life.
Let us take strength in the knowledge and hope that our sons and daughters will never forget the example set by their forefathers. In our everyday life let us endeavour to carry on those traditions established in past wars and conflicts at such tragic cost.
We think of every man, woman and child who, in those crucial years, died so that the lights of freedom and liberty, so costly won, is not lost by our own indifference. So let us mourn with pride, but let us also remember with equal pride, those who served - and still serve.
"See that ye hold fast the heritage we leave you. Yea, and teach your children that never in the coming centuries may their hearts fail or their hands grow weak".
Rev. Dean Reilly
25 April 2011
