By The Hon. Julia Gillard ForewordPrime Minister of Australia Rupert Brooke’s famous poem speaks movingly of the “corner of a foreign field that is forever England.” These words evoke the sense that wherever a nation’s soldiers shed their blood, that land becomes a precious part of its identity. For Australians, Gallipoli is such a place. “Today not a single The place. Gallipoli veteran If there is anywhere sacred to Australians beyond our own shores, it is this dry, scrubby peninsula at the ancient crossroads where Europe and Asia meet. remains. Those Today not a single Gallipoli veteran remains. Those who survived the Turkish guns have been claimed by time, and this epic wartime story now belongs to the ages. who survived the But Anzac is no myth. It is not a story to be relegated to the library shelves. Turkish guns have It is a living tradition, as witnessed by the thousands of young people who travel at great cost and inconvenience to be there at the very place and time when ordinary Australian young people like been claimed by them faced – and passed – our nation’s sternest test. time, and this epic It is no secret why they are drawn. They are not impelled by stories of military victory or the glorification of war. Far from it. It is a quiet contemplation among the beaches, the hillsides and the wartime story now gravestones. It is a pilgrimage. I think they are drawn to Gallipoli, as we are all drawn to the observation of Anzac Day in our belongs to the suburbs and towns, in search of our better selves. ages. But Anzac For a moment, we are taken away from the stresses of modern living and into the minds of these young men as they approached the Dardanelles, tinged with fear and a perhaps touch of naiveté, is no myth. It is which quickly matured into incredible courage and professionalism under fire, tempered with Aussie larrikinism that made the burden easier to bear. not a story to be They made no pretention to be statesmen or heroes. Others made the claim for them and it often relegated to the embarrassed them. Indeed many hated the idea of war all their days. We see ourselves in them precisely because of their humanity and modesty. And we wonder if it library shelves... had been us, would we have been as brave and resourceful as them? We’ve had hints in recent years from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan that the answer is still we will remember yes. In fact, I am certain – thanks to the sustaining power of the Anzacs’ deeds, and our enduring them. Because we ability to learn the right lessons from their example. So on Anzac Day 2012, our nation can say – with full gratitude and unyielding conviction – we will will never forget.” remember them. Because we will never forget. From the PublisherGreg T Ross nzac Day, the words and associated We have also our regular Education and the good news to report. It’s not difficult and deeds and ceremonies is a strong part Anzac Spirit feature that this edition highlights with plenty of positive people out there and Aof the hearts and minds of Australians Brisbane’s Churchies Grammar School along positive things happening I can promise heaps and New Zealanders in 2012. After a near with Loreto College and Adelaide High. more with the next edition that also carried a death experience in the 70’s and early 80’s the Subscribers have become a very important part theme of tolerance. It will feature interviews day has transformed itself into something that of what we do and as a ‘thank you’, The Last with former champion marathon runner, Rob we can all feel a part of. It serves not only as a Post has selected subscriber giveaways for our de Castella, Sex Discrimination Commissioner reminder of the past but a hope too, of what we readers. Each edition subscribers names will be Elizabeth Broderick, Rolf Harris, musician Jim can do in the future. Australians from all walks drawn to win a prize. This edition, Bruce Amos Keays and former AFL indigenous player Che of life and all ages take part in the day and it from Moree will receive the Wild Fox Organic Cockatoo-Collins. is my honour to be able to bring you this, the Wine pack, David Dare from Caulfield will third and special Autumn/Anzac Day edition of The Wild Fox Organic Wine Pack, Bruce Amos Cheers until then. The Last Post, featuring forewords/messages from Moree will receive a copy of Ron Barassi’s from the Prime Minister’s of Australia and New Allen and Unwin book ‘Wisdom’ and Lenny Zealand and their Governor’s-General. There Tems from Whittlesea receives a Carl Barron is also forewords/messages from the Federal DVD. Thanks to all subscribers and there will Department of Veterans Affairs and Education be more giveaways next edition. It’s only $40 Department. a year so if you want to become part of it all (and even maybe write a Letter to The Editor!) Apart from an in-depth look at Anzac Day, The please get in contact. Last Post also gives readers a look at what’s G r eg going on at a couple of RSL clubs around the Subscriber and traveller Frank Sebastyan country. We have great articles and stories writes for us in this edition on his travels with from some of Australia’s best writers, including wife Christine. If we can get Frank to sit still Greg T Ross Martin Flanagan, Geoff Strong, Michael Short, long enough we’ll have more of his travels in Publisher, ‘The Last Post’ Bridie Smith, Cara Jenkin and Murray Walding. upcoming editions. We also donate a couple [email protected] We have interviews with Point Zero 5 founder of pages to the Kidney Kar Rally starting in Peter Yeo, Alzheimer Australia’s Ita Buttrose, August in Mandurah, WA and finishing in surfing legend and creator or surfing movie Bendigo, Victoria. Morning of the Earth, Alby Falzon, comedian Carl Barron, ABC radio’s Peter Goers along Instead of just sending journo’s off to the with former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser’s Courts and reporting negative “news” , The recent speech on the constitution. Last Post is enacting it’s philosophy of finding to the following for their help with ‘The Last Post’ autumn edition: thanks... Prime Minister Gillard and staff, Her Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, Prime Minister Key and staff, His Excellency the Governor- General of NZ, Malcolm Fraser, City of Port Adelaide/Enfield, Loreto College, Ausglobal Travel Group, Bridie Smith, Australia Post, Frank Sebastyan, Legacy, DVA, Veterans SA, Alby Falzon, Pat Lake Smith, Rolf Harris, The Surf Travel Company, Blackwood RSL, Geoff Strong, Cara Jenkin, Michael Short, VVCS, Office of Australian War Graves, Carl Barron, Wild Fox Wines, Defence Health, Peter Yeo, Brisbane’s Anglican Church Grammar School, Anne- Louise Graham Bell, Ted Bull, Veterans SA, AFL, NRL, Sydney Uni, Bradshaw Primary, Harrison School, Geelong RSL, Morning of the Earth Surfboards, Ita Buttrose, Murray Walding, Martin Flanagan, Outward Bound Australia, Taylor Collison, Murray McHenry, Steve’s Fine Wine and Food, Michael Hartley, Australian Red Cross, Home Hill RSL, Port Adelaide Football Club, Peter Goers, The Salvation Army, Heart Research Institute, Rushdi Razik and Faifax, News Ltd, AVCAT, Adelaide High, Graeme Willingham and the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club, National Film and Sound Archives 2 THE LAST POST AUTUMN / ANZAC DAY 2012 Message from Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO Governor-General of Australia ANZAC Day is such a precious date in our together in defence of the values and principles calendar. We gather together right across the we stand for – that characterise our way of life. nation to give our thanks and remember the Today our brave service men and women thousands who perished at Gallipoli, and the continue to defend our freedom with the many thousands more on the Western Front. same tenacity and spirit. When called upon, The one and a half million who have served this our defence personnel stand ready to serve in nation with valour since. conflict zones across the globe. Each capital city and every country town At home we strive to keep faith with the has its own special ANZAC marker. Our Anzac character in our every day lives. We magnificent Australian War Memorial, our draw on our own inner strengths when our regional war cemeteries, simple plaques, courage is tested. avenues of trees or park benches. Australians In our willingness to persevere through of all ages have a great respect for the misfortune and adversity. In our capacity to ANZAC legacy; it is a story deeply entwined remain steadfast when floodwaters rise and in our history. bushfires ravage. We pay tribute to the New Zealand soldiers As we commemorate this year’s Anzac Day, who joined us in the trenches and on the our nation stops to give thanks for what was beaches at Anzac Cove - and in later theatres laid down on our behalf almost a century ago. of war. The bonds between our countries Thanks to the families whose loved ones never forged in battle and human sacrifice still run returned. Thanks to those who serve our nation deep. They lie at the heart of our friendship. today in the pursuit of a peaceful world. Side by side. The intimacy of our relationship comes from that early conflict. From 1915 to We owe them a great deal - and we will the present day, our armed forces have worked remember them.