The ANZAC Tradition

The ANZAC tradition – the ideals of courage, endurance and mate-ship that are still relevant today – was established on 25 April 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

It was the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in some 25000 Australian casualties, including 8700 who were killed or died og wounds or disease. The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word ‘ANZAC’ to our vocabulary and creating the notion of the Anzac spirit.

While there might be many interpretations open to us, in relation to what Anzac Day means today, your attendance at an ANZAC Day ceremony today was a resounding demonstration of the value that you place on the important and valuable legacy left by the men who fought at Gallipoli and the legacy of Australia’s veterans of later wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

This year we might especially acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the famous Battle of Beersheba and the mounted charge their of the Australian Light Horse units that permitted the advance of the allied forces to Damascus.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Returning and Services League of Australia which has, over these 100 years, held the maintenance of the welfare of veterans and their dependents who are in need as its primary object.