ANZAC – CraigLaundy

ANZAC Day 2016 Commemorations

Mon, 25 Apr 2016 00:00:01 +0000

This year I had the honour of attending various Anzac Day commemorations held in our community, including at the Kokoda Memorial Track, the Concord RSL dawn service, and the Breakfast Point dawn service.

In the photos which can be found on my Facebook page /a24a5be7a6076556c8c2f16e5065bd40/CraigLaundyMP/videos/1087235781297856/ you will see a young student from Concord reciting the poem he wrote about Anzac Day at the Concord RSL dawn service:

In the days that we did not know
The adventure would grow
Once we reach the front lines
We would be put into rows
For many to visit us within the rows
And rows to be reminding all of
The horrors of those long ago years
Foes and enemies are now making amends
We now must remember
And celebrate the courage of many
On the ANZAC Day

It brings me great pride and hope to see Australia’s youth – the next generation of Australian leaders – having strong connections and reverance for the Anzac spirit.

Lest We Forget.

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ANZAC Day

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 00:00:05 +0000

A century ago, the focus of the First World War turned to the Western Front. The battles and victories of this era helped define the War, and define early Australia. The Burwood War Memorial Arch, erected soon after the First World War, stands as a reminder of our community’s sacrifices to fight for country and freedom.

The soldiers of the Australian Army earned a reputation, which continues to this day, as a professional and formidable fighting force that works hard, takes on the most significant challenges and succeeds under difficult circumstances. The bravery of the AIF was complemented by the courage of the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS). These women tirelessly worked in hospitals, on hospital ships and trains, or in casualty clearing stations closer to the front line.

At the conclusion of the War, many men and women returned home bearing scars – physical and emotional – from their service.

I encourage you to attend one of the ANZAC Day Services in our community this year to commemorate the service and sacrifice of all Australians who have served our country with distinction and honour.

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Newington Public School’s ANZAC Day Assembly

Fri, 08 Apr 2016 00:00:49 +0000

Today I was honoured to attend Newington Public School’s ANZAC Day Assembly. ANZAC Day is a truly sacred time in our calendar and the young students of Newington put on a fitting service. Each class laid a wreath that they had designed themselves, a number of year 6 students were dressed in traditional uniforms and a current serving member of the Australian Defence Force stood proudly on stage. Darcy, my sharp looking friend fourth from the left, was proudly wearing his great-grandfather’s medals from the First World War.

The site of Newington is located on the old Newington Armory, the connection with Australia’s wartime is a direct one and it was only appropriate then that the school has a permanent memorial dedicated to those who served. During the assembly I present the school Principal, Ian Adamson, with a temporary plaque whilst the application for a permanent one is processed.

The students of Newington, and their school itself, are true reflections of the freedoms granted to all of by those brave men and women who gave their life in the defence and service of Australia.

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The life of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 00:00:03 +0000

Tomorrow, people of Turkish descent the world over pause to remember and commemorate the life of a great visionary, and one of history’s great leaders, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Much has been said about the historic figure this year and his high regard for the ANZACs who fought at Gallipoli. What may be less known is his important role after the war in creating a modern, secular, Republic of Turkey from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire.

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ANZAC Day tomorrow

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:00:20 +0000

These are some of the beautiful wreaths that we will be laying at dawn services across Reid tomorrow. I encourage all of you to attend a local ceremony near you.

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ANZAC Day

Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:13:31 +0000

Every year, ANZAC Day provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women. This year holds a special significance, as next weekend we mark 100 years since the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli.

The legacy of those first ANZACs helped to define what we, as a nation, would stand for on the global stage. Having only been a Federal Commonwealth for thirteen years prior to the outbreak of World War I, those men and women earned admiration from friends and foes alike.

The bravery shown by those men and women is a credit to Australia’s history. One night in April 1917, John Woods Whittle’s platoon was suffering heavy casualties when the enemy launched a surprise counter-attack and sought to bring up a machine gun to expose the position. Single-handedly, John Woods Whittle rushed to attack the hostile gun crew with bombs before the gun could be actioned. He was awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery and in 1946 when Sjt. Whittle passed away, he was laid to rest at Rookwood Cemetery in Reid.

The ideals that are epitomised in the ANZAC spirit continue to be reflected in the work of those who serve in the Australian Defence Force today. The values of endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour, and mateship are on display from operations in the Middle East, to operations with our regional neighbours, national security operations, disaster relief, and so much more.

Lest We Forget.

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ANZAC Ceremonies in Reid

Fri, 17 Apr 2015 00:00:35 +0000

Sunday 19^th April 2015

Concord: Kokoda Track Memorial Service at Rhodes Park starting at 5.30am.

Five Dock: Commemoration Service for Centenary of ANZAC at Five Dock Park starting at 11am.

Saturday 25^th April 2015:

Auburn: Dawn Service at Auburn Town Hall starting at 5.00am.

Auburn: Live broadcast of the Gallipoli Dawn Service and Lone Pine Memorial Service at the Gallipoli Mosque starting at 5.00am.

Burwood: Burwood RSL Club/Sub Branch/Council joint Centenary Service at Burwood Park starting at 6.30am followed by a complimentary breakfast at Burwood RSL Club at 7.30am.

Concord: March from Norman Street to Concord RSL Club starting at 5.00am.

Concord: Dawn Service in car park in front of Concord RSL Club starting at 5.15am. If there is wet weather, the service will be held in the Auditorium. The dawn service will be followed by breakfast and the march shown live from the city on the big screens.

Concord: Two Up will commence at Concord RSL Club at 12.00pm.

Concord: Service at the War Memorial (Crane & Broughton Streets, Queen Elizabeth Park, Concord) starting at 5.00PM.

Drummoyne: Service of Commemoration, Centenary of ANZAC at the Cenotaph in Marlborough Street starting at 5.45AM.

Five Dock: 2 Course Luncheon at Club Five Dock RSL starting at 12pm ($30 per person).

Five Dock: Two Up will commence at Club Five Dock RSL in the Function Room at 1.00pm.

Lidcombe: Dawn Service at Rememberance Park, Joseph Street in Lidcombe starting at 5.15am which will be followed by breakfast at Dooley’s Catholic Club (Johns Street, Lidcombe)

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Lest We Forget

Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:00:12 +0000

Today we mark 100 years since the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli and pay our respects to those who selflessly risked their lives fighting in World War 1 for our country.

Lest We Forget.

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