I’ve attended ANZAC Day commemorations throughout my entire life, it’s a time to remember my grandparents who lived and served during World War II. For me, ANZAC Day is about learning from the sacrifices of those before us. It is an opportunity to reflect on a better way forward; a life without the horrors of war.
Growing up, I would hear short anecdotes about my grandparents and their time serving in World War II. My granddad was stationed in Tobruk in Libya, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Papua New Guinea and in Egypt, where he crossed the Sinai Desert six times, and underwent an appendectomy in Alexandria, surviving the bombing of the hospital ship he was on.
I learnt a lot from his character and attitude, most of which I consider a by-product of his time fighting overseas. While most of us, thankfully, will never fight a war in our time, we are facing our own battle right now, journeying together through suffering and hardship. The spirit of the ANZACs lives on in Australia with mateship and community continuing to underpin our society when we are doing it tough. This year, it will be harder for us to commemorate our ANZACs, harder for us to stand in solidarity with Australia’s servicemen and women, but that’s no reason to shy away.
This is how I will be remembering and paying tribute to the soldiers past and present this year:
- At 6am this Saturday, I’ll be standing on my driveway, streaming a short, online service by the country’s RSLs. From the safety of my home, I will continue to honour those who have and continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for us all. Join me in remembering our ANZACs from home. Search “RSL – Light Up the Dawn” and pledge your commitment online to holding an at-home commemoration.
- Baking ANZAC biscuits – a simple way to commemorate the hardships our ancestors endured, both the soldiers who ate them and the wives who baked.
- Taking a moment to be grateful for the life I lead because of the sacrifice those before me made. In the shower or over a cup of tea, it’s important to reflect on history and how those before us who helped safeguard our future.
- Pass on the spirit of the ANZACs by checking in with a friend. Many people are struggling with self-isolation due to the current pandemic. Touch base to see how your loved ones are going and lend an ear to listen. Aussie mateship is everything.
Although this ANZAC Day may be spent in isolation, we can still share love, kindness and positivity. The spirit of the ANZACs has never gone away, it has simply changed with the times. In 2020, the spirit of the ANZACs still lives in all of us, in those small, precious moments when we stand together, untied in hope.
Nicole Rowles is the Nine News Regional Queensland Weather Presenter, reporting local updates to the Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Wide Bay, Central Queensland, North Queensland and Far North Queensland regions.
