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Toormina High School

Toormina High School

Creating our future

Telephone02 6653 3077

Emailtoormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

'Embrace the ANZAC Spirit' by Brenton Knight

I'm standing here today to undertake a task usually reserved for men and women who have seen the harsh realities of war. It is a task which cannot be taken lightly. Ever since I was a child I've been fascinated with the military. The sights and sounds that are associated with it are like music to my ears. Throughout my childhood I've had the privilege to meet countless men and women serving in uniform, witness the roles they undertake and learn their stories of hardship, so similar to those of the ANZACs almost 100 years ago. Late last year I had the chance to witness the naval centenary alongside the most powerful men and women in militaries across the world today. Meeting them opens your eyes to just how much the effects of warfare have had on them. This opportunity was like a dream come true and furthered my motivation to join the armed forces.   

I don't wish this speech to be one that glorifies war or praises our victories, because as you know war is merely one role of the many hundereds undertaken by the men and women in uniform today.

As a young citizen growing up in a country that is free from the harsh realities of war and free from the fear associated with it, it is hard to comprehend just how much the men and women of our armed forces have forgone so that we can immerse our selves in this freedom. Although us young members of society don't yet realise it, the youth of today are the ANZACs of tomorrow. The youth of today are soldiers, sailors, airmen, and women to carry on this legacy. The youth of today are our nation's warriors of tomorrow. The ANZACs have given my generation the freedom and the choice to do whatever we wish. Here in Australia we are free to roam the streets without fear of bullets whizzing past our ears, the fear of sending our children to school with the uncertainty of them returning that afternoon. It's here at educational institutions such as this that our youth learn the legend of the ANZAC and how to apply it to their own induvidual lives. They learn the valuable traits of teamwork, mateship, trust and leadership that were created by those gallant men almost 100 year ago.

Although our first thoughts of the armed forces is thier involvement in war it is merely one role of hundreds that they undertake. As you are all most likely aware there is a multinational effort underway off Western Australia at the moment with the Navies, Air force and Maritime organisations all working in unison to find flight MH370. The RAAF currently have three aircraft deployed to the Soloman Islands supplying humanitarian relief for victims of the recent cyclone. The Army, Navy and Airforce are constantly assisting the United Nations with humanitarian and civil rights efforts in countries experiencing civil unrest. As you can see the role is vast and varied of our men and women, who today average 20 and a half years old.

Over the last several years I have been given the opportunity to sound the Last Post and the Reveille at schools across the Coffs Coast. Being given a task shrouded with such history and tradition is only what I can describe as a pure privilege. Seeing the faces of the children sitting attentively through the services is one that usually brings a tear to my eye. Although their understand of the ANZAC tradition is limited, they still have the maturity and compassion to understand that the ANZAC legend is one that required the utmost attention and respect.

When my bugle sounds in the stillness and calm of the early morning  it is a truly daunting feeling to know that you are sounding the one song that pays the utmost respect to our fallen. The faces of the children, who for most of them, have never heard a tune so chilling in their lives, is unforgettable.

They know just how much these ANZAC services mean to Australia, and just how much the ANZAC legend means to the respect and patriotism that Australians are accustomed to.

And so as I come to a close I call on you, the youthful students attending here today to listen closely to the words of our veterans. Embrace the spirit of the ANZAC as your grandfathers and uncles would have done in the years gone by. Embrace this legend with dignity and look to tomorrow for the opportunity to use these traits that are so prominent in our ANZACs. You are the ANZACs of tomorrow, the soldiers, the sailors, airmen and airwomen to proudly don the uniform of our armed services, proudly fly the Southern Cross on your shoulder and proudly serve for a nation which has given so much for the freedom you enjoy today.

In two years time it will be me embracing this legacy as I follow in the footsteps of many relatives who have served within the military persuing a career with the Royal Australian Navy.

I hope my words today will encourage you to do the same and proudly serve our nation as today we remember those who have already given so much.