25.4 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Looking at ANZAC Day in a new way

Latest News

Blue skies for Bluesfest day 1

If yesterday at Bluesfest was anything to go by, it's going to be an incredible event and with the weather holding, (so far) the Easter weekend's future is looking bright.

Other News

UK court seeks assurances from US over Julian Assange

The UK High Court of Justice has released a 66 page judgement seeking more information from the United States relating to Australian citizen Julian Assange, which it says it needs before deciding whether to grant the WikiLeaks founder leave to appeal his extradition.

Superbowls

Superbowls is your go-to spot for a burst of woodfired flavour! Nestled in Byron Arts and Industry Estate, the...

Cinema: Wicked Little Letters

Based on a true scandal that stunned 1920s England, Wicked Little Letters centres on neighbours Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Floodplains

We need a serious talk about development on floodplains with more creativity and sophistication. The recent discussion about development...

Hiatus Beers

Launched to market in July 2022, Hiatus Beers is all about brewing crisp, refreshing, full-flavoured, non-alcoholic beer.  The founders...

2015 is the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day.

The federal government has set aside $140 million dollars to fund events commemorating the landings at Gallipoli.

Everything from museums and monuments, to a naval re-enactment in Albany WA is planned. Children of all ages will be encouraged to partake in public events and displays, while for slightly older children, Defence Force recruitment videos will feature prominently.

The government plans to bolster and reaffirm the spirit of Anzac!

As a former member of the regular Australian Army, I feel something of the emotion that attaches to this tradition. Like many, I was encouraged from childhood to view Anzac Day as an integral part of my cultural identity. Part of ‘being Australian’ included a solemn sense of pride in our country’s wartime experience.

Since serving in the military however, my attitude has changed.

I now believe that inspiring a country to view as part of its identity, a military tradition of ‘going to war’ can be immensely useful to government. Having a willing army of volunteers to help ingratiate Australia to our rich and powerful allies is clearly a benefit to some – though not to all!

A nation conditioned to value the sacrifice of family and loved ones in such a way as to want to mimic their example, is the basis of any militarised state. By exploiting the trauma that Anzac Day was originally intended to address, our government has accustomed us to travelling vast distances to kill people who pose no threat.

My hope is that 2015 will mark a different struggle for Australia’s cultural identity. Not another foreign war, but a peaceful tussle of liberation. An emancipation from the desire to travel for a fight. We should still remember our fallen, though with a desire to learn more peaceful ways to live.

Indeed, if Australia’s fallen could talk to us from the grave, I believe they would speak not of bravery and daring, but of the love they left behind. They would talk not of war, but of peace.

R J Poole, Lismore

 


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Retired local professor launches book on grief

A leading international thinker and researcher in the development of innovative sport coaching and physical education teaching has returned home to Byron Bay and is launching his first non-academic book, 'Grief and Growth', on April 4 at The Book Room in Byron. 

Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ funding

On the eve of the second anniversary of the second devastating flood in 2022, Resilient Lismore has welcomed the finalisation of its funding deed with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will enable the continuation of its ‘Repair to Return’ program.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.