Today is Anzac Day. I have always felt some ambivalence about this day. As someone who abhors violence, war and nationalist rhetoric, I feel uneasy when it is framed as a great patriotic occasion. I do want to honour the fallen soldiers and the sacrifices they have made, especially as the impact of war extends beyond the military to families and communities. I am just not sure that Anzac Day, as it is often observed, is the best way to do this.
For too long it has been used to stir patriotic sentiment and, at times, to encourage young men to enlist. It is also a contested space when we consider who is, and who is not, included in the nation’s collective memory.
The sacrifices of women and Aboriginal servicemen have only relatively recently been recognised. While Aboriginal men were often among the first to enlist in the world wars, they had to overcome the colour bar, sometimes by denying their heritage. In the army, they were often accepted as equals. This changed upon their return to civilian life. During the war they could share a beer with their mates and eat at the same mess, but afterwards they were prohibited from setting foot in pubs or RSL clubs. Their contribution to the war effort went unrecognised for far too long.
It is against this background that I read reports of today’s Anzac Day ceremonies with dismay. I feel appalled, and deeply saddened, that white nationalists have attempted to hijack the day for their own purposes by booing Aboriginal elders as they Welcomed attendees to Country.
A Welcome to Country is a gesture of goodwill. It is an act of respect, inviting all of us to share in an ancient tradition of acknowledgement and belonging. Honouring Aboriginal service, and recognising the full truth of our shared history, is part of that same work. It is a necessary step towards reconciliation.
Lest we forget.
From Quill to Quote 