TROY BELL MP
Member for Mount Gambier
Your Independent voice
in State Parliament
Anzac Day
Wednesday April 02, 2025Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (12:08): I rise to commend the member for Dunstan for her motion recognising the significance of ANZAC Day, an occasion that continues to unite Australians in remembrance of the courage, dedication and sacrifice of our service men and women. Last year's dawn service in Mount Gambier drew a crowd of over 6,000 people, a testament to the enduring respect and gratitude that our community holds for those who have served. It was particularly heartwarming to see so many young people in attendance, reflecting the important role that schools, educators and families play in preserving the ANZAC legacy.
Current RSL President Bob Sandow is a strong believer in the importance of including our next generation in ANZAC ceremonies, ensuring that schools play a vital role in keeping these traditions alive. Our local RSL museum sees hundreds of students visit each year, who are then guided through exhibitions by dedicated volunteers to gain a deeper understanding of the history of our armed forces. One of those schools is Reidy Park Primary School. Last year, they participated in Kapyong Day, held annually on 24 April to commemorate the Battle of Kapyong, a significant engagement during the Korean War, by placing white crosses under the lone pine at Vansittart Park Soldiers Memorial in preparation for ANZAC Day. They also laid a wreath at the dawn service.
Another local school, McDonald Park School, dedicates the two weeks leading up to ANZAC Day to learning about its significance. Their main reading explores the history and experiences of the Australian serviceman. It is so important that these discussions and activities take place to give students a deeper understanding of the significance of the day and its importance to who we are as a country.
The 2024 ANZAC Day service also saw Tenison Woods College captain Bree Robinson deliver the ANZAC speech, a tradition that will continue this year with Tenison's new school captain carrying out the honour. Additionally, representatives from 14 of our local schools will be present to lay wreaths at the service, ensuring that younger generations remain actively engaged in honouring our veterans. The midmorning service will continue this tradition of participation with Army, Air Force, CFS and St John cadets marching alongside veterans. This year, Mount Gambier High School's captain will read the ANZAC speech and a further eight schools will lay wreaths at the memorial, reinforcing the commitment of our local youth to remembering those who have served.
Another local tradition that has continued to grow over the years is the ANZAC Day clash between North Gambier and South Gambier in the Limestone Coast Football Netball League. For more than a decade, the teams have met on ANZAC Day, with the best-on-ground footballer awarded the Tony Casadio ANZAC Day Medal. Tony was a Mount Gambier resident who joined the Australian Navy as a helicopter pilot and was deployed to Vietnam in 1967, where he was awarded the US Distinguished Flying Cross before he was tragically killed in the line of duty. The A-grade netball best-on-court player is awarded the Shirley Underwood OAM ANZAC Day Medal, honouring Shirley's service in the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps, which she joined as a 19 year old in 1950.
These traditions, whether through education, commemorative services or sporting events, ensure that the spirit of ANZAC remains strong in our community. They provide an opportunity for reflection, for storytelling, and for passing down the values of courage, mateship and sacrifice to future generations. It is through these acts of remembrance that we continue to honour those who served and ensure their legacy is never forgotten.