Anzac Day - Stronger together Serving On Partnership - Autumn 2020 - Soldier On Australia
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SoldierOn.org.au /SoldierOnAustralia @SoldierOnAust SoldierOnAust Autumn 2020 Anzac Day Inside this edition: Stronger together March On Serving On Partnership
Many of our veterans need our
help and Saab Australia is
proud to be supporting Soldier
On's great work. Find out how
we work with our veteran
community:
www.saab.com.au
© Commonwealth of Australia 201 8
H O P E A N D H ELP
F OR T H E N EXT M IS SION
They served their country well. It’s time to serve them well in
return. We’re proud to support Australia’s veterans and those
who serve in achieving a rewarding life beyond the battlespace
through Soldier On.
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© 2019 Collins Aerospace, a United Technologies company. All rights reserved.
UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins are now Collins Aerospace.
Contents
Regular Items
4 Soldier On Update
24 Activities Updates
31 Community Fundraisers
32 Our Corporate Partners
Feature Stories
7 Soldiering On in face of COVID19
9 Stronger Together
11 March On
13 Serving On Partnership
14 Recognising Defence Force veteran
talent and agile learning
16 Saints Forge On
17
18
21
Be a Giant support for someone
The meaning of Anzac Day
Soldier On commemorates Anzac Day
9
in new ways
23 Fujitsu: using technology innovation
to deliver benefits to society
16
2 SOLDIER ON Autumn 2020
Soldier On
Get in touch
Ph: 1300 620 380 Email: getsupport@soldieron.org.au
About Us
Soldier On enable veterans and their families to thrive.
Our services aim to HELP individuals build resilience and
create and expand meaningful connections with family,
community and employers through:
Health and Wellbeing – Psychology, social activities
and programs, sporting activities and programs and
service initiatives.
Employment – Transition services, employment support,
career-development assistance.
Learning – Education and training programs,
vocational training.
Participation – Social activities and programs focused
on connections with family, friends and the broader
community, volunteering and sports programs.
We support those who serve today, tomorrow and into
the future.
To support Soldier On, please head to our website at
SOLDIERON.ORG.AU
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organisations and businesses on the understanding that no
special considerations other than those normally accepted in
11 respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser.
Advertising funds the production, print and distribution
of this journal, allowing Soldier On to get the word out.
Countrywide Austral adheres to stringent ethical advertising
practices and any advertising inquiries should be directed to:
Level 2, 310 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 2466, Melbourne VIC 3001
18 17 Ph: 03 9937 0200 Fax: 03 9937 0201
Email: admin@cwaustral.com.au
Web: www.cwaustral.com.au
Soldier On Update
Barely three months into the year and
Soldier On has not stopped being a force
of change for contemporary veterans and
their families.
W
e’ve only just hit May, but Soldier On has not stopped a Christian Ministry to women in Defence and has been a
being a force of change for veterans and their families. member of the Australian Military Wives Choir. We are also
Since September, Soldier On has run three successful honoured that Their Excellencies have lent their support to
fundraising campaigns, a number of thoroughly enjoyable the March On 2020 campaign, which will allow us to help
social activities providing opportunities for participants to defence members, veterans, and their family members
build support networks, and connected veterans and family impacted by the recent bushfires.
members with new employers around the country. The important work that is undertaken by the Australian
We’ve also secured the patronage of the Governor-General Defence Force was brought into sharp focus during the
and Mrs Linda Hurley and been accepted as part of the recent bushfire crisis that engulfed our nation over the
Federal Government and Department of Veterans’ Affairs summer. Over 18.6 million hectares of land had been burnt,
“Enhanced Employment Support for Veterans” Program. 2,779 homes destroyed, and 34 people had died as a result of
We’ve also watched as Australian these devastating fires. The Army,
Defence Force members assisted in Navy and Air Force assisted the
firefighting and evacuation efforts Rural Fire Services and other
over the summer. Whilst our “Soldier On would like to thank the state emergency management
plans for expanding into regional agencies since September 2019,
and metropolitan areas have Australian Defence Force and the with the transport of fire crews and
been paused due to COVID-19, Army Reserve who assisted in the equipment around the state, and
we are working to connect online the evacuation of residents and
with veterans and their families firefighting and evacuation efforts, holiday-makers from communities
throughout the country through
our Connect Hub service.
and for are continuing to serve by impacted by fire activity. Further
support was marshalled when
In November 2019 Soldier On
supporting Australia during the extreme weather was forecast to
was honoured to secure the COVID-19 pandemic. Soldier On would hit the NSW coast, prompting the
Governor General to authorise the
patronage of Their Excellencies,
General the Honourable David also like to thank the Rural Fire mobilisation of the Army Reserves.
Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) and Mrs Service and other state emergency Members of the ADF have
Linda Hurley as Joint Patrons. also been working to help the
Their Excellencies were Joint management agencies that worked Australian public during the
Patrons of Soldier On during
His Excellency’s time as the
to protect lives and homes.” COVID-19 pandemic. Their support
has been primarily focussed on
38th Governor of New South repatriation support, health,
Wales. During this time, they logistics and movement support
attended many of our Sydney based launches and activities, to government departments such as Department of Foreign
such as the opening of Soldier On’s Innovation Hub at North Affairs and Trade and Australian Border Force. The ADF has
Head, (Manly), and one of our Vet Connect weekends where also been supporting the Emergency Management Australia-
he met and talked with the veterans. led (EMA) Whole-of-Government response to COVID-19.
Their Excellencies are passionate about supporting veterans Soldier On would like to thank the Australian Defence Force
and their family members; His Excellency joined the and the Army Reserve who assisted in the firefighting
Australian Army in January 1972 serving in many roles until and evacuation efforts, and for are continuing to serve by
June 2014 when he retired as Chief of Army. Her Excellency supporting Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Soldier
is a member, and was the first Patron, of ‘Solid Rock’, On would also like to thank the Rural Fire Service and other
4 SOLDIER ON Autumn 2020
state emergency management agencies that worked to at a school, and had been working towards holding our
protect lives and homes. annual deep-sea fishing expedition in Newcastle.
Soldier On is a not-for-profit organisation and it is thanks However, as with other organisations and charities
to the Australian Government and Department of Veterans’ around the world, Soldier On has been dealing with the
Affairs funding for the Enhanced Employment Support for impact of COVID-19. Whilst we have had to postpone a
Veterans Program, corporate sponsors, trusts, philanthropic number of events, including our March and April Pathways
support and the generosity of the community that it is able Networking Events and some large fundraising events,
to provide services to those who need them. we are continuing to serve Australian veterans and their
Whilst we have had to pause our expansion into regional families through Connect Hub, our online initiative to help
areas, Soldier On is proud to announce we have added support the veteran community more at this challenging
two more psychologists to our Melbourne team, and are time. The Connect Hub links veterans and their families
in the process of recruiting more psychologists around to Soldier On’s online social activities, a library of useful
the country to continue offering trauma informed care to resources, and new Psychologist-led online group support
Australian veterans and their families. We have also added workshops.
new members to our Western Australia, South Australia, It is during such challenges that our true colours are
and Canberra teams, to help veterans and their families shown, and I know that the entire organisation will remain
with employment and learning opportunities. focused on ensuring we are delivering the best programs
Prior to COVID-19, Soldier On had been running many and services possible to help veterans and family members
excellent social activities to support the growth of support thrive during this challenging time.
networks. We have run Segway tours, sailing activities,
a question and answer session with contemporary veterans Ivan Slavich, CEO
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#sidebyside 5
Health and wellbeing
SOLDIERING ON IN FACE OF COVID19
A
midst the current COVID19 and post-bushfire climate, at Solider 3. Refrain from Touching
On we know that many Veteran’s and their families may want
to act… do something… anything… in order to rise and meet This advice is equally simple as it is hard. Refrain from touching your
the challenge of these recent extraordinary events. As Service men face, and refrain from shaking hands with other people.
and women, you signed on the dotted line to commit to serve our A technique developed by Psychologist Steven Hayes to reduce face
country and it can be a reflex to still want to serve, to help in some touching is to keep a running tally of every single time you touch
way. But as a Veteran and out of uniform, that may leave many your face. It may take a short time to sink in, but it’s important to
with feelings of confusion, maybe even frustration, helplessness become conscious of it. Leave your assessment sheet in easy view.
or feeling demoralised regarding what to do now and how to Very soon that simple act of recording your face touches will reduce
contribute. We get it, you want to contribute. it to near zero, and just seeing the recording sheet will help remind
Though it may be hard to know what we can do, we know well you of it (you can teach your kids this way too).
what we can’t do. The Government restrictions on our lifestyle is
apparent everywhere, which may feel sometimes as if we’ve lost our 4. Reach Out to Others
sense of choice and control in our lives. We can’t go to our favourite
In the middle of this outbreak, a lot of people will feel scared, lonely,
café, bar, beach, sporting match, shopping, social events or even
and isolated. Now is the time to call friends or family, let them
our workplaces. Our expanded lifestyles have become substantially
know you care about them and be there for one another. Use video
confined.
connections via Face time, zoom and skype etc as much as you can
Veteran’s are used to deploying for training or operations for long so you get the face-to-face experience. We’re wired to be social and
periods without these enjoyable activities and freedoms. Normally we respond to other’s facial expressions and synchronicity of shared
the distraction is the focus of working together for a unified goal. emotions. Check in on your mates and ask, R U OK? This situation
And often you can count down the days or weeks until the return can increase feelings of stress and we must not forget our personal
home. Now we don’t know when or how long this life will be like this. needs of wellbeing and those needs for others.
If we’re used to using a goal to keep focussed, not having one can
Check out Soldier On’s Connect Hub to find coffee catch ups,
intensify the feelings of being lost as to what to do.
family competitions and group workshops you can do
So how can Veteran’s use our those past military experiences and skills
https://soldieron.org.au/connect-hub/
to help now? Veteran’s are used to isolation and a major reduction of
normal activities, but what can be the goal now to focus on?
5. Choose your Attitude
Together We Can Take Action Do these restrictions suck? Yes. Are we used to embracing the
suck? Yes! But you have the option to go one step further than
Together, we can act to slow down the spread. acceptance of what is difficult, the difference between ordinary and
The impacts of each individual doing their part maintains our extraordinary is that little bit extra. You can do this by choosing an
hospitals to attend to those in need and save lives. attitude that you’ve made a choice of Stronger Together actions.
We can act by revising our habits and asking ourselves what we It’s hard to find positives when the habit of the human mind is to
need to do to protect our loves ones, our community, and slow notice the negatives, to look for threat and focus on problems.
down the spread. Veteran’s are especially trained and wired to solve problems. Right
now there is so much negative media and frightened people. A task
We can step up to the task if we see ourselves as part of unified for the ordinary every day hero… and it’s a hard task… is to find
community that is Stronger Together. These are simple skills you gratitude in this current climate. The task of an ordinary every day
can use to make helpful choices. hero is to redirect their attention to the things they are grateful for.
This can be an end of day routine you do on your own, with your family,
STRONGER TOGETHER ACTIONS a friend or write in a diary. And what we know is that gratitude helps our
1. Stay Home health and well-being which is something that should be contagious.
The important thing to do right now is to create a physical distance By doing these tasks the ordinary hero can help slow to spread of
to reduce the spread—to stay home, only go out if necessary, and covid19. And it is our hope that you can find gratitude for all our
cancel all social events. brothers and sisters who stand together by being apart.
This is how YOU get to say how you deal with this challenge: Together we are stronger together.
Will I do what is needed? Will I stock up only what is needed
(e.g., for two weeks, not three months)? Will I go out as little as Written by Soldier On Psychologists;
possible? This is not only sensible, but it is also mission essential. Kaye Adams (Navy Veteran) and Joe Losinno (Army Veteran)
How you answer these questions is up to you but your actions
can affect everyone in the community.
2. Wash your Hands Reference: Psychology Today article by Steven Hayes: The
Washing is so simple, yet easy to dismiss. Ordinary Corona Hero: You How you can act heroically in the
face of a pandemic)
Washing your hands is still one of the most effective things you can
For more resources on mental health and supports;
do to protect yourself from catching the virus. You know you need to
do it regularly, do it thoroughly, and do it for at least 20 seconds. Pay https://www.ruok.org.au/join-r-u-ok-day
attention to areas under the fingernails and between the webbing of https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
the fingers. https://soldieron.org.au/connect-hub/
https://soldieron.org.au/get-support/
https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/
Content/how-to-wash-and-dry-hands
#sidebyside 7
SUPPORTING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
At Open Arms your wellbeing is our business.
We offer free:
confidential counselling for individuals, couples and families
group programs
transition workshops
peer networks
suicide prevention training
information, education, self-help resources, and more...
To get support or find out more call or visit:
1800 011 046
OpenArms.gov.auFundraising Campaigns
Stronger Together
On Thursday 7 November 2019,
Soldier On launched its second
annual Stronger Together campaign
in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.
The 24‑hour unique fundraising
initiative was held in support of
Australian contemporary veterans
and their families.
S
oldier On raised over $500,000 and had the support of
Dr Brendan Nelson AO, Their Excellencies General the
Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) and Mrs Linda
Hurley, Strongman and AFP Commander Grant Edwards,
Network Seven personalities Sam and Kochie, multiple
corporations, and former Wallaby Ben Alexander.
The campaign raised much needed funds and awareness in
the lead-up to the day when the nation pauses to remember
those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Soldier On challenged
Australians to arm wrestle wherever they were, at work or
at home, as a reminder that Australia’s veterans and their
families need to be supported post-service.
Soldier On would like to thank everyone who supported the
Stronger Together 2019 campaign and we look forward to
arm-wrestling with you again in 2020.
#sidebyside 9The RAAF Museum, located at
Point Cook, is home to an
amazing range of historic military
aircraft. A great chance to view
these rare machines is at the
interactive flying displays, which
are held every Tuesday,
Thursday and Sunday at 1:00 pm
(weat her permitting). The
Museum has a vast collection of
historical material on show,
including several hangars with
static aircraft, and offers visitors
an exciting experience and insight
into the history of the Air Force.
Models, books, patches, clothing
and mementos can be purchased
Entry to the RAAF Museum is FREE!! at the Museum shop.
Opening Hours:
10:00am to 3:00pm Tuesday to Friday
10:00am to 5:00pm Weekends and Public Holidays
Closed Mondays, Christmas Day & Good Friday
Telephone: (03) 8348 6040
Fax: (03) 8348 6692
Web: www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum
Email: RAAF.MuseumInfo@defence.gov.au
Facebook: facebook.com/RAAF.Museum
1300 237 843
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Specialising in:
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info@ccaaustralia.com www.ccaaustralia.comFundraising Campaigns
March On
S
oldier On kicked off 2020 with
our ‘March On with Soldier On’
walking challenge. The campaign
was inspired by the Kokoda Trek, and
encouraged Australians to complete
a marathon 96kms in honour
of Australian contemporary veterans
and their families.
There were three options
available; “The Hill” which required
participants to walk the 96km
distance during March, 3.1km per
day, “The Mountain” a 96km course
set up in each Australian capital
city, or most gruelling of all, “The
Pinnacle”, the Kokoda Trek in Papua
New Guinea.
People around the country have
been walking, some completing
the 96kms across the month of
March, others completing it in just
over a week, whilst some more “As Joint Patrons of Soldier On, Linda and I are pleased to
ambitious people have completed
the challenge in a weekend. support the March On initiative. The memory and legacy
Their Excellencies, The Governor of Kokoda is part of the Australian identity. March On
General and Mrs Linda Hurley,
pledged their full support to
is an opportunity to support Soldier On and our modern
March On with Soldier On campaign, veterans while remembering Kokoda and honouring
and called on fellow Australians to
get involved. the sacrifice of those who served. We encourage all
Australians to get involved.”
#sidebyside 11In the late 1990s HTR Engineering began providing Engineering
and ITC services to the Defence sector.
HTR Engineering is now a significant preferred supplier to the
CASG Panel and the DSTG Panel.
HTR Engineering is a preferred supplier under the following disciplines:
• Project Support • Systems and Software Engineering • Acquisition
and Sustainment Logistics • Business Support Management
• Electronics Engineering • Communications Engineering • Weapons
Engineering • Platform Engineering • Information & Communications
Technology (ICT) • Cyber Security
Information Systems Architecture Services
Information Technology Support and Delivery Services
Information Systems Development
• Publication Authoring, Technical Writing
and Doctrine Development • Training
Ph: 02 8585 6666
Suite 4.13, 55 Miller St Pyrmont NSW 2009
Proudly Supporting our Returned Service Men & Women & Soldier On.
Supporting our Men & Women for ANZAC Day!
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Ebix strives to work collaboratively with clients
throughout the world to develop innovative
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Vasey RSL Care has a proud tradition of
address specific business challenges.
supporting veterans and war widows:
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We serve those who
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Contact us today.
Proudly Supporting the Soldier On Program
T 1300 602 108 W www.vaseyrslcare.org.auServing On
partnership
In January we launched the expansion of our
Serving On volunteering program, with the first
activity held at Wayside Chapel in Potts Point
this Thursday 30 January 2020.
S
erving On supports veterans to build skills, resilience Too often when personnel leave the Defence Force, they lose
and connection through meaningful volunteer work and the sense of community they spent years building.
has now expanded to Sydney and Melbourne, and will These issues and difficulties in adjusting to civilian life are
be running in Adelaide from mid-2020, thanks to a long-term preventable through participation in early intervention and
partnership with BAE Systems Australia. pro-active support programs, such as Serving On.
The Serving On program involves a monthly project in Soldier On CEO Ivan Slavich said: “Those who join the ADF
various locations, in collaboration with other community- do so to serve, to give back, and to protect their country.
based organisations. Hanging up the uniform doesn’t stop those feelings of
For the launch activity we visited Wayside Chapel where wanting to serve.
our volunteers spent the day in Kings Cross, learning about “Since its founding, Soldier On has received enquiries from
life on the streets and cooking and serving meals for the Defence personnel and their family members who want
homeless, and assisting in cleaning and packing down after to keep giving back to the community. Despite significant
lunch. A week later we saw the program kick off in Melbourne improvements in the range of support services available,
with One Voice – a local homeless organisation – where many contemporary Defence personnel still struggle to find
we took part in a working bee for one of their community meaningful work,”
housing sites. “Serving On provides veterans with that important social
On average, there are approximately 6,000 service personnel connection, while building skills for future employment and
separating from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) each allowing them to contribute and continue serving through
year, and one in four ex-service men and women will meaningful community projects, work and impactful projects
experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. that help people and communities,” said Ivan.
Danielle Mesa, Chief People Officer at
BAE Systems Australia said,“We are proud
of the men and women who have served
our country, and are grateful for their
sacrifice. This is why our partnership with
Soldier On is so important – to support
Australia’s veterans secure their futures
after their service to our country.”
“A key aspect of the program is BAE
Systems employees volunteering side by
side with Soldier On veteran participants
on the projects. This allows veterans to
network and build relationships outside
the ADF community, and gives our people
the opportunity to support and develop
the skills of those who have given so
much for us.”
#sidebyside 13Learning
Recognising Defence Force
Veteran Talent and Agile Learning
Australia’s Defence Force veterans embody an incredible wealth of skills,
leadership, loyalty, and valuable experience. This is something we at Soldier On
recognise and embrace.
T
here is a growing understanding amongst employers
that Defence Force veterans represent a ready-to-go,
dynamic, and skilled workforce that has determination
and a strong work ethic.
Solider On are working towards bridging the gap in
understanding between civilian employers and education
institutions by providing job opportunities, marketing the
incredible talent of veterans to our many pledge companies,
offering veterans the opportunities to have their vast skills
recognised and further engagement in learning for civilian
roles.
Preparing to leave the Australian Defence Force (ADF) can
be a challenging experience, however with careful planning
and support from the Soldier On Pathways Team you can
make the transition a far more transparent process. The job
landscape in Australia is always changing, especially now in According to IBISWORLD some of the most in demand
difficult economic times, and being prepared and confident industries for 2020 have been:
is crucial.
§§ Finance
§§ Superannuation
§§ Mining
"With current challenges §§ Management Consulting
surrounding the COVID-19 §§ Accounting Services
In terms of learning, Soldier On has Education Partners
pandemic industries are having to who deliver courses on all these identified industries and
change their business practices more including Cybersecurity (Courses, Skillsets, and
Certifications), Business and Project Management and
and training will also need Recognition of Prior Learning services. Education at Soldier
to match the needs of business." On can assist you in navigating the world of learning and
identify not just areas of interest but in developing skills and
obtaining nationally accredited qualifications to fill gaps.
With current challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic
industries are having to change their business practices
and training will also need to match the needs of business.
Decision making needs to become more dynamic. At present
the Logistics and Warehousing industry is working harder
than ever to supply goods and supermarkets are being
challenged to meet the ever-increasing demand from
consumers. The Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
(FMCG) is in a high growth phase.
14 SOLDIER ON Autumn 2020The question here is how can Solider On assist How does this translate to the learning space?
you in upskilling for these industries? Through our learning partners at Soldier On we are offering
Education can assist you to seize the day with courses in upcoming foundational courses in Cybersecurity as well
logistics, truck licences and retail courses, especially for as valuable skillsets and advanced certifications to plug
family members who may be new to the workforce. knowledge gaps and ensure currency.
Courses available with flexible and online options: So, if you are just beginning a career in the world of IT and
cybersecurity, or if you are an existing IT specialist, there are
§§ Diploma of Logistics
learning opportunities which can bolster your knowledge
§§ Cert III in Retail
and skillset whether you are working in private or public
§§ Diploma of Retail Leadership
sector roles.
There is also an obvious and crucial role to be played
On a final note we must remember,
by technology and data. The ability to be resilient and
“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.”
agile coupled with a dynamic edge is paramount. It is up
― Dwight D. Eisenhower, former U.S. President
to companies to ensure that their workforce is sized for
purpose and ensuring their employees are skilled for
challenges of the digital world. This is highly pertinent
with Work from Home policies being enacted by many
organisations. Please email education@soldieron.org.au for a
comprehensive learning consultation.
For more information about the industries that are
in demand head to: https://www.ibisworld.com/
australia/industry-trends/biggest-industries-by-
revenue/
#sidebyside 15Saints T
he postponement of the AFL season due to containment
measures has seen the club take unprecedented action
to cut costs.
But despite the size of the challenge laid before the Saints,
President Andrew Bassat has declared the club is up for
the fight.
Forge On
“We are obviously feeling for all of those who have been
seriously impacted by this horrible pandemic. And while
football is not exactly front of mind for anyone right now,
we need our community and partners to rally behind us,”
he said.
“It is our duty now to forge on. St Kilda has existed for
147 years and we need it to be here for many generations
to come.
“There is too much history and too many people who care
deeply about this club for us to allow any other outcome.
The St Kilda Football Club “And we have some unfinished business, including delivering
our second flag to our deserving members.
has vowed to fight on
Bassat the club had been humbled by the countless
despite the enormous messages of support from members.
impact of the Coronavirus “It’s been humbling our membership tally has continued to
on the AFL Industry. rise and thousands have sent messages of support,” he said.
“We thank our fans for their loyalty and promise to show how
much this means to us once we get back on the field.
“History shows us that all pandemics end at some point and
I am certain it will end, and footy will be back.
“And when it does, with the support of the St Kilda faithful,
we intend to emerge stronger than ever.”
16 SOLDIER ON Autumn 2020Be a
Giant
Support
for someone
Following the abrupt finish to our fourth
AFLW season, I ride out this global
pandemic in isolation on the family farm
in the hills of Western Australia.
Written by GWS player Jacinda Barclay
W
ith both parents serving out 20 years between them in the
New Zealand Armed forces, we support our fallen soldiers.
We are one. #ANZACS.
Whilst we can’t extend a hand at this time, we can extend our
words which travel far and wide. With any spare time you may
have, please reach out. Check in on someone. Offer words of
reassurance, kindness, support and love. Be a friend, be a mate,
be a date … but remember to keep your social distancing metres!
You never know who could be enlightened, uplifted or inspired
by your contact and never doubt your own ability to influence
someone for the better, with heart you can’t go wrong! Some
of our most strongest and resilient soldiers are left fighting
their own mental, physical and financial battles. Remind them
that they CAN, that there is light at the end of the tunnel, to just
keep pushing forward and most importantly that there is power
in positivity.
Stay safe, active and healthy and don’t forget, be a Giant Support
for someone.
#SoldierOn Above Flying the flag from
our family farm as I go tearing
down the drive at 8kms for the
rubbish run.
#sidebyside 17The meaning of
Anzac
Day
In this time of Covid-19,
A
nzac Day is a fixed moment of season and a day of
remembrance with shifting meanings. The leaves
Australia marks Anzac Day change, the chill begins, the football launches, and then
without dawn services and it’s 25 April, the day for The March.
In many households it’s capitalised like that—The March.
marches. Instead, a private The March stands for a lot of things. The medals come out
ceremony will be broadcast and the old comrades assemble for the annual parade to
from the Australian War mark their memories.
For me, as a child in the 1950s and a teen in the 1960s,
Memorial. It’s another The March meant Melbourne’s St Kilda Road, leading to
change in a unique the Shrine.
Australian commemoration We clapped loud for my father and his revered and raucous
9th Division mates, striding in step like the young soldiers
that’s been evolving for they’d been. We knew that this was the magnificent 9th.
more than a century. They swaggered again.
The applause was different, gentler, for the slow-moving,
ghosting ranks of my grandfather’s World War I division
of original Anzacs.
By Graeme Dobell As the 1950s turned into the 1960s, I vaguely grasped the
tensions and the divides, even the politics that swirled
beneath Anzac Day.
Many of those conflicts of meaning and memory have faded.
The original Anzacs are all gone. And most of the sons of
Anzac who marched off to World War II march no more.
My father’s generation grew up knowing the Anzac legend
Article reproduced from The Strategist in intimate ways. The original Anzacs stood before them as
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the- fathers and uncles—or stared down at them as pictures and
meaning-of-anzac-day/ medals on the mantle, amid the souvenirs of France.
18 SOLDIER ON Autumn 2020In the 1920s and 1930s, many were taught the legend as a Mix into this the great political and sectarian divide that cut
defining expression of Australia as a new nation. Others got through Australia during the conscription referendums of
the opposing story about a massive waste—sometimes from World War I, and ached for decades.
the lips of those original Anzacs. For 25 years, Catholics were discouraged from taking part
The understanding of Anzac Day is ever contested. Yet the in Anzac Day as a ‘non-denominational’ ceremony honouring
divides across Australia society are no longer as vivid or as the dead. As the journalist Jack Waterford notes, the chief
powerful. Catholic military chaplain, Archbishop Daniel Mannix,
considered Anzac Day ‘forbidden to Catholics’ and regarded
Today’s Anzac Day more easily aligns personal remembrance,
the RSL hierarchy as ‘morally equivalent to high-grade
Australian identity and political purpose. And perhaps the
Freemason, which, of course, they often were’.
politics doesn’t throb as forcefully.
On its foundation in 1916, the RSL’s full title was the
Not least in this simplification is that previous struggles
‘Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia’.
about Australian identity are forgotten.
Imperial meant British and Mannix wouldn’t nod to that,
See this by considering what was once a hallowed term, as or to the officer class at the top of the RSL.
important in its way as Anzac: the Australian Imperial Force.
The RSL’s grip on Anzac Day meant a deeply conservative
My mum’s father was in the 1st AIF, my father in the 2nd AIF.
organisation wielded a great Australian talisman through
For my father, the sense of continuity was as much about the 20th century.
the AIF as the Anzac legend.
As a Protestant, my dad was on the other side of the
The AIF was an identity as significant as the slouch hat. sectarian divide. While he laughed at the RSL when it was
When our military were named the Australian Defence Force in jingo mode, he served on RSL committees for many years
in the 1970s, Defence Secretary Arthur Tange and his political and was a proud life member. He thought the league did
masters well understood which bit of the tradition they were more good than harm. When old mates were in trouble,
honouring and which bit had already died. the RSL was a network that could be quickly mobilised.
At its inception, the contest over the meaning and The Imperial versus Australian struggle is absent from
ownership of Anzac Day was the tension between Australian today’s understanding of Anzac.
and Imperial.
The shift from a British to an Australian identity can be
For some, empire and Australia were inextricably united. traced through the life of Charles Bean, who inscribed the
Others believed Australia had sacrificed her youth to Anzac legend into the official history of World War I and
unworthy imperial ends. helped create the War Memorial in Canberra.
#sidebyside 19In Ross Coulthart’s fine biography, Bean starts out as the In movies like Breaker Morant and Gallipoli, the British
most jingoistic of Britons, thrilled by imperial might and officer class was bludgeoned. Just recently, The Water Diviner
notions of British racial superiority and purity: ‘Despite this, portrayed a Turkish commander at Gallipoli as a far more
what is intriguing about Charles Bean is how his personal sympathetic character than the arrogant Pom officer who
life story tracks the origins of Australian nationalism. Over tries to thwart the hero’s search for his dead Anzac sons.
the coming decades, his own growing sense of Australian As a Vietnam-era movie, Gallipoli was also making a point about
self-identity would transform so much of what he and all going to war on behalf of the great ally, new or old. An enduring
Australians had once so passionately believed.’ continuity is the debate about the cost of serving the alliance.
The journey from Imperial to Australian is part of the The public usage these days has many elements that would jar
story of how the meaning of Anzac Day has been remade, with the quasi-religious remembrance of earlier generations:
becoming less overtly political or even geopolitical. Anzac Day football would have been as sacrilegious as the
The annual moment of memory has evolved. And what we once taboo idea of playing footy on a Sunday.
remember has changed. The imperial element has faded We still play two-up after The March, but much else of that
from the commemoration of the AIF in the two world wars. society has gone. No memory now of the dry decades when
In the way the Anzacs are remembered today, you’d hardly know Victoria’s pubs closed at 6 pm, a discipline imposed during World
they served British commanders on a British mission. Now they War I that persisted for 50 years as an emblem of Oz wowserism.
are honoured as Australians In earlier eras, The March, as much as
embodying an Australian ethos. the 6 o’clock swill, was private men’s
The slouch hat mystique means "The understanding business. Australia saluted Anzac Day
today’s ADF inherits much
from the Anzacs. But the public
of Anzac Day is ever and then stood back as the returned
comrades gathered to drink and
understanding sees the Anzacs
as having enlisted in the ADF, not
contested. Yet the divides commemorate and, for a moment, share
the nightmares as well as the memories.
the AIF. across Australia society Anzac Day mattered to my father in
Anzac Day has buried the British
dimension. The idea of the
are no longer as vivid or complex ways. With the 9th Division, he’d
taken a bit of shrapnel in the head during
Australian Briton has been interred as powerful." El Alamein and been back on the line within
along with the empire. a week. He served in the 9th Division
To see the shift, come join me for a 1950’s memory at the Carrum landings at Lae, Finschafen and Tarakan.
State School in Victoria. Every Monday morning, we assembled By Tarakan, he remembered, the veterans thought the war
for a rendition of God Save the Queen and recited the would never end. Not many of the original division would be
national salute as Victorian state schoolkids had since 1901: still going if they had to fight all the way to Tokyo.
I love God and my country. I honour the flag, I will serve the My mother dreaded Anzac Day. It meant the nightmares were
Queen, and cheerfully obey my parents, teachers and the law. likely to recur. Often it was the Japanese and the jungle.
We used to zoom through that final ‘cheerfully obey’ line like The Vietnam veterans cracked the code of silence
a bunch of staccato chooks. bequeathed by men from the AIF. Or, perhaps, Australian
The conception of Australian Britons echoed through my society was ready to listen to the Vietnam vets in ways that
Monday assembly. Serving the Queen seemed a natural they could not bear to hear from the AIF.
enough commitment to be grouped with God and flag— The change is reflected in the different tone of Anzac Day,
all obeyed with a smile. no longer secret bloke business.
Even as those sentiments were being affirmed to the kids, the Because of the Vietnam vets, my father got the chance
imperial settings had been blasted out of Australian geopolitics, for an incredibly valuable benefit from Veterans’ Affairs.
rapidly evaporating as a force. The nation with its own continent He talked to a psychiatric counsellor about his nightmares
could find all the identity it needed in the wide brown land. and gained new insight into the demons he’d so successfully
fought in a career as a great teacher and husband and father.
We are a pragmatic people, quick to abandon what no longer
The memories he’d tried to confine to Anzac Day were re-
works. As Britain’s power waned, so did the once powerful
examined and re-explained.
characteristics of the Australian Briton.
After that, Dad agreed to take out his medals occasionally
Anzac Day’s exclusively Australian identity expanded to take
and to talk to groups of school children at the memorial.
the whole space of memory.
It was the action of a born schoolteacher who served the
Date the final sunset of the Oz Briton as the moment Sir Robert
Victorian Education Department with devotion equal to that
Menzies retired as prime minister in 1966. He left not long after
he gave the 9th Division.
provoking mirth by proposing that when Australia abandoned
pounds and shillings, the new note should be called the ‘royal’. Those talks to kids at the War Memorial about the experience
of war and remembrance were a sign that the memories
Allegiance had shifted—we adopted the dollar, not the royal, didn’t strike so harshly—and so he was able to take my son
to honour the replacement great-and-powerful ally. to a dawn service. Towards the end, my father managed to
Popular culture reflected the elevation of Australian qualities change his personal meaning of Anzac Day, just as Australia
and disowning of the imperial mission. has reshaped its understanding of what we mark on 25 April.
20 SOLDIER ON Autumn 2020Soldier On commemorates
ANZAC Day
As dawn broke on ANZAC Day 2020, Australians across the nation stood united,
despite having to remain socially distant. By standing out on their driveways to
in new ways
commemorate those who have served and to show support for those serving in
the defences forces today.
T
his year traditional public ANZAC Day services, events staying home. The Soldier On commemorative service
and parades were cancelled or moved online where gave people the chance to join together in a different way,
possible, due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. by viewing the virtual service to commemorate veterans,
Soldier On partnered with the ‘Aussies and Kiwis for ANZACs’ past and present, online from home.”
Facebook group who developed a new ‘Driveway at Dawn’ app, Following on from the commemorative service, Soldier On
which enabled people to play ANZAC Day services via an app, live-streamed an interactive Q&A session with Soldier On
whilst standing on their driveway or balcony at dawn, as a show representatives and ambassadors across multiple social media
of support for the veteran community. The app also streamed channels. This was a lively way for the public, and veterans
a ‘105 Songs for 105 Years’ concert on ANZAC Day afternoon. and their families, to directly ask questions and communicate
Soldier On produced a contemporary commemorative with the Solider On community on this significant day.
service which was streamed online on the Soldier On As part of Soldier On’s annual ‘In Their Honour’ campaign,
website and Soldier On Youtube channel, receiving over the public were also invited to read the post-service accounts
100,000 unique views and growing the digital reach of our WWI veterans, as provided by the Australian War
of Soldier On significantly. The unique virtual service Memorial, alongside personal stories from veterans of today
incorporated traditional readings, the laying of the wreath, and to share messages of support and memories using the
a commemorative address by Governor General David hashtag #InTheirHonour.
Hurley, AC, DSC, ‘The Last Post’ by the Band of the Royal the
Royal Military College, and a new rendition of ‘I was only In light of the ongoing social distancing measures due to
19’ by Shannon Noll. COVID-19, Soldier On has launched a number of new online
initiatives. The ‘Connect Hub’ is a new way for veterans
Chief executive of Soldier On, Ivan Slavich: “Australians have and their families to stay connected, keep informed and
been facing new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, be engaged with Soldier On. The digital Connect Hub links
but the ANZAC tradition – the ideals of courage, endurance veterans and their families with Soldier On’s latest online
and mateship are still relevant and clear to see this ANZAC social activities, new Psychologist-led online group support
Day,” he said. workshops, education and employment opportunities and
“It was an honour to be able to show our support for an online library of useful resources. To find out more go to:
veterans and their families and unite in this way, whilst https://soldieron.org.au/connect-hub/
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www.woolworths.com.auFujitsu: using technology innovation
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ujitsu, a proud partner of Soldier On The ‘Digital Owl’ project uses Fujitsu’s high-
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innovation and social responsibility. Using video information over a broad geographic
technologies like artificial intelligence, area. The information can then be used
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combined with Fujitsu’s skills as an management, and invasive plant species for
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In this article, Fujitsu share how they The trial resulted in successful identification
partnered with the NSW Government’s of the endangered plant species, Acacia
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drones and artificial intelligence to dangarensis, both of which are feared to be
help detect endangered species in facing extinction, but were found growing
NSW bushland. In NSW alone, there are in the wild. These plants are unique to the
approximately 1,000 plant and animal Mt Dangar area and are so endangered that
species under threat of extinction. their exact location is not shared with the
general public.
Saving these species is crucial to the
ongoing health of the various ecosystems This solution has the potential to improve
in NSW. However, monitoring such the efficiency of identifying and locating
a broad area can be prohibitively particular plant species, which often requires
expensive, especially when considering exploring vast forest areas by helicopter.
the cost of chartering and fuelling helicopters to do aerial Use of the drone provides a significant saving in the cost
surveys. Fujitsu identified the opportunity to apply advanced of helicopter charter and fuel as well as a reduction in
drone technology, combined with video analytics and spatial emissions. Artificial intelligence is used to analyse the drone
mapping technologies, to reduce the cost of monitoring and photos and pinpoint the exact location of the endangered
make the identification process more efficient. plants. Fujitsu is now exploring the application of this
technology for a wide range of related purposes in Australia
and New Zealand, including in bushfire recovery applications.
Above Senecio linearifolius To learn more about this project visit the Fujitsu website,
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#sidebyside 23Activities Updates
ACT
Serving On - Bushfire Recovery Project
For a group of veterans, strumming a guitar or playing the trumpet is a
stress relief, a way to spend time with a group of like-minded people, and
investing in yourself. But for this group of veterans, they wanted to do
more.
Colin Greef, who originally hatched the idea of teaching kids how to play
the guitar and gathering second-hand instruments, has said that he
and the group of veterans want to give the sense of mateship that they
experience to younger generations.
“Every now and then we’ll play at a nursing home or a retirement village.
Rainbow Technique We want to give something back to the oldies in the nursing homes, but
also, now, we want to start giving something to the young kids.” Nohra,
Massage D (2019, November 7). Let there be music for the poor kids missing out.
Canberra CityNews, p. 12. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/citynews/
docs/191107_citynews/4?ff
Prior to COVID-19, Soldier On ACT was offering
Rainbow Technique monthly massages, thanks The project to get guitars to disadvantaged children has taken off, with
to local practitioners Vanessa and Jennifer. guitars going to PCYC in Erindale, the youth charity Kulture Break, an
Raindrop Technique combines the benefits of African choir of orphans that was in Canberra at the time, and Yeddung
soothing massage movements with reflexology Mura Aboriginal Corporation, an initiative helping former detainees who
and aromatherapy to bring peace to body and are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
mind. With up to 140 drops of essential oils Two of the donated guitars have also gone to two young boys whose dad
applied during a single session, this beautiful was ex-army and a federal police officer, who passed away due to a brain
modality allows the receiver to experience some tumour. One of the guitars was donated from a lady in Weetangera that
time to themselves while relaxing the muscles had belonged to her brother who was also a former policeman and had
along the neck and spine to ease tension and died from a brain tumour. According to Chris, when the two boys were
aid movement. presented with the guitars it was a very emotional moment and they were
Once social restrictions have been lifted, and thrilled to receive such special gifts.
it is possible to resume this activity, Soldier On Most recently, Colin and Mike headed out to Dalgety and Adaminaby in
ACT will look to continue offering the monthly NSW to deliver guitars and ukuleles to students affected by the bushfires.
massages. For more information please email The principal said, “I am so very grateful for you travelling to us, your
act@soldieron.org.au extremely generous gifts and the joy you brought to my students.”
24 SOLDIER ON Autumn 2020NSW
School Question and Answer Session
Recently our Port Macquarie staff member and a few local veterans
headed to St Columba Anglican School, which sponsors a monthly coffee
catch up at the school café, for a question and answer session with
the Year 11 Modern History class. The Q&A session was to provide the
Serving On – Wayside
students with some insight into what it was like serving in Afghanistan. Chapel
The students thoroughly enjoyed being able to talk to the veterans who
came along, and appreciated the time and honesty, saying: In February Soldier On and BAE launched
Serving On, the volunteer program allowing
§§ “Such a sweet, lovely, kind and gentle soul- so impressive to see these veterans and family members the opportunity
qualities when he was a big buff guy... loved his insights.” to volunteer for charities around Sydney.
§§ “So determined and clear on his vision and helps so many people now.” Soldier On Programs Officer Mel Waters and
the volunteers spent the day touring Wayside
§§ “So good to see a good story from the armed services that you can
Chapel and assisting with cooking and serving
serve and return back to normal work without obvious shackles of the
lunch to the local visitors.
past.”
§§ “Such a quiet, young and gentle person- it was so good to see the other
jobs that are on offer in the military. He has a way with people and it was
so impressive to see him still giving back through his job at New Horizons.”
§§ “His story was so compelling- he took some time to open up but when
he did, his story stuck with us. It was so sad to see him suffer and lose a
friend- we can’t believe he let us hold his bangle of his mate who died.
I really appreciated the fact he valued mindfulness activities like yoga
and meditation.”
Soldier On has since heard that the students are now researching some
of the names of those who passed away and they have specifically chosen
people the veterans mentioned in the Q&A session.
#sidebyside 25You can also read
