South Lismore Post Office honours diggers with Anzac Day display

Australia Broadcast Center

24-04-2025

Among the poppies and memorabilia adorning the walls of a northern New South Wales post office is a poem commemorating the sacrifice of soldiers who went to war to protect their country.
Underneath the Turk, authored by Corporal John Thomas Nugent of the Light Horse, is featured in an Anzac Day display curated by South Lismore postmaster Tracy Ward.
In a note accompanying the poem Corporal Nugent described his feelings when he wrote it in a tunnel in Turkey during the First World War.
"As I sat on the bank beside a couple of blood-stained stretchers and watched the moon sink behind the jagged peaks of Imbros Island, my thoughts went with the moon and wished it were again shining upon me in the dear homeland of Australia," he wrote.
Ms Ward said it was important to remember the sacrifice of soldiers such as Corporal Nugent.
Tracy Ward says she wanted to honour the veterans and lift the community's spirit after a trying time.
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ABC North Coast: Cathy Adams
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"We have so many freedoms and liberties because of them," she said.
"It's not just the service-people — it's the mothers that sent their sons.
"It's the children that didn't know their fathers and the grandchildren that never had the chance to bounce on their grandad's knee at the end of the day because of what they gave us."
Ms Ward's grandfather survived the war and the display is in part a tribute to him.
"What he shared was the heart and the gratitude for being able to raise children in a free country," she said.
Ms Ward says there has been an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the display.
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ABC North Coast: Cathy Adams
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A 'poignant time'
The post office display has grown steadily in the lead-up up to Anzac Day and includes uniforms, medals and a bayonet.
There are shell casings engraved by soldiers in the trenches in 1914 and numerous poppies, many crocheted by locals.
Ms Ward said many people had expressed their gratitude after seeing the display.
"So many of our soldiers and service men have been coming in and saying thank you," she said.
"
One older gentleman came in and said, 'I feel like I need to salute when I come in here.'
"
Posters and poppies adorn the entrance to the post office.
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ABC North Coast: Cathy Adams
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The postmaster hoped to create a space where people could pay their respects to diggers, but she also wanted to channel the Anzac spirit to lift a community recovering from disaster.
"Especially in light of the fact we had the issues with Cyclone Alfred earlier this year, where we all had to strip out our shops," Ms Ward said.
"We all got put back in that place of distress.
"There was that sentiment of … we're always losing.
"In fact it was a really poignant time to bring forward that recognition of what we actually do have and how much we owe to our forebears who gave so much for us to have our freedom."
Uniforms and medals are among the items on display.
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ABC North Coast: Cathy Adams
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Respect, not war
City of Lismore RSL sub-branch secretary Wilson McLelland said those who had served or were still serving would be moved by the post office display.
"It's a great tribute to the South Lismore community," he said.
"
I think it would give the old Southies a lot of pride.
"
Local groups crocheted poppies to raise money for ex-servicemen and women.
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ABC North Coast: Cathy Adams
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Mr McLelland said it was impressive to see people making an effort to remember the diggers.
"It just emphasises the importance of the respect and remembrance that the Anzacs past and present deserve," he said.
"Anzac Day is all about respect — it's not about war."
As for Corporal Nugent, he did indeed live to see the moon shine on Australia and went on to become a grandfather.