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West Australian
6 days ago
- General
- West Australian
Sign of remembrance to adorn streets across the Shire of Manjimup as council welcomes its poppy project
A sign of remembrance will soon adorn streets across the Shire of Manjimup. Last month the Shire of Manjimup voted unanimously to support a motion brought forth by shire president Donelle Buegge to work with local RSLs to identify roads within the shire named after people who have served the country in defence services and honour them by installing a red poppy — the symbol of remembrance. Cr Buegge said she was first introduced to the idea when she met the RSL president in the City of Cockburn and the immediate past president of RSL WA David Thomas, at the Warren Agricultural show. 'He mentioned to me the project that the City of Cockburn had just completed which was 'The Poppy Project'; it was very timely that, John Paddy Hemingway — a veteran aged 105 had just passed away,' she said. 'His death marked the end of an era for veterans of World War II. The sacrifices that were made by these people must not be forgotten and in a way that could be a simple symbolic gesture — the names of our local service people will be forever recognised for what they gave up.' Cr Buegge said by working with the Manjimup RSL, 20 street names within Manjimup had been recognised for their namesakes' service. 'By working with Pemberton and Walpole RSL we can identify further family names throughout our entire shire,' she said. 'To be able to acknowledge our local veterans' names every day, it's just respect.'
West Australian
23-04-2025
- General
- West Australian
Why Anzac Day still matters (even if you've never been to a dawn service)
Anzac Day means two seemingly contradicting things to Australians: it's either a public holiday (a rare chance for a sleep in), or, for others, it's a day of deep remembrance, gathering at the crack of dawn, rosemary and poppies pinned to jackets, to honour acts of valour and all of those who served and sacrificed their lives for our country. Which one are you? And why does it matter so much? With 25 April just around the corner, we spoke to Duncan Anderson, State President RSL WA about why it's worth commemorating rather than hitting snooze. If you, or someone you know, feels a little disconnected from the meaning behind Anzac Day, this might be the gentle nudge you need. There are more than 63,000 people in WA who are currently serving or have previously served in the Australian Defence Force. That means most Australians have a connection to service through family, friends, or their wider community. So if you're not too familiar with Anzac Day, one might say you've been living under a rock. But if we rewind to where it all started, the importance becomes a little clearer. In 1915, thousands of young Australians and New Zealanders landed on the shores of Gallipoli as part of an allied campaign to capture the Dardanelles and Constantinople. The goal was to open up a supply route to Russia, weaken the Ottoman Empire, and shift the course of World War I. Instead, it claimed the lives of over 130,000 soldiers on both sides—including 8,700 Australians and 2,700 New Zealanders. The campaign tragically failed. But what emerged was something enduring: the Anzac Spirit. 'The Anzac Spirit is deeply embedded in Australian cultural heritage and our national identity,' Mr Anderson said. 'We have inherited these values of service, courage, mateship, and endurance from the ANZACs. 'Anzac Day commemorations and traditions are one of the many ways RSL WA ensures the ANZAC Spirit remains relevant understood,' he said. The most iconic tradition is the Dawn Service. And there is a reason for the early morning, which is to mirror the time of the original Gallipoli landing, just before sunrise on April 25, 1915. Australians and New Zealanders gather in silence to reflect and remember those who served us. It's a powerful one minute of silence followed by a trumpet sound called The Last Post (something you might remember reverberating through your school's speaker as a kid). In Perth, you can head to the Kings Park Dawn Service (5:45 AM – 7:00 AM), followed by the Gunfire Breakfast (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM) at Government House Gardens, where you'll find coffee with a dash of rum -a nod to the traditional 'gunfire' mix shared by soldiers, plus a traditional Anzac Day breakfast. However, there are many more events throughout the day including Anzac House, The March, Mateship Lane, and the Cathedral Service; however, the commemoration doesn't have to be formal. 'All people can observe Anzac Day through moments of quiet reflection, watching the sunset or sunrise, [or] wearing a sprig of rosemary,' Mr Anderson said. And of course, Anzac biscuits remain a family favourite: sweet, golden and oaty, they're baked and shared to mark the day, based on the only ingredients available to the ANZACs at the time. When we commemorate Anzac Day, we're not glorifying war, we're remembering its human cost. It might mean getting up early, but you'll be standing in solidarity. And yes, there are a few treats in it for you, too. For more details about attending one of the many commutative events that are on in the City of Perth or WA community to show their support, you can visit the website .
