Residents, Care Providers commemorate ANZAC Day
This ANZAC Day marks the 100 year anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces on Gallipoli in 1915. The ANZAC Centenary is a milestone of special significance to all Australians and numerous Aged Care organisations and their residents acknowledge the sacrifice and bravery of war veterans on this significant ANZAC Day.
Current and former Victorian servicemen came together at a unique ‘meet and greet’ morning tea at Benetas Broughton Hall in Camberwell commemorating ANZAC Day.
In the first part of this special series DPS News looks at what some aged care providers have been planning to mark this pivotal event on Saturday.
Veterans at RetireAustralia’s Harwin Retirement Village in South Australia are taking the opportunity to commemorate the occasion and look back on 100 years of military history.
John Wilkinson, 91, served in the Royal Air Force between 1942 and 1945 and attends an ANZAC Day ceremony every year. This Saturday will be no different, with John’s grandson set to accompany him to the popular 5.30am dawn service at the Elizabeth RSL cenotaph.
The morning will be a unique opportunity for John to share his memories and experiences with the younger generation.
John himself was only 18 when he first volunteered for the RAF as an air gunner in 1942. Because of his bad eyesight, he was enlisted as a ground gunner instead, and spent two years posted at several bases around England. He then spent a year working with a parachute servicing unit in Palestine, where, he says, “We lived on our nerves, always alert.” When World War II ended in 1945, John returned to England before eventually moving to Australia with his family.
Now, 70 years after the end of his career in the RAF, John will spend the 100th anniversary of ANZAC Day reminiscing with his fellow Harwin residents and veterans. Village Manager Robyn Bennett says, “We’ve got quite a few vets in the village, and the ANZACs were such heroes to that generation.”
“ANZAC Day is a wonderful opportunity to commemorate both the ANZACs and the men and women who fought before and after them, and sharing their stories is a great way to ensure that they remain part of our history,” says Mrs Bennett.
Victorian Aged care provider Benetas hosted a unique ANZAC commemoration event connecting servicemen of past and present earlier in the week.
The intergenerational event saw current and former Victorian servicemen come together at a unique ‘meet and greet’ morning tea at Benetas Broughton Hall in Camberwell to share and compare their experiences. Benetas clients, all of whom are war veterans, and one nurse joined current soldiers from the Royal Victorian Regiment, 5/6 Battalion.
Benetas supports a large number of war veterans through its services. Benetas Innovation, Research and Policy Manager, Dr Amee Morgans, says the event truly recognised and commemorated the contribution of both current and past servicemen, and thanks them for what they have done for our country.
“ANZAC Day means so much more than simply marking the anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli in 1915. It is the day we remember all Australians who served for our country.”
“The spirit of ANZAC lives on in stories of courage, mateship, and sacrifice,” says Dr Morgans.
For information about ANZAC Day ceremonies in your local area, contact your local RSL sub-branch or ex-service organisation for details.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the 2nd and final part of this special series.
