ANZAC address

06 May 25

By MW Bro Derek James Robson AM, PGM, CMH

Anzac Day – 25 April – is when we commemorate the anniversary of that day in 1915 when soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Forces landed on the beaches of Gallipoli. It is the day when we remember all those who have given their lives for our country.

We could not imagine the scene at Gallipoli just before dawn. The boats carrying the first 1500 Australians who would make the landing were moving through the darkness towards the shore. All was silent. Then, as the first boat hit the beach at 0418, the searchlights hit their mark, and the legend that is Gallipoli was born.

The Australians were followed later that day by the New Zealanders. The ANZAC landings were the first time where the soldiers of these two fledgling nations fought together. Mutual respect also developed between the ANZACs and the Turkish soldiers, and while the ANZACs were under British command, they acted independently and with

great bravery, thereby establishing separate national identities where none had previously existed on the international stage. Although the Australians arrived in State Battalions, the survivors left as Australians. In the process, the legend that is ANZAC was created.

ANZAC Cove is a narrow strip of heavily pebbled beach, flanked by an equally narrow grassy strip. Then the ground in front rises steeply through a series of ridges. The whole area where the ANZACs landed is largely unchanged today, and remains of the original trenches, rugged gullies and ravines are still very evident. Many small cemeteries can now be seen, dotted with small numbers of headstones across their grassy lawns. Messages on the stones tell a sad story, but sadly the majority of those killed on Gallipoli have no known grave. Today the beach is again silent, with hardly a whisper in the air. The ocean gently reaches the shore, a hallowed place that cries out for respect.

Our great historian, Charles Bean, wrote:

‘Amid all the grief, loss, and sacrifice, our Nation gained a possession forever. In the end ANZAC still stands, for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship, and endurance, that will never admit defeat.’

With the passing of time ANZAC Day has become a commemoration of the fallen from all conflicts. Our Australians lie not only at Gallipoli, but across the Western Front, the Somme, Greece and Crete, the North African desert, Italy, Malaysia, the Pacific Islands, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other places too. They lie in unknown places on every continent, and in every ocean – but they are never forgotten.

ANZAC Services are a recognition and understanding of the Australian identity. When we talk of ANZAC today, we talk of the values it has left us. Our responsibility now is to ensure that all generations of Australians including those who come to our shores and are not yet Australians, are aware of the events which occurred on the Gallipoli Peninsula so long ago. Events which mean so much to us as a Nation, what they mean to us as individuals, how they have shaped our psyche, and particularly how they have taught us to believe in those wonderful traits of respect, tolerance, understanding and selflessness.

The book, Simpson and his Donkey, published by Walker Books Australia is a good example of how we can portray that message. I was privileged to launch this book at the Australian War Memorial in April 2008, and I love repeating the story.

John Simpson Kirkpatrick, an English trade union activist and deserter from the Merchant Navy tramped around Australia with various jobs until he enlisted in the AIF and found himself at ANZAC Cove on 25 April 1915. He famously used a small donkey to carry wounded men from the front line, often exposing himself to enemy fire. Sadly, he was killed less than four weeks later.

The words that are repeated at both ends of the story ‘There’s no need to worry – I’II not forget you’ became Simpson’s signature. The book clearly presents an image of all that is dear to us, and it offers us a very real and practical exhibition of the great values of respect, tolerance, and integrity. It is these values that are so important to us as a society and this story gives us an example of a fabulous and practical way in which we can portray this image.

It is this that has become the ANZAC Spirit: courage, determination, self-belief, humour in adversity, ingenuity, a respect for results, and all glued together by the bonds of mateship. It is our chance to reflect with pride on what it is to be Australian.

The ANZAC Spirit can be found everywhere: schools, sporting fields, and voluntary groups all over Australia. All Australians have the ANZAC Spirit within them. In times of crisis such as terrorism, bushfires and natural disasters, the Spirit shows through.

Remember how we reacted as a nation towards Cyclone Tracy, the Bali bombings, the Granville Train disaster, the Thredbo Landslide and the many bushfires. Also for the massive volunteering effort for the Sydney Olympic Games.

Sir Gerard Brennan, our distinguished Chief Judge of the High Court, said that ‘National values continue to define the identity of the people’.

He added: ‘Our heroes, leaders and role models must be seen to be people of values. And if national values are to be worthy, they must be shared. We can all draw from the ANZAC heritage. It is our responsibility to ensure that the Spirit of ANZAC continues to enrich and invigorate the Spirit of Australia. We must ensure that all those who have made Australia their home are taught or are aware of, our understanding of respect, community values and tolerance.’

In Australia, as in Freemasonry, we consider that we are just individuals banded together as equals. The ANZACs had a similar belief that a nation founded on the idea of equality is a nation worth fighting for. Our Grand Master readily uses phrases like

‘All of one company,’ ‘Never leave your mates behind’ and ‘We are all men among equals’. These all form part of his consideration when sitting down to construct the conferral listing and appointing any of us to a chosen role. As masons, we treat each other with fairness and humility, greet each other with a cheery smile, a simple ‘g’day’.We always offer a hand, no matter what it involves. The concept of ANZAC needs no other meaning today.

Please remember: We made a promise that their deeds would never be forgotten, and that all those who served would be forever remembered by this Nation for what they gave to us.

On ANZAC Day we take a further step in fulfilling that promise.

We carry forth their pride at what was achieved, and sadness at what was lost.

Please remember all those who gave their lives for our nation – and for us.

So, mote it be.

📸Left - RW Bro Benjamin Tubridy PJGW and President of the Freemasons Association NSW & ACT.  Right - MW Bro Derek James Robson AM, PGM, CMH.  Front - Tyler Tubridy at Martin Place Cenotaph after the 2025 ANZAC March.