Just Another Anzac Day? Never!

May 5, 2016

Sadly southburnett.com.au could not make it to this year’s Anzac Day service at Wondai.

Afterwards we were told many times how well former Wondai mayor Percy Iszlaub spoke.

But his niece, Bronwyn Marquardt, was there and wrote a column for her popular blog, Maid In Australia, about Anzac Day.

She has generously allowed us to share photographs and an edited version of her column  to help our readers capture the spirit of the day at Wondai.

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by Bronwyn Marquardt*

And so another Anzac Day has been and gone.

I grew up looking at the photos of those who did not come back from wars, wondering what happened to them … talking to widows who were mourning deaths or disappearances. Often there was no closure. Just photographs. Maybe some letters.

Of NOT hearing the stories of some who did return because they did not want to talk about experiences, but reading into the silences and meaningful glances; the talk of nightmares, depression and inexplicable rage and grief.

I breathed in the poetry, the history, and the unbelievable stories of wrongs and hardships which occurred around the world because of war.

In my own family, I heard tales that were too unreal to be untrue. Close encounters and escapes. You could not make this stuff up.

As one of our South Burnett Regional councillors, Ros Heit, said on April 25, Anzac Day isn’t about celebrating war, but is about remembering the sacrifices of those who gave up their tomorrow so we could enjoy our today.

In modern times, it is also about honouring those who continue to put their lives at risk to do good both in Australia and New Zealand, and where they are needed around the world.

My heart swelled with pride when I watched school children marching with their teachers. I held back tears as I watched veterans waving as they were pushed in wheelchairs by the younger generation.

An image remains in my mind of a strong-armed, straight-backed gent, carrying the Australian flag, not just throughout the march but in the hot sun for the entire Anzac ceremony at my home town of Wondai. Without wavering.

My own Uncle Percy, a former Mayor, at 90 and sharp as a tack who had been up for the Dawn Service playing in the Town Band, gave the keynote address for a later service and then fronted up for yet another service at a nearby town, all without missing a beat.

His speech included tales of his own father’s experiences at Gallipoli, together with letters sent home from Diggers from the region.

He masterfully wove the meaning of these stories in with other wars, and with the significance of the horrors of modern warfare that going on today, including the evil of terrorism and ISIS.

I doubt any Australian politician could have given a better or more poignant speech. And, despite fighting his own invader (cancer) he also stood tall throughout.

Unlike politicians, Uncle Percy doesn’t have speechwriters. He wrote it himself and it came from the heart. It was magnificent.

He epitomises the Australian Spirit, and I don’t mind admitting to getting a bit of water in my eyes at times.

During the ceremony, the plight of those who return home was mentioned often, as was that of those who remain here while their loved ones are away and also support them when they return, never quite the same,  and who need support as well.

Perhaps some people have forgotten about Anzac Day until next year.

However, I’ll wager those are the same people who thought of the day as just another holiday. An excuse to get drunk at the races, see a sports game or a concert.

The people who care will continue to remember those who have served us and continue to do so.

Lest we forget? Not on our watch.

* Bronwyn Marquardt blogs at Maid In Australia

  Wondai