Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields ) ( 10:19 ): Anzac Day is an important day not only for the nation but also for small local communities, such as my local Macarthur region, which were permanently changed as a result of the First World War. Anzac Day officially marks the anniversary of the first major military action in which Australian forces were involved at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. The day is significant not only as a commemoration of the bravery of soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives for their country but also as a pivotal event that shaped Australia's national identity.

Before the Great War, Australia was a new federation and had not yet proved itself as independent from England. The country's history and culture was closely tied to the British Empire, and the question remained unresolved as to whether the different States and Territories of Australia could perform as one unit in a practical way. The Gallipoli campaign created that unity through the values of mateship and courage that were shared by the troops. When the Anzacs were pulled out of Gallipoli, more than 8,000 soldiers were killed. That had a profound impact on the home front given that Australia, despite its small population, suffered heavy casualties. Although the Australian nation was still very young, the First World War became a significant cornerstone of our heritage that is still acknowledged today.

Since the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in 1916, Anzac Day commemorations have been a fundamental ritual in our national calendar. First commemorated with simple marches, it has developed over the years as a national public holiday involving dawn vigils, marches, reunions and, of course, the obligatory two-up games. The commemoration is no longer restricted to those who died in the First World War but, by extension, any serviceman or servicewoman who has lost their life in any military or peacekeeping operation in which Australia has been involved. It is a day on which all Australians reflect on past and current sacrifices. It also encourages citizens to be active participants in our national history by recognising their own qualities in light of the Anzac spirit. The Anzac legend demonstrates that, despite the grave hardships experienced by Australians, we managed to overcome the odds and significantly contribute to the outcome of the war.

In the Macarthur region, the legacy of Anzac is a strong component of local civic life and heritage. Like people in many other cities and towns across Australia, the people in our area actively supported the war effort through recruitment, training troops, and taking on obligations on the home front. Today, the Macarthur area actively commemorates the efforts and losses sustained in global conflicts whether it be through the work of community groups, memorials, or the general respect of ordinary citizens. Each year our community commemorates the fallen with dawn services and day services at an array of memorials around the city. A special Anzac Day march down Queen Street and a commemoration service at Mawson Park attract hundreds of people from all walks of life who gather to pay their respects. A moving dawn service is also held at Ingleburn RSL Club, which draws crowds of young and old to reflect on our nation's history and to pay their respects to current and former serving men and women of the Armed Forces.

A typical service includes hymns, prayers, addresses by key members of the community, singing of the national anthem, performance of the Ode and the last post, a period of silence, and the laying of the wreaths by local schools and community groups. It is a day when the people of Macarthur, no matter their age or experience in warfare, pay their respects to the fallen. Community groups also exist to uphold the significance of the Anzacs throughout the year. The Ingleburn RSL and Liverpool RSL sub-branches play a vital role in the Macarthur community, assisting with commemorative services and fundraising efforts. The Ingleburn RSL Sub-Branch hosts the annual Anzac Day dawn service in its Memorial Garden Complex, and breakfast is served in the club after the service. The event continues to grow each year, with students from local schools participating, and key addresses are made at the event by local high school students.

The RSL sub-branch at Ingleburn was formed in 1926 by ex-servicemen at Ingleburn Memorial Park. Members cultivated roses and hedges and planted palms, and an obelisk was constructed. During the Great Depression, the sub-branch was instrumental in delivering parcels to the needy, visiting the homeless along the Georges River, and undertaking house repairs and construction. With the onset of the Second World War, the sub‑branch assisted with farewell functions for soldiers. The involvement of local RSL sub-branches has been significant not only in the commemoration of Anzac Day but also in practical activities and better town projects that keep building on the positive vibes of the community. During the Second World War, a training facility at the Bardia Barracks was used as a camp for the troops of the Second Australian Imperial Force [AIF]. It was also used as a training camp for the soldiers who fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Despite the closure of the barracks, a vertical stone tablet stands today as a memorial to those who died while posted to the barracks.

Our Anzac history is also commemorated and prevalent at our local schools. Many Anzacs came from Glenfield, which is home to Hurlstone Agricultural High School and its memorial forest. Ingleburn North Public School was renamed Bardia Public School to reflect our local and proud military history. Hurlstone Agricultural High School's memorial forest is one of Australia's first living war memorials and is also one of the most significant parts of the school because it is intimately connected with the school's history and legacy. Former student and Victoria Cross winner John Edmondson enlisted in the AIF and was quickly promoted to corporal. One of his feats of bravery was to charge German defences at Tobruk and although wounded in the neck and stomach he continued to advance under heavy fire, saving the life of his platoon commander.

Our community has a long and very proud military history. Local resident Lauren Hokin recently compiled a book outlining more than 1,000 local soldiers, sailors and nurses who had served in the First World War. Our local community had no shortage of people recruited to different facets of the war, whether they were foot soldiers, light horsemen or involved with heavy machinery. Some brave examples include George Denham Bland, who fought in the Somme and in 1918 single-handedly held back a 100-man advance with his Lewis gun and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Macarthur's legacy, however, is not restricted only to soldiers. Elizabeth McRae from Minto experienced more combat than some soldiers and she was only meant to be a nurse. She enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service and departed Australia in 1915 with the 1st Australian General Hospital and dealt with all forms of battlefield wounds. In 1918 she was assigned to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, which was within range of enemy fire. She spent much of her time tending to wounds and comforting scared soldiers and received a military order for her efforts and bravery. Elizabeth McRae Avenue in Minto is now named in her honour. The Anzac spirit is not only a national virtue but something that is celebrated and commemorated at a community and personal level. As citizens of Australia we recognise Anzac Day not only as a significant tradition but also as something that shapes our very identity as Australians in our day-to-day lives and communities. Lest we forget.