Speech given by Year 8 student Euan McKenzie at the Newington College Centenary Anzac Service on Wednesday 29 April 2015. Euan and his mother Rosalind had the opportunity to attend the Centenary of Anzac Day Dawn Service in Gallipoli on 25 April 2015 in Turkey.

Lest we forget. It’s clear that we don’t. I was privileged to be one of over 10,000 Australians and New Zealanders in attendance at the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove last weekend.

I was invited because my great great uncle Joe Pestell fought at Gallipoli . Great, great uncle. That makes him sound like an old man and yet he was the same age as the Year 12 before me. If it had been the 21st Century Joe would have done his HSC, done schoolies, been accepted to do Law at Sydney uni and started studying. Instead it was 1915 and he was one of the first to join as an Australian soldier.

I know many of you have ancestors and family who have suffered or fought in wars. My experience reinforces to me that your family stories are precious. Sitting at Anzac Cove, looking up at the impossible cliffs that the soldiers had to climb, I had a realisation. Our ancestor legends are like the Dreaming of the Aborigines. I understand connection to land. Anzac Cove is our sacred place. Anzac Cove is our place of pilgrimage.

Another fact that surprised me was how many people recognised the Newington uniform. I wore it proudly to represent my school at both the Dawn and Lone Pine services and it amazed me how many people came up to me to shake my hand. Indeed Major General Mark Kelly who delivered the Lone Pine service spoke to me warmly of Newington.

Finally, the night before the service I was in my hotel watching tv and saw an ad that that showed a long shot of thousands of white grave stones. The words came up on the screen, Gallipoli 100. I realised it was a presentation to commemorate the Turkish involvement in the Gallipoli campaign. This reminded me that the 25 April was not just about us but the Turks who have their own family histories of bravery and loss. New Zealand lost 2,500 soldiers, Australian lost over 8,000 men, but few will be aware that the Turks lost over 85,000 troops.

This makes it all the more impressive that the Republic of Turkey allow Australians to revere Anzac Cove as a sacred place.

To be at a Dawn service anywhere is moving. To be at Anzac Cove for the centenary of the landing was a special privilege. We will remember them. Lest we Forget.

Euan McKenzie (8/JN)
Student