A retired brigadier and Anzac Day guest speaker is conscious “we live in very troubled times” ahead of the national day’s commemorations across the northern suburbs next week.
Phillip White, a retired brigadier general from the Army Reserve who served for 35 years, will speak at an 8am service in the City of Stirling at the Mt Lawley War Memorial on Thursday.
“I think it (Anzac Day) is very important, we live in very troubled times,” he said.
“One of the key messages of any Anzac Day service is that we’re not there to celebrate war, we’re there to commemorate those people who have fought in wars, as horrible as wars are, and to acknowledge the services and the sacrifices of the men and women who have had to answer the call of duty.”
Mr White is an honorary colonel of the 10th Light Horse Regiment and a recently retired high school principal, with his career in defence coinciding with a career in education. He said he saw a “dip in interest for Anzac Day” in the late 1990s which he proudly helped to recover.
“I was part of the Government initiative in the late 90s to reboot Anzac Day under WA premier Richard Court and Geoff Gallop’s bipartisan support for rebooting Anzac Day,” he said.
“I think it’s just great; we now see Anzac Day celebrated wonderfully in schools, primary schools, high schools and I’ve witnessed that first-hand.”
Mr White said he held great pride in speaking at Anzac Day services after having done so for more than a decade.
“I always saw it as sort of payback for my wonderful career in the military to offer my services to pretty much anyone who asked,” he said.
With this year’s Anzac Day coming during conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine causing global tension, Mr White said it was a time to commemorate the fallen and be reminded of the devastating impacts of war.
“Whilst we talk about how the original Anzacs helped shaped our character, one of the things that any person who’s been to war would say is that it’s the last thing you want to have happen,” he said.
“We saw after WW I, WW II and subsequently that people who are veterans are the first to say that we need to have peaceful solutions wherever possible to conflict.”
Mayor Linda Aitken said she was proud the City of Wanneroo could support these important services and encouraged the community to attend to pay their respects.
“Anzac Day plays a significant role in Wanneroo’s history and I thank our wonderful RSL sub-branches for honouring service men and women,” she said.
“The Wanneroo district was far from Europe, but this did not shield our tiny community of 300 people from the horrors of World War I.
“It’s important we reflect on the sacrifices defence personnel have made and continue to make for our community.”
Joondalup mayor Albert Jacob said the service on April 25 was the most important event the City of Joondalup hosted each year.
“April 25 is a day for us to honour the men and women who have fought for two great nations during WW I and beyond,” he said.
“Some made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.
“There is nothing that stirs up the emotions quite like hearing the New Zealand and Australian national anthems as the sun rises over Central Park.
“Joondalup is home to a big New Zealand population and we expect a huge crowd will again be on hand.
“It’s heartening to see that generations on, the Anzac spirit is alive and well in cities like ours where people from all age groups and backgrounds get up early on this special day to pay their respects.”
ANZAC DAY SERVICES
City of Joondalup
(Joondalup City RSL Sub-Branch)
Joondalup War Memorial – 5.45am to 7.45am
City of Wanneroo
(Wanneroo RSL Sub-branch)
Wanneroo Memorial Park – 5.50am
(Quinns Rocks RSL Sub-branch)
Quinns Rocks Sports Club – 5.45am
(Yanchep-Two Rocks RSL Sub-branch)
Splendid Park – 5.30am
City of Stirling
(Naval Association of WA Anzac Day Eve commemoration)
Stirling Civic Gardens – 4.30pm to 6pm
(North Beach RSL Sub-branch)
Charles Riley Memorial Reserve – 6am (arrive 5.30am) to 7am
(Nollamara Sports and Recreation Club)
Nollamara Sports and Recreational Club – commencing 7am
(Osborne Park RSL Sub-branch)
Memorial hall, 129 Main Street – 6.30am to 7.30am
(Yokine/Joondanna RSL Sub-branch)
Yorkine Districts Bowling Club – commencing 12.45pm
(Mt Lawley/Inglewood RSL Sub-branch)
Mt Lawley War Memorial – 8am (arrive 7.45am) to 9am
