ANZAC Day Assembly

Good morning students and staff.

Today I have the privilege of delivering the ANZAC Day address as Captain Klebaner, a commissioned officer in the Australian Army. It is my hope to share with you not only a part of what Anzac Day means to me but also a small part of what the sacrifice and the legacy that our soldiers have left behind.

The Creed of the Australian soldier reads: “… I am proud to build on the heritage of service, mateship and sacrifice of previous generations…” and the Ode of Remembrance: “we will remember them…”. 

But who and what are we to remember, whose sacrifice, and for what reason?

As time increases the number of years between our lives today and the Great War, our personal connection to these events is also diminished. We tend to focus on the horror of statistics that surrounds the battles of the western front, or the broad successes and setbacks of allied forces. Amidst these important moments of our shared history, as a society we have forgotten the legacy that this sacrifice has created.

As such I want to leave you with a connection to this sacrifice, the story of Villers Brettenoux, a town in Northern France that has embraced this legacy and will likely never forget Australia.

 It is April 1918, 7 months before Armistice Day, the end of WW1. The war on the western front has been grinding onwards for almost 4 years.

Following disaster in the Gallipoli campaign, the Australian Imperial Force has now spent its second year entrenched across the western front locked in a routine back and forth stalemate with German forces.

In a desperate attempt to turn the tide of the war, German High Command launches the Spring Offensive, intended to cut off allied resupply and end war on the western front.

The loss of the town of VILLERS BRETTENOUX, would allow German forces to strike directly at Amiens, a strategic location, crucial to the allied war effort.

On the 4th of April, a German attack fails to capture VILLERS BRETTENOUX from Australian and British defenders. Then later, on the 24th of April, the town is lost following a German surprise attack.

Later that night, a force consisting of two Australian infantry brigades, launch a desperate counterattack to recapture the town. Fighting continues through the night and the town is finally recaptured by the morning of ANZAC Day.

This action at VILLERS BRETTENOUX contributed to ending the German Spring Offensive, not only assuring allied victory on the western front but also securing the fate of the entire war. 

This is where the town’s military significance ends, and we turn our attention to the people that called VILLERS BRETTENOUX home. As you can imagine, the battles to defend, lose and recapture the town had left only destruction. As the inhabitants stood in the rubble of their community, unsure of how to proceed - they were met by the Australians that had recaptured their town; in truth all of the soldiers originally came from Victoria. Seeing the survivors return to the ruin of the town, the soldiers saw their own families and friends from back home. This inspired them to help rebuild and repair what was destroyed. Upon writing home to their families, this act of charity grew larger, with school children of Victoria raising enough money to rebuild the towns’s primary school.

The people of VILLERS BRETTENOUX, in a show of appreciation and thanks, did what they could to remember the soldiers of Australia. Renaming streets and businesses after places in Victoria; Rue d’Melbourne, the Victoria Grill, The Koala Club. This is also why you can see Australian flags fly proudly alongside the French National Flag at the town hall.

VILLERS BRETTENOUX wanted to ensure that the actions of the Australians would be remembered by all future generations. The rebuilt school was named “The Victoria School”. In every classroom there is the dedication “N'oublions jamais l'Australie”, let us never forget Australia. In the schoolyard a sign in English further instils this, painted in large green and gold paint reminding all, “DO NOT FORGET AUSTRALIA”.

So for the last 107 years, the children of VILLERS BRETTENOUX have learnt and never forgotten the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers, how they protected and sheltered its people, and then rebuilt their home, not for any other reason than it was the right thing to do. Thus the legacy of sacrifice, courage and kindness is remembered, carried in the hearts and minds of the citizens of this French town.

 As proof that this legacy still endures, the community of VILLERS BRETTENOUX have repaid this generosity of spirit twice in recent years. First in 2009 and then again in 2020, when Victorian towns were destroyed by bushfires. The primary schools of Strathewen and Robinvale were rebuilt, with funds raised and donated by the town of VILLERS BRETTENOUX.

ANZAC Day is not just about remembering the events at VILLERS BRETTENOUX, nor is it even in simply remembering the First World War.  This is a day set aside for us to give thanks to all those that have served in the Australian Defence Force, to those that have put their lives at risk at home and abroad in the belief that their actions will help make a difference. We also acknowledge the losses and sacrifices experienced by the families of these soldiers, who have lost irreplaceable time with those that they love.

 I believe that ANZAC Day requires us to reflect on our shared past with pride, while also to look forward as a united people and continue to build on the legacy of achievements of those that came before us.

Thank you Principal Harris for this opportunity to address the College, I hope that I have left everyone here with something to reflect on, wherever you are on ANZAC Day.