COMMEMORATE the day, celebrate the traditions, but be respectful and responsible.
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That’s the message from the Bathurst RSL Club as Anzac Day approaches.
Ahead of April 25, the club is reminding Bathurstians of the special significance of the day and urging locals to reflect and remember.
“Not that we’re trying to be wowsers,” club president Ian Miller said.
“We’re not saying don't have a drink and a punt. We’re saying enjoy the day, the atmosphere, your mates. But do it in a respectful manner.”
Club general manager Peter Sargent said he sees Anzac Day as the ultimate day to bring all Australians together.
“It's about mateship, courage and the birth of the nation. It's celebrating and protecting our current way of life,” he said.
“But however you choose to commemorate the day, just think about it for a moment - it's because of those sacrifices.”
He said Anzac Day began as a commemoration of the landing at Gallipoli in 1915, but had become a day to represent Australians in every theatre of conflict and to be commemorated by any families who had been touched in some way by war.
“If we’re fair dinkum about remembering their [soldiers’] sacrifice, we should do so respectfully and responsibly,” he said.
“It’s not about getting blind and carrying on like a larrikin.
“It’s a day to celebrate everything that unites us as a nation, and to remember all of those who fought so hard to preserve and protect all that we hold dear.”
Mr Sargent said one of the great sights at the Bathurst RSL Club was patrons standing in silence for the sounding of the ode each night.
He said he hoped that same respect for tradition and the sacrifices of forebears would be shown when Bathurstians come together in numbers, as they do every year, to commemorate Anzac Day next week.
