IN modern times, few if any public holidays are free of criticism.
Days off over the new year are perhaps the only ones that go unquestioned by all parts of society, but outside of that, Anzac Day is as close as we get.
In our backyard, Gawler was a perfect example of respect on Thursday morning, with a horde of people packed into Pioneer Park to show thanks to the fallen.
Touching tributes were made and thoughts were provoked as a blanket of silence fell over locals following the Last Post.
Local MP Matt Burnell delivered a touching video tribute on the big screen, while Member for Light Tony Piccolo and Mayor Karen Redman made their presence known by laying a wreath alongside some of the region’s brightest youngsters.
It is near-on impossible for those that have grown up in modern Australia to picture the tragic sacrifices that were expected of the servicepeople of the past, which prompts reflection.
Such reflection hopefully provoked a need for societal awareness. Our current day in age is often described as pleasant, largely trouble-free and we are continuously labeled the ‘lucky country’.
We celebrate modern Australia, but war still remains, whether it’s on our shores or not, and through deliberate ignorance the bulk of society has turned a blind eye.
Thousands flooded to capital cities across the country over the weekend to protest violence against women after disgusting statistics continue to rise in the nation.
We unite in incredible number to honour the Anzacs every year without any hesitation, and rightly so, but what else can we do?
Hopefully when reflecting during the minute of silence on Thursday morning, Australians were thinking of how we can attempt to build a country that comes somewhat close to honouring the sacrifice of the Anzacs.
At the moment, though, we are way off.
