It was once thought ANZAC Day would gradually become less relevant with the soldiers from WWI having passed and the veterans of subsequent conflicts ageing.

This was incorrect. Before the sun rises this ANCAC Day, there will be far more clattering in homes the length and breadth of this country than yesterday, or tomorrow, or on this day 20 years ago.

In increasing numbers each year, a growing civilian army rises to attend their local Cenotaph to pay respects to those who have served our country in all conflicts.

The reality is, ANZAC Day has had a rebirth of sorts and become more meaningful and relevant to the modern generation – and so it should.

It is right that with the passing and ageing of our servicemen and women, the wider community sees fit to show thanks for the sacrifices they made for us, and for the younger veterans of more recent conflicts who at the current time do us proud.

Like recent years, today’s parades throughout the nation will be attended in huge numbers. It is likely there are several reasons for this.

It seems young Australians have become more interested in our nation’s history and have a thirst to understand the lives and hardships of their forefathers, not only from a family perspective, but also their communities.

Technology developments have also provided readily accessible information as computer screens can provide an armchair insight into each battlefield.

In addition, the ease and cost of international travel has allowed more and more to walk the sacred ground their family members fought and died on.

In just a few weeks, I will be involved in taking a group of 14 Year 11 students from around the state to walk the Kokoda Trail in the footsteps of the Victorians from the 39th and 2/14th Battalions who were involved in some of the fiercest jungle fighting in history.

They will hear about Arthur Grassby, who, at age 16, sat nervously in a foxhole on the Kokoda plateau with around 100 mates as an enemy, greatly superior in both number and experience, closed in. He survived that defeat only to be wounded shortly after at the battle of Isurava, ending his war. Arthur’s great grandson will be on this trek.

They will also hear about John Metson, of Richmond. Shot through the ankle and unable to walk, he refused a stretcher and instead simply asked for his hands and knees to be bandaged so he could crawl.

With the Japanese closing in, eventually the group he was with had to leave the severely injured who took shelter at a small village called Sangai, while those who moved quicker tried to stay ahead of the enemy.

The plan was to return and retrieve Metson and his mates, but when they did, found the group had been discovered and executed.

For his “courage, tenacity and unselfishness”, Metson was posthumously awarded a British Empire Medal.

These students will be present for a dawn service at Isurava where the breaking sun rising through the mist will reveal the four commemorative pillars engraved with the words Courage, Mateship, Endurance, Sacrifice – words synonymous with the Kokoda campaign.

At Bomana War Cemetery, they will also kneel before the graves of a fallen soldier from their area and make a commitment to them to be the best they can be for the rest of their lives.

This ANZAC Day we should all take time to reflect and commemorate those who have given so much, so we can enjoy the freedoms we do today.

Lest We Forget