Respect The Day 2019

“Respect the Day” is a campaign to remind people of the special significance of ANZAC Day and to encourage Australians to reflect on how we should behave on this sacred day. “Respect The Day” is designed to educate younger people and newer Australians about the significance of Anzac Day, the reasons it is held, and to remind them how they should act on the day.

There are four sub-themes to this campaign:

– Celebrate Our Freedoms
– Remember their Sacrifice
– Honour Our Traditions
– Look After Your Mates Our concept of this campaign is to complement the programs of activities and services that Sub-branches and RSL Clubs conduct in the lead up to, and on Anzac Day.

Our goal with the campaign is to increase understanding, particularly among younger people and recent Australians, of the purpose and focus of Anzac Day and how they should act around Anzac Day.

The Respect the Day has five call to action points.

Celebrate our freedoms: Australia is a free and democratic nation with a diverse population who live harmoniously together. Our freedoms include the right to vote, the right to equality and non-discrimination, equality between men and women and the respect and freedom of the individual. These freedoms are what our service men and women have been protecting in theatres of war since World War 1.

Honour Our Traditions: The ceremonies and services that take place on ANZAC Day are for all Australians. From the Dawn Service to the Last Post, these traditions are a chance to reflect upon the losses suffered, the sacrifices made and the need to strive for peace where possible.

Look after your Mates: Mateship was a big part of the ANZAC spirit and helped many Diggers get through the horrors of the trenches. Mateship is an important part of Australian culture and young people should be looking out for each other.

Remember their sacrifice: The men and women that have served our nation, protecting us and fighting for the freedoms we enjoy, have made enormous sacrifices. Many have paid with their lives and many more have suffered both physical and mental scars. Not only have they made these sacrifices, but so have their families. World War 1 saw a massive number of casualties with 61,522 Australian lives lost, with an estimated 8,709 lost during the Gallipoli campaign. 156,000 were wounded, gassed or taken prisoner. This was from a population of less than 5 million people. The impact on this young nation was significant and we remember ANZAC Day to remind us all of the huge price that is paid when war is waged.

Respect the Day: ANZAC Day is not just a public holiday with an excuse to drink to excess and engage in antisocial behaviour. ANZAC Day is an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are, the sacrifices that have been made for us to live in a free and fair nation and to enjoy the company of our friends and family. It is a time to reflect on the importance of peace. Sharing a beer and playing a game of two up is one of the many traditions Australia has on ANZAC Day, but it is not the sole purpose of this important and sacred day

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