The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath will visit Anzac Cove to pay her respects to the fallen soldiers who landed on 25 April 1915, marking the first military action fought by Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during the World War I.
Ms Bath is part of a state parliamentary delegation travelling to Gallipoli to mark the 110th Anniversary of the ANZAC landing.
Visiting graves and memorials of fallen Gippsland soldiers, and attending the dawn service with Victorian MPs, Ms Bath will accompany the Minister for Veterans Hon. Natalie Suleyman and her Nationals’ colleague Kim O’Keeffe, Member for Shepparton.
Ms Bath said recently she had the privilege of working with RSL subbranches to identify local diggers buried in cemeteries on the peninsula.
“Anzac Day holds a special significance in the hearts and minds of many Australians and to commemorate the dawn service at Gallipoli is an honoured pilgrimage.
“Knowing many Gippsland families farewelled their young men for the Gallipoli campaign, never to return home, I’m sure it will be an emotional experience paying my respects at their graves.
“The spirit of the Anzacs – courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice continue to serve as a reminder, inspiring Australians during times of crisis and motivating us to uphold these values in our daily lives.
“Despite Gallipoli being a failed campaign, it galvanised our nation in the defence of democratic freedoms we enjoy today and remains a pivotal and highly respected part of our Australian history.
“My sincere thanks to our RSLs for assisting me in researching soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
“I invite Anzac descendants to contact my office on melina.bath@parliament.vic.gov.au.
“As a community, it is important we continue to tell the story of our past and present service personnel in war and peacekeeping, pay our respects and honour the legacy of the Anzacs.”
Lest we forget.
