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Participating in Anzac Day activities is increasingly aligned with a normalised ‘Australian’
way to demonstrate patriotism broadly, rather than solely as a remembrance of Australian war
service. The emotive language used to describe this broad patriotism of which Australians are
expected to connect with through Anzac Day, established and proliferated by John Howard,
as seen through his 2003 Anzac Day address continued with Kevin Rudd’s prime
ministership as evidenced by his 2008 Anzac Day address, his first as Australian Prime
Minister. First, a key statement from Howard’s 2003 speech:
And I think as all of us marvel at the way in which the young of Australia in
increasing numbers embrace the Anzac traditions. And we ask ourselves why is it
that this great tradition has strengthened and cemented its hold on the affections and
the emotions of the Australian people. It is not, as is rightly said on every Anzac
Day, about the glorification of war. It is about the celebration of some wonderful
values, of courage, of valour, of mateship, of decency, of a willingness as a nation to
do the right thing, whatever the cost. (Howard, 2003, para. 2)
Second, key statements from Rudd’s 2008 speech:
What is it about their stories that wrenches us still – fully 90 years after the Armistice
that ended the war to end all wars.
I think it is this.
That whatever the comforts of our modern age; whatever its distractions and
whatever its disillusionments – that there is something unique about this land
Australia and the ideals for which we Australians stand.
That this is a place of unparalleled beauty.
That we are a good people who want for the good of others.
That we stand for a deep sense of liberty for which our forebears fought and
which should never be surrendered – whatever the cost.
That we are a people who by instinct cannot stand idly by and be indifferent to
the suffering of others.
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