Goulburn RSL Sub Branch president Gordon Wade said we had gathered to consider the “great and terrible sacrifices” by Commonwealth forces during the nine-month campaign in the Dardenelles, particularly at the Gallipoli landing.

“We remember with pride and deep sadness the great human cost to Australian and New Zealand forces during that campaign,” Mr Wade said.

“It cost nearly 2000 men in the first 24 hours, many of whom were only young men who were left lying where they fell in Turkey. 

“Anzac Day has become an important time for us to pause and consider the price of conflict and war, right up to the present time – this cost is borne not only by those fighting, but those waiting at home and those at the highest levels who commit our troops to war. 

“Today we honour those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms. They gave their tomorrows for our todays – Lest We Forget.” 

Guest speaker, Wing Commander Steve Laredo then spoke.

He said the aim of landing at Gallipoli was to give allied shipping access to the Black Sea, bring help to Russia and perhaps force Turkey out of the war.

“In the eight months that followed that landing, some 50,000 Anzacs were committed to the battlefront. When they left, about 11,000 Australians and New Zealanders lay dead and with them many more Turkish soldiers,” he said.

“The true achievements of the Anzacs were in their courage, determination , mateship and sacrifice.”

Wing Commander Laredo said he had seen the spirit of the Anzacs alive “in the faces and determination” of today’s service men and women. 

He urged people to take a moment to read some of the names on the public memorials that exist in many towns and cities across Australia. 

“They are important reminders of the losses our nations felt in those darker days,” he said.

“Today we remember and honour those Anzac soldiers, as well as those who served in both world wars, Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam and more recently in the Middle East.” 

Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Bob Kirk thanked Wing Commander Laredo for his address.