ANZAC DAY 25 April 2023
Thank you to our community of Magpie Sports Club Members, AFL sports men and women, families and special guests who gathered at Picken Oval to commemorate ANZAC Day.
Here we share our story . . .
On ANZAC Day each year, as a community we remember those who have fallen, pay our respects to our ex-service men and women and show our pride for those who serve today.
In keeping with our communal [CMNL] ANZAC tradition, our service was proudly hosted at Picken Oval, between our ANZAC Day AFL matches.
Our collaboration with CHPRSL Sub-Branch and local AFL teams is greatly valued, as we continue to honour our commitment to preserving the ANZAC Legend, and to foster connections with our young community.
A crowd of over 400 people gathered at Magpie Sports Club not only to cheer on the AFL teams but also to commemorate our Veterans.
Family and friends joined together to cheer on the Women’s Division 2 and Men’s Premier Division at Picken Oval and were also able to remember those who served our nation. The Ode was recited by Ken McIntyre OAM, President Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Sub-Branch.
Amongst those that attended it was great to see representation by generations young and old.
Today, and on other important days of commemoration, we appreciate their endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship. These qualities, coupled with their sacrifices and stories became the ANZAC legend.
Services held across the nation today provide opportunities for everyone to honor the contributions and sacrifices our Veterans have made.
Welcome
Dave Polley (MC) introduced Uncle Michael West to commence with ‘Welcome to Country’.
“We welcome you from country, from clan from tribe, from nation and to all our brothers and sisters. We pay respect to those that have served and always was. Always will be at your land. Lest We Forget”.
Commandeer Arron Convery from the Royal Australian Navy – “On this very special day, we paid tribute to all Australian who have serviced and conducted operational service. Those who fought to the end…those who returned physically wounded and mentally scarred…and those who gave their lives sacrificing their days so that we can live ours.
On this sacred occasion, we also thank the men and women currently servicing the ADF. Those people who today carry on the duties of defending our nation and its interest.”
ANZAC Day is a day for reflection.
A day where we commemorate and honour the contributions made by our veterans. As the Nation pause to respect and remember not only those who have sacrificed their lives for our Country, we also need to honour the families whose lives had been changed forever by the loss of a loved one. Because of them, we have the privilege to call Australia our home.
Magpie Sports and CHP RSL representatives, distinguished guests plus representatives from local government Members, The Hon Tony Burke MP, Sophie Cotsis MP, Jason Li MP, Clr Clare Raffan and Clr Jessie Nguyen, laid wreaths to pay our respects and gratitude. A moving experience for all who attended the Service.
Through the stories shared they contribute greatly to our Australian history and play an important part in ensuring all generations create connections, learn, understand, acknowledge stories which helped shape Australia.
Together we will preserve the ANZAC Legend.
Lest We Forget
Acknowledgement
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely say thank you to all those who participated at the Service plus all members of staff:
Speakers
- Uncle Michael West – Welcome to Country
- Commander Arron Convery – Royal Australian Navy
- Ken McIntyre OAM – President Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Sub-Branch
Performer
- Pipe Band
- Bugler
Wreath layers
- Dean Thomas – CEO CHP RSL
- Commander Arron Convery – Royal Australia Navy
- Muriel Buckland – CHP RSL Sub Branch
- Russell Brown – Enfield / Croydon Park Sub Brand
- Uncle Michael West
- Lee Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Schmitz – CHP RSL Board Members
- Warwick Polley – Magpie Sports Club Advisory Committee
- The Hon Tony Burke MP – Federal Member for Watson
- Sophie Cotsis MP – Member for Canterbury
- Jason Li MP – Member for Strathfield
- Clr Clare Raffan and Jessie Nguyen – Representing Canterbury Bankstown Council
- Emma Brown & Callum McEvoy-Gray – IWM Women’s and Men’s Team Captains
- Claire Rennie & Thom Edmonds – Newtown/Pennant Hills Women’s and Men’s Team Captains
- Gavin Nelson & Ken Ray – Umpires for Women’s and Men’s Team Captain
- Luke Beynon – President West Juniors
- Todd Williams – President Pennant Hills
- Tiffany Chen – President Newtown Breakaways
- Sam Zikman – Community Football Manager, Greater Sydney
Behind the Scenes
- Photography – Nat Sports Media
Share your story
We invite you to post your ANZAC story here to share with our community!
It is important in our Australian history for all generations to create connections, to learn, understand, acknowledge, and share the stories about ANZAC Day,
stories which helped shaped Australia, a chance for everyone to honour the contributions and sacrifices our Veterans have made.
As ANZAC Day is a special day for many Australians, we want to be able to take this occasion to invite you to share your personal stories and / or journey with us and your community.
Many families also have traditions on how they commemorate, whether is attending a dawn service, baking ANZAC cookies, or making paper poppies. In what manner do you and your family commemorate this special day?
We look forward to hearing your ANZAC stories!
