Stephen gave the following speech in Parliament on the 17th of May, 2018.
"I would like to use this opportunity today to acknowledge the Plympton Glenelg RSL sub-branch for their staging of the annual ANZAC Day dawn service at Moseley Square, Glenelg. The dawn service is held in Glenelg at the ANZAC Beach Memorial. The memorial is only a relatively recent addition to Moseley Square, being built in 2015, with the Plympton Glenelg RSL playing a significant role in its arrival. The memorial is 1.8 metres wide by 1.4 metres high, made of black granite memorial and has the words inscribed, 'At the going down of the sun'. Being so close to the beach, the backdrop to the memorial is at its most poignant when the sun sets on the horizon.
The ANZAC Day dawn service has been held at Moseley Square, Glenelg, since 2014 and sees the number of people attending increasing each year, with unofficial estimates being in the vicinity of 4,000. This year's service was a dignified and solemn occasion and started at 6am, still cloaked in darkness. Prior to the commencement, the crowd slowly builds when the community of Glenelg and the surrounding suburbs make their way along the quiet streets to congregate en masse around the memorial, waiting in hushed tones.
The silence is broken at 5.50am by the South Australian Pipes and Drums band, who preceded a group of 40 veterans who marched in step to the beat of the drums, first down Colley Terrace before turning right into Moseley Square, to march through the crowd to the memorial. The respectful claps from the crowd carried the veterans on to their positions to begin the service. Soldiers of the 9th Combat Service Support Battalion then marched in the catafalque party to take their positions standing guard. Mrs Regina Crook sung the hymn In Flanders Fields before the chaplain, Franc Ahlin, gave a prayer of remembrance.
This ANZAC Day was particularly significant because it marked the centenary of the end of World War I, specifically ANZAC Day marked the centenary of the battle of Villers-Bretonneux. The Plympton Glenelg RSL gave me the privilege of delivering the ANZAC Day address, and I thank them for that. I spoke of how, on 25 April 1918, Australian soldiers found themselves facing the advancing German army at the French village of Villers-Bretonneux. Some of these Australian soldiers were veterans of the Gallipoli landings in 1915. By 26 April, the battle was over and would mark the end of the German offensive on the Somme.
Dignitaries, including myself, were then able to lay wreaths on behalf of the communities that they represent. The Plympton Glenelg RSL then gave community groups and individuals the opportunity to lay a tribute. Younger leaders, such as Cormac Sammut from the Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, are particularly encouraged to honour the service men and women. It was pleasing to observe schoolchildren participate from the local schools, such as Immanuel College, Glenelg Primary, St Leonards Primary, St Peter's Woodlands and Sacred Heart, along with families such as the Chabrel family.
Following the laying of wreaths, the Plympton Glenelg RSL president, Will Smith, recited the ode after which a lone bugler, who stood on the balcony of the nearby Stamford Grand above and behind the crowd, played the Last Post followed by a minute's silence. The minute's silence was haunting and occurred just as dawn was starting to break. The crashing of waves was the only sound to focus people's thoughts, taking them back to Anzac Cove 103 years previously. Chaplain Franc Ahlin then gave a benediction to bring the service to a close.
Many people remarked to me afterwards how moving and well organised the ceremony was, and it is worth making the point that it was run solely by volunteers from the Plympton Glenelg RSL. I therefore would like to thank the many volunteers from the Plympton Glenelg RSL, including their president, Will Smith, and secretary, Greg Blyth, for their dedication to remembering the sacrifice made by all of our service men and women of the armed services.
The president, Will Smith, remarked to me that many members of his sub-branch remarked how all the young people were very respectful and that he would like to make known his thanks to the public for their support, as well as to the local Holdfast Bay council, police and local businesses for their fantastic assistance. He also asked me to mention that there will be a service held on Sunday 11 November at 11am when the RSL will celebrate the 100th year of the signing of the armistice and the cessation of the Great War."
