Community
26 April, 2026
ANZAC legacy lives on in how we lead our lives
President of the Bowral RSL Sub-branch, John Cummins, estimates 1500 people attended the dawn ceremony with another 2000 turning out for the ANZAC Day parade and the main service at 11am.
Thousands of people have turned out for ANZAC Day ceremonies in Bowral.
President of the Bowral RSL Sub-branch, John Cummins, estimates 1500 people attended the dawn ceremony with another 2000 turning out for the ANZAC Day parade and the main service at 11am.
Hundreds of students from local schools took part in the parade and also played a major role in the service itself.
Mr Cummins described the turnout as “unbelievable”.
While the number of local veterans continues to dwindle, young people are keen to ensure the ANZAC spirit continues to live on.
Bowral High School students Sam Stokes, Bella Heaton and Talia Eldred impressed everyone with their ANZAC Day address.
Sam said Australia’s role had evolved since World War 1 “to supporting global justice systems and providing aid to our neighbouring countries and nations in need around the world”.
He said peace was one of Australia’s priorities – “demonstrating ANZAC values in the modern context”.
“Every name we remember on ANZAC Day is a reminder why peace matters,” he said.
“Peace is built not just by ending wars, but by holding people accountable and protecting human rights”.
Talia Eldred said the ANZAC spirit – particularly mateship – extended beyond the battlefield.
“Mateship – often spoken about in the context of war – is just as powerful beyond the battlefield,” she said.
“It is the invisible thread that binds our national identity together, woven through our history from the rugged ridges of Gallipoli to the suburbs and country towns we call home today.
“It lives in the quiet, everyday moments. It is found in standing by a friend when they are struggling, offering a hand without being asked and showing loyalty even when it is inconvenient,” Talia told the ANZAC Day crowd.
“It’s about trust, respect and the unspoken understanding that no-one has to face life alone.
“When we look back at the original ANZACs, we often focus on their bravery under fire, but if you read their letters home, you see that what kept them going was the person standing to their left and right.
“That bond wasn’t just about survival: it was about a profound sense of responsibility and care.
“The spirit of mateship reminds us that courage isn’t only found in conflict, but in compassion, kindness and unity.”
Talia said those values were now more important than ever.
“Mateship is the antidote to isolation. It is the strength we find when we stop asking ‘What’s in it for me?’ and start asking ‘How can I help you?’.
“As we honour the ANZACs today, we carry this value forward, not just in memory but in the way we treat one another.”
Talia said that by choosing to be a ‘mate’ in the truest sense of the word, “we are building a community where everyone has someone to lean on”.
“We ensure that the sacrifices made over a century ago continue to bear fruit in a society that is defined by its heart, not just by its history.
“For students of my generation, the ANZAC legend serves as a compass,” Talia said.
“It teaches us that while we may not be called upon to serve in a theatre of war, we are called upon to serve each other. We are custodians of this legacy.
“Every time we show empathy to a peer, every time we stand up for someone who cannot stand up for themselves and every time we contribute to the collective good of our town, we are keeping the flame of the ANZAC spirit alive.
“We don’t just remember the fallen by standing in silence. We remember them by how we live our lives in the light they provided.
“Let us leave here today committed to strengthening those bonds of friendship and looking out for one another with the same devotion shown by those who wore the slouch hat before us.”
Bella Heaton said ANZAC Day was still relevant today “because it reminds us of the cost of war – the lives lost, the families affected and the sacrifices made”,
“But more than that it reminds us of the values that came from those experiences: courage, mateship, resilience and a deep sense of responsibility to others.
“ANZAC Day is not just about remembering the past – it is about carrying these values into the present.
“It challenges us to support one another, to stand up for what is right and to contribute positively to our communities,” Bella said.
“As we stand here today, we are not just remembering history – we are continuing a legacy.
“A legacy that has shaped Australia into the nation it is today and one that will continue to guide us into the future.”
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