Gulgong RSL Sub-Branch chose Anzac Day 2016 to recognise the service that women have given to Australia as the basis of their commemoration service yesterday.
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Sub-Branch president David Henderson read a piece, prepared by treasurer Craig Holden, commemorating women in war.
“To those women who have served and are serving in the Australian Defence Forces, who served as nurses and the Medical Corp from the Boer War to the current day in all campaigns at home and overseas,” he read.
“To those who served at home and overseas in the Australian Women’s Army Services, Land Army, hospitals and the Red Cross.
“To those women who served as volunteers of this nation in support of our soldiers.
“To those mothers who lost husbands, sons and daughters defending our nation, to those grandmothers, mothers, wives and daughters who done so much and lost so much.
“To those women who suffered at the hands of others and gave the ultimate sacrifice, we the members of the Gulgong RSL Sub-Branch, the veterans of our country, the community of Gulgong and the people of our home we call Australia, we salute you, we thank you.”
The commemorative address was delivered by flying officer Tracey Pelling.
She said, “I’m in awe of the brave servicewomen who’ve served in all of the wars; the Boer War, WWI, WWII, New Guinea, East Timor, the Solomans, Iraq and most recently Afghanistan”.
“The ADF is actively taking steps to diversify its workforce, having opened up combat roles for women in 2013.
“I personally hope that if the prescribed targets are met or not met that our leaders continue to be chosen on their leadership qualities rather than their gender.”
Another feature of the ceremony was the recognition of Nancy Wake, known as “the white mouse” the most decorated woman of WWII who resided for part of her life in Gulgong and Mudgee.
Her relative, local Alex Rix, spoke about her life and service including one of her quotes “I don’t see why we women should just wave our men a proud goodbye and then knit them balaclavas”.
“I’m honoured to have her as my relative, honoured of her service and honoured of the service that women have given to this country,” she concluded.
Strong numbers once again supported the Gulgong services.
Sub-Branch senior vice president, Peter Leotta, commented before the laying of the crosses at the Commemoration Service that “it’s truly gratifying to see such large attendance both at the Dawn Service and here this morning”.
