Why we are called on to remember

Alison Lai digs deep into the personal nature of Anzac Day

THERE are many reasons Tasmanians are motivated to volunteer. I know this because I have met hundreds of volunteers doing amazing things across Tasmania, and their reasons for getting involved range from wanting to learn a new skill to meeting new people or being an active member of their community.

Every volunteer is treasured, yet there is something very special about our Returned and Services League volunteers.

Volunteering for these Tasmanians is about more than strengthening a resume or trying new things.

To volunteer for the RSL, means you are a member and to be a member means you are a veteran yourself or you are a family member of someone who is or was.

This means the motivations of those who volunteer for the RSL are deeply personal.

Each volunteer supporting the RSL has a personal story to share about the importance of preserving and honouring the memories of service men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country.

These are the volunteers who on this Anzac Day will be supporting 129 community services communities across Tasmania, with thousands more across Australia.

These are the volunteers who will quietly rise at 3am on Anzac Day to start preparing breakfast for those participating in a dawn service.

They will be volunteers from more than 50 RSL subbranches across our island, who have been preparing their community memorials for this day.

I know this because I recently spent time with RSL Tasmania president Terry Roe, who shared with me his insight into the importance of Anzac Day and the role of our RSL volunteers.

I feel honoured to have had the chance to talk with Terry, because I am very conscious that it may seem trite for someone like me, who has never been in the military or known anyone who has lived through an armed conflict, to write about the significance of Anzac Day to RSL volunteers.

During my conversation with Terry, it became clear to me that a key motivation for many RSL volunteers is safeguarding the legacy of our forefathers.

But I know now that it is also more than this, and that the impact of RSL volunteers extends beyond the volunteer effort that we see on April 25 every year.

Terry shared with me that in addition to being a place for people to pay their respect, some memorials such as the one in South Arm contain the ashes of a fallen soldier, and it is our RSL volunteers who continue to preserve these sacred resting places.

He highlighted to me the importance of the stories of each and every name on the plaques placed at these memorials, and explained how it is the RSL volunteers who are keeping these stories alive.

We spoke of volunteers from Launceston RSL subbranch who are assisting homeless veterans in their community and those members who voluntarily provide advocacy to younger contemporary veterans returning home and seeking to rebuild their lives.

By the end of my conversation with Terry, it was clear that many volunteers are living examples of what it means to invoke the Anzac spirit

While many might say this is not their motivation, there is no doubt that through their work and dedication our RSL volunteers are ensuring that Anzac values such as courage, initiative and mateship live on.

So this year when I attend my local dawn service, I will do so with a new appreciation for the efforts of RSL volunteers who may be standing alongside me.

And if I am lucky enough to get the chance to speak to one, I will thank them — not only for ensuring I have a place and chance to pay respect on Anzac Day but for everything they do, every day of every year to ensure we never forget.

Lest we forget.