A celebration of Aussie mateship
AT THE age of 93 World War 2 veteran David Mattiske was happy to mark Anzac Day with a dawn service and a beer at breakfast.
The Gold Coast seaman, who can be described as a larrikin, leader and hero, has seen the very worst and best of humanity first hand.
During his deployment Mr Mattiske served in the Australian Navy on HMAS Shropshire, under British captain Collins in the United States 7th fleet.
Despite the international influence, the young lookout never shrugged off his Aussie ways.
As one of thirty chosen to unfurl the Union Jack at the British embassy in Tokyo after the Japanese surrender, a young Mr Mattiske couldn’t help but pinch a souvenir.
“All the official party had left, so we go into this office with a beautiful big desk, riffling away and there were some thick cards with the crest of arms in gold on it and gilt edge sides,” Mr Mattiske said.
“Next morning I had the Captain and everyone else who was in the party sign it. I still have it today.”
Mr Mattiske – who took part in the largest battle in seafaring history – said he sees Anzac Day as the birth of Australian mateship.
“At the start of the first World War Australians still thought of themselves as Victorians, Queenslanders and what not,” Mr Mattiske said.
“After Gallipoli and Flanders in France, Australia was united far more than it had ever been.
“It is something that should continue to be pressed today, it should be taught everywhere – Anzac, which was about countrymen becoming mates in tough times, bought Australia together.”
The determination of the next generation to keep that legacy of mateship alive was clear at both the dawn and morning Southport services.
More than one hundred in- dividuals who had either served the country themselves, or marched to remember those before them, joined on Marine Parade to meet the dawn service crowd of thousands.
A quiet applause and calls of thank you broke through the dark to welcome the solemn procession into Anzac park.
Later that morning the crowds arrived again, to gather on Broadwater Hill in a patchwork of community groups, schools and families.
For Southport man Phil Anderson and his son Jack the morning service is part of both a national and a family legacy.
Jack Anderson, who wore his great grandfather’s medals to the service, had arrived home from Bali just hours earlier to take part.
“We all take it in turns to wear the medals, this year it was my turn,” Jack Anderson said. “It is important to dad to pass this on and now it is important for us to remember what they did for us.”