With ANZAC Day approaching, Springwood Tri-Service RSL Sub-Branch President Jamie McClellan is preparing to commemorate the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women.
As a veteran himself, having served in the Royal Australian Air Force, Mr McClellan holds ANZAC Day close to his heart.
“Personally, it means a lot to me,” Mr McClellan said.
“It was the foundation of our country in 1915 when we landed at Gallipoli. Since then, we have remembered it, not celebrated it, as a day of memorial for all those who have served and sacrificed.”
Mr McClellan’s family has a deep history of military service.
His grandfather was gassed in France during World War I and spent a year in England before returning to Australia.
His father served in the Second World War across multiple regions, including Egypt, Libya, and New Guinea.
Other relatives endured significant hardships, including captivity as prisoners of war.
While ANZAC Day has historical significance, Mr McClellan believes its message remains relevant today.
He credits past and present service personnel for the freedoms Australians enjoy.
“Without the ANZACs and all the defence force personnel since then, we wouldn’t have the freedoms we enjoy today,” he said.
“We can walk down the street without armed soldiers on every corner. We have freedom of speech and movement – all of that is thanks to those who served.”
Mr McClellan is also passionate about ensuring the ANZAC legacy is passed on to younger generations.
He expressed disappointment that the ANZAC tradition is not as widely taught in schools as it once was.
“A lot of schools do have memorial services, but many don’t,” he said.
“Our sub-branch visits 20 schools in the area to support their ANZAC Day services, and we’re encouraged by the number of students who march with us.”
Beyond formal ceremonies, the Springwood Tri-Service RSL Sub-Branch is involved in initiatives designed to engage young Australians.
One such program is ‘Postcards of Valour,’ which educates students about ANZAC Day and provides them with an opportunity to express their reflections through handwritten messages.
“This year, three local schools are participating in the program,” Mr McClellan said.
“We provide postcards to the schools, and students write messages after learning about ANZAC Day’s significance.”
Another initiative leading up to Remembrance Day is ‘Draw to Remember,’ where students use chalk to create artwork commemorating the sacrifices of service personnel.
“We’ve got some incredibly talented young people in Logan, and their artwork can be really moving,” McClellan said.
For Mr McClellan, ANZAC Day is more than just a date on the calendar.
It represents a lifelong bond between those who have served.
“The Defence Force is one big family,” he said.
“Even after we leave the service, that connection remains. Whether Army, Navy, or Air Force, we all look out for each other.”
This camaraderie extends beyond the military, with Mr McClellan recognising the work of police and emergency services as part of the broader defence community.
“We all work together and follow similar disciplines,” he said. “That’s why we consider them part of our extended family.”
As ANZAC Day approaches, Mr McClellan hopes Australians, especially young people, take the time to reflect on the sacrifices made and the values that the ANZACs instilled in the nation’s culture.
“It’s not just about remembering those who have served,” he said.
“It’s about understanding why they served and what they fought for. That’s something we need to keep alive for future generations.”
