On the one day of the year, there are reasonable grounds for reflection. Australia is a nation that has not, at least until recently, taken itself too seriously. The latter inevitably invites nationalism and all manner of posturing nonsense and can be a kind of slippery slope to war. Politicians love to play upon these sentiments because they are cheap vote-winners. It appeals to the passions and who is truly beyond this kind of sophistry. It takes clear thinking and a factual foundation to rise above the pablum of emotional chatter that often characterizes a debate on national identity, the historical record and interpretations of these. Opinion is so easily elevated as fact and reasonable dissent passes for heresy.

Luckily, Australia has only this one day to indulge in. True enough, many young men and women served their country in war, an unlucky portion not returning. War is a very nasty business and it is absolutely right and proper that we are thankful for those who stood in place of us, no matter what their motives for going. The problem is the same as all narratives where blood and sacrifice are motifs, for the blurred edges of the conflict, what we might call the shameful or morally dubious aspects, are gradually elided in the constant process of remembering again.

Just after the First World War, Hazelbrook commemorated a park adjacent the railway station and the main road, which was named Memory Park. Trees were planted and dedicated and eventually, a memorial cenotaph established. The latter was moved to Gloria Park when the Great Western Hwy was widened. Memory Park has been revamped in a smaller iteration of its previous self, and while it is substantially changed, the original purpose remains. Recently a small tablet with the names of men who served in war from the village of Hazelbrook was installed (see below).

My hope, in the absence of the abolition of war itself, is that Australia will only involve itself in future armed conflict on its own terms, and not at the behest of the great and the powerful, as has been the case in every conflict to date.

Lest We Forget.

Memory Park, looking eastwards.