Extending the Legacy

Essay by ash-bellHigh School, 10th grade October 2014

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Extending the Legacy

'Australia was born on the shores of Gallipoli.' These wise words spoken by the Former Australian Prime Minister, William Morris Hughes.(Avenue De Sax. 2014. Camp Gallipoli https://www.campgallipoli.com.au/anzac-quotes/ (accessed 29 July 2014))He was describing the way that Australia's international identity was created upon arrival at Anzac Cove on the 25th of April 1915. Through the courageous actions of the over 20 000 Anzac's that fought from this day forward, a powerful legacy has been bequeathed upon us as young Western Australians. However the way some interpret this legacy is restricted to men only. Thus excluding women. However, through the case studies of Sister Rachel Pratt, who worked at Gallipoli nursing wounded soldiers, and Joan Williams who stepped up to the plate once the men had left for war, it is evident that women have played a significant role in the construction of the Anzac legacy. Through the analysis of how the ANZAC legacy was constructed, the the contribution of women to the legacy and how these inspirational women have helped young female West Australians, such as myself, to expand the breadth of the legacy to incorporate, not just the soldiers but, every single Australian into the ANZAC legacy.

In 1901 Australia was federated, yet Australians still saw themselves as separate states rather than one country. It took the events of 1915, in particular that of the 25th of April in Gallipoli, to create the bond from Australian to Australian and the patriotic pride that we still share today. This is known as the Anzac legacy. The construction of this legend was due to the words of the media and authority figures. For example Russell Ward, a historian and reporter, described a typical Anzac as 'a practical man, rough and ready in his manners and quick to decry any...