Acknowledging the importance of Anzac Day

Anzac Day falls on 25 April each year, commemorating the lives of all Australians who have served their country in times of war, including our own Leslie Hughes, a resident at Calvary Rye Sands on the Mornington Peninsula.

Leslie, along with his father and six brothers, all served in World War II, and enlisted in the RAAF when he was just 18 years old. Leslie’s role as a flight navigator saw him defending Australia’s northern-most outposts, close to Japanese lines and off the coast of Papua New Guinea. Quite remarkably Leslie, who was the youngest of seven boys, his father and all six brothers made it home from the war.

Anzac Day is a time for us to pause, reflect and thank the many women and men, like Leslie and his family, who have served our nation, and sacrificed much in fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today.