Anzac Day - One of the most iconic days in Australia's calendar, where the nation pauses to respect past and present servicemen.
For me personally it gives me an opportunity to reflect on my father Joseph Spiteri, who served in a naval career that would span 32 years at over 20 ships and bases across England and subsequently Australia, eventually achieving the esteemed rank of Lieutenant Commander
And as a proud Essendon Supporter my favourite game of the year is the annual Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon. This has become one of our biggest national sporting events ... the Anzac Day match pays tribute to the sacrifice of the servicemen and women of Australia and celebrates the Anzac spirit – courage, sacrifice, endurance and mateship - values which we should carry across to our personal and working lives.
Australian journalist and sportsperson Peter Fitzsimmons sums it up perfectly when he wrote that the general mood in the air is electric, and reverence for the diggers and anticipation of the game to come. As they play the Last Post and the national anthem, the 100,000-strong crowd uttered not a peep, whispered not a murmur. Somewhere, someone has done a superb job organising that landmark day in Australian sport.
Lest We Forget
