At 5:30 this morning, Julia and I had the honour of representing the Club at the ANZAC Day service at Trafalgar Park in Newport. We joined the community in paying our respects to the servicemen and women who, over the 110 years since Gallipoli, have served our nation — including the many who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.

It was a moving and respectful ceremony, with many Club members in attendance. The keynote speaker, James Brown, delivered a powerful and eloquent tribute. A former Australian Army officer who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands, James has been a strong voice for veterans’ welfare and was previously President of RSL NSW. He now serves as Chair of Invictus Australia, supporting the health and wellbeing of veterans through sport, and is standing as the Liberal candidate for the seat of Mackellar. His words this morning reflected both deep experience and heartfelt appreciation for all who have served.

Commodore, Robert McClelland