On 29 April at the historic Army and Navy Club in London, Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson AO delivered a powerful ANZAC Day address to the Britain‑Australia Society titled “For We Are Young and Free.”
In this deeply moving speech, Dr Nelson reflects on the courage, sacrifice and enduring legacy of Australian and New Zealand men and women in war, and what their stories mean for our shared future.
Drawing on his experience as former Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Nelson weaves together personal stories from Gallipoli, the Western Front, Kokoda, Bomber Command, Changi and Afghanistan, as well as acts of civilian bravery such as that of nurse Kirsty Boden at London Bridge.
Through these individual lives, he explores the values that define us: mateship, endurance, courage, selflessness, love of family, and a quiet, determined devotion to country and to one another.
This address reminds us that ANZAC Day is not about glorifying war, but about love. Love for friends, for family, and for the freedoms and democratic institutions we too often take for granted, expressed most clearly by those prepared to give everything in our name.
It challenges each of us to be worthy of their sacrifice and to sustain the fragile yet powerful emotion of hope, especially in an uncertain world.
Watch this video to hear stories such as:
• The Unknown Australian Soldier and Paul Keating’s words, “He is all of them, and he is one of us.”
• Tom White, the champion oarsman who volunteered to row into machine‑gun fire at Gallipoli, and the 28 letters he wrote to his fiancée, Eileen.
• The Kokoda campaign, including the endurance of men like Jack Sim, John Metson and Charlie McCallum.
• The courage of Bomber Command crews such as VC recipient Rawdon Hume Middleton.
• The service and sacrifice of modern veterans in Afghanistan and the continuing weight carried by their families and mates.
Dr Nelson also reflects on what it truly means to be “one and free” as Australians, New Zealanders and friends of both nations.
He argues that our identity is found not in constitutions or flags, but in our shared values, our common “fellow feeling”, and the way we choose to remember and honour those who served.
If you wish to better understand ANZAC, Australian and New Zealand history, and the character of our nations, this address offers a compelling and emotional insight.
The Britain-Australia Society holds regular events – see upcoming events on their website.
