The First World War.
Back in 1915, Australia and New Zealand were still very much attached culturally and politically to Britain. Although the now Aussie born bloke didn’t sound like the average Englishman, we were still pretty friendly with “the Poms”.
Well, maybe not when it came to cricket, sport and anything class related!
ANZAC day is a remembrance of a war that was fought many miles from home by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, (ANZAC), which some say had its formative roots in the invasion of Gallipoli Turkey.
And Sir John Monash has often been credited with the beginning of the ANZAC day legend.
In this bloody drawn out war with the Ottomans, over 8,000 Australians died. Thousands more returned home disfigured, arms or legs missing or even worse, a condition known back then as “shell shock”. Now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.
These resulting traumatic conditions of anxiety, anger, depression and grief, left a lasting scar on many families, particularly the wives and mothers who had to live and care for some very damaged people.
Alcohol and emotional withdrawal was often the only solstice for some.
Australia has been a part of many International conflagrations, like the Second World War, Korean War the Malayan Emergency, Vietnam, Iraq, Timor and still provides peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.
In the Second World War 27,000 Australians were killed and 23,000 wounded. The Vietnam War had approximately 60,000 people serve in it. These aren’t small figures for the size of our population.
War in all its horrors has had the capacity to bring out the best and worst in humankind. The adjustment required to disengage from a constant life threatening environment, back to civilian life in a matter of hours, days or weeks, has not been an easy road for some.
For some service men and women who experience traumatic events may require specialist interventions to get reintegrated back into a functioning and fulfilling life.
A life of pain, mental or physical is no life.
Involving family, wife’s, husbands or other loved ones often helps in their understanding of what has happened….in an “unclassified” way.
ANZAC day is celebrated by many today who have never known war.
The notions of mate-ship, selfless sacrifice and putting your life on the line so others may enjoy peace is often espoused.
No matter what your personal viewpoint on the politics and reality of war…it happens.
Our obligation to help support those survivors, soldier or civilian in its aftermath is something that as a community must happen. Physical disabilities, anxiety, depression, anger and relationship issues are all treatable.
Treatment is sometimes better done over a cuppa tea and a stack of Anzac bickies, than a bottle of whiskey or wiping yourself out at your local RSL!
At a basic level, it’s a bit like when your workmate is going through tough times with his partner or kids and they appreciate that “chat” during lunch break or morning tea.
So this Anzac day, when you hear the bugle of the last post, and a call for 2 minutes of silence to remember those who gave their life or energy to any of Australia’s combat involvement, take those 120 seconds, and be thankful that we live in a peaceful land, full of opportunities and help when you know you need it.
Talk to you later,
Chris Richardson
Productive Minds
Chris Richardson works with Managers and Supervisors of Supply Chain Companies.
He provides people management training and mentoring to help leaders manage change, manage work stress and inspire creative problem solving in their teams.
The end result is that absenteeism is reduced, productivity increases, complaints minimised and WorkCover costs get slashed.
This frees up Managers to focus on the business of customer service and create new business opportunities.
Contact Chris on 613 99742824 or chris@productiveminds.com.au or visit www.productiveminds.com.au
