ANZAC Day 2019

Olsens-in-Uniform

It’s here again. ANZAC Day. A day of major significance in Australia when we remember bravery, courage and the ongoing pain of war.

I do hope that this ANZAC Day we’ll honour those who have gone to war in the name of our country but also let the day remind us that war has no winners. Even those who make it home from war return as different people. The scars of war are not only physical.

As our world once again finds itself on the edge of escalating conflict we need to remember the lessons of past wars and commit to doing everything possible before taking up arms against others. The wars and conflicts that are continuing around the globe right now tell us clearly that violence is not the answer.

ANZAC Day, the 25th of April, has been described as Australia’s most important national occasion, a day of real significance for many Australians.
It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. While the date is aligned with that event in the First World War, the day is a remembrance of all those who have been to war to protect our freedom.

ANZAC Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. It is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity. On ANZAC day, ceremonies are held in towns and cities across the nation to acknowledge the service of our veterans.

I’ve watched television coverage of ANZAC ceremonies many times. After all these years, the support for these commemorations continues to grow as the stories of heroism are remembered. As I watch I see the pain of ex-soldiers as they remember their experiences during the dawn services as well as their joy of being remembered as they travel the route of the marches along city streets.

When they see the crowds and hear the cheering as they pass, they know that this country is grateful for their sacrifice and the sacrifice of those who didn’t make it home.
Tom Olsen

Together with my wife and my son, I’ve volunteered to help at a couple of ANZAC Marches through Perth. It’s sobering to look into the faces of those who have risked so much for our freedom. It’s so sad to think that they had to go to war in the first place. Their lives and the lives of those connected to them will be marked by war forever.

Seeing the memories of war in the faces of those marching year by year isn’t the only place I’ve experienced its effects.

Sadie OlsenMy parents served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. (You can click on any of the photos for a closer look. As well as the individual photos of my parents, the top picture shows my dad on the far right with his father and two of his brothers.)

I’m sure that my father especially would have been a very different man had it not been for his experiences in war. Though he never liked to talk about those experiences I know that they coloured the rest of his life and in turn the life of our family. He was a good and caring man but I know that war changed him.

I’ve only seen a shadow of a glimpse of war but that’s enough for me to know that it’s a horrid experience where no one really wins.

War is a terrible thing, and I’m glad that I’ve never had to fight, but I am grateful for the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for our country. I shudder when I imagine what it would be like to face a hostile enemy, knowing that any moment could be my last.

I would hate to have to go to war. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to say goodbye to my loved ones, not knowing if I’d ever see them again.

Having children of my own, I don’t even want to think about the parents that have seen their children go to war. My hope is that we will continue to work towards finding better, peaceful ways to overcome conflict. War should never be the answer.

ANZAC Day isn’t about glorifying war, it’s about paying our respects to those who put their lives on the line for their countrymen and the generations to come.



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White Ribbon Day 2016

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I could ask if you know a woman who is affected by domestic violence but instead let me say that whether you know it or not, you do know someone.

According to information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them. That means that it is extremely likely that there are women in your family, among your friends, and in your workplace who have experienced domestic violence. How can this be happening in Australia?

25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women also known as White Ribbon Day.

This year, we’re acknowledging the fact that men’s violence against women is everyone’s issue. Get involved and spread the word today.

In the very place where women should be able to feel safe, their own homes, many are at the highest risk.

When you look across an entire year you’ll see that on average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner in Australia. One in four young Australians are exposed to domestic violence. In such an amazing country, how have we allowed this to happen? Are we prepared to let this continue?

You might feel that domestic violence is someone else’s problem but with it having such a dramatic effect across our nation, it’s everyone’s problem. White Ribbon Australia calling on men, women, workplaces, young people and the whole community to uncover secrets and help stop men’s violence against women.

So, how do you know if someone you know or love if experiencing domestic violence?

Most violence against women happens in the home and other private places, so you probably won’t see it happening. Here are signs that a woman is experiencing violence and abuse:

• She often mentions that her partner is ‘jealous’ or has a ‘bad temper’.

• She is afraid of her partner and tries hard to please him.

• Her partner criticises and humiliates her in public.

• She has become increasingly anxious or depressed, has lost confidence or is unusually quiet.

• She has physical injuries (for example bruises, cuts and sprains) and gives unlikely explanations for these injuries.

• She tells you that her partner pressures or forces her to perform sexual acts.

• Her partner makes all the decisions, for example he controls the finances and tells her who she can and can’t see.

• Her children seem frightened of her partner, have behavioural issues or are withdrawn and anxious.

• She doesn’t want to leave her children alone with her partner.

• If she has left the relationship, her ex-partner calls or emails her constantly, follows her, comes to her house uninvited or waits for her at work.

I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women.

Take the oath to stand up, speak out and act to prevent domestic violence. If you’re still wondering what you can do about it, spend a bit of time checking out the White Ribbon website. While you’re there, I hope you’ll also throw in a few dollars to help the White Ribbon cause.

This violence must stop. You must be part of the solution.



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Stopping the Violence in Our Homes

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There is so much on our news today that could make us wonder if it’s safe to even walk out of our front doors, but for many, they’re not even safe in their own homes. How can this be happening in Australia?

When you look across an entire year you’ll see that on average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner in Australia. One in four young Australians are exposed to domestic violence. In such an amazing country, how have we allowed this to happen? Are we prepared to let this continue?

You might feel that domestic violence is someone else’s problem but with it having such a dramatic effect across our nation, it’s everyone’s problem. White Ribbon Australia calling on men, women, workplaces, young people and the whole community to uncover secrets and help stop men’s violence against women.

White Ribbon is Australia’s only national, male led Campaign to end men’s violence against women.

Vision
All women live in safety free from all forms of men’s violence.

Mission
Making women’s safety a man’s issue too.

The campaign works through primary prevention initiatives involving awareness raising and education, and programs with youth, schools, workplaces and across the broader community.

Today is White Ribbon Day. We all need to make this our issue. Take a few minutes to watch the video below.

I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women.

Now that you’ve watched the video, take the oath to stand up, speak out and act to prevent domestic violence. If you’re still wondering what you can do about it, spend a bit of time checking out the White Ribbon website. While you’re there, I hope you’ll also throw in a few dollars to help the White Ribbon cause.

This violence must stop. You must be part of the solution.



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Uncovering the Secret

White-Ribbon

Every week at least one Australian woman dies from domestic violence. There is something very, very wrong in our community when men still think it’s OK to harm women.

Violence against women is never acceptable.

Today, the 25th of November, is White Ribbon Day. A day promoted by White Ribbon, Australia’s campaign to stop violence against women.

If you want to play your part to stand up to violence against women there are many things you can do to take action. You can also find out more about safely challenging violent behaviour.

You can let the world know where you stand on violence against women by swearing an oath.



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Beating Bullying and Violence

bullying
Today in Australia it’s the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. It’s an annual day which provides a focus for schools who want to say no to bullying and to strengthen the everyday messages that bullying and violence at school are never OK.

Thankfully we’ve made a lot of progress in the area of bullying but there is a downside. Teachers and parents have been so effective in reducing bullying behaviour in schools that it has gone ‘underground’, with young people who bully turning to covert methods to avoid detection.

Covert bullying includes spreading rumours and lies, revealing secrets, excluding others and cyber-bullying. It affects around one in six (16 per cent) of Australian students.

Professor Donna Cross, from ECU’s Child Health Promotion Research Centre, said covert bullying behaviours cause a great deal of distress and psychological harm.

“Our research has found that students who were covertly bullied, or who covertly bullied others, reported higher levels of loneliness at school, felt less safe at school and were more likely to experience difficulties such as emotional symptoms, conduct problems, inattention and peer relationship problems,” Professor Cross said.

“We know that covert bullying can have an extraordinary impact on the ability of students to learn effectively. The difficulty is that covert bullying, by its very nature, is difficult to detect.”

“Rather than seeking to punish the behaviour, our research has identified strategies to help schools to reduce the likelihood of it happening in the first place.

I spoke to Professor Donna Cross on my radio program this morning about the issue. You can hear our discussion by clicking the play button on the audio player below.

Have you been a victim of bullying at school or even at work? Have the effects stayed with you? Were you able to deal with the bullying?



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