Tributes and praise pour in for an ordinary hero – Anzac Tribute: [2 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 17 May 2002: 2.
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 17 May 2002: 2.
Abstract
“The wonderful thing is thatthespirit andthetradition is growing stronger astheyears go by. It must have been a source of enormous comfort and reassurance and pride for somebody like [Alec Campbell] in his later years to seethewarm embrace of Anzac bytheyoung people of today as they walkthecliffs of [Gallipoli].”
“Having recently returned from Anzac Day at Gallipoli and Anzac ceremonies in France, I have a renewed sense oftheutter futility of war, which was such a constant message oftheAnzacs like Alec Campbell, whom I hadthehonour of meeting in Hobart last year.
“With Mr Campbell’s passing we have lost our last living link tothebirthplace oftheAnzac spirit, which is a great loss,” she said. “Mr Campbell and his fellow Anzacs fought withthekind of courage, integrity and honour that we will never forget. It is a legacy that will live on.”
Full Text
TRIBUTES poured in from around Australia fortheworld’s last survivor oftheGallipoli campaign.
John Howard, who met Alec Campbell on several occasions, saidtheGovernment would offer his family a state funeral, and described his passing as a significant moment inAustralianhistory.
“On behalf ofthenation I honour his life,”thePrime Minister said.
“Alec Campbell was typical of a generation ofAustralianswho, through their sacrifice, bravery and decency, created a legacy that has resonated through subsequent decades and generations.
“AllAustralianswill forever be in debt totheAnzacs, not only for what they did for us but forthelegend, forthetradition, forthestoicism under fire, sense of mateship and all those other great ideals that, increasingly, youngAustralianssee as part of their inheritance.
“The wonderful thing is thatthespirit andthetradition is growing stronger astheyears go by. It must have been a source of enormous comfort and reassurance and pride for somebody like Alec Campbell in his later years to seethewarm embrace of Anzac bytheyoung people of today as they walkthecliffs of Gallipoli.”
Governor-General Peter Hollingworth said Mr Campbell’s death was an occasion to reflect onthepassing ofthegeneration that helped give us our identity and character as a nation.
“Having recently returned from Anzac Day at Gallipoli and Anzac ceremonies in France, I have a renewed sense oftheutter futility of war, which was such a constant message oftheAnzacs like Alec Campbell, whom I hadthehonour of meeting in Hobart last year.
“At Gallipoli you feelthepeace oftheAustraliansand Turks killed in that futile campaign resting together. Alec isthelast to join them. May they all rest in peace.”
Victorian RSL president Bruce Ruxton said he hopedthepassing of Mr Campbell asthelast Anzac would be commemorated.
He said there would be an emotional outpouring attheloss of such a fine figure, a man who had been fit enough to lasttheentire 20th century and still make it to his last Anzac day celebrations only a few weeks ago.
“It is a very significant date in our history,” Mr Ruxton said.
“All Australians Should feel very sad.”
Veterans Affairs Minister Danna Vale said Gallipoli held a unique place inthehearts ofAustralians.
“With Mr Campbell’s passing we have lost our last living link tothebirthplace oftheAnzac spirit, which is a great loss,” she said. “Mr Campbell and his fellow Anzacs fought withthekind of courage, integrity and honour that we will never forget. It is a legacy that will live on.”
Opposition Leader Simon Crean saidAustralianselevated Mr Campbell to hero status as they realised they were losing their last connection with an event attheheart ofthenation’s identity.
“Alec Campbell never soughtthelimelight, and never claimedthehero status thrust upon him by a nation which honours him astheembodiment oftheliving Anzac spirit.”
Tasmanian senator Guy Barnett said Mr Campbell had helped make Tasmania great for more than 100 years.
“He embodiedtheTasmanian spirit as much as he embodiedthespirit of Anzac.
“Australia will never forget Anzac Cove. Let us not forget Alec Campbell.”
TRIBUTES poured in from around Australia fortheworld’s last survivor oftheGallipoli campaign.
John Howard, who met Alec Campbell on several occasions, saidtheGovernment would offer his family a state funeral, and described his passing as a significant moment inAustralianhistory.
“On behalf ofthenation I honour his life,”thePrime Minister said.
“Alec Campbell was typical of a generation ofAustralianswho, through their sacrifice, bravery and decency, created a legacy that has resonated through subsequent decades and generations.
“AllAustralianswill forever be in debt totheAnzacs, not only for what they did for us but forthelegend, forthetradition, forthestoicism under fire, sense of mateship and all those other great ideals that, increasingly, youngAustralianssee as part of their inheritance.
“The wonderful thing is thatthespirit andthetradition is growing stronger astheyears go by. It must have been a source of enormous comfort and reassurance and pride for somebody like Alec Campbell in his later years to seethewarm embrace of Anzac bytheyoung people of today as they walkthecliffs of Gallipoli.”
Governor-General Peter Hollingworth said Mr Campbell’s death was an occasion to reflect onthepassing ofthegeneration that helped give us our identity and character as a nation.
“Having recently returned from Anzac Day at Gallipoli and Anzac ceremonies in France, I have a renewed sense oftheutter futility of war, which was such a constant message oftheAnzacs like Alec Campbell, whom I hadthehonour of meeting in Hobart last year.
“At Gallipoli you feelthepeace oftheAustraliansand Turks killed in that futile campaign resting together. Alec isthelast to join them. May they all rest in peace.”
Victorian RSL president Bruce Ruxton said he hopedthepassing of Mr Campbell asthelast Anzac would be commemorated.
He said there would be an emotional outpouring attheloss of such a fine figure, a man who had been fit enough to lasttheentire 20th century and still make it to his last Anzac day celebrations only a few weeks ago.
“It is a very significant date in our history,” Mr Ruxton said.
“All Australians Should feel very sad.”
Veterans Affairs Minister Danna Vale said Gallipoli held a unique place inthehearts ofAustralians.
“With Mr Campbell’s passing we have lost our last living link tothebirthplace oftheAnzac spirit, which is a great loss,” she said. “Mr Campbell and his fellow Anzacs fought withthekind of courage, integrity and honour that we will never forget. It is a legacy that will live on.”
Opposition Leader Simon Crean saidAustralianselevated Mr Campbell to hero status as they realised they were losing their last connection with an event attheheart ofthenation’s identity.
“Alec Campbell never soughtthelimelight, and never claimedthehero status thrust upon him by a nation which honours him astheembodiment oftheliving Anzac spirit.”
Tasmanian senator Guy Barnett said Mr Campbell had helped make Tasmania great for more than 100 years.
“He embodiedtheTasmanian spirit as much as he embodiedthespirit of Anzac.
“Australia will never forget Anzac Cove. Let us not forget Alec Campbell.”