Lest We Forget

ANZAC Day has special significance when you are overseas.  At home it is an occasion to pay respects to Australian men and women who have died for our country.  Overseas it’s that, but also an opportunity to reflect on everything about home and being Australian.  Australians are everywhere in Cambodia doing all sorts of amazing things.  There are Australians like Stav leading major NGOs, Susie who works with the Australian Federal Police and Cambodian authorities persecuting Australian’s involved in illegal sex activity, and countless Aussie entrepreneurs with businesses, restaurants and the like creating jobs and adding to the vibrancy of this lovely country.  I can’t help but feel very proud to be Australian.  I think its our “give anything a try” attitude, easy going nature, and tolerance that helps us adapt in foreign circumstances. 

The service also reinforces that I am ready to go home.  I miss Frank and Mum & Dad and Lisa and her family.  I miss being able to communicate freely without language barriers, and I miss knowing how much to pay for things ( bargaining is fun when you are on holidays – its tiring when its every single commercial transaction!)  Being here has been an amazing opportunity but now I am looking forward to coming home next weekend.

The service is poignant.  Anne Maree & Tim’s kids have official roles and there is a great sense of inclusiveness and community.  The Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Penny Richards, and the ex Governor General of New Zealand, stand side by side to lay wreaths.  A representative from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces plays the Last Post.  It’s worth the 4am alarm call this morning.  My apartment’s security guard looks at me quizzically when I arrive home for breakfast at 6am.  He was asleep when I left!  It’s too hard to explain – I wonder what rumours will do the rounds of my home away from home Wonderland Villas?

You take fuzzy photos when you have tears in your eyes!
Remembrance shrine, Australian Embassy, Phnom Penh ANZAC Day

I do try to explain.  ANZAC is a hard concept to convey for those uninitiated to Australian history.  ANZ bank is here, building a high profile for their local brand ANZ Royal;.  My Khmer security guard sees ANZ anything and thinks of the bank.  Ah – the power of the brand!  To try and add meaning I try associated words. “Army”  is understood, but  for my friend it infers that Australian troops have arrived in Cambodia.

There is currently a conflict on the Cambodian Thai border in the north.  Both countries claim the ancient  Preah Vhear Temple on  the Cambodian side.  The dispute has been ongoing for many years, however 12 people have been killed in the last 3 days as tension has escalated.  I’ve seen some news of this on the Australia Channel,  but nothing on CNN or Sky or BBC.  Does the world know or care?

My after work meeting with an aid representative from the Australian Embassy provides some insight as to why the situation has recently escalated.  As teh election  in Thailand approaches, the "yellow” conservative national party is under threat by the “reds”.  Many will remember the chaos in Bangkok in the last few years as the liberal reds have gained momentum.  The theory is that the yellows have stirred the situation to create diversion from everyday issues, but also to provide a nationalistic compelling event to unite Thais.  Sounds a bit like children overboard.

Early night after my early start.