As proud supporters of this year’s Western Australian Branch of the RSL’s president’s breakfast, a few of the Havilah Legal team were privileged to attend the event held at Anzac House on 23 October 2014. The guest speaker was Peter FitzSimons AM, former Wallaby Footballer and an Australian journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald and the author of over 20 books including Gallipoli, Kokoda and Tobruk.
In opening the event and introducing Mr FitzSimon’s to the audience, WA State President of the RSL Mr Graham Edwards AM listed just a few of Peter’s many accomplishments including being named a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to literature as a biographer, sports journalist and commentator, and to the community through contributions to conservation, disability care, social welfare and sporting organisations. Mr Edwards also noted that Peter was voted the most popular after dinner speaker in Australia and after listening to him in action, we can definitely see why.
Peter’s presentation was heartfelt and engaging and superbly delivered in his very Australian manner; his extensive knowledge of Australian military history is both detailed and personal from the view of those who were there. His dedication to making stories ‘live and breathe’ by concentrating his focus not just on the historical events, battles and number of casualties, but instead telling the stories from the individual experiences of those who were there and how the events unfolded personally for our brave servicemen and women.
Peter also remarked on the importance of not celebrating these past conflicts which took such a toll on the lives of our countrymen and women, but instead commemorating them and the sacrifices that were made for all Australians.
