Mr. Bradley Gavin
On the 5th of May, 2015, Mr Bradley Gavin came in to speak to us about his experience at the dawn service in Gallipoli, France. He also spoke about his family history with the Australian defence force and how he commemorates ANZAC day each year.
Mr Gavin’s interview demonstrates how the younger generations of our society depict and react to the ANZAC’s. This interview especially sparked our interest because he was someone we could relate since he was younger and hadn’t been a part of the defence force himself. He told us that he couldn’t imagine the hardship and pressure that was placed on his ancestors and also spoke about the fact that he wouldn’t be able to do what his elders did.
Overall, the presentation was exceptionally engaging and useful for our ANZAC project.
Mr Gavin’s interview demonstrates how the younger generations of our society depict and react to the ANZAC’s. This interview especially sparked our interest because he was someone we could relate since he was younger and hadn’t been a part of the defence force himself. He told us that he couldn’t imagine the hardship and pressure that was placed on his ancestors and also spoke about the fact that he wouldn’t be able to do what his elders did.
Overall, the presentation was exceptionally engaging and useful for our ANZAC project.
Mr. Raymond Kuschert
On the 10th of March, the Year 10 team spoke to Mr Raymond Kuschert who is a representative from The Ingleburn Return Service League. We found out that he was a veteran who served in the Vietnam War.
He was 17 when he first joined the Army and by the time he enlisted for Vietnam, he was 19. He started off as a rifleman in an Infantry Section and a short time later took the role of Forward Scout. We asked questions relating to his experience in the war and how he felt during it. We found out that he, like most other veterans were traumatised by the experience. He shared his testimony about upon returning from the War, he would experience night terrors about his past involvement in the war and what he observed during it. He mentioned that he was so traumatised that he had to go to many years of therapy, however it took him quite a while for him to realise that he needed it. He brought up that the atmosphere around him during the war was very uncomfortable, but he mentioned that there was prosperity of mate-ship between himself and his fellow soldiers, he said that this encouraged a lighter atmosphere. He appreciates how more significant ANZAC day has become since coming home from the War.
This interview contributed to our project because we were able to connect to a living veteran who did not support war then, nor now. Mr Kuschert was passionate about resolving conflict peacefully and urged us to do the same. Being a Vietnam War veteran Mr Kuschert experienced lack of recognition for his service. He mentioned hat ANZAC services today appreciate our soldiers and that the rituals of the ANZAC services have changed over time to include more young people in society.
He was 17 when he first joined the Army and by the time he enlisted for Vietnam, he was 19. He started off as a rifleman in an Infantry Section and a short time later took the role of Forward Scout. We asked questions relating to his experience in the war and how he felt during it. We found out that he, like most other veterans were traumatised by the experience. He shared his testimony about upon returning from the War, he would experience night terrors about his past involvement in the war and what he observed during it. He mentioned that he was so traumatised that he had to go to many years of therapy, however it took him quite a while for him to realise that he needed it. He brought up that the atmosphere around him during the war was very uncomfortable, but he mentioned that there was prosperity of mate-ship between himself and his fellow soldiers, he said that this encouraged a lighter atmosphere. He appreciates how more significant ANZAC day has become since coming home from the War.
This interview contributed to our project because we were able to connect to a living veteran who did not support war then, nor now. Mr Kuschert was passionate about resolving conflict peacefully and urged us to do the same. Being a Vietnam War veteran Mr Kuschert experienced lack of recognition for his service. He mentioned hat ANZAC services today appreciate our soldiers and that the rituals of the ANZAC services have changed over time to include more young people in society.
Mr. Gavan Martyn
The interview with Mr Martyn was an incredible experience as his passion for knowing his own family history had everyone intrigued. He had completed extensive research into the service of his past family members in the war. Mr Martyn's research focused on one particular family member who had served and returned home.
He spoke of and provided an engaging presentation which had many primary sources, including original enlistment documents, and deployment documents. Mr Martyn had extensively researched where Leslie David Martyn had served, what was going on at the time he was there, and the meanings of his rankings and battalions.
The presentation and information given from it, gave an insightful look as to how close to home the war actually was. People all around us have a family history or association with war, whether they realise it or not. It has inspired the group to venture into our own research to know just how involved our own families were in the wars. Above is a slideshow demonstrating parts of Mr Martyn's presentation.
He spoke of and provided an engaging presentation which had many primary sources, including original enlistment documents, and deployment documents. Mr Martyn had extensively researched where Leslie David Martyn had served, what was going on at the time he was there, and the meanings of his rankings and battalions.
The presentation and information given from it, gave an insightful look as to how close to home the war actually was. People all around us have a family history or association with war, whether they realise it or not. It has inspired the group to venture into our own research to know just how involved our own families were in the wars. Above is a slideshow demonstrating parts of Mr Martyn's presentation.
Mr. Paul Fawbert
On the 19th of May, the team spoke to Paul Fawbert who serves in the Navy as a maritime engineer.
He shared with us, his experiences while serving which were all very intriguing and interesting. He mentioned that he wanted to be a part of the Navy ever since he was 12 and finally lived out his dream when he applied to join the Navy at the age of 16. He shared how he had to undertake many examinations and tests that determined if he was fit to be in the Navy. These tested him both physically and mentally. It is very challenging to be in the Navy but at the same time it is very rewarding, he said.
We asked him a few questions about his involvement in the Navy, including his biggest raid which was intercepting a drug smuggling attempt of 5 tonnes of Heroin in the Middle East. If it wasn't for that raid, the drugs would've sold and funded millions of dollars for terrorist weaponry. Upon talking about this, we also asked about his medals and how he earned them. He earned them through his many years of service and for all the areas he served in.
Towards the end of his sharing, he explained how much the Commemoration of ANZAC day has changed for him and his opinion on how it has changed for everybody else. He mentioned how more significant ANZAC day has become especially since joining the Navy.
This interview contributed to our project, because we were able to connect to a person who wasn't in the Army, but who was in the Navy. We were able to listen to a different perspective of his opinion on the ANZAC's and the legend. He allowed us to have a deeper understanding of what all military and naval men and women contribute to our country. Above is a video showcasing some of the footage from the interview.
He shared with us, his experiences while serving which were all very intriguing and interesting. He mentioned that he wanted to be a part of the Navy ever since he was 12 and finally lived out his dream when he applied to join the Navy at the age of 16. He shared how he had to undertake many examinations and tests that determined if he was fit to be in the Navy. These tested him both physically and mentally. It is very challenging to be in the Navy but at the same time it is very rewarding, he said.
We asked him a few questions about his involvement in the Navy, including his biggest raid which was intercepting a drug smuggling attempt of 5 tonnes of Heroin in the Middle East. If it wasn't for that raid, the drugs would've sold and funded millions of dollars for terrorist weaponry. Upon talking about this, we also asked about his medals and how he earned them. He earned them through his many years of service and for all the areas he served in.
Towards the end of his sharing, he explained how much the Commemoration of ANZAC day has changed for him and his opinion on how it has changed for everybody else. He mentioned how more significant ANZAC day has become especially since joining the Navy.
This interview contributed to our project, because we were able to connect to a person who wasn't in the Army, but who was in the Navy. We were able to listen to a different perspective of his opinion on the ANZAC's and the legend. He allowed us to have a deeper understanding of what all military and naval men and women contribute to our country. Above is a video showcasing some of the footage from the interview.