Anzac Day Commemorative Address 2025

Major Angela Uphill

[E&OE]

Good morning,

I am Major Angela Uphill, and I have had the privilege of serving as a Physiotherapist in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps for 22 years. My service has taken me across the country, as well as on two operational deployments to Afghanistan. It is my great honour to stand before you this morning.

Today marks 110 years since the beginning of Australia’s Gallipoli Campaign. In the early hours of the morning, thousands of Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the beaches of Gallipoli. By the end of that first day, more than 2,000 ANZACs had been killed or wounded. By the end of the First World War, over 60,000 Australians had lost their lives, and more than 155,000 had been wounded. It is a scale of loss and suffering that is incredibly difficult to comprehend.

On Anzac Day, we pause to remember those who gave their lives and to honour all who have served—not only throughout the First World War, but in every conflict, peacekeeping mission, humanitarian effort, and emergency response since. Walking through the halls of the Australian War Memorial, reading the stories of those who have served throughout our history, provides us with a deep appreciation of the losses and sacrifice, as well as the courage, camaraderie, ingenuity and endurance that became legendary of the ANZACs. These are traits that have been passed on through generations, and continue to be demonstrated by our service personnel today.

On Anzac Day, my own reflections come from several perspectives:

Firstly, as a Physiotherapist, I am acutely aware of the physical cost of service. Physiotherapists are witness to the profound impact that injuries can have on our members; interrupting training, careers, and daily lives; and we are privileged to be part of the health care team assisting injured members to rebuild and recover. Physiotherapists have served in Australia’s military since the First World War, where they were recognised for the essential role they played in helping the wounded to return to battle, and providing rehabilitation for those coming home. Today, I reflect on the many members who have suffered injury through service, and those who continue to carry physical and psychological scars. I recognise the Anzac qualities of courage, endurance and determination demonstrated by our rehabilitating members as they navigate their unique recovery journeys.

I also reflect as a veteran of the Afghanistan campaign. Over two decades, 39,000 Australians served in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force. During this time, the Australian Defence Force suffered the loss of 41 personnel in Afghanistan, with many more wounded. Each of us carries our own memories from deployment. I remember the courage, selflessness, and commitment of our soldiers as they departed for mission after mission in support of counterterrorism and regional stability. I remember the relief I felt each time they returned safely to camp, and the tension within the headquarters when a call came in with news that one of our members had been injured or worse. I remember the professionalism with which our staff worked, coordinating medical care and evacuation as quickly as possible, and the incredible work of the medics, doctors, nurses, and first aiders, whose heroic efforts prevented further losses of life. Unfortunately, I also remember the sorrow and sincerity of the ramp ceremonies that were held, as we farewelled fallen colleagues.

This brings me to my next reflection, which is as a widow, having lost my veteran husband to suicide in 2021. My husband served in the Australian Defence Force for twenty years and was still serving as a reservist, and working full time, when he died. Our children were just four and six years old. And so, on Anzac Day, I reflect on both the important role that families play, and on the toll that service can take on families. I admire the strength and resilience of Defence families, who navigate new homes, jobs and schools with each posting, and endure long separations while their loved ones are away. I acknowledge the significant support role that our families play to enable service, and I also recognise how trauma and invisible wounds can extend suffering onto families.

On Anzac Day, we remember all of those who have died; whether through combat, training accidents, illness, or suicide; and acknowledge the families, friends, colleagues and communities who are left behind. Every loss is a tragedy, and leaves us with a lifetime of memories we never got to make, of missed milestones, and lost opportunities. This was not the life we had planned, but we who are left behind must learn to carry our grief, and continue to honour the memories, stories and service, of those we have lost.

Finally, on Anzac Day, I acknowledge all veterans who have served, and the ongoing commitment of those who serve today and those who will serve in the future. As an Australian and as a parent, I am deeply grateful for the men and women who train and prepare in countless roles across our Defence force—to be ready to respond, to protect our nation and our way of life, so that all Australians can live in peace. May we, as a Nation, never forget the cost of war or the sacrifices made by our service personnel and their families. May we continue to honour their courage, their resilience, and their enduring legacy.

Lest we forget