As we mark ANZAC Day 2025, I ask that we, today’s rifle club members, pause to reflect on the profound sacrifices made by those who served during the Great War (World War I) – men and women who answered the call of duty with unwavering courage, strength, and resilience. While much attention is rightly given to the soldiers who landed at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, it is essential that we also remember the contributions of those from all walks of life who supported the war effort, particularly the members of Australia’s rifle clubs.
In the early years of the 20th century, Australian rifle clubs were far more than just recreational organisations; they were training grounds for discipline, physical fitness, and the essential skills needed for the battlefield. These clubs played a crucial role in preparing many of our young men for the front lines. They refined their marksmanship abilities, developed their understanding of military tactics, and fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie that would later prove invaluable in the trenches.
When war was declared in 1914, it was not just the professional soldiers who answered the call; it was also the men who had spent years honing their skills at rifle ranges and training grounds across the country. For them, the transition from civilian life to the brutal realities of war was a continuation of the work they had already begun in those rifle pits, where they had perfected their aim, sharpened their resolve, and cultivated the discipline that would serve them in battle.
The commitment of these rifle club members to the war effort was extraordinary. In many cases, they volunteered in great numbers, keen to serve their country in whatever way they could. They brought with them the skills of the marksman, the knowledge of weapons, and an intimate understanding of the kind of endurance required to endure the hardships of war. These men did not fight for personal glory, but for something far greater – the defence of their nation and the protection of their families. Sadly 568 Queensland rifle club members, 603 New South Wales rifle club members and an unknown number of rifle club members from the other States and Territories were killed in the Great War.
At Gallipoli, in France, in Belgium, and on countless other fronts, rifle club members fought alongside soldiers from all corners of Australia. Many of them, using the very skills they had learned in the clubs, became marksmen of remarkable skill, capable of defending their comrades with deadly precision. Their ability to adapt to the harsh and unforgiving conditions of the battlefield is a testament to their training, their grit, and their unwavering commitment to the cause.
But it is not only their technical prowess we honour. It is their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice. Hundreds of rifle club members laid down their lives in the battlefields of Turkey, Europe and North Africa, while countless others were wounded, some forever scarred by the brutality of war. They were sons, fathers, brothers, and mates—ordinary men who were called upon to do extraordinary things.
On 25 April, we remember their dedication and sacrifice. We remember that for many of these men, the war did not end when they returned home. The horrors they witnessed, the wounds they carried – both visible and invisible – remained with them long after they left the battlefield. Their commitment to duty, to their comrades, and to their country is a legacy that endures in the spirit of all who serve.
Wherever you are on 25 April 2025, I ask that you be reminded of the price of freedom, of the courage that is required to protect it, and of the duty we all share in ensuring that the sacrifices of those who came before us are never forgotten. The legacy of the Australian rifle club members, and all those who served during the Great War, is a testament to the spirit of determination and resilience that defines our nation.
Let us honour their memory not only with words, but with actions – by living lives of service, by nurturing the values of courage, camaraderie, and sacrifice in our communities, and by ensuring that future generations understand the immense cost of the freedoms we often take for granted.
To the brave rifle club members, and to all who served, we offer our deepest gratitude and respect.
Lest we forget.
