Four icons under threat: flag, Anzac Day, reef, bush

When one looks back on that, the only reasonable viewpoint is to declare it to be utter nonsense. What right did the Brits have to order us to fight anyone. And how weak were we just to accept their demand.

The folly of this subservience was shown when our troops were involved in North Africa at the same time as the Japanese moved closer to our shores.

Our fear of change will mean that we will keep the Union Jack on our flag for decades to come while we advertise to the world that we still feel, deep in our souls, that we are a British colony.

Anzacs

I have travelled twice to Gallipoli and stood in awe of how the Anzacs almost achieved the impossible, while seething with anger at the stupidity of the politicians and generals who unnecessarily sent them to their deaths fighting a Turkish nation that had done nothing to harm Australia.

Turkish President Ataturk summed it up magnificently in the memorial he built to honour our dead. It says: "Mothers of Australia and New Zealand, weep no more for your sons rest in a friendly land."

My relatives were not at Gallipoli. They fought in France where the carnage was much greater, yet is far less recognised for reasons I have never been able to understand.

But, for me as a schoolboy in Toowoomba in World War 2, when we did regular air raid drill, it was the Battle for Kokoda that was the most meaningful to me and all my schoolmates. Had our outnumbered, undertrained and poorly supplied troops not stopped the Japanese advance, Australia would have been invaded. They were valiant heroes of the highest quality, but we do not have a national observance of Kokoda Day.

It is time to have a national day that honours not only our gratitude for those who gave their lives in war, but also those who were the great pioneers of our nation.

Australia Day is inadequate as this was the day when the British invaded Australia.

Greater minds than mine can work it out.

In the meantime, let us have a wonderful 100^th Anniversary of Gallipoli, then move into a new century in which we express our national pride in a way that fosters a vision of a world without wars.

A great way to prepare for this memorable occasion is to read Peter Fitzsimons new book 'Gallipoli'. Peter is Australia's most popular historian. He has a marvellous talent of bringing vital issues to life in an unforgettable way. This is a book that brings vividly to mind all the factors that will determine the future role of Anzac Day in our national life.