When we first arrived in Albany it was simply the town where our yacht was moored. Nothing more and nothing less. As new arrivals we saw a pretty harbour town with lots of beautiful old buildings, some history no doubt and enough café’s to keep me happy!
It wasn’t long though before we were able to do a bit of local sight-seeing and began to explore the place, in between sailing days and maintenance tasks.
We began to grasp the huge significance of Albany to Australia’s history.
We were amazed.
You see Albany was where the fleet of vessels left our shores to head towards Gallipoli. Albany was the last part of Australia the newly formed ANZAC corps saw before heading into what was to become Australian military’s most significant moment.
Soldiers had gathered here for weeks, the ships anchored throughout the inner harbour and King George Sound. Regularly soldiers were transported to shore to march, stretch and exercise. Locals said of this time that it appeared the harbour was filled with ships, all preparing to go – loading fresh produce, water and supplies along with the men. There were nurses too – any number of them – preparing to go on the accompanying support ships. There was even an early submarine.
They were leaving from Albany, collecting a couple more ships filled with more brave and courageous men as they neared Freemantle, and then it was full steam ahead until they reached their destination. They didn’t know they were headed for Turkey. At first they thought they were going to assist in the war effort in Europe – it was close to the time of leaving before their new destination was announced. They didn’t know as they left the shores of Princess Royal Harbour what a huge and significant role they were about to play – or how few would ever return.
Albany is also where the first ever ANZAC day ceremony was held – the harbinger of the event it has become today, marking and memorialising the heroic and generous gift of life these men and women gave – and acknowledging their contribution to our growing nation and identity. People gathered and honoured their courage. Those they left behind came and mourned their loss. It was taken up as a national event and remains as we all know it so well – a deeply significant day in the life of our nation.
And it is from these same shores that we set sail this morning. Ready for whatever will come. Not leaving to fight an impossible war. Not leaving to defend our nation or our way of life. But leaving BECAUSE we revel in the freedom those courageous men and women gave to us – we leave in the sure knowledge that we would not be embarking upon this venture had they not had the courage to embark on theirs.
It is with a sense of their courage and bravery that we leave – no, not to the same extent, but we like to feel that we are leaving with the same sense of adventure – with the same spirit of ‘having a go’ that propelled the ANZACS into the unknown. For us this is really the first day. The first moment of leaving the security of the safe harbour Albany has been. And even though we have ventured out and completed our sea trials, practiced and learned – today marks the first day of our actual leaving.