Inside an Unforgettable Anzac Day Experience
For Lieutenant Colonel Jess Palling, Commanding Officer of the ADF School of Health, Anzac Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a living reminder of service, sacrifice, and the deep connection between the Australian Defence Force and the community it represents.
“It is a time to recognise service in all its forms,” she reflects. “From the ANZACs who paid the ultimate sacrifice, to all who have served in conflicts, peacekeeping operations, and training since, and those who continue to serve today.”
This year’s Anzac Day held special significance, marked by a unique experience. Lieutenant Colonel Palling won a table for 10 as part of the Anzac Day Brunch promotion of the Military Shop, and experienced the iconic Collingwood v Essendon ANZAC Day match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"Jess’s entry gave us a really meaningful insight into her story and her family’s connection to service. It was clear how much ANZAC Day means to her, which made her a very deserving winner. It’s been a privilege to learn more about Jess and her role within the Army," shares Caris Ebeling, Branch Manager of the Military Shop.
While duty called, leading the march in Wodonga meant she missed the pre-game brunch, LTCOL Palling still felt the impact of the occasion through those closest to her. A group of ten, brought together from across three states, attended the special brunch and match. Their experience, she shares, was “absolutely incredible.” Among the most moving moments, she was told, was learning about Sandy the horse, the only Australian war horse to return home from World War I. The story struck a chord, offering a broader perspective on sacrifice.
“It gave us a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made not just by our servicemen and women, but also by the animals who served alongside them,” one of her friends reflected. “It added real meaning to the day and is something we’ll all remember.”
The match itself had long been a dream. “I truly can't believe that I actually won this amazing experience. As I said in my entry, attending the ANZAC Day match together is on my brother and I's bucket list. Thank you again for this amazing opportunity, it's come at a much-deserved time for my little brother and I am so incredibly grateful.”
But beyond the history and the scale of the event, it was something more personal that left the deepest impression. “For me, it was sharing such an incredible experience with people who mean so much to me,” LTCOL Palling says.
As the crowd of tens of thousands fell silent before the first bounce, the weight of the day settled in. “I will never forget the silence and reverence during the commemorative ceremony before the game, it was so powerful.”
In that stillness, amid one of Australia’s biggest sporting stages, the true spirit of Anzac Day endured— remembrance, connection, and shared respect.
