GLOSS Issue 19 DEC 2014-JAN 2015 | Page 26

which engages on an international level as a military presence, I asked him if he felt we were in a position to guide other nations in their international engagement strategies. “Before we set ourselves up as a guide to other countries, we need to make sure we have our own house in order. But I also say Kate, that we have a very proud history of how our soldiers, our airmen and our sailors have conducted themselves. That however shouldn’t make us complacent. UNSCR 1325 (covering Women, Peace and Security) – means helping those it covers try to secure a place in fractured societies; in other words, having their say in the resolution of security issues. The point I was making in London, as military personnel, is that we must open up all areas of our service to women – so that it’s not gender by which we judge talent – it’s talent by which we judge talent.” Next April of course sees the one hundredth anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli. General Morrison and I have discussed in a prior conversation the ‘ANZAC myth’ and what its connotations are for a modern Army. I asked him for more of his thoughts on this - will the ANZAC legend ever diminish? “I don’t think it will diminish, and nor should it. The real story is that of courage and resilience and positive mateship. No Army leader will, and nor should they, try to sully the real legend of ANZAC. What I go against is that unless you are ‘a country lad’ you don’t fit the image of the ‘ANZAC spirit’. On the anniversary, we need to be careful of the overly masculine, somewhat xenophobic retelling of the ANZAC myth. I see myself as needing to retell it as inclusive rather than exclusive.” I was genuinely curious as to whom he feels needs to step up as leaders, generally speaking, in the next few years. His answer was prompt and direct. “Men. Unequivocally. It is a man’s world - that hasn’t changed yet – and men should be, and are there, with clear and articulate women to make a difference. Having declared myself publicly as a feminist, I still say this is a societal issue, not a feminist issue. I am not denying women their voice, but unless men speak out, nothing will change. It is a societal issue.