Mr NATHAN HAGARTY (Leppington) (20:46): The coming 14 April marks the eighty‑fifth anniversary of the death of Corporal John Edmondson, VC—a young man connected to my local area, whose courage and sacrifice continue to define the very best of our nation. John Hurst Edmondson was born in Wagga Wagga in 1914, but it was in my community that he grew up, working on his family's farm. He attended Austral Public School. Today, Edmondson Avenue—the very street on which the school stands—bears his name. It is a lasting tribute woven into the everyday life of the community.
Edmondson was known as a quiet, steady and dependable young man who was deeply committed to duty, family and service. When war broke out, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1940 and was deployed to the Middle East, where he would soon be tested in one of the most brutal campaigns of World War II. It was during the Siege of Tobruk, on the night of 13 April 1941, that Corporal Edmondson's extraordinary bravery was revealed. When enemy forces broke through Australian defensive lines, he joined a small group of soldiers in a counterattack under heavy fire. Shortly after arriving at the front, and despite being severely wounded, he pressed forward. He continued fighting and, in a decisive moment, saved the life of his commanding officer, who was under direct attack, and died of his wounds the following day.
For those actions, Corporal Edmondson was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest honour for gallantry, becoming the first Australian to receive the Victoria Cross in World War II. While the medal recognises his bravery, it is his character that defines his legacy: courage under pressure, loyalty to his comrades, and a selflessness that saw him put others before himself, even in the face of death. That legacy lives on strongly in my community. Across the Leppington electorate and surrounding areas, John Edmondson's name lives on in our local identity, and it is reflected in the places and institutions that continue to honour him.
Most notably, John Edmondson High School in Horningsea Park continues to honour his legacy. The school was recently awarded a veteran community grant by the New South Wales Government to develop a commemorative book preserving John's story. That important project will bring together historical records, media articles and photographs to tell the story of his life—from growing up in Liverpool and attending Austral Public School and Hurlstone Agricultural College through to his service at Tobruk. It will ensure that future generations understand not just what he did but who he was and the values he embodied. That is how a legacy endures—not just in monuments but in the character of a community shaped by it. Some 85 years on, John Edmondson's story still resonates because it speaks to something timeless. It reminds us that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary courage. It reminds us of the cost of the freedoms we enjoy today. And it reminds us of the responsibility we all carry to live up to those values in our own way.
But as we reflect on his life and sacrifice, we must also consider what more we can do to ensure his legacy is never forgotten. What would truly cap off his legacy is a permanent memorial. In 2014, a notice of motion was endorsed at Liverpool City Council for the provision of a statue commemorating John Edmondson at Edmondson Park. Sadly, over a decade later, that motion remains unfulfilled. I wrote to council last year seeking an update and, after many months, received the disappointing response that there is no guarantee that the memorial will be constructed. John Edmondson's contribution is not in question. His legacy is not in doubt. What is missing is the permanent recognition that reflects the scale of his sacrifice.
I call on Liverpool City Council to act and progress this long-overdue memorial. I am happy to assist in whatever way I can to seek additional funding through programs such as the Federal Government's Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program to help bring that project to life. Remembrance is not passive. It is something we build, protect and pass on. Corporal John Edmondson gave his life in service of his country and his mates. Some 85 years later it is our duty to ensure his legacy continues to stand just as strong. Lest we forget.
