Social media has never been known as a platform for altruism to flourish, nor has Instagram really been a forum where the most well-known of Australians come to agree on things.
But today was always going to be a little different.
Because on days like ANZAC Day, social media is really one of the only opportunities Australians have to publicly acknowledge the fight and the sacrifice of those who fought for us.
And so that’s what we did today.
An ANZAC Day ode. Post continues after video…
From journalists to comedians to former Bachelor stars, almosy every Australian agreed on one thing today: That there is cause to reflect, remember and be grateful.
Straying a little from his usual giddy and playful self, Hamish Blake adopted a much more thoughtful tone in his reflection on the day, emphasising that although perhaps we will never quite comprehend the sacrifice, we still need to try.
“We can never know what it’s like to be there, but we can be eternally grateful for the men and women (and their families) who have willingly accepted that cost for us, because they love their country. And we thank them all,” he wrote this morning.
For former Channel sports journalist and new mum Roz Kelly, the day took on a new meaning.
“As the Last Post echoed out this morning, a new emotion stirred in me this year & I hugged Arias a little tighter. As a new mother, I can’t fathom waving my son off to war. A child heading into the dark unknown, doing and seeing things no boy should ever experience. Returning a man, a stranger, a shell … if returning at all. The horrors of the battlefield going unspoken & haunting the rest of his days. To all of those boys with courage beyond their years and the families who waited home with aching hearts. We thank you for your strength & sacrifice,” she also wrote on Instagram
For some, they expressed the deepest gratitude at those around them who have served and for others, a simple poppy was enough.
Regardless of how many commemorated and decided to remember, it was a rare day where gratitude was a central train of thought.