Anthem appropriate

WHY scrap God Save The Queen from Melbourne’s Anzac Day services? After all, there is seldom opportunity to honour this hymn and anthem.
The song pays respect to our nation’s constitutional head of state and seeks God’s protection for Australia and the Commonwealth. It still remains a second anthem for New Zealand.
The Queen is the constitutional head of Australia and Queen of the Commonwealth. The Prime Minister is the Head of our Government. Our Governor General is an Australian put forward by the Prime Minister for appointment by the Queen to be the local representation of our Constitutional Head of State. The Victorian decision to remove God Save The Queen from the 2010 Anzac Day services in this year of the Commonwealth Games in particular could be found grossly wanting in both respect and tolerance and quite unnecessary.
The misconception that somehow by singing this song we all become self proclaiming monarchists disloyal and opposed to the cause for a future as a republic is both wrong and irrelevant.
The argument for constitutional change is distinctly separate and needs to be dealt with independently within the context of a separate focused debate for a republic.
Thousands of diggers of all complexions and faith persuasions gave life and limb that we may live in a free and tolerant country respectful of difference. Their life’s journey, its hardship and loss gave meaning to our modern destination of existence in freedom and peace. This is what attracts many others less fortunate in other countries to risk their lives in leaky boats and be incarcerated in detention just to be able to aspire to this dream of living in a free and tolerant, first world developed, democratic nation.
So Dandenong why not we make an exception and sing the anthem instead?
Many thanks and a happy Anzac Day to all and yes, God Save The Queen and God save Australia and keep us always a welcoming peaceful country.
Geraldine Gonsalvez
Member of the Dandenong and Cranbourne RSL
Dandenong