Reflecting on service and the enduring ANZAC spirit

As Australians come together for Anzac Day 2026, the theme “The ANZAC spirit lives here” reminds us that remembrance, service and sacrifice are carried forward through everyday lives and workplaces.

For Kelley Jenkins, a Customer Logistics Coordinator with Aurizon in Western Australia, that legacy is both personal and lived.

Kelley served in the Australian Army in the 1980s as a Squadron Clerk in the Australian Signals Corps. She was among the first women to undergo recruit training at Kapooka, marking a significant milestone for women in service.

“I was raised in a military family, so service felt like a natural path,” Kelley said. “The structure and discipline of the Army shaped who I am.”

After leaving the Army to start a family, Kelley transitioned into civilian life, carrying those skills into her professional career. Today, she works as a scheduler supporting Aurizon’s South West operations, where structure, discipline and accountability remain essential.

Anzac Day holds special meaning for Kelley, whose grandfather served in World War I and whose family retains strong ties to service.

“To me, Anzac Day is not a celebration,” she said. “It is a solemn day of remembrance, a time to honour lives lost and reflect on the cost of service.”

As we mark the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, Kelley’s story is a reminder that the ANZAC spirit continues through service, family and the everyday contributions of people across Australia.