A few months ago, on ANZAC Day, I pieced together a story in honour of Football and War, in particular Joe Slater – a Geelong champion killed in WWI.
Here’s the story to read if you haven’t already:
http://annalyst.weebly.com/football-and-war-a-tribute-to-the-anzacs.html
A few weeks ago, I travelled to Canberra and found myself at The Australian War Memorial searching through a sickening history of the Australian and New Zealand heroes who fought for our freedom.
My main aim was to find Joe Henry Slater of the 22nd Battalion, who was killed in Bullecourt, France in 1917. And I did just that.
I was filled with great sadness, yet extreme proudness. This local Geelong legend was a war hero on a much greater scale.
His name stuck out to me through hundreds, thousands.
I stopped alone and reflected on what I knew of a man I could never meet, almost thanking him for what he did on, but more importantly off the field, 100 years ago.
It was an absolute honour to see Joe Slater’s name at the memorial, as it was an honour to write about his legacy.
J.H. Slater 22nd Battalion
About Anna Pavlou
Anna 'Pav' Pavlou is a current student and a born and bred Melburnian who has a passion for sport and sharing people's stories. She is an intern journalist for AFL VICTORIA and writes for The Roar, the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA Media), the Mongrel Punt and is a Melbourne Cricket Club contributor. She also appears on North West FM 98.9 radio show. Most winter weekends you'll find her down at the Ross Gregory Oval in St Kilda, supporting Power House FC, who play in Division 2 in the VAFA. She works as the Division 2 writer for the VAFA. She completed work experience with 3AW Radio and has been published in The Age as well as with Carlton FC and Geelong Cats. Check out her website below for more sport pieces!
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