Alex Drewes penned the poem Coming Home, which has been printed in Member for Riverina Michael McCoramck's 2019 Anzac Day commemorative booklet.

By Alex Drewes, Red Bend

Sleepless nights followed by a horrifying morning,

Eardrums burst, soldiers mourning,

The war to end all wars, they said, But they're not the ones who make the dead.

No horrors await me, in my land, Peaceful skies, no blood at hand,

But I changed, should've spared that life,

What about that poor soldier's kid and wife?

Patchworks of farmland, now unattended,

A breath of relief, the war has ended,

I'm home, at last, with my wife and kids,

The dogs chasing the cattle, sheep and pigs.

I close my eyes, a vision appears,

The cries, the screams, the blood and tears,

Why am I walking? Why am I here? When I'm taken back to every loud noise I hear?

I'm not the same, it's clear as day, But maybe I could change, they say,

I can try my best, but don't expect

For me to suddenly forgive and forget.