Address to Australian Remembrance Day Service, London

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Good morning.

It is a great honour to join you today to represent the Australian Government at this special Remembrance Day ceremony.

I’d like to acknowledge:

The Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency the Honourable Stephen Smith;

Current and former members of the Australian Defence Force here today - thank you all for your service, I’d also like acknowledge the support of your families.

Tomorrow we will pause to pay tribute to all those who have served our respective nations in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

But every day, this beautiful memorial reminds us of the magnitude of the sacrifices Australians made in the First and Second World Wars.

It grounds us, setting in stone the bonds between here and half a world away.

Literally – this Memorial is made of granite, mined in the great state of Western Australia - my home state, and that of our High Commissioner.

It’s a long journey from WA, but it’s prominence here in London is something special.

Western Australia holds a special place in the Anzac legend, the legend that helped shape our national identity.

In 1914 two convoys, carrying soldiers and nurses, set out from the deep water Harbour in Albany, in WA’s Great Southern.

For many, the green hills of Albany and the calm blue waters of the Sound would be their last sight of Australia.

For others, Fremantle was their point of departure.

Many would soon find themselves confronted by stiff Turkish resistance and the stark cliffs and gullies of Gallipoli.

Many who survived the Gallipoli campaign, or who followed after, were bound for the Western Front.

The memorial highlights just how far-reaching the impacts of the First and Second World Wars were.

Etched on this granite are the names of the town from where the Australians who served in both wars, were born.

There are 23,844 towns.

It reminds us no Australian community was left untouched.

Nor any community here in the UK.

Our personnel have stood shoulder to shoulder for decades, and continue to do so.

An eternal bond as so many mates who fought and died, rest eternal side by side.

Since the guns fell silent on the Western Front 105 years ago, our personnel have been called upon time and again to serve - in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations right around the globe.

And that’s why more than a century later we gather, we pause and we remember.

We have lost some 103,000 Australians in the service of our nation, and many more have made great sacrifices.

We will remember them.

We do remember them.

Lest we forget. 

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or the Open Arms website. Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Health Portal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608