TV Interview - Today Show

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
TV INTERVIEW 
TODAY SHOW
THURSDAY, 25 APRIL 2024

SUBJECTS: Anzac Day.

HOST, KARL STEFANOVIC: Welcome back to the show. Well, this morning, sombre scenes right across the country, from Melbourne's Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance to a small service at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. All gathering to remember those who served.

HOST, SARAH ABO: Many making the special pilgrimage to a small village in France where 1,200 Australian soldiers gave their lives to recapture Villers-Bretonneux in 1918. Let's bring in Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh, live in Villers-Bretonneux now. Minister, thanks for your time. Hundreds of Aussies travel each year for this service. How's the turnout this year?

MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL, MATT KEOGH: It's great to be with you. And look, thousands are coming to Villers-Bretonneux. Over 2,200 this year. It's the most we've seen since the centenary of the Battle back in 2018. It's great to see so many people that had relatives that fought here, veterans themselves, as well as the school groups that are coming over to commemorate and to learn.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Look, I have had the honour of being there and it's an incredible place where the local township still to this day, local schools sing Waltzing Matilda. They're very thankful. Streets named after Australian names. And there is a real depth of feeling there of thanks for what our diggers did. I mean, 46,000 Australians lost their lives on the Western Front at a time when our population was 4 million. And they're there.

MINISTER KEOGH: Look, it's amazing when you think about the numbers and being able to visit some of the war cemeteries, some that are huge, but also just seeing them just all over the countryside. But the way in which the French villages, the community here, continue to welcome Australians with open arms. I spoke to some Australians this morning who were literally hugged by people in the village to say thank you for something that Australians did here over 100 years ago. And it's great to see that connection and that friendship so strong over a century later and being commemorated not just in the Anzac Day service, but in other services and other forms of commemoration and recognition that have been happening over the course of the few days leading up to Anzac Day as well.

KARL STEFANOVIC: All right. Well, in the coming hours, we'll be crossing live to Villers-Bretonneux, a place that is in our hearts. Thank you so much for being with us. Appreciate it.

END

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