The official memorial service for the Australian victims of the Malaysian Airlines tragedy took place at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne yesterday. I sat with the Dutch and Malaysian ambassadors as we mourned this senseless loss of life.
Australian leaders turned out in force to demonstrate the whole country’s support for the bereaved families. The Governor General, Prime Minister and state governors and premiers were present.
There were poignant reflections and readings by religious and political leaders. But the most eloquent expression of grief came from the families. They didn’t speak. They didn’t need to. The pain, the sorrow, the love and support for each other was etched on their faces as they came up one by one to place sprigs of wattle on the wreath. With 38 victims from Australia, there seemed to be an endless river of grief flowing up the aisle. There were not many dry eyes in the packed Cathedral.
The Australian and Dutch governments have worked tirelessly, with great dedication, to secure access to the crash site and bring home the bodies of the victims. Our teams in Kiev and New York have supported them in every way we could.
It was a national day of mourning and Australian flags all around the country hung at half mast as a sign of respect. At our High Commission and Consulates, the Union Jack joined them.
