The sun shone brightly on Canberra’s national war memorial on Remembrance Day, which Australia celebrates actually on 11 November, rather than on the nearest Sunday as in the UK.
Wreaths were laid by the Governor General; Senator Ronaldson (for the Prime Minister who is overseas) and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and senior parliamentary, military and veteran representatives. Former Prime Minister John Howard paid a dignified tribute to past sacrifice, with the authority of one who has known the burden of sending troops into war. He said: “From a population of under five million, 417,000 enlisted, 332,000 served overseas, 152,000 were wounded and 61,000 never came home.”
Then it was the turn of Canberra’s large diplomatic corps to file up and lay wreaths on behalf of our countries. You do it in protocol order, which follows the date you presented your credentials on arriving in country. After nearly four years here, I was in the first batch this year. Soon the memorial was festooned in floral tributes. The UK wreath comprised the familiar poppies.
This is an important annual event when a nation pays tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country and its values in many conflicts over the years. You always feel privileged to have taken part.