Thousand gather in Canberra for 105th anniversary of WW1

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Today marks 105 years since the end of World War One, with Remembrance Day services across the country. More than a thousand people gathered at the Australian War Memorial for the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Canberra. Paying their respects to more than 103-thousand servicemen and women who have died in war. Today also marks 30 years since the internment of the Unknown Australian Soldier and a small number of dignitaries have been invited to lay a floral tribute at the tomb after the ceremony. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid his respects to those currently serving Australia today and who have in the past.

Transcript

00:00 The national ceremony here at the Australian War Memorial felt as significant and solemn

00:06 as ever. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in the front row with the Governor-General,

00:12 His Excellency David Hurley and his wife. Of course, the Chief of Defence Angus Campbell

00:17 was here and so too was the newly sworn in Chief Justice of the High Court Stephen Gagler.

00:24 But beyond the front row, the lawns were filled with uniformed personnel, veterans, their

00:30 families and hundreds of everyday people eager to pay their respects. As far as the actual

00:36 ceremony went, it was the powerful and iconic sounds of the catafalque party taking their

00:42 position at the Stone of Remembrance that really set the tone. And they were followed

00:47 by the really moving sounds of a didgeridoo, which was a tribute to the Aboriginal and

00:53 Torres Strait Islander peoples who have fought to defend their country throughout the years,

01:00 the historical years of war. After that, the Ode of Remembrance was recited, the Last Post

01:06 was played and as the clock struck 11 o'clock, the grounds fell silent as we honoured the

01:13 103,000 Australians who have lost their lives in armed conflict since 1885. The commemorative

01:22 address was given by Lieutenant General Natasha Fox, the ADF's Chief of Personnel, who spoke

01:29 about the two million Australians who have dedicated their life to service and have sacrificed

01:35 so we as Australians can enjoy choice and freedom.

01:41 To remember and be grateful for the legacy that has been left by the many Australians

01:47 who have served, to remember the consequences of war and conflict and importantly, to remember

01:56 so that we want, work for and do what we can to preserve peace, lest we forget.

02:06 Today marks 30 years since the interment of the unknown Australian soldier here on the

02:12 grounds of the Australian War Memorial. I think many Australians will remember that

02:17 day in 1993 when his coffin was brought up and that parade draped in an Australian flag

02:24 and on top of a gun carriage before being lowered into the Hall of Memory here. A really

02:30 unforgettable moment also on that day was the eulogy which was delivered by then Prime

02:35 Minister Paul Keating. Mr Keating spoke about the importance of not knowing and never knowing

02:42 anything about the unknown soldier, not his name, not his rank, not where he was born,

02:47 if he was a father or a husband. He then went on to famously say, "He is all of them and

02:54 he is one of us." And those are the words that are inscribed at the foot of his tomb.

03:00 Shortly after the national ceremony here concluded this morning, a select few of the dignitaries

03:06 were invited into the Hall of Memory to lay a floral tribute at that tomb, a very special

03:12 honour that has in past years been given to kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers,

03:18 so incredibly important.

03:20 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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