Alex Hawke (Mitchell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to echo the words of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, and the whole House, in commemorating the most significant event in Australia's history, the 100-year anniversary of Anzac. Over 25,000 people attended the dawn service at Kellyville in Castle Hill in my electorate, and it was one of the most moving commemorative services that I have been involved in. The Anzac legend has shaped our nation like no other event before it or since. It was pleasing to see so many people turn up and commemorate the 100-year anniversary. We remember the brave servicemen who left our shores so long ago, and all our brave servicemen and servicewomen who have come since. For those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who made Australia the great free nation that it is today, we say thank you. We owe it to all those to stop, remember and say thank you for another 100 years to come.

I want to pay particular tribute to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Michael Ronaldson, for the efficient and seamless way in which the entire process was handled, including the commemorative grants that were provided to each electorate enabling Centenary of Anzac committees. My local committee was led by Colonel Don Tait—who was responsible for the entombing of the Unknown Soldier in the War Memorial—and it was first in with its application, I am advised, of any in the nation, and it did an outstanding job for my community.

I want to pay tribute to all of the figures involved: David Cronan, Mike Yeo, Des Brady, Brian Walters, Graham Handley, Chas Naylor, Jeff Lowe, Peter Westwood, Allan Roderick, Ron Smith, Mike Lee, Claude Zavattaro, Barry Russ, Phil Evenden, Robbie Duncan, Bill Dokter, Eva Want— (Time expired)