Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today with a good news story and a positive story—that is, the completion of the National Anzac Centre in Albany. The city of Albany and the RSL hosted a preview with a soft opening last week and I am pleased to announce that it surpassed all expectations. Visitors can embrace the virtual view of the first and second convoys, which gathered on the seaward side of Ataturk Channel, or sit in silent reflection by the remembrance pond, through which the 41,000 names of the brave Anzacs who left these shores slowly and respectfully scroll.

Upon first entering the National Anzac Centre, visitors are given an identity card, allowing them to walk in the boots of one of the 32 different Anzac characters, from nurses to servicemen of all ranks, ages and backgrounds. Each personal story unfolds through an interactive multimedia display accompanied by a personalised audio commentary. Every visitor has their own individual experience of the First World War, relived through the eyes and stories of their very own Anzac. Starting with recruitment, their journey is followed through training and embarkation to engagement in the conflicts in the Indian Ocean prior to their arrival in Egypt then on to Gallipoli, Palestine and the Sinai, and across to the Western Front.

The centre will be officially opened by the Prime Minister on 1 November 2014 to mark the centenary of the Australian and New Zealand troop convoy departure from King George Sound in Albany to the First World War. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the city of Albany, the WA state government and the federal government and the RSL for working collaboratively to deliver this project on time and on budget, and welcome everyone across Australia to come and experience Albany's contribution. (Time expired)