Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a great honour to represent the Leader of the Opposition yesterday at the dedication ceremony of the new Australian Jewish War Memorial in the grounds of the National Jewish Memorial Centre here in Canberra. The ceremony also commemorated the centenary of General Sir John Monash's knighthood.

It was very moving to see the recognition of the 341 Australian soldiers of Jewish faith who have died while on service in the Australian Defence Force, from 1900 to today. Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove spoke movingly of the role of the Jewish members of the Defence Force and the sacrifice that they made alongside their brothers and sisters of other faiths in defence of our great country. Sir John Monash is the best-known Jewish Australian soldier, and Australia's outstanding military leader. He was no doubt an inspiration to many of the Jewish members of the Defence Force that were remembered. On the centenary of Monash's knighthood, it was timely to recognise the thousands of Jews who, though less well known, have given the same service, risking their lives for their country.

I would particularly like to recognise Ms Yael Cass, President of the ACT Jewish Community; Dr Merrilyn Sernack, honorary secretary; Dr David Rosalky, honorary treasurer; and the many others involved for their hard work in making this memorial a reality. It's a tribute to these hundreds of great Jewish Australians for the sacrifice they made. We will remember them.