Page 2363 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 1 November 1989
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read of and take an interest in the life and work of the Australian digger, and also in the statue of Simpson and his donkey near the entrance to the Australian War Memorial. These battle honours appeared on some of the regimental colours which were on parade today as a representative sample of regimental and Queen's colours held by regiments and units around Australia.
However, let it not be said that such memorials are there in glorification of war. A visit to the Australian War Memorial or its excellent research facility provides a graphic reminder of the futility of war and the fact that we in Australia have been fortunate not to have our country experience a major invasion of our borders, although the people of Darwin and Sydney did have contact with the effect of military hardware during the Second World War.
The memorial to the Australian army, dedicated today, acknowledges the past and present service of men and women in the army, a factor acknowledged today by the Prime Minister, the Governor-General and the Chief of the General Staff. It is at this stage, however, that I pause to reflect on a matter of some concern.
I have raised the fact that our Government was not represented there today, not in an official capacity, which is most unfortunate. However, I understand that invitations have now been issued to Assembly members to participate in remembrance ceremonies on 11 November. I have no doubt that the Government will be fully represented at the next dedication ceremony of this type in October 1992 when it is expected that thousands of Vietnam veterans and their families will arrive in Canberra from throughout Australia and overseas on the fifth anniversary of the welcome-home march for Vietnam veterans.
Before I close, Mr Speaker, I would like to comment briefly on the memorial and the symbolism which, while it does refer to past deeds and sacrifices of army servicemen and women and their families, does look ahead to the future. It is a physical representation of two diggers facing east to the rising sun, the acknowledged symbol of the Australian Imperial Force and still worn with pride by all new members of our modern army. The memorial, with its seven cylindrical pillars, represents the seven major campaigns in which the army has been involved. These pillars are set in a pool of water to symbolise the journey across the water to help keep our nation free.
In closing, Mr Speaker, I ask all members to ponder on the significance of today to the army and the nation, and pray that we do not have to add another pillar to this memorial.
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