Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to pay my respects in the condolence motion for Lance Corporal Mervyn John McDonald and Private Nathanael John Aubrey Galagher, both of whom were tragically killed on 30 August this year in a helicopter crash as part of their operations in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal McDonald was 30 years old and is survived by his fiancee, Rachael, his mother, Myrna, his stepfather, Bernie, and brothers, Percy, Roger and Gary. He joined the Army on 31 May 1999 and was a highly professional soldier, decorated many times with the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp East Timor and ICAT, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Australian Service Medal with Clasp East Timor (Timor Leste) and CT/SR, the Australian Defence Medal, the United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor Medal, the Timor Leste Solidarity Medal, the NATO non article 5 Medal with Clasp ISAF and Multiple Tour Indicator, Commander 1st Division Commendation, Infantry Combat Badge and the Returned from Active Service Badge.

Lance Corporal was a man who served numerous times in Afghanistan and Timor-Leste and you could not find a braver and finer soldier in the Australian forces.

As is often the case, the families release statements at a time of their greatest sorrow. In their words:

Merv was the warmest guy you’d ever meet. You could see it in his eyes, they had a special sparkle.

He was a real Aussie bloke …. Merv could often be found four-wheel driving and going for bushwalks, but really his favourite place was the ocean. Merv just loved being in the water and the beach was his second home, where he could often be found swimming, spearing or barbequing.

They were simple pleasures which filled his soul.

He also had a great affection for the West Coast Eagles and Australian Rules football. In the words of his fiancee, Merv:

… changed my world by showing me new ways to think about things and by teaching me how to really experience life and believe in myself. We jammed so much into our 18 months together. Merv never missed a moment. He would stop to look at a rainbow or to smell the coffee.

We were due to be married in Bendigo next Easter Saturday and we were hoping to start a family soon after. Merv would have been a fantastic husband and a wonderful dad.

When I read those words, I do so with a heavy heart and, having been to Afghanistan, I know that Merv's life was not lost in vain. He has performed the bravest duty for his country and will not be forgotten.

Tragically, Merv was killed alongside Private Nathanael John Aubery Galagher. He was 23 years old and will be survived by his partner Jessie, parents Wayne and Sally, and sister Elanor. He joined the Army on 22 October 2007 posted to the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment 1 RAR. He was also very distinguished, having been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp ICAT, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Australian Defence Medal, NATO non article 5 Medal with Clasp ISAF and the Multiple Tour Indicator, Infantry Combat Badge and the Returned from Active Service Badge. He served in Operation Slipper twice in Afghanistan—in 2010 and 2012.

His family statement reads as follows:

Nate wasn’t a ‘showy’ kind of guy, but rather one who would demonstrate his love through the little things which meant the world. He was so loving and grateful.

We never heard Nate say a bad thing about anyone. His love for his family was apparent to all.

Nate's partner Jessie said:

Nate idolised Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald, who was also killed in the crash. Merv was generous with his experience and shared it with the other boys in the team, especially Nate. I last saw Nate at the airport when he departed Australia in July. As they were about to walk off to the gate together, Merv turned to me and said, 'don’t worry Jess, I’ll bring him home.' While it’s under the most tragic of circumstances, Merv is honouring his promise.

My pledge to Nate is that his son will understand the wonderful man who his dad was.

There’s no trait of Nate’s that I wouldn’t want his son to inherit.

These are powerful words and they reflect the deep love that the family and the comrades of Private Galagher had for him.

To Private Galagher's family and to Lance Corporal McDonald's family, on behalf of a grateful nation, we say thank you. Their lives were not in vain. They stood up for Australia's values and, most importantly, they helped make Australia a safer place. Lest we forget.

Debate adjourned.

Question agreed to.

Federation C hamber adjourn ed at 13:01

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