Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) on Friday 11 November, Australia commemorates Remembrance Day;

(b) the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is a significant anniversary for this country as it signifies the ending of a war where over 60,000 Australians lost their lives;

(c) of these 60,000, over 16,900 Australians remain unknown or unaccounted for on the Western Front;

(d) it is on Remembrance Day that the body of an unknown Australian soldier from the Western Front was laid to rest in the Hall of Memories at the Australian War Memorial; and

(e) in July 2016 six formerly unknown Australian soldiers were given headstone dedications at the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery;

(2) acknowledges:

(a) that many communities across the country pause to remember the sacrifice of Australian service men and women; and

(b) the significance of this day to all unknown Australians killed in action; and

(3) notes that during the 'Century of Service' that is occurring between 2014 and 2018 Australians are given a chance to remember the service and sacrifice of all who fought during World War I.

I will start by acknowledging your service, Mr Deputy Speaker Hastie, to our great country and saying how appropriate it is that you are in the chair for the moving of this motion. I am humbled to stand today to reflect upon those who gave their lives and service in defence of our freedom.

The outbreak of the First World War, in 1914, saw for the first time Australia, as its own nation, enter a major conflict. Volunteers rushed to enlist in this seemingly exciting war that was expected to be over by Christmas. Many of these volunteers were from the Goldstein community.

The first independent military operation carried out by Australia was the occupation of German New Guinea. The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force were dispatched in an attempt to destroy all German wireless stations and coaling stations in the Pacific. This force of only 1,000 men included Arthur Morely of Pine Grove, Bentleigh, in my electorate. This operation was expected to take about six months but ultimately took less than one.

For four more terribly long years Australians found themselves battling a war in which 60,000 Australians were killed and 156,000 more were wounded, gassed or taken prisoner. It was not until the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 that the guns finally felt silent on the Great War. Every year on the anniversary of this important moment we come together as a nation to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the love of our country and the freedoms that we strive to uphold and honour. And we continue to honour them.

In Goldstein the Bentleigh RSL has written a local history book, Serving Then, Serving Still. It recounts the history of service to Australian involvements in war. The book details the 31 men from the area who gave up their youth and future during the war to end all wars. Five were lost for their service at Gallipoli. Ernest Beadle from Thomas Street in Bentleigh was killed in the Battle of Lone Pine, whilst Joseph Burgess was to die later of wounds received in the battle. George Shores of Pine Grove and Eric Smith of Patterson Road, Bentleigh, lost their lives due to the hardships of trench life. It took Lawrence Brewster from Buckingham Avenue two years to succumb to the wounds he received during the charge of the light horse.

Three more RSLs serve veterans in Highett, Sandringham and Caulfield—those like Captain Robert Grieve, from Brighton, who won the Victoria Cross for knocking out a concealed machine-gun post during the Battle of Messines. Captain Grieve's Victoria Cross is unusual in that it was conferred on the recommendation of his men, not the recommendation of officers. Captain Grieve later donated his Victoria Cross to his beloved Wesley College in Elsternwick.

Maurice Buckley was awarded the Victoria Cross while serving under the pseudonym Gerald Sexton. Sergeant Buckley is now buried at Brighton cemetery under his correct name with his fellow Victoria Cross recipient Warrant Officer Class 2 Walter Peeler. Both Sexton and Wally, as he was affectionately known, rest beside the great Australian Sir John Monash, who is an eternal constituent of Brighton cemetery.

There are so many others who served: Ralph Wollmer of Cheltenham, who served in the Korean War and serves on the committee of the Korean Veterans Association of Australia; John Moller from Beaumaris, who served in Korea and Vietnam and later as President of the Victorian Subsection of the Naval Association of Australia; John Douglas of Sandringham, who organises local Anzac Day marches; Steve Kyritsis of Black Rock, who served in Vietnam and is President of the Hellenic RSL; Grant Coultman-Smith OAM of Beaumaris, the former president of Beaumaris RSL; importantly, Major General David McLaughlin, who is a Beaumaris resident and retired head of RSL Victoria; Ambrose Crowe of Beaumaris, who served in Vietnam; Errol Driver, Terry Black and George Logan, who all served in Vietnam; Ted Moorcroft, Mac Roberts and Roy Watts, who served in World War II; Ian Liley, who served in New Guinea; and Chris Spence of Beaumaris, a retired air vice marshal and the current Chairman of Trustees of the Shrine of Remembrance. These people served amongst many other men and women of the Goldstein community, the Victorian community and, of course, the Australian community who stood proud and tall.

Today it is our turn to stand proud and tall in remembering and honouring the service and sacrifice of all who fought for our country and those who will do so in future in defence of our freedom. We are eternally grateful for their sacrifice and their preparedness to put a love of country ahead of themselves. For that we must always remember the eternal words 'lest we forget'.

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