John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Just as the Anzacs were bravely storming the cliffs of Gallipoli, the day before, on 24 April 1915, the Ottomans started rounding up their own Armenian population, eventually forcing them to march east into the desert and to their intended deaths. One and a half million Armenian men, women and children lost their lives, but the Armenian people are strong and proud. They survived and are now thriving around the world, including in Australia, especially in my electorate of Bennelong. I recently paid my respects to the memory of the victims at a memorial service put on by the City of Ryde in Memorial Park at Meadowbank in Bennelong. I'm proud to represent Bennelong's Armenian-Australian community. They have a magnificent community centre in Santa Rosa Park, Ryde, where they gather to support one another and contribute positively to our society. The Armenian National Committee also does great work.

Returning to Anzac Day, I'd like to thank the RSL sub-branches of Bennelong for the remembrance services I attended. Thank you to the Gladesville RSL and President Jim Butt, North Ryde RSL and President Trevor Williams, Epping RSL and President John Curdie OAM and the City of Ryde and councillors for their excellent services. Many gathered to pay their respects to the sacrifice of our fallen so we can live and prosper in freedom and peace.

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