Keith Wolahan (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Australia's Jewish community are not just a part of Australia; they helped build it, and many lost their lives defending it. One of them was a good friend of mine, Greg Sher, who died in Afghanistan on 4 January 2009—almost 15 years ago. The community gathered on 14 November to acknowledge him, to be with his family and to award recipients of the Greg Sher Memorial Award in Caulfield North. It was my great honour to be there for the third year in a row.

Briefly, Greg was curious, kind, loyal, selfless, resilient, fearless and a hero to this nation and to his community. He didn't just serve in the ADF; he was also a key member of the Community Security Group, who were there to host the event. I thank them, their volunteers, their donors and Justin Kagan, who leads it. Greg's parents, Felix and Yvonne, were there. I also want to acknowledge his brothers, Steven and Barry, and their partners, Ronit and Nim, and their children—many, many children whom Greg never got to meet, but I know they're proud of him.

I can't list all the winners, but I'll list the schools. Beth Rivkah Ladies College had four students, two from year 5 and two from year 11. Bialik College had four—again, two from year 5 and two from year 11. The King David School had two from year 5 and two from year 11—and you see a pattern here; those are the key years that have been acknowledged. Leibler-Yavneh College had four students, again, from each of those year levels; Mount Scopus Memorial College had four—two from each year level; Scholem Aleichem College had two from year 5; Yeshiva College had two from each year level; and, finally, United Jewish Education Board in their various campuses had three from year 5 and two from year 11.

At this moment in time, I know that Greg would probably be doing two things. He would still be a reserve commando, serving his nation and prepared to go to war. He would also be giving up his time to help the Jewish community, whether it be in front of places of worship, on campus or at events, because Greg exemplified the very definition of someone who gives of themselves for others.

To the students who received an award in his name, I know that you are worthy winners. I know that you, too, will be people who are curious, kind, loyal, selfless, resilient and fearless. You have an award that is in his name and you do him a great honour. As Barry Sher said to me, 'Wherever you can, say his name.' I always will.

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