Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to recognise the outstanding work of the City of Albany and the Albany sub branch of the RSL in hosting the commemoration of the centenary of the departure of the first convoy of Anzacs on the 1st of November 1914. The convoy of 36 ships included 28,000 Australians and 8,000 New Zealanders and was the last sight of their homeland for many of these troops who travelled to Egypt for further training and ultimately to Gallipoli, Palestine and the Western Front.

The official commemorative events began on Saturday morning with a ceremonial march down York St featuring units from the Australian Defence Force, New Zealand and Japanese navies as well as 500 Australian veterans. The march featured the Australian Army colours and was reviewed by the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove. Also in attendance was the Prime Minister, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key along with a host of international visitors, ministers, members of parliament, senior military personnel as well as an estimated 40,000 spectators.

Following the March a remembrance service was held led by the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand. One of the lasting legacies of the weekend is the National Anzac Centre, which overlooks King George Sound where the convoy assembled and which retells the wartime stories of 36 men and women who left on the first convoy. The centre was officially opened by the Prime Minister and Premier of Western Australia the Hon. Colin Barnett.

The final official event of the weekend was the steaming past of the seven warships in a re-enactment of the departure of the first convoy. The years of effort and planning ensured this historic event ran seamlessly and the City of Albany, the Albany sub-branch of the RSL, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Premier and Cabinet all deserve our thanks and praise for an outstanding event.