Julian Simmonds (Ryan, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise in this place today to congratulate a Ryan resident from St Lucia, Lieutenant Colonel George Hulse (Retd), who is the vice-president of the Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dogs Association. He has recently written a book, which he released this year, titled In Dogs We Trust. I've had the privilege of reading it. It provides some very vivid and mesmerising firsthand accounts of military working dogs and their handlers in both the Australian Army and the Australian Air Force. I would like to encourage all members and, in fact, all Australians to read it so they can understand the unique efforts and sacrifice of military working dogs and their handlers. The book is easily available online for purchase, for those who wish to do so.

I would also encourage all Australians, particularly Ryan residents, to observe Military Working Dog Day on 7 June as a way of recognising these efforts and this sacrifice on a yearly basis. In particular, I recognise in this place the sacrifice of Sapper Darren Smith and his explosives dog, Herbie, whose story is one of those recounted in the book and who were killed in action in the service of our nation on 7 June 2010. Again, congratulations to Mr Hulse both for his advocacy in this space as part of the Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dogs Association and for the enormous work that he has put into this book. Those who do get the chance to read it will not be disappointed.