Mr GUNNER - 2012-02-21
Over the weekend, I attended a number of Bombing of Darwin events and had the good fortune to hear the Chief Minister speak at a number of those. Can you update the House on the commemorations of the Bombing of Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question in a spirit of how the whole weekend was conducted, not the churlishness of the Leader of the Opposition.
It was a very significant and moving event for veterans, families and their extended families who were here 70 years ago, I congratulate everyone who was involved. We worked with Darwin City Council on a number of events. Many public servants, volunteer groups and organisations worked on this. I have to say, having attended many Bombing of Darwin commemorations over the years, this was the best organised and best attended. I also thank the media outlets throughout Australia which made a real effort to let the nation know what happened here 70 years ago.
We held a free Bombing of Darwin Commemorative AFL game and the Tiwi Dancers wowed everyone at that. The Administrator presented a plaque and a plinth that will be sunk alongside the USS Peary to commemorate the 89 United States sailors who lost their lives. More than 1000 survivors and family members attended a lunch on Friday at which I and other people spoke. It was a very significant event. We were all presented with a book, commissioned by me, from Peter and Sheila Forrest acknowledging, for the first time, the roles of civilians and families in Darwin.
Our Defence of Darwin Experience is now open for business. I pay tribute to the museum’s people in the department of NRETAS who have done an amazing job in putting together a world-class commemorative experience of the Bombing of Darwin. I spoke at that particular event as well. It was great to see the Darwin Middle School kids immersed in the experience and benefiting from that.
One of the highlights at the USS Peary commemoration was a very moving speech by the American Ambassador on the importance of the Australia-US Alliance. When I receive a copy of the speech from the Ambassador’s office, I will seek to have it incorporated into the Parliamentary Record.
Madam Speaker, this was a day to remember, to reflect, to commemorate the sacrifice, and also to recognise the spirit and great friendship we now have with the nation of Japan which we were at war with 70 years ago. I thank everyone involved in putting together the schedule of events. It was very significant; it will go down in history. I am surprised at the churlishness of the Leader of the Opposition’s comments.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question in a spirit of how the whole weekend was conducted, not the churlishness of the Leader of the Opposition.
It was a very significant and moving event for veterans, families and their extended families who were here 70 years ago, I congratulate everyone who was involved. We worked with Darwin City Council on a number of events. Many public servants, volunteer groups and organisations worked on this. I have to say, having attended many Bombing of Darwin commemorations over the years, this was the best organised and best attended. I also thank the media outlets throughout Australia which made a real effort to let the nation know what happened here 70 years ago.
We held a free Bombing of Darwin Commemorative AFL game and the Tiwi Dancers wowed everyone at that. The Administrator presented a plaque and a plinth that will be sunk alongside the USS Peary to commemorate the 89 United States sailors who lost their lives. More than 1000 survivors and family members attended a lunch on Friday at which I and other people spoke. It was a very significant event. We were all presented with a book, commissioned by me, from Peter and Sheila Forrest acknowledging, for the first time, the roles of civilians and families in Darwin.
Our Defence of Darwin Experience is now open for business. I pay tribute to the museum’s people in the department of NRETAS who have done an amazing job in putting together a world-class commemorative experience of the Bombing of Darwin. I spoke at that particular event as well. It was great to see the Darwin Middle School kids immersed in the experience and benefiting from that.
One of the highlights at the USS Peary commemoration was a very moving speech by the American Ambassador on the importance of the Australia-US Alliance. When I receive a copy of the speech from the Ambassador’s office, I will seek to have it incorporated into the Parliamentary Record.
Madam Speaker, this was a day to remember, to reflect, to commemorate the sacrifice, and also to recognise the spirit and great friendship we now have with the nation of Japan which we were at war with 70 years ago. I thank everyone involved in putting together the schedule of events. It was very significant; it will go down in history. I am surprised at the churlishness of the Leader of the Opposition’s comments.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016