Battle for Australia Day 2008

Media Release – VA057
2008 Battle for Australia Day Ceremonies

Background

The Governor-General issued a proclamation on 19 June 2008 to declare the first Wednesday in September each year as Battle for Australia Day in recognition of the service and sacrifice of all those who served in defence of Australia in 1942 and 1943.

Ceremonies

Events commemorating Battle for Australia Day will be held in the following locations:

Australian Capital Territory

Event:	National Commemorative Service
Date:	3 September 2008
Time:	11:00am
Location:	Western Courtyard, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Principal Attendees:	Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP Civic leaders, Service chiefs and allied diplomatic representatives Mr Ed Killesteyn, A/g Secretary Department of Veterans’ Affairs

New South Wales

Sydney Event:	Commemorative Service
Date:	3 September 2008
Time:	11:00am
Location:	Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney
Principle Attendees:	Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO (TBC) The Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Retd) and Mrs Cosgrove Mr David Price AM, President, Battle for Australia Day Commemorative Committee, NSW RADM Nigel Coates AM RAN and Mrs Coates AIRCDRE Geoff Michael AO OBE AFC (Retd) Consul Generals of New Zealand, Greece and USA Ms Tanya Gadiel MP, Parliamentary Secretary, Member for Parramatta Mr Barry O’Farrell MP, Leader of the Opposition, Member for Ku-ring-gai Ms Jennifer Collins, A/g Deputy Commissioner, NSW

Newcastle Event:	Commemorative Service
Date:	3 September 2008
Time:	Awaiting advice
Location:	Newcastle
Principle Attendees:	LTCOL Laurie Kelly AM RFD ED (Retd)

Victoria

Melbourne Event:	Commemorative Service
Date:	3 September 2008
Time:	10:40am
Location:	Shrine of Remembrance, St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Principle Attendees:	The Hon Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs The Hon Tony Robinson MP, Minister Assisting the Premier as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Mr Mike O’Meara, Deputy Commissioner, Victoria

Queensland

Brisbane Event:	Commemorative Service
Date:	3 September 2008
Time:	11:00am
Location:	Battle for Australia Memorial, 80 George Street, Brisbane
Principle Attendees:	Guest of Honour, Brigadier Chris Hamilton ADC, representing Commander 1st Division Mr Phil Reeves MP, representing the Premier of Queensland Mr Paul Nerau, Consul General for Papua New Guinea Cr Nicole Johnson, representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane Commander Forbes Peters RAN SNOSQ Brigadier Bill Mellor, RUSI Group Captain Corrie Metz, RAAF Base, Amberley Mr Pat O’Keeffe, President, Battle for Australia Committee, Queensland Ms Alison Stanley, Deputy Commissioner, Queensland

Townsville Event:	Inaugural Battle for Australia Commemoration Dinner
Date:	3 September 2008
Time:	7:00pm
Location:	North Queensland Military Museum (TBC)
Principle Attendees:	MAJGEN John Hartley AO (Retd), Chairman, Battle for Australia Commemoration National Council LTCOL Andrew Hodgkinson, Project Officer, Army History Unit

Western Australia

Perth Event:	Commemorative Service
Date:	3 September 2008
Time:	10:15am
Location:	Flame of Remembrance, State War Memorial, Kings Park, Perth
Reviewing Officer:	Brigadier Phil White AM RFD, Army Area Representative, Headquarters 13th Brigade WA
Principle Attendees:	Representatives from the Government and Opposition in Western Australia Dr Kenneth Chern, Counsul General, United States Consulate General The Rt Hon, the Lord Mayor of Perth, Mrs Lisa Scaffidi WGCDR Russell Page ADC, Commanding Officer, Combat Support Unit RAAF Base Pearce CAPT Brett Dowsing Commanding Officer, HMAS Stirling, Fleet Base West Mr W E Gaynor OAM RFD, President, Returned & Services League - WA Representatives from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, Legacy and members of the Unit and Kindred Organisations Mr Arthur Edgar, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Western Australia

Tasmania

Hobart Event:	Commemorative Service
Date:	3 September 2008
Time:	11:00am
Location:	The Cenotaph, Queen’s Domain, Hobart
Principle Attendees:	State Government representatives Hobart City Council representatives Police and ex-service organisation representatives CMDR Tony Vine RAN Mrs Elizabeth Quinn, Deputy Commissioner, Tasmania