Australian Parl't will honour Maru victims
26 April 2010
MORE
THAN 100 people have already registered for a special event at Parliament House
in
The Australian Parliament is set to debate an historic motion on Rabaul and the Montevideo Maru on Monday 21 June.
Former servicemen, relatives and friends are
invited to
The resolution will cover:
the gratitude of
the Australian nation to the military personnel and civilians in Rabaul and the
regret and sorrow
for the sacrifices that were made in the defence of Rabaul and the
condolences to the relatives of the people who died in this conflict
thanks to the relatives for their forbearance and efforts in ensuring that the nation remembers the sacrifices made
The list of speakers includes Catherine King (ALP Vic), Louise Markus (Lib NSW), Bruce Scott (Nat Qld), John Murphy (ALP NSW), Steven Ciobo (Lib Qld) and Bob Katter (Ind Qld).
A similar motion is expected be moved in the Senate by Senator Anne McEwen (ALP SA).
Eligible people who wish to attend these events need to register with Andrea Williams here.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the
Australian Parliament to expatiate a lot of the grief and misunderstanding
built up over the years since the men of the Montevideo Maru were lost in what
was a terrible disaster for
It will be a significant action by our Parliament: one that the few remaining men of Lark Force and the relatives of those who died, many of them now in their eighties and nineties, have been waiting for and will treasure.
They will travel to
In another development, the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Maj Gen (ret) Steve Gower has advised the Society that his Council has given in-principle approval for a Rabaul and Montevideo Maru monument to be constructed in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial.
Footnote: The Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society was established to ensure national recognition of Australia’s greatest maritime disaster, a tragedy of war that cost well over 1,000 lives and affected many thousands more. You can join the Society here. Membership is currently free.
At long last, and after many years of waiting by the remaining members of Lark force, and families of the victims of the Montevideo Maru tragedy to receive Parliamentary and Government recognition of the sacrifices of those who never returned. All the same, they did a great service for Australia and PNG in the dark days of WW2. To them, I say on behalf of my country and its citizens: thank you for your duty and service.
Posted by: Reginald Renagi | 26 April 2010 at 04:04 PM