Australians and Papua New Guineans to mark Anzac centenary
24 April 2015
AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION IN PNG
AUSTRALIANS and Papua New Guineans will gather at services and ceremonies around PNG to commemorate Anzac Day tomorrow.
The Returned and Services League of Australia (Port Moresby Sub Branch) will hold a dawn service at Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby starting at 4.30am and says everyone is welcome to join in the ceremony.
Services will also be held in Alotau, Madang, Kokopo, Rabaul, Isurava, Lae, Kimbe, Wewak, Popondetta, Kavieng, Tabubil, Bulolo and Manus.
“One hundred years ago, on 25 April 1915, Australians troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli, beginning a gruelling eight-month campaign,” Australian High Commissioner Deborah Stokes said.
“More than 8,700 lost their lives during the Gallipoli campaign, with more than 2,000 casualties on the first day alone.
“Anzac Day is an opportunity to reflect on the spirit of Anzac forged at Gallipoli and continued in the jungles and mountains of PNG and to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of all service men and women.”
Ms Stokes said Australia will never forget the service and sacrifice of the brave Papua New Guineans.
“In World War II, Australians fought alongside men of the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the Pacific Islands Regiment.
“They were assisted by about 50,000 Papuan and New Guinean civilians who carried supplies, evacuated the sick and wounded, and built bases, airfields and other infrastructure.
PNG Attitude will present special Anzac Day features tomorrow with prose, reminiscence and poetry
The arc of history, blood and toil makes our relationship unique.
No changes in geopolitics and dynamism will jolt this understanding as we continue to progress.
Lest we forget.
Happy anniversary.
Posted by: Corney Korokan Alone | 24 April 2015 at 06:36 AM