Today marks 105 years since the end of World War One, with Remembrance Day services across the country. More than a thousand people gathered at the Australian War Memorial for the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Canberra. Paying their respects to more than 103-thousand servicemen and women who have died in war. Today also marks 30 years since the internment of the Unknown Australian Soldier and a small number of dignitaries have been invited to lay a floral tribute at the tomb after the ceremony. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid his respects to those currently serving Australia today and who have in the past.
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00:00 The national ceremony here at the Australian War Memorial felt as significant and solemn
00:06 as ever. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in the front row with the Governor-General,
00:12 His Excellency David Hurley and his wife. Of course, the Chief of Defence Angus Campbell
00:17 was here and so too was the newly sworn in Chief Justice of the High Court Stephen Gagler.
00:24 But beyond the front row, the lawns were filled with uniformed personnel, veterans, their
00:30 families and hundreds of everyday people eager to pay their respects. As far as the actual
00:36 ceremony went, it was the powerful and iconic sounds of the catafalque party taking their
00:42 position at the Stone of Remembrance that really set the tone. And they were followed
00:47 by the really moving sounds of a didgeridoo, which was a tribute to the Aboriginal and
00:53 Torres Strait Islander peoples who have fought to defend their country throughout the years,
01:00 the historical years of war. After that, the Ode of Remembrance was recited, the Last Post
01:06 was played and as the clock struck 11 o'clock, the grounds fell silent as we honoured the
01:13 103,000 Australians who have lost their lives in armed conflict since 1885. The commemorative
01:22 address was given by Lieutenant General Natasha Fox, the ADF's Chief of Personnel, who spoke
01:29 about the two million Australians who have dedicated their life to service and have sacrificed
01:35 so we as Australians can enjoy choice and freedom.
01:41 To remember and be grateful for the legacy that has been left by the many Australians
01:47 who have served, to remember the consequences of war and conflict and importantly, to remember
01:56 so that we want, work for and do what we can to preserve peace, lest we forget.
02:06 Today marks 30 years since the interment of the unknown Australian soldier here on the
02:12 grounds of the Australian War Memorial. I think many Australians will remember that
02:17 day in 1993 when his coffin was brought up and that parade draped in an Australian flag
02:24 and on top of a gun carriage before being lowered into the Hall of Memory here. A really
02:30 unforgettable moment also on that day was the eulogy which was delivered by then Prime
02:35 Minister Paul Keating. Mr Keating spoke about the importance of not knowing and never knowing
02:42 anything about the unknown soldier, not his name, not his rank, not where he was born,
02:47 if he was a father or a husband. He then went on to famously say, "He is all of them and
02:54 he is one of us." And those are the words that are inscribed at the foot of his tomb.
03:00 Shortly after the national ceremony here concluded this morning, a select few of the dignitaries
03:06 were invited into the Hall of Memory to lay a floral tribute at that tomb, a very special
03:12 honour that has in past years been given to kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers,
03:18 so incredibly important.
03:20 [BLANK_AUDIO]