The First Resolution

My Fellow Queenslanders,

At innumerable locations throughout our State today, we Queenslanders are joining together to acknowledge, with profound gratitude, the great sacrifice of those who have fought in armed conflicts to secure the freedom we enjoy.

We are also acknowledging, with pride, the dedication of our serving men and women, many of whom have recently departed our shores.

I know that you, like me, will be appreciating the awe-inspiring privilege of being here, this morning, at this centenary Anzac parade.

It was in 1916, mid way through the Great War, that the people of Brisbane collectively adopted formal resolutions. By those resolutions, they sought, sought humbly, to express their solemn respect and gratitude for the selfless, courageous service men and women of the first Australian Imperial Force.

These resolutions, now incorporating reference to subsequent conflicts, have ever since been read aloud in public at this deeply significant and moving annual commemoration.

While the language is of other eras, its message is timeless.

In furtherance of that tradition, I will now read “the First Resolution”:

This meeting reaffirms its admiration of the magnificent heroism, self-sacrifice and endurance of the Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Nursing Sisters of Australia and New Zealand who, on the first ANZAC Day and throughout the Great War of 1914–18, conferred a glory on Australia and New Zealand that will never fade.

This Meeting avers that the lofty ideals of service of the ANZACs pervaded the dauntless spirit of Australia’s gallant sons and daughters who, during a period of six years of fierce and intensive warfare on land, on sea, and in the air, from 1939 to 1945 gave such heroic and self-sacrificing service in the cause of liberty; and the same lofty ideals of service were exemplified in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam and every other place around the globe where peacekeeping, peacemaking and the fight against terrorism take our servicemen and women.

This Meeting voices its heartfelt sympathy with the relatives of those who, during these wars and conflicts, made the supreme sacrifice, and with those who have suffered on behalf of the Commonwealth.