Anzac Day Parade to Commemorate the 104th Anniversary of the Landing at Gallipoli by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC)

My Fellow Queenslanders,

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of these lands and express respect for their elders, past, present and emerging.

It was 103 years ago, in 1916, mid way through the Great War, that the people of Brisbane collectively adopted a series of formal resolutions. By those resolutions, they sought to humbly express their solemn respect and gratitude for the selfless, courageous service of the 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 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.

“Lest we forget.”