Remembrance Day

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:16): Many commemorations have been taking place this year, and I recently attended one on behalf of the Minister for Veterans Affairs, organised by Legacy on Friday 31 October, to remember horses in war. It was fittingly held at the War Horse Memorial, that familiar landmark that we all know on the corner of North and East terraces. Many dignitaries from many other service organisations assembled with a large contingent of the public with an interest in the ceremony to welcome His Excellency the Governor Hieu Van Le in very hot and windy conditions.

Legacy is a uniquely Australian voluntary organisation established in 1923 and dedicated to supporting the families of incapacitated and deceased vets. Legacy's caring and compassionate service assists over 90,000 widows and 1,900 children and dependants with a disability nationally. In South Australia and Broken Hill over 8,000 widows and 120 children and dependants with a disability are assisted.

Support provided by Legacy now extends to include dependants of members of today's Australian defence forces who have lost their lives or health as a result of their military service. As a charitable not-for-profit organisation, Legacy works to raise most of its own funds. The service was enhanced by the attendance of men and horses from the Barossa Light Horse and a contingent of police greys. Thanks go to them and the catafalque party from the 1^st Armoured Regiment, chaplain Matthew Stuart from the 16^th Air Land Regiment, bugler Corporal Bowden from the Australian Army Band, and a member of Equestrian SA. The Pulteney Grammar School band provided the wonderful music for the service.

Legatee Reg Williams RFD provided the welcome and intros. Legacy President, Legatee Keith Bleechmore gave the address of remembrance. Gareth Heron, who was the Equestrian SA rep, gave a wonderful tribute to the horses and mentioned that this weekend, as the minister said earlier, the Parklands will host that wonderful world-class four-star three-day event. Major Roger Burzacott RFD (Retd) recited the ode to the fallen horses. The numbers of mounts lost during all conflicts was staggering, and after building close relationships and relying on the courage of their mounts, many soldiers were forced to put them down rather than have them have an uncertain future. I believe only one horse returned to Australia. We definitely will remember them.

Again, yesterday on Remembrance Day, I attended the ceremony at Modbury High School. Principal Martin Rumsby and deputy principal John Wood welcomed guests and students to what has become a wonderful local tradition. A catafalque party of RAAF cadets distinguished themselves with a very polished display. The school concert band, led by Ms Baker, gave its usual masterly performance, and Olivia Mitchard led vocals for the national anthem. School vice captains read the poem Why wear a poppy?—something we are all no doubt familiar with—and school captains assisted me with the wreath laying ceremony.

One of our highly decorated local vets, Rocky Anock, recited the ode. A really stirring moment was when piper Matthew Burford's rendition of Highland Cathedral rang through the gym, accompanied by the band. It was even more commendable when we realised that Matthew had only been playing the bagpipes for 12 months.

The highlight this year was the address by Flight Lieutenant Andrew Spear, who is a credit to his uniform, his family and all who have shaped him. Himself an Afghanistan veteran, he spoke of a posthumous VC winner, and used that fine example of service to country to inspire all who had gathered—the entire school student body, all staff and many associated with the school community. I have rarely heard a more inspiring or better crafted speech, which was truly from his heart. He will be a hard act to follow. Perhaps Brendan Nelson, himself a former student of Modbury High School and now director of the Australian War Memorial, can be coaxed into attending one of our events. I know that the actual Remembrance Day would be a very hard day to secure him, but we hope one day he will return to Modbury High and witness what has, as I said, become a fine local tradition.

I put on the record my admiration and thanks for all who are involved in this event to recall the valour of all who have served and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in war. Lest we forget.

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert.