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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-10-15 Daily Xml
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Military Commemorations

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:16): South Australia has a rich military heritage, and as I move around the community, I have the privilege to attend many events. On Thursday 11 September, I represented the Premier at the Naval Association of South Australia's commemoration of the centenary of the battle of Bita Paka. The assault on the Bita Paka wireless station in New Britain, in 1914, was the first military action by Australian servicemen in World War I. It was an operation carried out by landing parties from the Australian fleet. The first Australian military casualties in World War 1 were naval personnel killed at Bita Paka and one RAAMC officer. The first decorations to Australians in World War 1, including a DSO, were won that day by RAN personnel.

The victory at Bita Paka was followed by the capture of Rabaul. This was closely followed by the capture of the German Pacific Islands administration after action by Australian naval and military forces and bombardment by HMAS Encounter. The strategic importance of this victory has been understated if not lost in time. By denying the German East Asiatic Squadron its bases in all of the German Pacific territories, Australian naval forces ensured the safe passage of our troops to Europe and the Middle East. This also ensured the safe passage of merchant shipping in our area and removed the threat of bombardment of Australian coastal cities by the German warships.

On Saturday 13 September, I visited the re-enactment camp at the Morphettville Racecourse to commemorate the centenary of the raising of the First Contingent AIF. Morphettville was the site of the original formation camp for the 10th Battalion. These men were described as 'physically the finest their country could offer'. A similarly impressive number of re-enactors from all over Australia had established an authentic camp, including infantry, light horse, service and medical corps. Just as then, a march to Glenelg was held the following day. I really enjoyed seeing the effort that had been made by all involved to make the camp as original as possible. I thank all in attendance, particularly David Lean for greeting me on the day.

I was unable to attend the march because on the following day, Sunday 14 September, I represented the Minister for Veterans' Affairs at the Battle of Britain RAAF memorial service on the lawns of the Torrens Parade Ground, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force Association (SA Branch). No. 6 Wing, Australian Air Force Cadets are custodians of the Adelaide Air Force Memorial, and I believe provided the catafalque party for the day. Group Captain David Hombsch gave the statement of occasion and, as the relative of an airman involved in the battle, his words had a particular relevance. The story of Australian involvement in the Battle of Britain is not widely known. We owe a debt to the gallantry and bravery of the men involved and their families who, of course, as in all wars, bare the burden of not knowing when or if their loved ones will ever return.

More recently, on Friday 26 September, I attended the launch of the book A Duty Done by Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Fred Fairhead (also attended by the Governor, Hieu Van Le) at the Burnside RSL, which is the home of the Royal Australian Regiment Association (SA Branch). As an honorary member of the branch, I am always warmly welcomed there, and I thank president Michael von Berg and all at the Royal Australian Regiment Association for their continuing kindness. Most particularly, I would like to thank Jock Clarkson, who was there on the day and who first introduced me to the wider veteran community in South Australia, and Moose Dunlop who, as a past president of the Royal Australian Regiment Association, fostered my continuing links with the association through Kapyong Day and Long Tan Day commemorations.

The book, I am reliably informed, will eventually become the widely-recognised definitive work on the technical aspects of the Vietnam War. The assembled gathering of distinguished past and present serving personnel spoke volumes for the regard that both the author and the book are held.

Fred's grandson almost stole the show, and it was evident how his family had participated, particularly his wife, by contributing to support Fred throughout the years it has taken to bring the book to publication. I know Fred was grateful to all who contributed information for inclusion in the book. He gathered maps and interviewed many people involved in the battles and has, as I said, assembled this marvellous book which is available through the association—not for sale because it was the beneficiary of a government grant, but by a donation to the Royal Australian Regiment Association.

For anyone who has an interest in the actions that Australian troops have been involved in overseas and, more particularly, the Vietnam War which, of course, is a recent war in which so many of our current families would have been involved, it certainly goes to show how much effort the Australians put into their time in Vietnam, how they worked very hard to, as they say, win the hearts and minds of the people involved, but also the important tactical advantages and wins that they earned during their time in Vietnam.

It is a real tribute to all the men and women who were involved in the Vietnam War, and I also mention the activities of the Navy because the Navy was involved in supplying the Army forces during their time in Vietnam. I certainly recommend the book to you all. I have had a quick look through it and have lent it out already to someone else to have a read, so I look forward very much to reading it in the Christmas break.

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