Sunday, 27 August 2023
Government House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Thank you, Minister^[1],

Bujari gamarruwa  Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

In greeting you in the language of the Gadigal, Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather, I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. I extend that respect also to all First Nations people who have served, and continue to serve, in our Defence Force with such distinction.

I acknowledge, too, the presence of the Premier, and thank him for hosting this Reception, and continuing the tradition of bringing together those who served in Korea and in Vietnam.

The ceremonies we have each year on the 27^th of July - Korean Veterans’ Day ^– and on the 18^th of August - Vietnam Veterans’ Day - are occasions of solemn reflection and for many, including Australian war widows, of deep sadness.

But as they and all of you have learned, although life never returns to the ‘old’ normality, the sun does shine again.

And so, this afternoon is a relaxed occasion to enjoy the sunshine and the garden, but most importantly to savour the camaraderie and friendship that first brought you together.

There is a rhetorical device called apophasis - when a speaker wants to draw attention to an issue by expressly saying they are not going to mention it.

This afternoon, I thought I might first indulge in a little of this.

It is for that reason I have decided not to list the statistics so often cited in regard to Australia’s involvement in both these wars: the numbers who served, the numbers who were injured, the numbers who fell. Nor will I refer to the significant battles, nor the numerous honours and distinctions achieved by Australians in them.

I omit these facts not because they aren’t significant but because everybody in this room not only knows them but lived them. You experienced the challenges, the loneliness, the strangeness, and the gallantry of those wars; you forged the high reputation our Defence Force gained as a result. 

The National Museum’s website carries this notation: Australian servicemen and women returning from Korea were largely greeted with indifference. The Australian public was unsupportive of a war that had become mired in stalemate with an enemy that posed no direct threat to Australia.^[2]

Korea became known as the ‘forgotten war’. 

For those who served in Vietnam, the country you so proudly served seemed to turn away. And so, you turned to each other. You supported each other, you formed organisations, you advocated for one another’s causes. And in turn you made a real difference of a different kind to the country you had served.

You brought out from the shadows what should never have been ignored. You were no longer an embarrassment. You embarrassed us. And, in doing so, you made us realise that you were important. You reminded us, perhaps even taught us, that compassion, pride, and practical support are the values that matter.

For making us a nation that cares, we express our deep respect and gratitude. To all Korean and Vietnam Veterans - we thank you again for your service.