A MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR MERCHANT NAVY DAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2008
The service and sacrifice of Australia’s merchant mariners during wartime has been formally recognised with the Proclamation by the Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffrey AC CVO MC (Retired), that 3 September each year will be a day of national observance known as Merchant Navy Day.
From this year, Merchant Navy Day will be an occasion to give merchant mariners the prominence in Australia’s wartime history they deserve.
The role of Australian’s merchant mariners was vital and often dangerous, evacuating civilians from threatened areas and transporting supplies and personnel to and between areas of conflict.
Thousands of Australian merchant mariners have served during wartime on Australian, Commonwealth and Allied ships. Australian and Commonwealth memorials commemorate 435 Australians who lost their lives serving in the Merchant Navy.
It is important that Australians preserve the memory and history of all our service personnel.
Merchant Navy Day will serve to remind current and future generations that we owe an enormous debt to the merchant mariners whose service helped to secure the freedoms we now enjoy.
As Australia marks the first observance of Merchant Navy Day, all merchant mariners should be proud of their contribution to our nation.
Alan Griffin
Our photos show: Construction work on Stage Two of Newport Quays. See more at:
www.newportquays.com.au/
Merchant Navy Day flags, sponsored by the multi million dollar Port Riverfront residential development Newport Quays, flying on 28 flagpoles in Port Adelaide.
Minister Griffin and popular local MP Mark Butler who played an important role in the organising of of the first ever Merchant Navy Day March in Port Adelaide at 11 am on Wednesday September 3.
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