Australian War Memorial's VP Day Last Post Ceremony

Yesterday, the Australian War Memorial's VP Day Last Post Ceremony was a poignant occasion to pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of twelve World War II veterans. As we gathered to honor their service, we were reminded of the profound impact their selfless acts have had on our nation and our lives.

We are deeply grateful for the service of Gerald Kelly Buttrose, Les Cook, and Theodore Gordon Darlington from the Australian Army, Roy Walter Bernard Day, Joyce Lorna Daymon (née Watts), Kevin Gordon Hocking, John Fenley McDonald, John Tasman McKenzie, Arthur Walker, and David John Westwood from the Royal Australian Air Force, and Gerald Shepherd and Reginald Thomas Swanborough from the Royal Australian Navy. Their contributions will never be forgotten, and we are forever in their debt.

In a separate yet equally remarkable ceremony, the Governor-General presented the first St John Ambulance ACT Save a Life Award to Josh Way, who displayed extraordinary courage and decisive actions in providing life-saving first aid to a Canberra student hit by a car. What makes Josh's story even more remarkable is that he acted to save the life of another while his own son had been injured in the same incident.

The Governor-General commended Josh's selflessness, acknowledging that his actions were not motivated by a desire for recognition or thanks. Instead, they embodied the spirit of the Order of St John – acting with integrity, dedicated to relieving sickness, suffering, and distress, and preserving life.

During the same ceremony, the Governor-General invested four outstanding individuals with the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and presented awards to four other volunteers. The recipients of these significant and important awards included Mr. Paul Singer CVO CStJ, Ms. Lauren Allen MStJ, Mr. Wade Chudzinski MStJ, Ms. Fairlie Tucker MStJ, Mr. Peter Le Couru KStJ, Mr. Len Firori KStJ, and Mr. Ben Liu.

As we reflect on these remarkable stories, we are reminded of the power of human kindness, compassion, and courage. We are inspired by the selflessness of those who have served our nation and those who continue to make a difference in their communities.

In the face of adversity, these individuals have demonstrated the highest levels of bravery, integrity, and devotion to duty. They are shining examples of the best of humanity, and we are honored to recognize their achievements.

As we move forward, may we draw inspiration from their examples and strive to emulate their values of compassion, courage, and service to others. May we also remember the sacrifices of those who have come before us, and may we continue to work towards a brighter, more peaceful future for all.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the veterans, Josh Way, and all the award recipients for their remarkable contributions. We are proud to recognize their achievements and to celebrate their stories, which serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration to us all.