Australians and Papua New Guineans to commemorate Anzac Centenary

Australians and Papua New Guineans will gather at services and ceremonies around PNG to commemorate Anzac Day on 25 April.

The Returned and Services League of Australia (Port Moresby Sub Branch) will hold a dawn service at Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery in Port Moresby on Saturday starting at 4.30am and welcomes everyone to join in the ceremony.

Services will also be held in Alotau, Madang, Kokopo, Rabaul, Isurava, Lae, Kimbe, Wewak, Popondetta, Kavieng, Tabubil, Bulolo and Manus.

“One hundred years ago, on 25 April 1915, Australians troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli, beginning a gruelling eight-month campaign,” Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, said.

“More than 8,700 lost their lives during the Gallipoli campaign, with more than 2,000 casualties on the first day alone.

“Anzac Day is an opportunity to reflect on the spirit of Anzac forged at Gallipoli and continued in the jungles and mountains of Papua New Guinea, and to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of all service men and women.”

Ms Stokes said Australia will never forget the service and sacrifice of the brave Papua New Guineans.

“In World War Two, Australians fought alongside men of the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the Pacific Islands Regiment. They were assisted by about 50,000 Papuan and New Guinean civilians who carried supplies, evacuated the sick and wounded, and built bases, airfields and other infrastructure. Through the World War Two Oral History Project, Papua New Guinea and Australia are recording and preserving many of these stories for future generations.”

Between 2014 and 2018 Australia will commemorate the Anzac Centenary, marking 100 years since our nation’s involvement in the First World War. Further information about Anzac Day and the Anzac Centenary can be found on the Anzac Centenary website at www.anzaccentenary.gov.au.