Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

MR_100910_1 ANZAC Day across PNG

Media release

22 April 2010

For immediate release

ANZAC Day ceremonies to take place across PNG

 

ANZAC Day this year on Sunday 25 April marks the 95th anniversary of the landing on the beaches of Gallipoli by the soldiers from the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.

In Papua New Guinea (PNG) ANZAC Day activities are of particular significance because of the prominent actions by the Allied Forces during the Pacific Campaign in World War II.

This year’s ANZAC Day dawn services and wreath laying ceremonies will take place wherever an official Australian memorial is located. These memorials are at Bomana, Alotau, Rabaul, Wau, Isurava, Kimbe, Wewak, Madang and Sogeri.

“ANZAC Day is not a time for glorification but for sombre reflection. The sight of so many graves at places like Bomana reminds us of the terrible cost of war.

“For Australia one of the toughest tests was here in Papua New Guinea during World War II, in places that are now part of the history we share with Papua New Guinea – Kokoda, Milne Bay, Buna, Gona and Bougainville, to name a few,” Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ian Kemish, said.

The Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane, will attend the Bomana Cemetery Dawn Service in Port Moresby, along with Mr Kemish. Australian High Commission staff and Australian Defence Force personnel will represent the High Commissioner at the other locations.