06 April 2009 0:00
PM amongst thousands at memorial service
By Dave O’Neill
editor@australiantimes.co.uk
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minster Kevin Rudd joined thousands of Ex-pats, and distinguished guests including the Prince of Wales at the Victorian Bush fire memorial service last week. Over two thousand attended the service held at Westminster Abby to pay their respect to those who lost their lives on what we now know as Black Saturday.
In a moving speech the PM conveyed the horror of the fires, “The over whelming terror” that brought the country to its knees, killed so many and left so many more homeless. He spoke of the courageous fire fighters who fought the flames with “heroic bravery” and offered condolences to those in attendance who had lost loved ones in the tragedy.
The service provided the Australian ex-pat community a chance ease the pain caused by separation, a frustrating period for many, spent waiting for updates, trying to grasp the enormity of the tragedy. The service to mourn the victims allowed us to show that while there are 12 thousand miles between London and Australia, our hearts and our minds are still very much at home.
Mr Rudd’s spoke with sincerity in his gratitude for the support of Australians living in London. “To you, this great Australian community, in this great city, we say thank you”. He also paid tribute to the support our nation has received all over the world and in particular from Prince Charles, the elected government and the British public.
Though there was sure to be many in attendance who originated from some of the worst affected areas there was also support from right across the country. Queenslanders Jess and Lisa were amongst many from outside of Victoria and described what was a common theme in many answers, saying “that they felt privileged to be part of the service and feel connected in some way despite being so removed from the tragedy”.
Others such as Victorians Sarah and Shane felt bound to attend to support Family members who had been caught up in the nightmare. Sarah informed us that her Uncle and Aunty lost their home in the Kinglake fire but were lucky enough to survive the inferno. She said “They had spent so much time attending services such as these and trying to recover; that she felt this was her way of shower her support that she was thinking of them from a million miles away”.
The Service was concluded with the Advance Australia Fair, sung proudly by those in attendance it illustrated the patriotism and heartfelt sadness that has seen tens of thousands raised from fund raising efforts across London in the past month.
Kevin Rudd offered sincere thanks to people of Britain and also the Ex pat community when he spoke at the Victorian Bush fire memorial service last Tuesday. In a beautiful service held in the magnificent Westminster Abby, those who lost their lives were honoured as thousands turned out to pay their respects.