Darwin Remembrance Day service pays homage to Territorian soldiers

More than 200 people braved the humidity to commemorate the sacrifice of ADF members past and present.

For Brett Curran, Remembrance Day is deeply personal.

The president of Northern Territory Veterans MC said the annual event was a chance to support families that had lost loved ones to war.

“It’s a big thing for us obviously being ex-serving and current serving members,” he said.

“This gives us a chance to support families that lost loved ones back then in the Great War and back then it set the tone for the rest of the Defence Force.”

More than 200 Territorians braved the tough humidity to pay their Remembrance Day respects at the Darwin Cenotaph War Memorial on Saturday morning.

The service, attended by local families, ADF members and veterans, was also honoured with the presence of British, New Zealand and Singaporean service members.

In his speech, Brigadier Doug Pashley recognised service personnel of the past and also paid tribute to Darwin’s own Diggers currently deployed on operations.

In photos: Heroes remembered at touching Darwin service

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“On this day, our reflection extends to the present – to other conflicts: the Second World War, Vietnam War, Korean War and the approximately 1000 personnel who are currently deployed on operations,” he said.

“This includes the men and women from a very own Darwin base – 1st Brigade – who are presently stationed in the UK as part of Operation Kudu and training and equipping Ukrainian soldiers to defend their homeland against the unlawful invasion by Russia.”

The Last Post was sounded and a wreath was laid to respect the fallen.

Further respects were shown by MP Luke Gosling, opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro, and Veterans Affairs’ minister Brent Potter.

At the conclusion of the service, personal tributes were laid and attendees reflected on the significance of the date.

Mr Gosling, a veteran himself, said the occasion was a stark reminder the NT was the nation’s “frontline”.

He said he was proud of the Darwin-based service personnel on operations.

“I recently visited our (5th Battalion) men and women who are training the Ukrainians in the UK and they are doing an incredible job – they’re amazing ambassadors for our nation and we look forward to having them home for Christmas,” he said.

Originally published as Darwin Remembrance Day service pays homage to Territorian soldiers