Lest We Forget Harbour Sunset Tribute held in Sydney Opera House forecourt for first time
Around 4000 people gathered at the Sydney Opera House for the Anzac Day eve sunset service, with Australia’s richest person taking the opportunity to call for a massive rise in the country’s defence spending.
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They came from all over Sydney to witness a time-capsule moment in Australian history.
The Anzac Day eve sunset service – staged for the first time in the forecourt of Sydney Opera House – was a collection of memorable and emotional tributes, music and silent remembrance.
Three centenarian World War II veterans, including Sydney-based John McAuley, 100, were proudly in attendance, an array of medals on their chests.
An air force radar operator in New Guinea more than 80 years ago, Mr McAuley stood with Des Jones, the last survivor of the HMAS Canberra, and army veteran Norma Booth as tributes to the trio were read.
Wreaths were laid at the start of the service by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car and state Opposition Leader Mark Speakman.
The political presence was strong: former prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison were also among the audience, with mining magnate Gina Rinehart – Australia’s richest person and primary partner of the event – taking the opportunity to deliver a message a week out from the federal election.
The billionaire businesswoman called for Australia’s defence budget to be massively increased to “5 per cent of GDP”.
After the opening speeches, pop icons of the 1960s, Little Pattie and Normie Rowe, gave a moving rendition of I Am Australian.
Tenor Mark Vincent performed You’ll Never Walk Alone, and Vietnam veteran Rowe returned to deliver a heartfelt performance of Bring Him Home from Les Miserables.
There was also a laying of wreaths in memory of the 19 Australian and two British sailors who lost their lives in the adjacent harbour waters when the HMAS Kuttabul was sunk by a midget Japanese submarine in 1942.
Billed as the Lest We Forget Harbour Sunset Tribute, a crowd of around 4000 gathered under partly cloudy skies, some dabbing at tears across the 90 minutes that closed with the Ode of Remembrance and The Last Post.
Retired US Marine Dick DeBoy, 45, who made three tours to Iraq, now lives in Australia and made the trip from Windsor in Sydney’s northwest “to support brothers and sisters in arms”.
“We all do the same things,” he said. “We support each other, one team. And my mum is here visiting so I wanted to bring her and show her the Aussie military heritage.”
For three friends who were called up to national service and served together in Vietnam – Barry Artup, Tim Mooney and Greg Spicer – the sunset service was the start of their Anzac Day reflections.
“Very emotional,” said Mr Mooney, who was wounded in the Vietnam conflict while serving with the 107 Field Battery.
“We’ll also be at the Dawn Service in Martin Place tomorrow.”
Jake Holt, 35, had his four children aged six to 16 with him. A former British soldier now serving in the Australian Army, his wife was singing in the choir.
“Being here is about honouring the service of those who have gone before,” he said.
Joanna Morrison from Mascot brought her daughter Gemma to the Opera House steps. Neither has a military connection.
“We go to the Dawn Service every year,” Joanna said. “And I saw this event as something special to come to.
“It should be viewed as a very proud moment for all of us.”
Sir Peter Cosgrove, a former Defence Force chief, ex-Governor General and patron of the Australian Remembrance Foundation, called the event “a special commemoration … a deeply inspiring moment to recognise our fallen, returned and currently serving military personnel”.
RSL NSW president Mick Bainbridge referenced World War I when he wrote in the program: “As we gather on the shores of Sydney Harbour we embrace the values that were forged at Gallipoli: mateship, courage, determination and resourcefulness.”
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Originally published as Lest We Forget Harbour Sunset Tribute held in Sydney Opera House forecourt for first time
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