National Memorial Service gravity and gratitude

PHOTO: GARRY HOOKER PHOTO: JAKE SIMS

NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE:

GRAVITY AND GRATITUDE

Hundreds gathered in Canberra on 5 May to honour the commitment of all fire and emergency personnel, the tragic loss of those who have died in the line of duty and the families they left behind.

Above Jim Keatch of the SA Country Fire Service provides a reflection at the National Memorial Service.

Above right Memorial Medallions were presented to family members of those who had died in the line of duty.

ALANA BEITZ

AFAC

The eighth National Memorial Service for fire and emergency service personnel, held on Friday 5 May, commemorated 13 emergency personnel and presented a Memorial Medallion to each of their families.

Personnel from the ACT Emergency Services Agency, NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, SA Metropolitan Fire Service, SA Country Fire Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Tasmania Fire Service and the NT Fire and Rescue Service were recognised.

AFAC CEO Rob Webb said the National Memorial Service was an important day for the fire and emergency services sector to come together to pause and reflect.

“Today we gather on behalf of over 280,000 career and volunteer emergency services personnel

Jim Keatch of the SA Country Fire Service provided a reflection during the ceremony, reminding those gathered that “the pain of grief is the price we pay for love”.

“Many of you have come long distances to be here today. For some of you this day has become part of your life’s pilgrimages each year,” he said. “For all of you the journey from your homes to this place is but one part of your current journey—the difficult and heart-wrenching grief journey that began with the loss of your loved one whose name is now here before you.”

Twenty-four names, including the 13 commemorated, were engraved onto the Memorial Wall this year. The Memorial Wall is a permanent reminder of the 602 fire and emergency personnel who have lost their lives while keeping communities safe in Australia and New Zealand since records began.

The new inscriptions to the Memorial Wall include those

across Australia and New Zealand to acknowledge the sacrifice of those who have died, but also to provide some level of support for the families and friends who continue to grieve,” he said.

The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) acknowledged the value placed upon fire and emergency service personnel, both at an individual and national level.

“When Australians and New Zealanders see fire and emergency service personnel they are reassured. Help has arrived, because they are known to be special people,” the Governor-General said.

“To the families, I know this is a bittersweet and a difficult day for you. But please know that you are surrounded by people who care, people who mourn with you, and people who stand with you. Our nation is grateful for the service of your loved one and stronger for it.”

His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia addresses the National Memorial Service.

Left AFAC CEO Rob Webb, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and AFAC President and NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner Carlene York.

commemorated at this year’s National Memorial Service, as well as historical additions dating as far back as 1892. In his address on behalf of the AFAC National Council, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach acknowledged their service: “Some of the names added this year are historical. For some of the names added, their loss is still raw.

“The circumstances of their loss are all individual in nature, but they are united here on this memorial through their selfless sacrifice for their community.”

The National Memorial Service is an annual event timed to coincide with St Florian’s Day (4 May), the patron saint of firefighters.

For more information about the ceremony and the Honour Roll, and to watch the 2022 National Memorial Service, visit: https://memorial.afac. com.au.

Left Representatives from government, fire and emergency services, family and friends, and the public gathered to remember and reflect.