Address by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO,
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia,
on 31 March 2012 at Place Bir Hakeim
It is a great honour for me to be here today at Place Bir Hakeim.
To join with you in remembrance of all those who have sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.
Friends, this special place where we are gathered is truly symbolic.
The site where Caledonian volunteers congregated ahead of every major conflict, before heading to the Front.
The site where Australia commemorates the sacrifice of our servicemen and women on ANZAC Day.
We appreciate the support of the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia at that sacred remembrance.
The heavy price we paid in the Great War, so distant and so bloody,
indelibly marked Australia’s national character.
We lost 60,000 men; 156,000 more were wounded or taken prisoner.
A terrible loss for a nation of 5 million people.
The courage and fearlessness of those soldiers confirming their strength of character.
The grit that Australians still display today when called on to serve.
It marked the beginning of our ANZAC spirit.
This Monument to the Fallen pays tribute to New Caledonian soldiers enlisted in the French Forces of all wars.
Caledonians who showed themselves willing to travel to the other side of the world to fight for, and defend, the values we share and the freedoms we cherish.
On this first day of my visit, I am honoured to pay homage to all those who have
given their lives for peace.
Cooperation between French and Australian armed forces is a significant part of our relationship.
Today it takes the form of humanitarian disaster relief, information sharing and regular joint exercises.
Our servicemen and women standing side by side on operations including in Afghanistan.
With France’s support, Australia and New Caledonia have built a unique relationship.
One built on geographic proximity, where the legacy of Gondwanaland has brought us both valuable riches.
Today we have a strong bond.
We have developed a network of key players in business, tourism, education and the environment.
We have links with each other’s families and sports people.
Caledonians and Australians share a great love of sport and value healthy competition.
I know that the fourteenth Pacific Games in Noumea last August brought together all the countries of the Pacific in spirited rivalry.
Friends, our cooperation with the three French Collectivities of the Pacific is solid.
A series of wide-ranging programs are in place, including the Australia Scholarships.
The opportunity for Caledonian students to acquire new skills and friendships in Australia.
They will return home enriched and eager to play a role in the future development of their nation.
Friends, my visit to the Pacific has taken me to Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Samoa,
and I will be going on to Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands.
I wanted to come to New Caledonia to acknowledge the longstanding friendship between the people of France, the people of New Caledonia and the people of Australia.
My discussions here will provide great insights into the progress of the Noumea Accord in building a common destiny for your diverse peoples.
New Caledonia has an important role to play in the region.
As an interested and attentive neighbour, Australia will walk alongside you
on the path to peace and prosperity that you have mapped out.
Today I am honoured to commemorate the bravery of your compatriots.
To celebrate the brotherhood-in-arms that has linked Australia and France for almost one hundred years.
To pay tribute to our bilateral relationship in all its richness.
I salute you.