Remote Remembrance Day for Navy in Queensland
HMAS Cairns took a northern outlook this year for Remembrance Day activities, sending Lieutenant Commander Ian Jackson, to Cooktown.
The event at Anzac Park was hosted by the RSL Sub Branch and was attended by many veterans of the Vietnam War.
“As a former Royal Naval hydrographer I was very keen to visit this wonderful Far North Queensland town and see the sites that my professional predecessor, James Cook, would have seen over 200 years ago,” Lieutenant Commander Jackson said.
“I regard it as an absolute honour to attend the service and have the opportunity to represent the Royal Australian Navy at such an event.
“I had the opportunity to lay a wreath on behalf of the Navy and to speak with many of the veterans from the local area.
“It is a real pleasure to interact with the veterans, listen to their stories and to be a part of the day."
A solemn and dignified service which was well attended by the local community and students from Cooktown State School.
“It was really gratifying to see the respect paid by all generations to those who had fallen and it was quite clear that the ANZAC spirit is alive and flourishing in Cooktown,” Lieutenant Commander Jackson said.
As a part of the visit, Lieutenant Commander Jackson attended the school to present the 2016 Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Awards during their annual awards evening.
“The visit to the local school was a highlight, the students had obviously worked very hard that year and the whole evening was a testament to the commitment and dedication of the teaching staff.
“The students who received the Long Tan awards had distinguished themselves from their colleagues by their strong values of mateship and teamwork,” Lieutenant Commander Jackson said.
The principal was extremely pleased to have a Defence Force representative at the evening and hoped that this would further strengthen the bond between Cooktown and Cairns.
Cairns has recently made a concerted effort to fulfil the volunteer requests in support of the Awards at local schools in the Cairns regional area.
Cairns has provided over 20 volunteers to attend school presentation evenings outside of regular working hours and travelling as far afield as Tully, Dimbulah, Mossman and Cooktown.
Engaging with the local region through such volunteer activities helps to ensure Navy understands and reflects the community it serves.
