Brett Whiteley (Braddon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a great honour for me as the member for Braddon to present seven 'Saluting Their Service' certificates of appreciation at a recent ceremony at the Ulverstone RSL club. The certificates express Australia's thanks and appreciation to those who served in our Defence Forces or on the home front in the Second World War or in wars, conflicts and peace operations overseas since the Second World War.

I would like to briefly acknowledge to the Australian parliament the service of each of those veterans that received a certificate of appreciation: Mr Athol Brown, who served in the second World War; Mr George Williams, who served also in the Second World War; Mr Harold Wilson, Second World War; Mr John Reid from Devonport, who served in the Indonesian confrontation; Mr Ian McFarlane from Wynyard, who served in the Vietnam War; Mr Paul Sweeney, who served in the Vietnam War; and Ms Jessica Webster, who served in the Iraq war and in the war in Afghanistan.

All veterans deserve a 'Saluting Their Service' certificate in recognition of their service and sacrifice. I encourage all veterans or the families of veterans to contact my office or visit my website to get a copy of the appreciation certificate application. It would be my honour to make that presentation on behalf of the parliament. There is no higher calling in my view than to serve our nation in the interest of defence, peace keeping and humanitarian support.