Page 1188 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 24 April 1990
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on the eve of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli to comment briefly on another battle in which Australian troops upheld the tradition of the 1st AIF. This was some 39 years ago on another peninsula - this time in Asia.
I am referring to the battle of Kapyong River in Korea when Australian soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, as members of the 27th Commonwealth Brigade on Hill 504 joined their Canadian counterparts, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment, on the other side of the Kapyong River in blunting and eventually halting a minor Chinese advance just below the 38th parallel in Korea. Men of the 16th New Zealand Artillery Regiment supported their Commonwealth and Anzac colleagues in this battle along with the tank men of the 72nd United States Heavy Tank Battalion. Three of these units, the Australian and Canadian Battalions and the US Tank Battalion, were awarded the US Presidential Citation for their efforts.
Today the 3rd Battalion commemorated this event by a Kapyong Day parade, an event that I have participated in in my past career as a member of that battalion. Today in Canberra members of the battalion, both past and present, including many who were at Kapyong, joined together to remember these events at an informal lunch. Unfortunately, parliamentary duties prevented me from joining them.
The name of Kapyong has been added to the regimental colours of the various battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment alongside Long Tan and Coral, to name but two from the Vietnam War. I would like to take this opportunity to pause to reflect on the role of the members of the various battalions of the regiment in defence of our nation and the continuance of the Anzac spirit of fellowship in those that paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country.
I would also like us to remember those members who suffered injury during this service, as well as their families, friends and loved ones who also suffered as a result of service in conflicts overseas. As a member of the 3rd Battalion which saw service in Vietnam and with an uncle who was present at the battle of Kapyong, I feel I have some contact with those who remember not the glory of war - for there can be no such thing - but who reflect on the futility of this sort of activity. However, let us never forget that there were many who did not return. I close with the comment that I know will be made all around Australia tomorrow, "Lest we forget".
INAUGURATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA
Ministerial Statement and Paper
MR KAINE (Chief Minister), by leave: Mr Speaker, ceremonies to mark the inauguration of the University of
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