Page 1203 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 10 April 2018
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The courage and sacrifice of Harold Thorpe, Ian Ray, Eric Peterson, Lindsay Knowles, Ian Ingram, Wally Hall, Bill Dullard, Mick Clements and Frank Browning were originally acknowledged with a plaque that was unveiled in the foyer of Manuka pool in 1947. These young men aged 18 to 25 were among the best and brightest of young Canberrans. They lived with their families in Ainslie, Reid, Forrest, Griffith and Red Hill. Most attended Canberra High School or Telopea Park School, and most went on to join the public service after graduation.
Five of these men began their military careers before the war by joining the 3rd Infantry Battalion. The others joined after the commencement of hostilities, answering their nation’s call to serve. They served on the home front and on active service in Europe, North Africa, Malaya, New Guinea, India and Borneo.
After 70 years, the memorial plaque was showing its age. Restoring the plaque has been no easy feat. The Friends of Manuka Pool have spent about 12 months working on this project. The plaque has now been restored and rededicated to the memory of those nine men who gave their lives for our country.
The plaque is now accompanied by a beautiful photograph showing a young group of friends boarding a train at Canberra station as they left for war. The honour roll was unveiled on the evening of Canberra Day at a moving ceremony in the foyer of Manuka pool, against the backdrop of children’s laughter as Canberra families made the most of the public holiday and the dying days of summer.
Merv Knowles, brother to Lindsay Knowles, shared stories of his and his brother’s adventures at the pool. Merv and his brother were present for the Christmas Day opening of the pool in 1930 and Merv, now 95 years of age, still regularly swims laps at the pool.
The unveiling was followed by the Last Post, played by musician Justin Williams from the RMC band, a particular highlight, with ceremony attendees and swimmers standing side by side. I thank Air Commodore Matt Hegarty, Commandant, Australian Command and Staff College, for unveiling the restored honour roll. Other special guests included members of the Browning and Dullard families, along with the Knowleses.
I particularly commend the Friends of Manuka Pool for all of their hard work and effort in restoring this memorial and reminding us of the sacrifice that so many young Canberrans made during the war so that we might continue to enjoy the freedoms that we have today.
Education—early childhood
MS ORR (Yerrabi) (4.36): On 27 March this year early childhood educators across the country walked off the job in record numbers to demand government-funded pay equity. Today I would like to take the opportunity to proudly stand in solidarity with these workers. Despite having some of the lowest professional wages in this country, early childhood educators undertake demanding work that requires them to be highly
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