***Baz and a Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel, Menari Village, Papua New Guinea***

The 25^th of April is a day that Australian’s reflect on the military service Australian men and women have given to our country.

To remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice; to remember the Australian men and women who are currently serving in theatres of war, and in peace keeping roles around the world.

To all I say, thank you.

Something close to me is the time I spent living in Papua New Guinea and the times that I have visited since leaving, more recently in 2006 when I walked the Kokoda Track with a good mate, Bob Todd.

The Kokoda Track saw some of most fierce fighting that Australian troops have ever faced.

Courage, Endurance, Mateship, Sacrifice - Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea — ***Courage, Endurance, Mateship, Sacrifice – Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea***

And we should never forget the sacrifices that were made by our good friends, legends of the Kokoda Track, the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels; the Papuan New Guineans who carried supplies and our wounded, often making the ultimate sacrifice at the hands of an unyielding foe.

Standing at the top of the final hill after six days along The Track, Bob and I looked back over the ranges and I swear we could hear that distinctive Aussie drawl…

The sounds of mates helping their mates.

An enduring Australian quaility - Mateship. Bob and Baz, the Kokoda Track trails into the distance behind us — ***An enduring Australian quality – Mateship***

And I’m sure that on this day if you were to stand on the battlefields of the Somme or the beaches of Gallipoli, if you listen carefully, you too will hear our boys and girls; the men and women who never returned home to loved ones!

Our memory of them will live on forever…