| Fizah HAB |
DESPITE the poor weather, over 200 Australians, New Zealanders and Bruneians yesterday attended the pre-dawn service at the Brunei-Australia Memorial in Muara Beach, in remembrance of the servicemen and women of Australia and New Zealand, on Anzac Day.
Muara Beach is the site where the Allied Forces, led by Australia’s 9th Division, landed in Brunei on June 10, 1945, as part of the campaign to liberate Borneo.
Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander Major General Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud attended the event on behalf of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Government. He laid a wreath at the memorial on behalf of the RBAF.
The dawn service included a prayer of remembrance and poetry recitals by government and military officials from Australia and New Zealand.
Visiting Australian naval frigate, HMAS Toowoomba, provided the Catafalque Party (ceremonial guard), and the RBAF Gurkha Reserve Unit provided pipers and buglers.
Matthew Mann and Ellie Shaw from Jerudong International School participated as flag orderlies.
Following the service, VIP guests and senior Brunei military officials were hosted aboard HMAS Toowoomba for a traditional Anzac Day commemorative breakfast.
Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Nicola Rosenblum said, “Anzac Day is not a commemoration of the victories or defeats of Australia or New Zealand at war. Rather, we honour the ordinary men and women who have made personal sacrifices, many giving their lives, for the freedom we enjoy today.”
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