Two decades marked for memorial

TWENTY years since the unveiling of Australia’s first memorial to the country’s prisoners of war were acknowledged on Sunday with a service including dignitaries and the public.

Hundreds gathered in front of the memorial’s large stone sculptures along Carlton Street to reflect on its significance to the 36,400 Australians imprisoned during conflict.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the attendees and was the first in the role to attend the memorial ceremony.

He said the site was one of great significance for the country.

“The course of our national history has been shaped and it’s been changed here,” he said.

“It’s a place where leaders are born and where the past is present, and we find an important part of our past here at the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial.

“It’s been a great honour to be the first Prime Minister to be here at what is a very important ceremony, one in which we ensure stories continue to get told.”

Other attendees included Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, as well as City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson, members of various RSLs, the memorial’s trustees, and State Government representatives.

Governor-General David Hurley preceded Mr Albanese’ address, and said the memorial is a constant reminder of the sacrifice made by Australian prisoners of war.

“Our POWs enlisted to serve their country,” he said. “Their capture and their detention did not diminish their service.

“Indeed, it enabled them to live out their Anzac legacy to the full. Endurance, mateship, courage, and sacrifice, we just saw it play out in a different way.”

Following public addresses, a wreath laying was held at the memorial’s centre.