Queanbeyan Legacy Memorial Wall
Queanbeyan LegacyRemembrance Day War Memorial Dedication Speech
Dedication - 11/11/25Today we gather in solemn reflection and deep gratitude to dedicate this new commemoration wall — a lasting tribute to the men and women who have served and died in the defence of our nation.
This memorial has been made possible through the generosity and support of the Saluting Their Service grant from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and a Stronger Communities Programme Federal grant. Their assistance has helped bring this vision to life, and I think we would all agree that the finished wall before us more than meets the need — a dignified and enduring place for remembrance. To those here today that played a role, we thank you.
Memorials such as this fulfill an essential role in our communities. They give us a place to recognize, to remember, and to learn — to reflect upon the profound losses and the extraordinary achievements that have shaped our nation’s history through war and through peace. They remind us that freedom and peace were bought at great cost — paid by those who answered the call to serve, often far from home, and too often never returned.
As we dedicate this wall, let us remember all who have worn our nation’s uniform — those who stood in defence of Australia and its values, those who endured the hardships of service, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Let us also remember the families who waited, who mourned, and who carried the legacy of their loved ones forward.
This commemoration wall is dedicated to all who have served and died — to those we knew, and those whose names and stories we may never know, but whose memory we will always treasure.
May this place stand as a reminder to future generations of the courage, sacrifice, and spirit of those who served — and may we, in our remembrance, renew our commitment to peace.
Lest we forget