New Zealanders and Australians in Vanuatu joined the people of Vanuatu to commemorate ANZAC Day with a dawn service Thursday morning
In Port Vila the President, Obed Moses Tallis, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat attended the service at the Cenotaph grounds with the New Zealand High Commissioner, Jonathan Schwass and the Australian High Commissioner, Jenny Da Rin.
“On ANZAC Day we remember the appalling losses of the First World War, and all the wars which followed. We remember those who died and we acknowledge the suffering of those who were imprisoned in war, those who came home damaged, and those whose lives were destroyed by the grief of losing a loved one,” Mr Schwass said.
“Australia and New Zealand share a unique relationship and we work together to keep the ANZAC spirit alive. This is reflected in the way we cooperate in the Pacific and our shared commitment to the security and prosperity of our Pacific region,” said Ms Da Rin.
The diplomats thanked the Lord Mayor of Port Vila town, the Port Vila Municipal Council members of the Vanuatu Police Force, the Vanuatu Christian Council, Port Vila International School, and the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu for their assistance with the dawn service.
This year marks the 104th anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915.