A Service of Lament for Afghanistan, a visit to Perth Childrens Hospital, attending Asher Fisch with WASO

The Governor today joined the Dean of St George’s Cathedral The Very Reverend Chris Chataway, the Archbishop of Perth Kay Goldsworthy AO and Defence Force Chaplains of Perth at a special Service of Prayer and Lament for Afghanistan.

The Service recognised the impact of the conflict in Afghanistan – highlighted even more so with the tragic loss of life overnight – and to reflect on the ongoing affects the conflict has had on those who have lost loved ones.

It also recognised those who continue to struggle with the long lasting effects of deployment either through their service in the Defence Force, or their role as civilian workers in the Australian Government or with NGO’s, across the past 20 years.

“A deeply moving service with large numbers of veterans who served in Afghanistan remembering their colleagues, remembering their own experiences and thinking prayerfully for the Afghan people for whose freedom they fought.” – Governor Beazley. 

Visit to Perth Children’s Hospital

Earlier in the day the Governor paid a visit to Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) to take in some of the cutting-edge medical work being undertaken, and inspect the newly opened Koolangka Bridge linking the Hospital to nearby Kings Park.

PCH is home to the relatively new field of ‘interventional radiology’ that uses state-of-the-art technology to lessen the impact of invasive medical imaging procedures on children. The Governor toured a hospital theatre where this technology is in place and viewed a new Carbon Floating Surgical Table funded by the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

From there it was a stroll across the colourful new Koolangka Bridge, another major project supported by the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation. The Foundation committed $6.3 million in funding for the project which is aimed at providing easy access to Kings Park for patients and their families needing respite and distraction from the rigors of hospital treatment.

The Governor enjoyed a chat with local Aboriginal artist Kamsani Bin Salleh who created the mural underneath the bridge representing flora and fauna found on Noongar land across Perth and the south west.

Attended ‘Asher Fisch conducts The Planets’ with WASO

The day finished with the Governor and Ms Annus attending a wonderful performance by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) and the WASO chorus.

Photo – Master Conductor Asher Fisch in full flight with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Credit WASO

Led by Master Conductor Asher Fisch, the event ‘Asher Fisch conducts The Planets’ took the audience ‘out of this world’ on a musical journey that traversed the mysteries and magnificence of the Solar System.

Asher Fisch will be leading a further two WASO performances in September and you can find more details here

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