A day of reflection

As His Excellency Jean-Pierre Thébault, Ambassador of France to Australia, arrived at Government House this morning, both he and Governor Beazley had a potent visual reminder of shared service, duty and sacrifice by France and Australia.

The gardens at Government House are now resplendent with red crocheted poppies, created and installed by RSLWA, as part of our remembrance of ANZAC Day on Monday, 25 April.

During a friendly and wide-ranging conversation, the two discussed the role of Europe in global security in a post-Brexit world and regional security matters closer to home. As nations both with deep and long-held ties to the Pacific, Australia and France have broad mutual interests that date back centuries and with bright prospects for future collaboration in many areas.

WA’s longest-serving President of the Children’s Court

Detention Centres for juvenile offenders is not normally polite lunch conversation. But that was the topic at hand when Judge Denis Reynolds sat down with the Governor today.

For 14 years, from 2004 until 2018, Judge Reynolds served as President of the Children’s Court of Western Australia. As Head of Jurisdiction, he provided strong support to the Drug Court in the Perth Children’s Court, with the aim of rehabilitating children and young people from the effects of drug use and supporting them to develop stronger relationships with their families and the community.

Pre-lunch discussions take place in the Drawing Room.

He was then named in the Western Australian of the Year awards in the Community category in 2012 for his work in furthering the understanding and promoting the well-being of our Aboriginal populations.

Mr Reynolds has been critical of detention arrangements for young offenders and he urged a whole-of-Government approach to achieve better solutions for children, particularly for those in detention.

Also in attendance was the Director-General of the Department of Justice Dr Adam Tomison, Commissioner for Children and Young People Ms Jacqueline McGowan-Jones and the Inspector of Custodial Services Mr Eamon Ryan.

Remembering Crete

The Governor greets members of the committee.

Members of the Western Australian Battle of Crete Memorial Committee visited Government House today to update the Governor on their progress.

The plan is to create a war memorial signifying the significance of the Battle of Crete for both Australians and Greeks. To commemorate the courage, commitment and ultimate sacrifices of those who served in this brutal onslaught, the committee has selected Smith’s Sculptors to develop a design incorporating a polished marble column, broken and bowed – signifying a young life cut short.

The Governor hears of the committee’s plan for a new memorial.

The Battle of Crete began on 20th May 1941 with German airborne assault. The depleted 6th Division, Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF), joined by the New Zealand Division and an array of British and local Greek forces became the targets of this attack.

10 days of fierce fighting ensued and, despite inflicting severe losses on the Germans, the Allied position on Crete became untenable and they were forced to evacuate. Over 12,000 personnel were captured by the enemy but, luckily, many evaded the Germans and were sheltered by civilians. Including members of the 2/11 Battalion, some escaped with the help of Cretan civilians.

 

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