Today began at Perth airport at 10pm Sunday night, preparing for a Malaysian Airlines flight departing Perth at 1.20am. We consisted of 10 students from around the state and 3 teachers, all representing the state on The 2012 Premiers ANZAC Day Tour. This year Europe has been exchanged for Malaysia, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore. Rather than being in Singapore, we have travelled to Sarawak and Sabah, the most eastern states of Malaysia. We are here to commemorate the internment and death of nearly 1800 Australian POWs, who were transferred her from Singapore in 1942. The so called " Death Marches" are a little known aspect of Australian history, that should be recognized as one of our worst atrocities of war.
Although very tired, we attended a twilight ceremony commemorating 13 Malaysian nationals who gave their lives while trying to save Australian POWs. These men were executed in 1944 by the Japanese because of the assistance they offered to the Australians. We, along with the Borneo memorial group and the State government laid wreaths. Our poppies provided the final tribute today.
Lynne
Lynne- Sent from my iPad
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