Commemorating ANZAC Day
ON the 25th of April every year we commemorate ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day holds profound significance not only for Australia and New Zealand, but for the entire Pacific region.
110 years ago, at dawn on April 25th, 1915 – Australian and New Zealand forces landed on the shores of Gallipoli, Turkey. What followed was an eight-month campaign that, though unsuccessful in its military objectives, gave birth to the ANZAC legend – a story of courage, endurance, sacrifice, and mateship that continues to inspire us more than a century later.
Here in Solomon Islands, we stand on ground that knows the cost of war all too well. During World War II, these islands witnessed some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific campaign. The Battle of Guadalcanal and subsequent campaigns across these islands changed the course of the war, but at an immense human cost.
In those dark days, a special bond was forged between Australia and Solomon Islands. We remember the Scouts and Coastwatchers – those brave Solomon Islanders who, at great personal risk, provided intelligence that saved countless lives.
These shared sacrifices and acts of courage are the foundation of our enduring friendship. More recently, Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Australian service men and women served side-by-side during the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands between (RAMSI) from 2003 and 2017 and the Solomons International Assistance Force from 2021 and 2024. Australia’s commitment to support the security and stability of Solomon Islands is enduring and steadfast.
In commemorating ANZAC Day at Honiara’s Central Police Station Cenotaph, we also acknowledge that former foes are united by their commitment to peace and stability. The challenges we face may be different – climate change, regional security, economic development – but the values that guide us remain the same. We stand together as regional partners, family and friends.
As time has passed and our experience of wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations continue to evolve, ANZAC Day has become an occasion for us to honour all service women and men.
I’d like to reflect on that service and particularly acknowledge the current and former serving members from Australia, Solomon Islands and New Zealand who continue to work in partnership. They reflect the ANZAC spirit of courage, resilience, and mateship which continues. to underpin our cooperation and enhance the security of our shared region.
The Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) in Solomon Islands exemplifies this partnership in action. Under the DCP, Australia’s Defence service men and women have been partnering with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) since 1982 to provide crucial security support led by Solomon Islands priorities.
The current DCP in Solomon Islands is bigger in breadth and depth than ever before, providing significant support to specialised areas of the RSIPF through training, embedded advisors and equipment. Our priorities include maritime security, explosive ordnance disposal, border surveillance, education, infrastructure, band, sport, medical and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Under the DCP, Exercise Coastwatchers is the premier bilateral training exercise between Defence and the RSIPF. The exercise is named after the Coastwatchers of World War II who worked alongside the heroic Solomon Scouts.
Already this year, Defence has delivered two Exercise Coastwatchers activities under the DCP – providing crucial leadup training ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum for key operational agencies. Since 2021, Defence has trained more than 1,000 RSIPF, Correctional Services, Customs & Immigration and National Disaster Management Office officers under Exercise Coastwatchers.
It is fantastic to see the continued mateship between our service men and women under the DCP as well as under other security programs, including the Australian Federal Police – Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Policing Partnership Program.
In reflecting on ANZAC Day here in Solomon Islands, we also acknowledge that peace is precious and never guaranteed. The sacrifices made by previous generations remind us of our responsibility to work together for a peaceful and prosperous Pacific.
As Solomon Islands’ nambawan security partner, Australia remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting the peace and stability of Solomon Islands and our shared Pacific region.
Lukim iu neks taem!
