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- 27 August 2002
Battle Of Isurava And Milne Bay Sixtieth Anniversary
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Page: 4274
The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN [5.54 p.m.]: Sixty years ago today the fate of Australia hung in the balance when the Japanese launched a two-pronged attack on Milne Bay and Isurava. Two desperate battles were fought on 27 August 1942, sixty years ago today, against a hitherto undefeated enemy: a superior foe in manpower and firepower. History records that the Australians defeated the Japanese at the battle of Milne Bay, the first defeat ever inflicted on the Japanese until that stage of the war. The average age of the young Australian battalion at Isurava was 18½ years, and they hung on desperately while regular forces were brought back from the Middle East. That was the first time Australian regular and reserve forces fought side-by-side on Australian territory in defence of Australia.
Private Bruce Kingsbury became the first Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously; he received the award for bravery during that battle. To a large degree those Australians have been forgotten for the past 60 years. In 1998 I visited the area and found the original Isurava battle site by using a global positioning system. I am pleased that the Australian Government has constructed significant memorials at Isurava, which was opened by the Prime Minister on 14 August, and at Milne Bay, Buna and Gona. Those magnificent memorials are a real credit to Australia in honouring the sacrifice of our veterans.
We are now linking the spirit, and I commend a recently published book by Patrick Lindsay entitled The Spirit of Kokoda—Then and Now, which compares the qualities of young Australians of 60 years ago with those of young Australians today. He sought a common area, and his book links that spirit. The Sydney Swans have been heavily involved in that linking of the spirit and have dedicated a Kokoda Memorial Game to be played at Telstra Stadium close to VP [Victory in the Pacific] Day each year for the next five years. This year 60 veterans from around Australia representing each Kokoda battalion are to parade before the crowd, along with 60 current peacekeepers. That is the spirit of both then and now. It will be the last time the men who fought in those battles—they come from Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria—will meet.
I compliment the Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Swans, Kelvin Templeton, whose vision made this commemoration possible. As part of the linking of the spirit we have honoured our closest neighbours, to whom we are still greatly indebted, for the support they gave us during our hour of need. Today members of the Koiara cultural group, the Huli Duna cultural group, the Asaro mud men and the Sibisibi cultural group came to Parliament House.
The Hon. Michael Egan: Where do they come from?
The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN: From Oro Province. The Sibisibi and the Koiara are from along the Kokoda Track. They are the sons and grandsons of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. The Asaro mud men and the Huli Duni are from the highlands. The idea was to showcase the Bintangi culture. They have done a magnificent fundraising job. I thank Parliament for welcoming them. Today they were supposed to perform at the Museum of Contemporary Art. It was raining and mud was running, so they came via the Royal Botanic Gardens, replaced the mud on their leaves and performed an impromptu dance. Parliament House security did not know whether Parliament House was being attacked or whether a demonstration was being held. I again thank Parliament for making them welcome today.
It was a great moment: most of them had never been out of their villages When I brought them here last night, they had their first experience of riding in a lift. Many of the things we take for granted are new to them. A team of under-sixteens, the Papua-New Guinea Bintangs, will play in the curtain-raiser on Saturday night. Those young kids, who play Australian Rules football in their villages, will play in front of a crowd of about 50,000.
The Hon. Michael Egan: What is the salary cap for them?
The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN: They are right under the salary cap! On Saturday night we will also launch the Kokoda Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Foundation, which is designed to assist with educational scholarships for kids along the Kokoda Track and in other areas. It will be a wonderful occasion and I hope it is the start of something great. It is linked to, and honours, the sacrifice of our Diggers of 60 years ago. I know they would feel great about that and I am proud to be part of it.
The Hon. MICHAEL Egan: Are many of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels still alive?
The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN: I am bringing one, Ovoru Indiki, down here. He will arrive tomorrow afternoon and I am bringing him to lunch at Parliament House on Thursday. I will introduce him to you.
The Hon. Michael Egan: How old is he?
The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN: He claims to be 97. [Time expired.]
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