DARWIN - 11 November 2021
KATIE WOOLF, HOST: It’s Remembrance Day, we did just speak to Ray Palmer, father of Scott. It is such an important day for us here in the Northern Territory with a huge Defence presence.
LUKE GOSLING, MEMBER FOR SOLOMON: Yeah, I heard Ray's interview and he's done so much for the veterans himself and he continues to do that every day, he's talking to veterans all the time and it keeps him close to Scotty. He just wants to keep giving back. And it is a day where we acknowledge all those – particularly those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, like Scotty Palmer, who grew up in Katherine and played rugby right here in Darwin, served here in Darwin at Robertson Barracks, and went over to Afghanistan with the Commandos.
But throughout our history – World War One, World War Two, there's just so many Australians that have paid that ultimate sacrifice and some as we know that have come home changed. So we remember all of those who've served, and the RSL always puts on a great service, and out in Palmerston as well today.
WOOLF: Luke, you have served, for those out there listening this morning who don't have an idea of your background. Tell us a little bit more.
GOSLING: Oh, I'm a fourth-generation Australian serviceman and two of my brothers, one is still serving in the Army and one served in the Navy, he’s a Territory firefighter these days. Our dad was conscripted and went over to Vietnam and did his duty over there and lost some mates. His dad fought in World War Two about 80 years ago, was fighting in Greece, and my great-grandfather was gassed on the on the Western Front. So my journey hasn't been anywhere near as hardcore as those that have gone before me. But I was proud to serve over in East Timor. And yeah, made a difference there, I think. And as we reflect on the 20 years that have gone past since East Timor and particularly in Afghanistan, I just hope that all veterans today are reflecting on those that have lost but also reflecting and proud of their service for our nation.
WOOLF: What does a day like today mean to you?
GOSLING: It means that the country just stops and remembers that there are so many Australians that didn't get to have a full life, that didn't get to have a family, or didn't get to come back to their family. And it's really important that we do remember that, because when I say that it's the ultimate sacrifice, it's because there's no greater sacrifice, you know, and to be over in a foreign land or defending Darwin, as so many did right here and then never to see your loved ones again. That is such a massive thing. And that's why we remember them on a day like this. So this makes me so proud, and it's like Anzac Day, an opportunity for us to remember those that we owe so much to.
WOOLF: And what will you be doing this morning? I know that you’ve ducked in here obviously on your way to those commemorations.
GOSLING: Yeah. So kicking off at 10:30 at the Cenotaph, the RSL puts on a really special service down there. It's nice and warm.
WOOLF: It will be toasty for you, I reckon.
GOSLING: And I encourage people if they can get down there to Pop down. It’s a shorter service than the Anzac Day one. And at Palmerston the same, there will be a service there at the war memorial kicking off at 10:30, which is not too far from now. So yeah, if you can, the serving ADF members that will be there as well as the veterans and their families will really appreciate seeing some people come along and just take that one minute's silence to think of how lucky we are to be Australians and how much we owe.
WOOLF: Well, we will certainly be doing that here at the station and right around the Northern Territory, no doubt. I understand, as well that there's also something a little bit special, I think, happening this year. I'm not sure if it's happened in previous years. But the lights of remembrance as well are happening around the Northern Territory. From what I can see in Alice Springs, I think Tennant Creek, Katherine, and there'll also be a travelling semi-trailer cinema with projection displays across Darwin and Palmerston, a few different locations that's from the 9th through the 11th. 7pm. So that'll be a nice one.
GOSLING: It's an incredible initiative and it looks amazing. So the light projections up on the buildings and yeah, it's just another way to give people the opportunity to be part of it, just to look at the wonderful light shows. And yeah, just stop and remember. And it doesn't matter if you can't get to one of the services like the services have been brought to the people in a way, and people in their own way, will remember those that have gone before us.
WOOLF: That's such an important point, I reckon, that you've just made. It's something that Ray Palmer actually said to me on the phone the other night when I had a chat to him and he said, “Katie, it doesn't matter if you're not at a service, just stop and make sure that you do remember and reflect at eleven o'clock and throughout the day”. And I think it's a really, really important thing for everybody to do today
GOSLING: And just a final plug, Katie. There's a bunch of veteran bands that have made a music album, and they've launched it today, and it's called exactly what you just said. It's Rock for Reflection and Remembrance. And it's veteran bands, and many of their listeners will know some of the people like Neil Rowe, who is a Vietnam veteran and Anthony Field the blue wiggle, he's actually a veteran as well, so he's got a song in there. So that album is
released today, and I'll put it on my Facebook and Twitter today, where people can download it and have a listen.
WOOLF: Very cool. That is a great thing to do. Well, Luke Gosling, thanks so much for your time this morning. I really appreciate it.
GOSLING: Thank you, Katie.
