Speech at 1RAR Battalion Group - Meritorious Unit Citation

Good afternoon. I acknowledge that today we gather on the lands of the traditional custodians, and pay my respects to their elders, past and present.

General David Hurley AC DSC (Retd): my immediate predecessor as Governor-General, and Commander 1RAR Battalion Group, and Mrs. Linda Hurley, who both have been so generous to me and my family during and since my appointment as Governor-General. I'm honored to have the opportunity this afternoon to be the reviewing officer for this occasion, which meant so much to General and Mrs. Hurley.

Lieutenant General Simon Stewart AO DSC, Chief of the Australian Army, and the many serving members of the Australian Defence Force and veterans, all members of 1RAR Battalion Group, families and distinguished guests.

I'm truly honored to be with you on this historic day of recognition for 1RAR Battalion Group’s exemplary service in Somalia, on Operation SOLACE. A day to honor and reflect on your valor, resolution, discipline, care and skill.

We are also here, importantly, to acknowledge your families and loved ones, whose support made your service possible. Today is a poignant day when you remember a fallen comrade, Lance Corporal Shannon McAliney, just days after the 32nd anniversary of his death on 2 April 1993 when he died serving his country. He was just 21.

I want to acknowledge the presence of Shannon’s mother, Liz, who remains a close friend of General and Mrs. Hurley. In the memories of those who knew and loved him and the symbolism of the presentation during this ceremony, Shannon is, of course, with us today. He will forever be a part of 1RAR. Like so many of 1RAR Battalion Group, Somalia was Shannon's first experience of battle conditions. In fact, it was Australia's largest land and sea operation and first major battalion group deployment since Vietnam. And the group was extensive, consisting of the Infantry Battalion from 1RAR, a battalion support group from 3rd Brigade, elements from 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment, a Civil–Military Operations Team from 4th Field Regiment, Engineering support from 3 Combat Regiment and a Troop from 103 Signal squadron.  

The Group was supported by HMAS Jervis Bay and HMAS Tobruk, 817 Squadron Fleet Air Arm and logistical support from the Royal Australian Air Force.

Together, the group deployed on Operation SOLACE in December 1992: briefed, trained, highly skilled and brave, but not knowing what awaited them. Their task was to secure the humanitarian relief sector in Baidoa, one of the most dangerous areas in Somalia. 

In preparation for today, I met with General Hurley just this last week to discuss this historic peacemaking mission. He generously met with me and described a country totally unlike any other in his experience, a displaced, traumatized and terrified population and a group of international NGOs depending on the ADF to keep them and their supplies safe, and to ensure delivery of food and water to the Somalis. 

In such a lawless and chaotic place, 1RAR Battalion Group was guided by three distinct and founding principles: their motto, ‘Duty First,’ the Army’s leadership approach of ‘firm, fair and friendly,’ and by General Hurley's personal motto, ‘gentle in manner, resolute in deed.’

Just as those deployed were re-establishing first principles in an unfamiliar environment, so too were the families at home. As Mrs. Hurley said, with typical modesty, ‘we just rallied,’ and they did, coming together as the Spouses of Somalia to build friendships and networks, to lift one another up in the lonely and often anxious times together. The battalion group and families back at home: you were writing your own chapter of Australia's storied military history.

As well as adapting to the new environment in Somalia, you were engaging with the locals in that firm, fair and friendly way to deepen your understanding of the unique conditions and what you needed to do. This was crucial. It gave you critical and meaningful intelligence and a level of trust that helped you do your job. Your care and commitment to fostering and protecting humanitarian relief efforts received international praise. General Hurley has told me how much being presented with the medallion from the NGO communities on the ground in recognition of your efforts in restoring law and order meant to you all: as he told me, it was a relationship of mutual necessity.

You needed each other to secure the environment and feed the people, allowing for the safe distribution of humanitarian aid and the resumption of law and order. The result was a tribute to the bravery, skill, agility, restraint, care and compassion you displayed in a highly volatile and dangerous environment. This was deeply appreciated by the NGO community, with whom you pioneered a way of working that set the standard for future peacekeeping deployments.

These were the qualities that shaped other engagements in Cambodia, Namibia and Rwanda, qualities that have been crucial to Australia's successful peacekeeping ever since.

Recently, at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, I was reminded that Australia has continuously been part of peacekeeping missions around the world every day since 1947. That is an extraordinary fact about our nation, our modern Defence Force, and the vital role we have played in preserving peace and protecting civilians around the world, consistently for almost 80 years. Operation SOLACE holds a special place in that proud history.

General Hurley also reflected that even though there was a span of years and a paradigm shift between Vietnam and Somalia, it was the Vietnam generation that taught his generation their military skill and what it meant to wear their country’s uniform. Last year, on Remembrance Day, it was my great privilege to announce the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for Australia to Private Richard Norton of 1RAR for gallantry in action in Vietnam in May 1968. It was such an honor to announce this award, not only as your Commander-in-Chief, but as the daughter of an Australian soldier who also served in Vietnam.

It asserts that meritorious service is never forgotten, even when formal recognition is long in coming.

1RAR Battalion Group received this Meritorious Unit Citation in no small part because of the dedicated advocacy of individuals committed in their belief in the award as fitting and right. I want to acknowledge all of those determined and tireless advocates who bring us here today.

Today signifies the deep thanks and praise of a grateful nation. You served your country with courage and honor, but also with compassion, deep care and respect for others. You put your own lives at risk to save others, including your mates. You achieved everything that was asked of you. You always put duty first, and you have helped to shape our modern Australian Defence Force for the generations of the future.

In all of this, you are exceptional today. 1RAR Battalion Group has the respect of Australia for everything you achieved in Operation SOLACE, and the underlying care and kindness that epitomized how you acted and the impact of your work on the civilian population.

The achievements recognized in the Meritorious Unit Citation for 1RAR Battalion Group represent the finest traditions of the Australian Defence Force. It is my great honor, as your Commander-in-Chief, and with the thanks of all Australians, to bestow this citation upon you today. It is an absolute privilege to witness this moment of recognition. 

Thank you.