Tasmania has a long and proud military history and the Hodgman Liberal Government is a strong supporter of our veterans and their families and also those currently serving in the armed forces.
All of those Tasmanians who have served our nation’s uniform provide us with an example of service and sacrifice and we also particularly recognise a select group who have been awarded the Victoria Cross.
The Victoria Cross is our nation’s highest award for bravery in battle and a staggering 14 Tasmanians have received this award since Trooper John Bisdee received the first VC in 1900 in the Boer War.
Eleven Tasmanians were awarded the Victoria Cross during World War I, including Australia’s most decorated infantry soldier Lieutenant Colonel Harry Murray who was raised in Evandale.
The 100th Australian to receive a Victoria Cross was Burnie-born CPL Cameron Baird for his exploits and bravery in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan on 22 June 2013.
Today this book recognising those 14 Victoria Cross recipients and also several other notable Tasmanians has been released to coincide with the Centenary of ANZAC commemorations.
The book `OUR HEROES, Tasmania’s Victoria Cross Recipients', is the 4th edition of a book I had first published in 2006 when I was a Tasmanian Senator.
This latest edition includes background on campaigns from the Boer War to Afghanistan and, with the co-operation of CPL Baird’s family, includes a special chapter on CPL Cameron Baird VC MG.
My special thanks to Doug Baird for being at today’s release of the book and thank you also to the Premier, Will Hodgman, for launching the book.
This new book has unearthed many new stories and facts about our brave soldiers and I hope young Tasmanians are inspired by the values, courage, endurance, mate-ship and sacrifice which flow from these pages and I dedicate it to all Tasmanians who have served, and their families.
The book is available at most RSLs and also from the Public Buildings in Paterson Street, Launceston, for a $5 donation which goes back to the RSL.