Information received 0920 30AUG07

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs VA129 Thursday, 30 August 2007

WORLD CUP WALLABIES VISIT SITE OF SPECIAL 2008 WESTERN FRONT DAWN SERVICE

Today’s visit to the Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux in France by our national rugby team ‘The Wallabies’ has been welcomed by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs Bruce Billson.

Mr Billson said the Australian Government will host a special 90th anniversary Anzac Day Dawn Service at the memorial in 2008. The Dawn Service will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the recapture of the town by Australian forces in 1918.

“Recapturing Villers-Bretonneux ended the great German offensive on the Somme which had begun so successfully a month earlier," Mr Billson said.

“I am delighted that the Wallabies have taken time out from their World Cup preparations in France to pay their respects to the Australians who served on the battlefields of the Western Front 90 years ago.”

On 23–24 April 1918, the Germans captured Villers-Bretonneux and advanced out of the town along the railway line westwards towards Amiens. That night, 24–25 April, eight battalions of the AIF counter-attacked, encircling Villers-Bretonneux and retaking the town. The Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux stands on the ground over which soldiers of the AIF fought on that night.

“The capture of Villers-Bretonneux with such speed and finesse was a remarkable achievement, costing Australia some 1,200 killed and hundreds wounded,” Mr Billson said.

“The local community has kept alive the memory of Australia’s contribution to their town, holding an annual service on a weekend close to Anzac Day, which will be Saturday 26 April in 2008.

“To mark the 90th anniversary of the recapture of Villers-Bretonneux, the Australian Government will conduct a Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial on 25 April 2008.

“We expect many Australians will travel to Villers-Bretonneux to attend these commemorative events next year, remembering those who served and those who did not return.”

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs, in conjunction with the Australian Embassy in France, is working closely with local officials to ensure that these services are memorable occasions. The Department’s commemorative events website,

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will be progressively updated as details are finalised

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GO THE WALLABIES!!!

Go you FAT rugby league players

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