On a five-day visit to Australia in May, President of Germany, Dr Johannes Rau, was greeted with a General Salute before proceeding to inspect the Guard and Band.

Australia's Federation Guard (AFG) had the chance to greet the President of Germany, Dr Johannes Rau on his five-day visit to Australia in May.

As AFG marched into position on the RAAF Base Fairbairn tarmac to tunes provided by Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon Band, ground crew readied themselves for the imminent arrival of the President.

It was not long before members of AFG and the RMC Duntroon Band, along with His Excellency Sir William Deane, Mr Philip Ruddock (Prime Minister's representative) and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Errol McCormack, witnessed the Luftwaffe Airbus pulling up directly onto the stately red carpet. Dr Rau was greeted with a General Salute before proceeding to inspect the Guard and Band.

Later that evening, six AFG members provided a Stairway Guard for the President at Government House, where the Governor-General hosted a State dinner and introduced Dr Rau to the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard; the Opposition Leader, Mr Kim Beazley and the Immigration Minister, Mr Philip Ruddock.

Story by LACW Lisa Rowley
Photograph by LAC Euan Grant