One of the highlights of the dedication was a display by Maori Warriors of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Despite the drizzle, several hundred onlookers from both sides of the Tasman turned out for the dedication of the Australian New Zealand Memorial in Canberra. A Guard provided by the New Zealand Defence Force and Australia's Federation Guard, united as their predecessors had done almost a century ago at Gallipoli, to form one Guard and continue the ANZAC tradition.

The ANZAC Guard marched onto ANZAC Parade on 24 April 2001, and turned to face the Australian War Memorial. The Guard gave a General Salute for the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr John Howard, and a General Salute for the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Ms Helen Clark. The Prime Ministers inspected the ANZAC Guard and the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Both Prime Ministers spoke of the close bond and the military relationship which continues to be strengthened even today as Servicemen and women serve together throughout joint operations in East Timor, Bougainville, the Solomon Islands and other peacekeeping operations in our region.

In her speech, Ms Clark mentioned the memorial was erected on an outstanding location, with its two handles framing the entry to ANZAC Parade. The pair of bronze handles signifies the long-standing relationship between the two nations with the two handles a representation of a traditional Maori flax basket. In that symbolic basket are to be found our shared history, values, memories and our common endeavors in peace and war. The memorial stands as New Zealand's gift to Australia to mark the centenary of Australian Federation.

The crowd was brought to its feet as a small band of ANZAC veterans who took pride of place, marched past with the New Zealand Defence Force Band. One of the highlights of the dedication was a display by Maori Warriors of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Wreathes were laid by both Prime Ministers on the Australian and New Zealand sides of ANZAC Parade to commemorate the ANZACs who died in battle.

AFG and the New Zealand Defence Force members had the opportunity to discuss both countries' cultures on a more social level during a dinner held on Sunday, 22 April at Hotel Heritage.

Story by LACW Lisa Rowley
Photograph by LAC Euan Grant