ANZAC Address Highlights Anzac Ties

PUBLICITY RELEASE
SATURDAY APRIL 18 2009

ANZAC Address Highlights Anzac Ties – On Maori Television

Retired General Peter Cosgrove – one of Australia’s best-known and popular modern day military leaders - will deliver the ANZAC ADDRESS for Maori Television’s all-day ANZAC coverage on Saturday April 25 2009.

The address will be broadcast as part of the station’s all-day ANZAC coverage on Saturday April 25 at 8.00 PM.

The former Chief of the Australian Defence Force and Chief of Army has a high public profile in his native land. He is as an engaging and charismatic speaker, and he was also named Australian of the Year in 2001. His selection for that prestigious award followed his success commanding international peacekeeping forces in East Timor.

“I’ve always assumed that it was given to me as a representative of the men and women of the Australian defence, who did a great job in East Timor,” says Cosgrove. “They couldn’t give it to them all, so they gave it to their boss.”

“The New Zealanders were an incredibly important part of that force. That was an illustration of the modern ANZAC relationship, which is hard to overstate. In war-torn places all over the world, Australians and Kiwis have fought side by side, and know they can rely on each other, whether it’s in the Solomon Islands or in Afghanistan. Our people have the deepest respect and affection for each other – truly brothers-in-arms.”

Cosgrove says working alongside New Zealanders has been a key feature throughout his career, right back to his days at military college in Duntroon. From there, it was into battle at Vietnam, where his battalion was supported by a New Zealand artillery battery: “Put simply, the battery saved lots of Australian lives.”

Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather says the ANZAC Address offers an opportunity for a truly outstanding leader to share his or her thoughts about the real meaning and relevance of ANZAC Day.

“This year we are extremely honoured to have General Peter Cosgrove deliver his insights on the ANZAC spirit,” Mr Mather says. “As a Vietnam War veteran who was awarded the Military Cross for bravery, who then went on to lead the INTERFET force in East Timor and was named Australian of the Year in 2001, General Cosgrove is an exceptional leader who understands intimately what it means to be an ANZAC”.

The ANZAC Address has become a regular feature of the 18-hour ANZAC Day broadcast. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Peter Arnett gave the address last year. Retired judge and former Chancellor of Auckland University Mick Brown did the honours in 2007.

Cosgrove will also give an exclusive and in-depth television interview with Maori Television’s Julian Wilcox.

Maori Television will screen the ANZAC ADDRESS on Saturday April 25 at 8.00 PM.

Ends

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