Sandakan Death Marches Memorial unveiling in Lismore by the Governor-General

27 August 2010

The relatives of prisoners of war who died at Sandakan Camp and during the Death Marches to Ranau in Malaysia honoured their relatives when the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC unveiled a new memorial in Lismore, northern New South Wales.

Ms Bryce was joined by the Sandakan Municipal Council President, Mr James Wong, Lismore residents and relatives from further afield at the ceremony. The Governor-General drew on her recent visit to East Malaysia as Australia’s representative for Sandakan Day, describing it as a “moving and special day”.

“Those human experiences and feelings once so intensely endured and shared there by some of your loved ones and since dissipated by death, circumstance or silence, can today come together again, be honoured and spoken of, respectfully and tenderly,” Ms Bryce said.

The Governor-General and Mr Bryce later met POWs’ families at St Andrew’s Anglican Church Parish Hall.