STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL - BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER LOST NEAR FIJI

30 November 2006

On behalf of all Australians my wife and I extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of the personnel involved in the Blackhawk helicopter incident near Fiji yesterday.

Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased and the missing.

We wish a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured.

Our sympathy also goes out to all aboard HMAS Kanimbla who will be feeling a sense of loss and grief for their comrades and, understandably, many will recall the crash of a Navy Sea King helicopter carrying out emergency relief work in Indonesia in April last year.

Service in our Defence Force always involves some degree of risk; it’s the nature of the job and it is a risk our young men and women accept with good grace every day. But when on occasion tragedy strikes, it still hits hard. It cuts to the inner being of all involved; service members, families, friends, indeed the nation.

Australians are very proud of the magnificent work being carried out by our Defence Force men and women and it is on their behalf that Marlena and I extend our sincere condolences.