‘A Moshe of his day’
WHILE Australian icon Sir John Monash was famous for being an outstanding military tactician during World War I and a successful engineer, what is sometimes not so well known was his passion for education.
WHILE Australian icon Sir John Monash was famous for being an outstanding military tactician during World War I and a successful engineer, what is sometimes not so well known was his passion for education.
That point was made by 2018 Sir John Monash Scholar Sonia Loudon, when she addressed the annual Spirit of Australia Sir John Monash Commemoration at Victoria’s Parliament House.
Loudon, a teacher, detailed Monash’s commitment to broadening education opportunities for Victorians.
The recent commemoration also heard from Veterans Minister Robin Scott representing Premier Daniel Andrews, and Brigadier Douglas Laidlaw, commander of the 4th Brigade, representing Chief of Army Lieutenant-General Rick Burr.
Rabbi Ralph Genende, senior rabbi to the Australian Defence Force, read the Prayer for Australia and the Memorial Prayer, and chanted Kel Malei Rachamim.
“It struck me how Monash was a Moshe of his day – a leader dedicated not only to policy and nation-building, but also to probably the most passionate of Jewish pursuits – education,” Rabbi Genende said afterwards.
AJN STAFF
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