Governor named as NAJEX patron
NSW Governor David Hurley told The AJN he is “honoured” to be made patron of the NSW Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women (NAJEX), saying the Jewish community has a “proud tradition” of service to Australia.
NSW Governor David Hurley told The AJN he is “honoured” to be made patron of the NSW Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women (NAJEX), saying the Jewish community has a “proud tradition” of service to Australia.
NAJEX has had a long history of association with vice-regal representatives in Australia, from Sir John Monash, who in 1923 opened the NSW Jewish War Memorial, to Dame Marie Bashir, who was patron until her retirement.
Describing General Hurley as a “staunch friend of veterans and the Jewish community generally”, NAJEX president Charles Aronson said, “NAJEX is greatly honoured by His Excellency’s grant of vice-regal patronage, which reflects so well on the Jewish servicemen and women who have served in Australia’s defence forces and those who continue to do so.
“It is also a tribute to the dedicated and energetic presidents and board members that NAJEX has had since its initial formation in 1920.”
Speaking to The AJN this week, General Hurley said, “From Lieutenant Leonard Keysor, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for exceptional bravery at Lone Pine, and General John Monash, Commander on the Western Front, to our servicemen and women in later conflicts, the Jewish community has a proud tradition of service to this nation.”
He added: “I am honoured to be patron of the NSW Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen & Women which promotes the legacy of their service to the wider New South Wales community through commemorative events and which supports the current generation of servicemen and women.”
At the NSW Jewish community’s Anzac centenary commemorative service last May, General Hurley gave an inspiring address to the 1100 people that filled The Great Synagogue.
“We look forward to continuing this history and welcoming the NSW Governor, as patron, to our annual commemorations,” Aronson said.
NAJEX’s next event will be its annual Anzac Day commemoration on Sunday, April 17 at the Sydney Jewish Museum. The guest speaker will be former member of federal Parliament, Colonel Mike Kelly, who served in Somalia, East Timor, Bosnia and Iraq.
“Australian Jews have played a significant role in the story of Anzac and we honour those who fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who returned to their families and rejoined society, often scarred both physically and mentally,” Aronson said.
“Members of the community are invited to attend and participate in the wreath-laying ceremony.”
EVAN ZLATKIS
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