General P.J. Cosgrove

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I started to compose my remarks to you today on Christmas Eve as I was en route to see our servicemen and women on duty in Iraq and neighbouring states and waters over the Christmas period.

As I sat in the aircraft heading overseas, I thought of all the departures and homecomings I have had over the years and like many of you how at such times we reflect keenly on family, on community and on Australia. In fact I think for most of our people in the military, the keenest insights into our