The fallen honoured in Remembrance Day ceremony
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In an annual tradition, The Alfred community gathered to share in a moving ceremony to mark Remembrance Day in the Tony Charlton Memorial Garden.
Deputy Chief Executive Prof Simone Alexander, who was joined by Alfred Emergency Nurse Lieutenant Commander Brittany Cotton, said the hospital offered its sincere gratitude to all those who have served our nation in times of war and armed conflict.
“Our staff have a long and renowned history for showing their support during times of war, including Word War I, World War II and Vietnam, and in more recent years, have served with distinction in Rwanda, Iraq and Afghanistan,” Prof Alexander said.
“Their contributions extend beyond exceptional medical treatment; they embody teamwork, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to care.”
Lieutenant Commander Cotton, who serves in the Royal Australian Navy and is the current Staff Officer to Commander Joint Health, said that the important intersection between military and civilian health organisations was most apparent when she served as part of the health department on board HMAS Adelaide, the first Australian Navy ship to sail in April 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified.
"The pandemic really bought health to the forefront of the minds of Defence’s Senior Leadership, keeping in mind that providing healthcare is not the primary purpose or focus of the Defence Force," Lieutenant Commander Cotton said.
"Our small Defence health workforce became responsible for coordinating Defence’s COVID-19 response, including providing health advice and guidance to Commanders, and providing support to civilian agencies in areas such as contact tracing and vaccination."
"I am comforted by knowing that these organisations have responded and overcome challenges of the past, and are more than capable of doing so again in the future."
Reservist and Director of Operations Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Chris Perry and Jennifer Loughman OAM and Jenifer Jones from The Alfred Nurses League also paid tribute to those who had lost their lives in battle during the ceremony, with the symbolic laying of the wreaths, accompanied by the Wesley College Chamber Choir.
