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Personnel and veterans from the two services have commemorated 120 years since their formation following Federation in 1901.
The Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy have commemorated the achievements of almost 2 million personnel who have served over the course of their 120-year history.
The two services were formed on 1 March 1901, through the amalgamation of the Australian colonial forces following Federation.
The services were formerly known as the Commonwealth Naval Forces and the Commonwealth Military Forces, with their current titles officially granted in 1911 and 1980, respectively.
Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester congratulated the two services on their long list of achievements.
“Since 1901, the men and women of the Navy and Army have served with distinction, through war and peace, and more recently as part of major domestic operations,” Minister Chester said.
“In the past year, Navy and Army have faced new and unexpected challenges as part of the Australian government’s responses to bushfires, a global pandemic and other humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
“They have been the reassuring faces in our communities, whether it was helping with coronavirus testing checkpoints or evacuating families from bushfire ravaged areas, and while a lot has changed over the last 120 years, the dedication, skills and willingness of our men and women in uniform to help has never wavered.”
Minister Chester also thanked the families of past and present personnel.
He added: “Happy birthday to the Navy and Army, and to the personnel who have and still do wear those uniforms with pride, thank you for your service.”
This year also marks the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force, which will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary on 31 March 2021.
[Related: ADF welcomes new recruits]
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