22 June 2017
His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia welcomed to the Australian War Memorial by Director Dr. Brendan Nelson AO Director and Board Member Mrs. Josephine Stone AM. The private visit by HIH Prince Ermias was intended to commemorate the State Visit to Australia by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1968. The Australian War Memorial was included in the Emperor's State visit where he laid a wreath to acknowledge the men and women of Australia who had served including in Ethiopia. Later HIH Prince Ermias laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier as that section of the Memorial had not been developed at the time of the Emperors visit in 1968. The Unknown Australian Soldier represents all Australians who have been killed in war. HIH Prince Ermias also placed a red poppy on the Roll of Honour. The Roll records and commemorates members of the Australian armed forces who have died during or as a result of war service, or for Post-1945 conflicts, warlike service, non-warlike service and certain peacetime operations.