Visit to the Australian War Memorial by HIH Prince Ermias of Ethiopia

22 June 2017

His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie President of the Ethiopian Crown Council arriving at the front entrance to the Australian War memorial greeted by the Director Dr. the Honourable Brendan Nelson AO. Designated as a private visit by HIH Prince Ermias the intent was 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. HIM Prince Ermias also placed a red poppy on the wall of 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. It takes the form of bronze panels in the Memorial’s Commemorative Area. Relatives and friends or indeed members of the public are permitted to place a commemorative red poppy alongside names and units. The accompanying delegation included Mrs Josephine Stone AM (Board AWM), the Honourable Shane L Stone AC PGDK QC, Dr Behanu Wilde-Kidnam (representing the Ethiopian Community in the ACT and recipient of his High School diploma from the late Emperor in Ethiopia), Mr. Greg Copley AM GCHT*, FRCGS, FSS (President of the International Strategic Studies Association and Strategic Advisor to the Crown Council of Ethiopia) and Mrs Pamela Copley GCSE, GCEL, RML, (Agafari, Chief of Protocol to the Crown Council of Ethiopia).



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