One of the oldest institutions in Australian turned 109 years old today, as the Australian Army celebrated its birthday at the Australian War Memorial. To mark the occasion, a commemorative service was held at the Australian War Memorial around the Pool of Reflection. Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie spoke to the officers and soldiers about the importance of the occasion.

“As Army marks its 109th year, we have a great deal to be proud of in the service our people continue to give their country,” said Lieutenant General Gillespie. “Today, we pause to remember the great work of this fine institution and to reflect on the manner in which the Australian Army has served this nation. We will continue to grow as an organisation and ensure that the traditions of Army are maintained and carried into the future.”

The Australian Army has a proud history and now has soldiers deployed on major operations in the Middle East, East Timor and the Solomon Islands. The history of the Australian Army goes back over a hundred years to the year of Federation. Each of the six colonial governments was responsible for the defence of their own colony until Federation on 1 January 1901. It was then that the Australian Constitution stated that all defence responsibility was vested in the Commonwealth Government. The newly formed Commonwealth Government created the Department of Defence on 1 March 1901. It was from this time that the Australian Army came into being.