MEDIA RELEASE: 9 April 2008
Kon Vatskalis, Northern Territory Minister for Asian Relations

Australia's Northern Territory to be represented at ANZAC Day Service in Singapore

Australia's Northern Territory Minister for Asian Relations, Kon Vatskalis, and a Darwin school boy will represent the Northern Territory at the upcoming ANZAC Day Dawn Service in SIngapore.

Mr Vatskalis will be in Asia as part of a whirlwind eight-day mission to Hong Kong,
China and Singapore for tourism and business meetings.

Choosing to take part in the Singapore ANZAC Day service, the Minister wanted a
Notrhern Territory family with World War Two connections to attend the ceremony with him.

"World War Two had a direct impact on the Territory and its people and we
continue to honour the memory of those who served and the many who fell during
the defence of Australia," said Mr Vatskalis. 

"Joshua Bowling will assist me to lay a wreath on behalf of the Territory and
the Darwin Sub-Branch of Australia's Returned Servicemen's League at the Kranji War Memorial Cemetery.

"Joshua is the great-grandson of the late George Reid, a World War Two veteran who was a POW at Changi, Singapore. Joshua's grandparents, including George Reid's daughter, will also attend.

The Northern Territory Government is very pleased to see the strong interest shown by young Territorians in the ANZAC legend. Joshua will be a proud representative and role model at the Singapore service.

Mr Vatskalis will be in Asia for eight days for various tourism and business events
and meetings. The Minister depart Darwin on Thursday 17 April 2008.

Contact for media queries: Nikola Lekias +65 438 323 660.