The Funeral of Private Greg Sher
MSPA 013/09
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Mourners gathered at Melbourne’s Chera Kadisha Cemetery in Lyndhurst this afternoon for the funeral of Private Greg Sher, who tragically was fatally wounded in Afghanistan on 4 January, 2009.
Private Sher’s family, partner and friends joined members of Melbourne’s Jewish community to honour the memory of a great Australian who passed the toughest of trials to earn the title of Australian Army Commando.
Present to pay their respects to Private Sher were the Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP; the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP; the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP; Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, the Hon. Peter Lindsay MP; Member for Melbourne Ports, Mr Michael Danby MP; Member for Isaacs, Mr Mark Dreyfus; Acting Premier of Victoria, The Hon. Rob Hulls; and Member for Lyndhurst, the Hon. Tim Holding.
Also in attendance were Acting Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley; Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie; Special Operations Commander Australia, Major General Tim McOwan; and Commanding Officer 1st Commando Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Vance Khan.
At the request of Greg’s family, members of the 1st Commando Regiment were present at the funeral, comforting the family and providing the formal military ceremonial contribution.
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon said Private Sher’s service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
“Private Sher was a man who served his country as a proud and highly skilled member of the Australian Army. He understood the risks but willingly did what his country asked of him. He is truly an Australian hero,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Note: The family has asked the media to observe their request for privacy during this difficult time. Defence photographs and vision will be available as per the media alert released earlier today.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
In Memory of Greg Sher 