20th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemoration

Lest We Forget

Saturday, September 11, 2021, marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The Australian Community will commemorate this occasion with a special flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green in NYC.

On September 11, 2021, the Australian Community will host a 20th anniversary of 9/11 flag-raising ceremony at Bowling green to commemorate the 10 Australians and 2 New Zealanders who perished in the terror attacks.

With the cooperation of Government, Military, and Civilian organizations, the 20th Anniversary Flag Raising ceremony at Bowling Green will feature special performances by leading Australian and New Zealand artists.

Access to the Charging Bull Triangle will be limited to VIP and invited guests. There will be ample public viewing from either side of Broadway and at Bowling Green.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendees will be limited to comply with NYC Parks and New York State Regulations. Social distancing and hygiene protocols will be in effect.

The Flags:

Bowling Green is intimately associated with the beginning and end of the American Revolution and synonymous with George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and other American Founding Fathers.

The ceremony includes the raising of the American Revolutionary flag and the Australian flags to symbolizes the great bonds of Mateship that tie our two countries together.

The Site:

Bowling Green is the site in New York City where the Dutch founded New Amsterdam in the early 1600s. It served as the young city’s town square and public meeting place. Bowling Green became the first public park in America on March 12, 1733.

It is also located just a few hundred meters from the site of the Twin Towers.

The Livestream:

The 20th Commemoration Flag Raising Ceremony will be live-streamed to The Australian Community’s YouTube Channel. https://youtube.com/aucommunity

The Performers:

Our special thanks to Analisa Bell, Georgia Kate Haege, Emily Mwila, Sarah Wadsley, Roanna Dempsey, Amelia Cormack, MiG Ayesa, and Ben McHugh.

The Commemoration:

• Star-Spangled Banner performed by Analisa Bell.
• Advance Australia Fair performed by Georgia Kate Haege.
• God Defend New Zealand (Aotearoa) performed by Emily Mwila.
• Welcome Address by Peter Harper, Director of The Australian Community.
• Special Address by the Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, Australian Ambassador to the United States.
• Special Address by Hannah Lee-Darboe, New Zealand Consul-General to New York.
• The Eulogy, delivered by James Boland, Founder and President of The Australian Community.
• My Country, read by Sarah Wadsley.
• Binyon Lines For The Fallen, the Hon. Nick Greiner AO, Australian Consul General to New York.
• (The U.S. and Australian Flags are raised)
• Reading of the Names: Kevin Dennis, Alberto Dominguez, Elisa Ferraina, Craig Gibson, Peter Gyulavary, Yvonne Kennedy, Andrew Knox, Lesley Thomas, Stephen Tompsett, Leanne Whiteside, Alan Anthony Beaven, and John Lozowsky.
• One Minute Silence.
• Amazing Grace performed by Ro Dempsey.
• When The War Is Over performed by Amelia Cormack.
• True Blue performed by MiG Ayesa.
• I Still Call Australia Home performed by Ben McHugh.
• Closing remarks by James Boland.

Post Ceremony Bonds of Mateship Drinks:

Immediately after the ceremony concludes, all are invited to make their way to Beckett’s, a short distance away located at 40 Stone Street, for a more informal celebration of the “Bonds of Mateship.”