Distinguished guests.
Friends of Australia, from many countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
This weekend many Australians read the story of a young New York firefighter - James Dowdell.
He wears his father's uniform.
Ten years ago today, Kevin Dowdell was one of the hundreds of firefighters - New York's bravest - who were killed when the towers came down.
Kevin led his men in there.
And his life of service lives on in his sons.
Today James Dowdell is a firefighter like his father before him.
Patrick Dowdell has worn his country's uniform in Afghanistan.
The Dowdells' story is one among hundreds, among thousands, which we remember today.
Lives lived out in years of service and of peace, lives lost on days of terror and of courage.
Not only on that dreadful day in New York and Washington and Pennsylvania - but in the long decade since, from Bali and Jakarta to London and Mumbai and beyond.
But Australia has a special link to the Dowdells' story - and it holds special meaning for our American friends as well.
So I am glad Rob Frey is among us today.
Rob, your part in this story is important.
Everyone should know it - so I want to share it again.
Many Australians and Americans worked together in the late 1990s to be ready to protect the 2000 Sydney Olympics from possible terrorist attack.
One group of Australians spent two months in New York training and working, including a long time with New York's Fire Department Rescue 1.
They worked hard together and became more than colleagues ... they became mates.
So when it was time to go home the Australian commander gave Rescue 1's chief his Australian Army “slouch hat” and the chief presented the Australians with a battle scarred fire helmet.
Dated December 1998 and signed by members of the Rescue 1 crew, including Kevin Dowdell.
After September 11, Kevin Dowdell's remains could not be found.
But that helmet was found in Australia.
And Rob Frey found Kevin's sons.
Rob went to America to return the helmet their father signed.
Rob and James stood proudly together in the Congress of the United States as a symbol of the friendship between our countries.
And so today, I think of two good men.
Rob and James.
Far apart for now, friends forever.
Just as we think of two great nations.
Australia and the United States.
Whose people believe that “all men are created equal”, that “Jack's as good as his master”.
And as we mark two anniversaries.
The 60th anniversary of the Alliance between Australia and the United States.
When the ANZUS treaty was signed in San Francisco.
And the 10th anniversary of the attacks on America.
When the ANZUS treaty was invoked for the first time.
September 11 was truly a dreadful day, a day which saddened and changed our world.
None of us who lived through it will ever forget.
And our peoples mark it today in many ways.
From here, in Reconciliation Place, where we light a candle.
To Sydney's Botanical Gardens, where a tree is dedicated.
To many Australian cities where interfaith services take place.
To New York, where many bereaved families gather.
We remember all the victims.
Thousands of Americans - ten Australians - so many other innocent people - from so many peaceful nations.
In all these places, meeting in a mood of reflection - marking as we do shared sacrifice and loss.
But in all that reflection, finding resolution as well.
Australia and the United States have worked together for peace in the world for many years.
September 11 changed many things but it could not change that.
We will make decisions in coming years to ensure our work in the world - and the co-operation between our forces - only grows in the future.
And while our fight against terrorism did not end in May, a great blow was struck against terrorism when Osama bin Laden was killed.
Our work together around the world goes on.
But today, around the world, we pause from that work, to remember.
To remember the courage and the suffering our two countries have shared.
To remember that in our darkest days we have been glad to see each other's face and hear each other's voice.
In our days together under attack in the Pacific.
In our decades together from Korea to the Gulf.
On September 11. in Washington and Pennsylvania and New York.
And so on this day, on behalf of millions of Australians, I say this:
We do not forget. We never forget.
United always in remembrance.
United always in our resolve.