Speeches

August 5, 1999. Sir William Deane made a speech at a service for the victims of the canyoning tragedy which claimed the lives of 21 young people. November 11, 1993. Prime Minister Keating made a speech- The Funeral Service of the Unknown Soldier. Now, 17 and 11 years on, are the themes and issues of those speeches still valued in contemporary society' My speech, will attempt to address these themes, issues and the contexts of both then and now, and find out whether or not those issues, are still relevant. 14 Australians lost their lives in a canyoning accident in Switzerland, in 1999. It is now 2010, and when this speech was opened in front of me, it was the first time that I had heard of it. That was the first sign to me, personally, that these issues are no longer valued in modern day society. I’m sure that the families and friends of the people who’s lives were lost, still mourn them and this event is still a big issue in their lives today, but to the younger generations of society, this speech, really has little relevance. It is interesting to note the context of this speech. It occurred in July 1999 in Switzerland. The direct audience was the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this accident. The indirect audience was the rest of Australia, back home in their lounge rooms, watching this ecumenical service on the television. The issues and themes presented in this speech of course, are of a lot of value to those who lost family members and friends to this tragedy. My argument, is that these issues are not relevant to those who have no prior knowledge of this incident. We do not know the age of the 14 Australians who died in this accident; however we do know that they were “young Australians.” A good point to be made is this: take this situation for example. Fourteen retired Australians die in an accident overseas. All over the age of 65. Would it be a great Australian tragedy' Would the Governor general of our country go out of his way to prepare and make a speech for these people' The answer, is no. So what is the difference' The 14 people who died in this canyoning accident were YOUNG. They weren’t old and withered, retired and over 65. They were YOUNG Australians, and young people. The Governor General states- “For these 21 young men and women were part –a shining part- of our humanity.” What makes these people such a shining part' They were young, that’s what. With time comes change and in time we have come to accept that the younger generations are a more valued group in our society. A spiritual context is established with the biblical references in paragraph one- “In the words of our Lord.” This context is maintained through the speech. “May they all rest with God.” Is the last sentence, ending on a religious note. However this speech is advertised as ecumenical- multi religious. What happens if some of the people who died weren’t religious' This is a contradiction of what the service is meant to be. Sir William Deane uses a hyperbole to emphasise the effect this incident had on Australia. “On every night since the accident, Switzerland has been in every Australian home that has been turned into the television news,” This statement over exaggerates the impact that was had on our country. Switzerland was not in every home, Switzerland was in Switzerland, however the news of this tragedy was viewed on tv by many people, not everyone. Throughout his speech, he uses personal pronouns. “I have, as Governor General,” “of MY country and it’s people,” “I have already had the privilege of meeting,” All these uses of personal pronouns suggest that he is making the speech to promote himself in a way. He is there making a speech to represent Australia, but he constantly refers to himself throughout. I argue that because the societies of modern day Australia have little or no prior knowledge of this event, is why the themes and issues of this particular speech are no longer valued. Contrastingly, The Funeral Service of the Unknown Soldier proves that the issues of it’s context are still valued society today. The Unknown Soldier represents every Australian that lost their lives at war. Not only does he represent all the men who died on the Western Front, but every Australian citizen who ever has, and whoever will die at war. Prime Minister Keating in this speech does not glorify war, but rather denotes it. This theme is valued in our society today, as war is such a horrific thing, and is never something to be glorified. A major theme in this speech is patriotism. “We have gained a legend...and a deeper understanding of what it means to be Australian.” The speech makes us feel proud to be Australian, proud to be a part of such a great country, and proud that so many of our citizens fought for their country, in order for peace. The theme of patriotism is valued today, because every time this speech is heard, we empathise. We imagine what it would be like to fight for our country, and we are still all today, proud to be a part of it. For as long as we all remember, we have celebrated and remembered those who fought for our country and those who lost their lives in doing so. Remembrance is a significant theme throughout Prime Minister Keating’s speech, and allows us to not only pay respect tho the Unknown Soldier, but to every soldier who died as a result of war. “But in honouring our war dead” “On all sides they were the heroes of war” Remembrance is something that unites Australia and allows us to pay respect to those who fought to make our country a better place. Keating makes reference to the Australian context of when the Unknown Soldier died. “This Australia and the Australia he knew are like foreign countries.” He uses a simile in this sentence, to emphasise on the differences between contexts. He is saying that Australia has changed over time, and is a completely different life to the one of the Unknown Soldier. Emotive language is used throughout the speech. This lets the audience know that it is a sad occasion, but from this occasion we are gaining a lot. “A legend, a story of bravery and sacrifice, with it, a deeper faith in ourselves and democracy.” The Funeral Service of the Unknown Soldier possesses textual integrity, which contributes to why it is still relevant. War is something that will forever be a part of our country, and by the complete anonymity of this soldier, lets us know the true impact it has had on us as a nation.