Thistleton, John
‘How Robbie Poate’s parents returned to a place of painful memories and turned it into a place of healing‘, Canberra Times, 2 November 2014
Story about the memorial garden created outside of Canberra by the parents of Robbie Poate, killed in a ‘green on blue’ attack in Afghanistan. The garden is a refuge for traumatised veterans of Afghanistan who visit it.
The story is relevant to the centenary of Anzac which also commemorates a century of service by Australian defence forces. It raises the issue of whether initiatives like this are more useful than many of the commemorative erections or events planned for the centenary years. See also the Four Corners episode on the death of Private Poate and colleagues, which also touches on the commemorative work of his parents.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal
Love leaves memories no one can steal
This garden is dedicated to the loving memory of Robert Hugh Frederick Poate
15.11.88 – 29-8-12.
Soldier killed in Afghanistan
Rest in peace.
Lest We Forget.
