``It is a great honour for me to stand here before you this morning on behalf of the Assyrian Sports and Cultural Club.

For me personally, this gathering today marks a great achievement for the Assyrian Community of Fairfield.

It is a testament to their perseverance and their will to strive.

Assyrians must never forget for a moment the trials and tribulations which our ancestors went through.

Living in Australia, we must always try to preserve the Assyrian culture, maintain our customs and our heritage.

Most importantly, we must contribute to Australia and share the many positive aspects of our identity.

For me, this plaque is a means of connecting with my ancestors whom I will never meet in this lifetime.

My great-grandfather was Sergeant Odisho Adam and it is his medals I am proudly wearing today.

I am very proud to say that my great-grandfather was part of the Assyrian Levies and I commend Mr Gaby Kiwarkis for his tireless effort in educating the Assyrian youth and the descendants of our fallen heroes on the role the Assyrians played during WWI and WWII.

Let us not forget that Assyrians fought for the Allies in both world wars.

Let us not forget the 750,000 Assyrian men, women and children that died for their Christian faith.

May all those who died for God, King and country rest in peace.

Amen.''