Le Cras, Mr Jack, OAM

Dr ALY (Cowan—Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (10:26): It's wonderful to see you in the chair, Deputy Speaker Mascarenhas. I would like to pay tribute to a remarkable Australian, a true local legend and someone who has dedicated nearly a century of his life to service both to his country and to our community. I'm speaking, of course, of Jack Le Cras. Jack Le Cras is one of the few living Australians who served in the Royal Australian Navy during the Second World War, and, at just 19 years old, he was on board the USS Missouri when the Japan formally surrendered in 1945, making him one of the few Australians to witness the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. But Jack's service didn't end there.

After the war, he continued to serve, playing a key role in the recovery of prisoners of war in Japan. He's shared stories, some solemn and others full of that characteristic Jack Le Cras humour—like the time he and 47 fellow sailors, each with just two bullets and no water, were sent on foot to secure a Japanese town, only to arrive and find the Americans had already been there for days with bulldozers and trucks. So they put their rivals down in a local shop and spent two hours sightseeing instead. That's Jack—humble, resilient and always with a twinkle in his eye.

Jack has also been a driving force behind commemorative services in Cowan for as long as I'd been the member. Every year, he's coordinating, leading, honouring the fallen and reminding all of us why these moments matter. This year, both the City of Wanneroo and the City of Stirling have rightly recognised Jack for his extraordinary contributions. What's Happening magazine, which is a City of Wanneroo local publication, features his story on the front cover. I must say, when I received my copy of What's Happening, the first thing I did was ring Jack Le Cras and say, 'Hey, great photo of the front of What's Happening.' And the City of Stirling hosted a morning tea in Jack's honour. Jack was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, a timely and fitting recognition for a life of dedication, service and community spirit.

Sadly, in September, Jack's going to retire from organising all these commemorative events, and he will be sadly missed. But he's marking his 99th birthday and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II—two huge milestones for Jack. On behalf of the people of Cowan—and I speak for each and every person in Cowan—thank you, Jack, for your service, for your leadership and for the legacy that you're leaving. Jack's story is one that deserves to be told again and again and again, not just because it's remarkable but because it reflects the best of who we are as Australians.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Mascarenhas ): In accordance with standing order 193, the time for members' constituency statements has concluded.