31 July 2009
Speech by Foreign Minister Stephen Smith at Mr Craig Senger's Memorial Service
Craig Senger
Craig's life was cut tragically short on the morning of 17 July while on his first overseas posting, in the course of doing a job he loved, a job at which he excelled, a job which helped advance Australia's national interests.
The circumstances of his death have shocked Australians both at home and abroad.
They have painfully reminded us of the risks that Australian officials and their families face when serving overseas.
I travelled to Jakarta immediately after the attacks to support Craig's Embassy colleagues, who have had more than their share of tragedy in recent years, and to underscore Australia's willingness to stand shoulder to shoulder with Indonesia at a difficult time.
While in Jakarta, I met and spoke with Kate, offering condolences and sympathy on her tragic loss.
I was struck by how brave she was at such a moment and how she carried herself with grace and dignity.
I also spoke directly with Craig's friends and workmates at the Australian Embassy - colleagues from Austrade, DFAT, and from other agencies at the post.
From them I learned why Craig was so widely respected and why he will be so terribly missed.
A talented and committed colleague who was a great team player - at work or on the football field.
They spoke about his sense of humour and his generosity of spirit, his boundless energy, his enthusiasm and his dedication.
I also sat with Rod Morehouse and Patrick Kearins, who together with Craig, were the three Australian based Austrade officers in Jakarta, working with the local Austrade Jakarta team.
I saw the pain in their eyes, heard the grief in their voices, but also witnessed their strength as they themselves helped comfort Kate and Craig's friends.
Most of all I saw the respect and regard that they had for Craig, a publicly spirited colleague doing his bit for Australia.
To Kate, to Craig's mum and his family:
Our hearts go out to you, as they do to the families of the other innocent victims of this terrible attack, not just the Verity and McEvoy families from Australia, but families from Indonesia, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
We understand the magnitude of your loss.
We share in your grief.
We hope that our admiration and respect for Craig will be some small comfort for you in the future.
You have our deepest condolences and our sympathy, our thoughts and our prayers.