For the first time in history, the Commonwealth Day Service was held outside Britain and the honour was experienced at St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral in Sydney on Monday, March 13, 2006, attended by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen was accompanied by her husband, His Royal Highness Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh, and her son, His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. As befitting such an occasion, the Commonwealth Secretary General, the Rt. Hon Don McKinnon was also present and took part in the Service.
Other dignitaries included politicians and church leaders. Those attending included The Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. and Mrs John Howard MP, the Leader of the Federal Opposition, the Hon Kim Beazley MP, the Premier of New South Wales and Mrs Morris Iemma MP as well as the Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore.
Church denominations and organisations represented, included the Australian Sangha Association, Baptist Union of Australia, Catholic Church, Hindu Council of Australia, Jewish Synagogue, Moslem - General Secretary Board of Imams of Australia, The Salvation Army and the Uniting Church in Australia.
The Dean, the Very Rev Phillip Jensen not only welcomed the official guests and dignitaries, but he also went along the barricades, welcoming the members of the public who had gathered, several hours before the ceremony was to start.
Students from St Andrew's Cathedral School paraded the Commonwealth Flags, followed by the Commonwealth Mace, carried by James Galea.
Both the Royal Anthem and the Australian National Anthem were sung, following the Official Welcome by the Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen.
In accordance with the traditional Commonwealth Day Observance format, the Service included special items relating to the "broad cultural and racial diversity of the Commonwealth".
A Commonwealth Day Rajathani Dance Group contributed to the program, which was followed by Anthony Callea singing "The Prayer".
Two young people, Sam Mak and Kiruba Ranjit participated by presenting a series of statements, related to thanksgiving.
The Queen's Commonwealth Day Message 2006 was illustrated by a video depicting the various scenes as she read her Speech, which addressed the issues of health and healthcare facing the Commonwealth.
The Queen spoke of "few feelings more satisfying than waking to a new day with a sense of wellbeing. Good health is a precious gift. Yet many do not share in this. Some forty million people today are living with HIV/AIDs, well over half of whom are Commonwealth citizens."
In closing, Her Majesty said: "In Melbourne, in just a few days' time, I will be opening what are known as 'The Friendly Games'. Commonwealth athletes will gather once more in a spirit of goodwill and fellowship, and will strive to achieve new heights of excellence.
"As we watch our finest sportsmen and women compete, we will see clearly what exercise at the very highest level can contribute to both body and spirit.
"There is a traditional proverb which says, 'He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.' This year, as governments search for new ways to tackle these important challenges, we as individuals can also play our part so that, in pursuing health and vitality for all, we bring hope to the world."
Commitments and Affirmations were then declared by a variety of denominational leaders, followed by an item from the Rooty Hill Samoan Community Choir, using traditional Samoan music, to sing the 23rd Psalm.
The Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Rev Dr Peter Jensen called upon people in his sermon, to "put their hope in Jesus Christ, the Bible's 'great physician', who can defeat such evils and in whom the final healing of the world lies ahead of us, in the Kingdom of God, made possible by his death on the cross."
Following the Commonwealth Day 2006 Observance, Her Majesty, accompanied by the Prime Minister, carried out her "meet and greet" along the barricades, speaking to many and receiving gifts of flower bouquets and greetings.
Invited guests then followed Her Majesty to Admiralty House for a special luncheon, before she headed back to Canberra.
On Wednesday evening she will officially open the Commonwealth Games and read her message which has been conveyed through every country of the Commonwealth inside the Queen's Baton.
For full text of Archbishop Jensen's Sermon, go to:
http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/senior_clergy/archbishop_jensen/sermon_preached_by_the_most_rev_dr_peter_jensen_at_the
For the text of Her Majesty's Speech, go to:
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page5098.asp
photos available:
http://community.webshots.com/user/ramon_williams