Tears flow at emotional memorial

THERE was barely a dry eye in Parliament House’s Great Hall as the national anthem was played.

Women, men and children all wept, united in their grief for their loved ones who were lost in the MH17 disaster a year ago.

Not even Prime Minister Tony Abbott could hold back his emotion, his voice cracking as he read words of comfort for those who lost friends or family.

More than 500 people gathered in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra to mark the first anniversary of the disaster in which 298 people – in- cluding 40 who called Australia home – lost their lives.

Earlier, Mr Abbott unveiled a permanent memorial to the Australian victims in the eastern gardens at Parliament House.

A plaque with the names of all 38 Australian citizens and residents and a further two people who called Australia home was revealed.

At the memorial, words of comfort were offered by Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, Mr Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop read a moving statement from the Maslin family, who lost all their three young children and grandfather on the flight.

“No hate in the world will ever be as strong as the love we have for Mo, for Evie, for Otis,” Ms Bishop said on behalf of the family.

“No hate in the world will ever be as strong as the love we have for Grandad Nick.

“No hate in the world will ever be as strong as the love we have for each other. As our kids always said, peace out.”

Mr Abbott said: “In worst of times you have displayed the strength of giants and the grace of angels and I am humbled by you.

“We owe it to the dead to bring the guilty to justice.”