DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 241/09
Friday, 31 July 2009
THE FUNERAL OF PRIVATE BENJAMIN RANAUDO
Mourners gathered today at Melbourne’s Boyd Chapel, at Springvale Botanical
Cemetery, to pay their respects to Private Benjamin Ranaudo, who was tragically
killed in Afghanistan on 18 July 2009.
Friends, family and colleagues remembered the dedication, professionalism and
sacrifice to the nation Benjamin displayed as a soldier and also for the love of his
family.
The Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP; Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon
John Faulkner; and Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, the Hon
Greg Combet MP, were there to join Private Ranaudo’s family, friends and
colleagues.
The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston; Deputy Chief of
Army, Major General Paul Symon; and Commander 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Stuart
Smith were also present to pay their respects.
The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon John Faulkner, extended his deepest
condolences to the family and friends of Private Ranaudo.
“Ben’s sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten, he gave his life serving his
country,” Senator Faulkner said.
“Our thought, support and prayers are with Ben’s family, as a loving son, friend and
colleague, Ben will be forever in our hearts and he will be sorely missed.”
At the request of the family, media are asked to respect the family and their
wishes for privacy during this difficult time.
Media note:
Vision
Vision of the service will be available after 4:00pm via ABC in Melbourne. Please
ring Captain Al Greene on 0419 262 267 to confirm these arrangements and timings.
Photography
Images of the service and further personal imagery of Private Ranaudo will be
available after 4:00pm on 31 July 2009 from the Defence website
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
