31 July 1914, Colac, Victoria, Australia
Andrew Fisher was Australia's fifth Prime Minister. For more information see Museum of Australian Democracy entry.
...Turn your eyes to the European situation, and give your kindest feelings towards the mother country at this time. I sincerely hope that international arbitration will avail before Europe is convulsed in the greatest war of any time. All, I am sure, will regret the critical position existing at the present time, and pray that a disastrous war may be averted. But should the worst happen after everything has been done that honour will permit, Australians will stand beside our own to help and defend her to our last man and our last shilling ... [loud applause]
This segment of the speech is the only part reported in the first person