This year's Canada Day was celebrated in a very Canadian way - with an ice hockey game, or as the Canadians would remind us, "just hockey, as there is only one type".
The ADF Ice Hockey team took on members of the Canadian diplomatic community in an ice hockey game that fostered connection, cultural exchange and professional engagement.
While the game served as the centrepiece, the event's broader significance lay in strengthening the Canada-Australia relationship by creating an informal environment to build connections beyond traditional settings.
The event followed more than nine months of planning between the ADF Ice Hockey Association and the Canadian High Commission.
The Officer in Charge of the event for the ADF, Sergeant Brendan Harrison, said that even though the game took some planning, it was well worth the time.
"It was a fantastic way to celebrate Canada Day, while strengthening and developing connections between the ADF and the Canadian High Commission community," Sergeant Harrison said.
"Sport has [the] unique ability to bring people together, and events like this help build lasting relationships both on and off the ice."
Attendees included the High Commissioner of Canada to Australia Julie Sunday, the Canadian Defence Advisor, Australian parliamentary representatives and senior ADF members, highlighting the value both nations place on engagement across diplomatic and defence channels.
'Hockey is part of Canada's national identity, but the real significance of today was the opportunity to bring people together.'
Dr Sunday reiterated the strength of the Australia-Canada relationship.
"Hockey is part of Canada's national identity, but the real significance of today was the opportunity to bring people together," Dr Sunday said.
"Events like this strengthen the personal connections that underpin the Canada-Australia partnership and remind us that friendship, teamwork and a little healthy competition can go a long way in building lasting relationships."
The game was hotly contested, but the ADF took the win with a score of 3-1.
However, the event's success extended well beyond the scoreboard. Interactions between embassy staff, service personnel and officials allowed for meaningful diplomatic interaction between players and embassy staff.
Canada has a number of liaison and exchange officers posted within the ADF, including Lieutenant Colonel Matt Berry, currently posted to the planning branch of Headquarters Joint Operations Command.
"My posting to Australia has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which has not only enhanced my operational planning knowledge and experience, but has also illuminated the importance of the ADF within the Indo-Pacific," Lieutenant Colonel Berry said.
"As an avid hockey fan, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to play in this game and celebrate Canada Day in such a Canadian way."
By combining sport, dialogue and cultural exchange, the event reinforced the strong Australia-Canada partnership, demonstrated how people to people links can enhance diplomatic outcomes and showcased true Canadian culture.
