Wonthaggi remembers those who gave their tomorrow for our today
With state election candidates for Bass Rochelle Halstead (Liberal), Chris Buckingham (Labor), and Nikole Schellekens (One Nation) at the Wonthaggi Cenotaph to lay wreaths for Remembrance Day RSL President Major Kevin Walsh warned the community not to take the ballot box for granted. B14_4626
LOCAL residents gathered at the Wonthaggi Cenotaph on Remembrance Day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to reflect on their legacy.
The service brought together veterans, community organisations, emergency services, schools, state election candidates and members of the public for the traditional observance at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
The service included the first and last verses of Abide with Me, performed by the U3A Choir, before a benediction by Wonthaggi RSL Chaplain Rev. Capt. Graeme Liersch.
Wonthaggi RSL Sub-Branch President Major Kevin Walsh RFD led the service reminding those gathered why it was important to continue honouring those who never returned.
“These wreaths and poppies are laid here today in memory of all veterans who have given their lives in the service of Australia, and we give thanks for their sacrifice and today we pay our respect to them,” said Major Walsh.
Major Walsh's address encouraged those present to consider not only how Australia's fallen had died, but the values they defended including mateship and equality.
“When we talk about western values we are often told they are complex or controversial. But to the digger in the trenches, or the soldier on the modern battlefield, they are simple, profound, and worth everything,” he said.
“That same inclusive, demanding standard was present in Vietnam. We often speak of the 521 Australians who died there. But let us be specific about the nature some of that sacrifice, 202 of those who died were conscripts. They were twenty years old. We remember the dead not just with words, but by how we care for the living,” he said.
Major Walsh reminded those gathered for the Remembrance Day service that it was easy to take the ballot box for granted. “We queue up at the local school or hall, cast our vote, and go about our day. But the freedom to choose our own government, to have a say in our own destiny, is a privilege purchased at a terrible cost.”
Major Walsh added that our fallen did not fight for an unfettered king or tyrant. “They fought for the right of ordinary people to govern themselves. They fought so that the power of the state would rest in the hands of the people, not the other way around. When we vote, we honour them,” he said.
Guest speaker was former Australian Army Reserve Combat Medic Deb Parkes (6th Field Ambulance) who shared her personal reflections on 32 years of service including working alongside a member of Fred Hollows' team in Katherine.
“To help Aboriginal Elders regain their sight was something very special”, she said.
There were lighter moments too, including the time she accidentally hit a Military Police Sergeant with an ambulance door. “That Military Police Sergeant turned out to be my future husband,” Ms Parkes revealed.
Speaking about the more serious and challenging aspects of military service Ms Parkes said as a combat medic she helped train soldiers in lifesaving first aid before their deployment and conducted medical assessments before and after their return.
Sadly, for Ms Parkes some didn’t. One of the hardest parts of her job was conducting post-deployment medical assessments. “We listened as soldiers shared their experiences, things they had witnessed, endured or been required to do.”
“Some of these stories had never been shared with their families, but they shared them with us. We were listening to the grief and trauma that some soldiers carried home. Those conversations stayed with you,” she said.
The service concluded with a reminder that remembrance extends beyond those who died in service and included veterans who returned home, their families and those still carrying the physical and emotional effects of their experiences.
Wreaths were laid by representatives of the RSL, Legacy, Bass Coast Shire Council, Bayside Health and state candidates for Bass, followed by emergency services including Ambulance, CFA, Victoria Police and SES.
Community organisations, service clubs and schools also paid their respects, including the Inner Church Council, Bass Coast College, Bass Coast Specialist School, Wonthaggi Primary School, Girl Guides, State Coal Mine, Inner Wheel, OWLs, Wonthaggi and District Combined Probus, Lions Club, Rotary, Masonic Lodge, Miner's Dispensary and Bunnings, alongside members of the public.
Attendees were invited to the Wonthaggi RSL Sub-Branch afterwards for light refreshments.
