General News
17 August, 2020
Victory in the pacific observed 75 years later.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2, veterans and families of the fallen came together to remember.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2, veterans and families of the fallen came together to remember.
This year the Tablelands regional council (TRC) held a special ceremony at the Rocky Creek War Memorial which is the site of what was an army base and military hospitals during the war
Mayor Rod Marti said, “This year is the 75th anniversary of victory in the Pacific and we are dedicating six individual and two-unit plaques during the ceremony.” He said
“The unit plaques recognise Reserved Occupations and the Australian Women’s Land Army.”
“We’ll also be unveiling a new memorial sculpture by Amanda Feher that represents the facilities, actions and people from the Rocky Creek site.”
The six new memorial plaques were added for servicemen who have passed.
Guest speakers at the event included WWII veteran Jack Duffy 93, who served in the merchant navy, and Millaa Millaa resident Margaret Plant, who shared information about the Rocky Creek nurses and female staff.
Over 200 people were in attendance and the United Tablelands Pipeband played a brand-new song at the ceremony.
Hundreds of Australian pipers and drummers across Australia played VP 75 – Lest We Forget at precisely 9.30am, a tune specially commissioned by Pipe Bands Australia and written by Melbourne composer Mark Saul for the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Mick Ruppin from the United Tablelands Pipeband said drummers and pipe bands had a long tradition of supporting commemorative occasions.
“To us, it is an honour to be part of honouring those who served Australia,” said Mr Ruppin
At 10am Mayor Rod Marti unveiled the new memorial with Lt Colonel Mick Sullivan. Queensland Senator Susan McDonald laid a wreath and presented the Department of Veteran affairs with a new medallion that has been pressed to remember VP Day and the contribution that Australians soldiers made to World War 2.
John Hardy who is on the National Servicemen’s Association – Tableland Branch said not only would next year be the 76th anniversary it would also bethe centenary of the RAAF. “Next year we will have representatives from the RAAF and hopefully a flyover.”
