“THE STAR”, Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - PAGE 21
Australia must uphold peace By Brad Lester “WE pray too that we as Australians will be able to shine as a beacon of peace amongst other nations.”
With those heartfelt words, Reverend Geoff Pittaway of St Mary’s Anglican Church at Mirboo North urged those gathered in the town on Anzac Day to learn from past experiences of war. His was a pertinent message among many delivered at the service, held around the town’s cenotaph and attended by an inspiring crowd representing multiple generations. Reverend Pittaway prayed the conflict in Afghanistan would soon be over, and called for the thousands of Australians killed in wars to be remembered, as well as those who “waited for loved ones who never came home”. He posed the question of whether Anzac Day would continue to be held in such high esteem once the centenary of the event passes in 2015 and suggested it would, as after all, he said Australians must stand up for the rights and freedom of others “for whom we have responsibility as human beings”. Such words were enacted by guest speaker, retired Royal Australian Navy Commander Max Speedy, during the Vietnam War. The Mirboo North man was shot down twice while flying US Army helicopters charged with the responsibility of delivering troops to the battlefield, as well as the medical supplies sorely needed. The USA was sustaining losses of up to 500 troops a week and a day would not pass when Commander Speedy’s helicopter did not come under enemy fire. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery – an award only second in military prestige to the Victoria Cross – and was twice bestowed the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Commander Speedy’s unit was assigned the task of supplying 15 helicopters a day, an assignment they fulfilled even when the fleet of 32 was reduced to 17 by the Viet Cong. Looking back, he manages to cope well with memories of his traumatic past. “Sometimes I wonder how well I have done to be quite honest. I’ve been lucky,” he said. Others have not. As a volunteer with the Mirboo North ambulance service, Commander Speedy’s first job was to attend the suicide of a Vietnam veteran. Commander Speedy opened his Australia Day address with a count of Australian deaths at war: Boer War, 589; World War One, 61, 500; World War Two, 40, 000; Korea, 340; Vietnam, 521 dead; Iraq and Afghanistan, 34. “And we shouldn’t forget that New Zealanders are equal partners with us on Anzac Day: they lost 17,000 killed and over 41,000 wounded in World War One, the highest rate of casualties in that war,” Commander Speedy said. “Currently Australia has over 3000 service men and women deployed on operations around the world – not just in Afghanistan but on many peacekeeping duties. Since World War Two, there have been over 60 Australian peacekeeping assistance missions around the world.” He said Australians celebrate Anzac Day because it reminds them that everyone, “regardless of race or creed”, can live a life of freedom because of the sacrifices of servicemen and women. “Had it not been for them, we would in all likelihood have been invaded in the 1940s. We took part in the Korean War because it was a role for nations united against aggression. We went to Afghanistan and East Timor for similar reasons,” Commander Speedy said. “It is only proper that Anzac Day should be remembered and kept for what it is – a day in which we can
recall the strength and commitment of many tens of thousands of ordinary people who did extra-ordinary feats of valour and sacrifice to ensure that we Australians are able to celebrate as and when we like. “Should we change Anzac Day to something else? Absolutely not. It would debase the sacrifices made in the name of freedom for each and every one of us.” Commander Speedy said Anzac Day was not about glorifying war, but rather recognising “the sacrifice, commitment and unselfish devotion by those young men and women who served so valiantly for their country and what they and all Australians believed in”. “From those sacrifices we have the benefits of the freedoms we share today. We have abundant rights as Australians, guaranteed by the bravery and sacrifice of many others. But along with our rights we also have obligations. The obligation for each and every one of us here is to value and to guard our rights,” he said. “All I would ask of you is that you share our Australian inclusiveness with all who come from afar so that they in turn make these things their values.” The crowd joined Elaine Taylor and Kate Bristow in singing the hymns O God our Help in Ages Past and For Those in Peril on the Sea, and wreaths were laid by South Gippsland Shire Councillor David Lewis, Mirboo North RSL sub-branch vice-president Maxine Kiel on behalf of servicewomen, 1st Mirboo North Scouts, Mirboo North Primary School, Mirboo North Secondary College, Mirboo North CFA and Mirboo North Ambulance. Mirboo North RSL president Rick Elliott read the Requiem and the names of the eight Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since Anzac Day 2011, including Sergeant Brett Wood, formerly of Loch. The service concluded with a well attended morning tea at the RSL hall.
Remembering mates: members of the Mirboo North RSL sub-branch prepare to march. From left: David Halliwell (World War Two veteran), Tim Strongman (World War Two), Ian Potter (Malaysian conflict and five tours of Vietnam), Stewart Hume (World War Two) and Mick Nicholls (Royal Australian Air Force serviceman of 21 years).
We remember: guest speaker Commander Max Speedy and Mirboo North RSL sub-branch president Rick Elliott reflect.
Memories preserved STORIES of war literally come to life at the Mirboo North RSL Hall.
The sub-branch has installed display cabinets to preserve war artifacts and memorabilia, and framed photos and even a Japanese flag, with $5000 from the Mirboo North
and District Community Foundation. Sub-branch vicepresident Maxine Kiel said the attention to presentation has resulted in more items being donated and a richer history available to share. “It’s just made a big difference being able to showcase this for the members. It’s important
so the members feel that they are being recognised for what they have been through,” she said. The collection includes a full set of The Official History of Australia in the War (World War One) by Charles Bean. The set owned by the RSL was donated to the school and the school
subsequently gave it to the library. The library then forwarded the collection to the historical society and now the society has returned the books back to the RSL. “That’s something that I’m really proud of,” Ms Kiel said. Photos, medals and stories are among the collection, as are model aircraft and silk scarves with detailed maps of Vietnam given to troops in the event they were captured and attempted escape. “It will be a growing display that we will continue to do. It gives a lot of pride to the members that we have in the branch,” Ms Kiel said.
Living history: Mirboo North sub-branch vicepresident Maxine Kiel inspects a display case with Aaron Wilson of the Mirboo North CFA and Lions Club president. The case shows brass statues depicting military uniform changes over time.
Sharing message: Mirboo North RSL sub-branch president Rick Elliott was appreciative of the participation of Mirboo North Primary School and Mirboo Secondary College leaders. They were, front, from left: Leah Williams, Jack Burgess-Pincini and Clancy Peters. Back: Scott Marriott, Elliyah Salinger, Nik Gervasi and Sinead Allen.
Australians warrant remembering ANZAC Day is far from a celebration of war in the eyes of Mirboo North RSL sub-branch president, Rick Elliott. “It’s acknowledgement of the service and supreme sacrifice of those who gave their lives in defence of our nation,” he said.
Mr Elliott held the rank of lieutenantcolonel when he retired from the Australian Army in 1992, after serving with the Royal Australian Engineers. He graduated from Officer Cadet School at Portsea in 1967 and served in Vietnam during 1970 and 1971, and completed 26 years with the engineer unit.