Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day commemorative service: 15 August 2024
PUBLISHED August 2024
View numerous images from the day, plus the visual reflection.
Under grey skies, our annual Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day service was held on Thursday 15 August.
Up to 250 attended the service, which commemorated the 79th anniversary of the end of hostilities in 1945. The Walkway Board Deputy Chair, Carole-Anne Priest, welcomed those present.
We welcomed, among many guests, our guest speaker Air Commodore Steve Pesce AM, Deputy Air Commander of Australia, plus local and state government representatives, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps. Air Commodore Pesce’s talk reminded those attending of the sacrifice made by Australian forces in the vital campaigns across the South-West Pacific theatre.
As always, many of our partner NSW RSL Sub-Branches sent representatives, plus local schools also attended. The catafalque party was provided by the Australian Armed Forces Re-enactment Group from the Central Coast.
Long-time partners, the NSW Corrective Services band provided the musical accompaniment, while the choir from the Strathfield North Public School also performed. A very special Welcome to Country was performed by our little friends (and their teachers) from the Rhode West Concord Pre-School.
Those attending witnessed three WWII veterans – David Trist (99), Bruce Robertson (104) and Reg Chard (100) – lay wreaths at the front of the stage.
A formal wreath laying service followed our guest speaker, giving the opportunity for special guests, ex-service representatives, community and school groups, plus many individuals to pay their respects on the day.
Click here to view the very visual reflection piece (4m 52s), which was a feature of the service, and highlighted the vital preparations for Australian forces post-1942, which saw them re-group, refresh and train on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland in the lead up to the end of the war in 1945.
We thank everyone who attended, and we hope to see you all again soon at the Walkway.
Lest We Forget.
