Service and sacrifice honored

The service and sacrifice of Australians in international peacekeeping and peacemaking missions around the world was recognised for the first time at a ceremony at Warragul RSL.

Warragul RSL president Ben Vahland said the service, held on International Peacekeepers Day, was one of only a handful in Victoiria but assured the attendance of some 70 people that it would be an annual event on the subbranch's calendar.

The United Nations flag flew alongside the Australian flag at the entrance to the RSL premises and during the service a plaque was unveiled by Mr Vahland and former Australian Army Major David Innes containing the UN and Peacekeeper and Peacemaker logos that is now on permanent display at the front of the clubrooms.

Veteran of the Afghanistan conflict Damien Sgarbossa read the Ode before the Last Post, one minute's silence and Reveille.

During the service Mr Vahland said Australian military personnel, federal and state police and civilians had been deployed in more than 70 peacekeeping operations in 62 countries since 1947 and currently were actively involved in UN missions in South Sudan, Mali, Israel, North Korea and north-east Asia. Sixteen Australians have been killed in the UN led operations.

The Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Association was formed in 1997 and has since advocated for the welfare of its veteran community including submissions to the Royal Commission into suicides among defence personnel and veterans.

Mr Vahland said that wherever Australian peacekeepers and peacemakers had been deployed they had earned the respect of the international community and helped to bring peace and an end to conflict.

Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood praised the Warragul RSL for its initiative in marking International Peacekeepers Day and for "putting their lives on the line" to protect the freedoms of others".

He said the peacekeepers and peacemakers should be recognised alongside all that have fought for Australia and believed more should be done through schools to educate young people about the country's military history.

The ceremony fittingly opened and closed with renditions by piper Richard Harris.