Peacekeepers honoured in Warragul

Australia’s peacekeeping and peacemaking forces that have contributed to almost 100 missions around the world since 1947 will be honoured at the Warragul RSL next Sunday.

RSL sub-branch president Ben Vahland said plaques featuring the insignia of the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association and the United Nations would be unveiled at the club in recognition of their service and sacrifices.

The ceremony will mark International Peacekeeper Day and acknowledge the service of more than 30,000 Australians that were members of the three armed services and Australian Federal and State police contingents.

Australian personnel have been involved every year for the past 75 years in peacekeeping and peacemaking operations, the first of which was in Netherlands East Indies now called Indonesia.

Mr Vahland said as many as 10 to 15 per cent of Warragul RSL’s service and ex-service members were part of one or more of the missions.

He said the event starting at 4.30pm on Sunday was open to all who had served and he was looking forward to see plenty wearing the distinctive light blue berets of the United Nations forces.

Mr Vahland said the concept of an Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans Association was developed in 1993 after many that had returned from service in Cambodia noticed some of their colleagues were ill but counselling services did not recognise them as veterans.

The peacekeeping and peacemaking forces, including those from the police forces, are now eligible for service membership of the RSL. Sunday’s event would formally welcome and pay tribute to them and Mr Vahland encouraged all members and families to attend the important occasion.