BURLEIGH HEADS 15th April 2010 VP / VJ DAY - PRESIDENTS REPORT

65th Anniversary VJ/VP day Commemoration service held at the Cenotaph in the Memorial Park Burleigh Heads Queensland.
Could not have wish for a better day, blue sky, light breeze about 24°C. The memorial park was well manicured a few days earlier and was a sea of tranquillity. The stage was set to remember our fallen! Over 150 turned up to commemorate this very special day in Australian history, 65 years ago. This year we were fortunate and honoured to have three ex-POW's in attendance, Mick Kildy, Norm Anderton, MBE and Harry Nesbitt, OAM as well as a very good roll up of Second World War veterans from the Army, Navy, Merchant Navy & Air force as well as many others from other conflicts. Additionally, many members of the public stopped to participate in the ceremony, which was pleasing to see.

Cadet Party and Officers from 133 Army Cadet Unit were present to mount a catafalque party on the cenotaph and did so with great precision. They will grow to be very proud Australians. We do appreciate the effort that was made by their officers to get the cadets to our service as they had to come from Canungra where they had been on camp, thanks Cadets!

Fr Pat Molony unfortunately could not be with us due to parish commitments and sent his best wishes and apologies. Brett Whitchurch was present to play his moving rendition of the Last Post and Rouse. Again very well played and a big thank you to Brett!

Samantha Naday, our vocalist, was present to sing the four National Anthem. Samantha did a solo rendition of the American Anthem and then again with Music due to a mix up with the relief sound technician who thought he only had music for three of the Anthems. However, I'm sure everyone enjoyed Samantha's singing. She has a wonderful voice and we do appreciate her commitment to our commemoration services. Thank you, Sam!

Councillor Greg Betts was present and read the POW prayer during the service on behalf of all the POW's. Thank you, Greg.

Wreaths were laid by

• Chris Keating, President Burleigh Heads RSL Sub-Branch, on behalf of all the fallen and departed members,
• Greg Betts on behalf of the Gold Coast City Council,
• Norm Anderton, MBE on behalf on ex-POW's,
• Mick Kildey on behalf of the Doctors and Nurse's who served in POW camps,
• Lt Bernadette Shelley on behalf of the Australian Defence Force,
• Ken McNaught on behalf of the Merchant Mariners &
• Jeannie McKenzie on behalf of the Nurses and the VAD's.
  
  

Due to the ageing of our Veterans this year it was decided not to have the troops parade. Only the flag bearers formed up, with Ben Davies, Noel Hull, Ron Mansfield & Bob McNamara carrying the four flags - United Sates, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australian. Thank you, gentlemen!

The service lasted 45 minutes after which the troops adjourned to the Burleigh Bowls Club for a roast lunch and refreshments thanks to the Federal Government's Department of Veteran Affairs grant towards this special occasion. Our thanks to the great bar staff at the Burleigh Bowls Club under the leadership of Gary Potts and the Salt & pepper kitchen with Lisa and her great team who created a wonderful roast meal for those present with a wonderful, cheerful spirit. Nothing was too much trouble. Thanks, Gary and Lisa.

The Gold Bulletin newspaper sent a reporter and photographer to cover the commemoration service and should have a short story in tomorrows issue of the paper. A mention must be made of the 4CRB radio station who gave radio coverage for the Burleigh VJ/VP Day service and the Gold Coast Sun newspaper who published an article on the Burleigh Heads RSL VJ/VP service in their Wednesday 11 August 2010 issue of the newspaper. The early coverage was most welcomed and appreciated.

Yours in service.

Christopher Keating
President