Opening of ANZAC Mural Emerald Town Hall

On the 18 August 2022 RSL Emerald Sub Branch Secretary Bryan Ottone officially opened the Mural along with Kerry Hayes (Mayor of Emerald).

Good evening everyone and welcome to the Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration service & and the dedication of this wonderful Mural. I extend a welcome to the Mayor and Councillors of CHRC, to all current, Returned & Ex Service Men/Women, War Widows, Ladies & Gentlemen & the youth of our community.

I now need to mention the apology from our President Noel Mallyon who is recovering in Rockhampton from a medical condition, this being the first service he has not conducted in over 30 years.

It is a credit to our community to see such a large gathering & in particular the large number of our youth as we stand here beneath the Aust flags to particularly honour all Australian men/women who have served, suffered & died as a result of the Vietnam War.

Acknowledgement to country – Cr Kerry Hayes- Mayor-CHRC

Acknowledgement of Visitors and guests:

Mayor Hayes, Cr Daniels, Cr Carpenter, CHRC General Manager Communities John McDougall
District PFH RSL Branch President Phillip Luzzi and his wife Robyn
Lane Buffington who is representing Colin Boyce the Federal Member for Flynn
Marist College Deputy Principal Mr Shields and 4 student leaders
Emerald State High Principal Mr Sean Maher with his School Captains
St Patrick’s Assistant Principal Administration Mrs Kylie Heinemann and 4 student leaders
St Brigid’s Evelyn Walker for the Principal and student leaders
Mrs Rhonda Jones, Principal of Emerald State Primary School and 4 school leaders
Bill Gannon the architect and artist for this magnificent feature.

Other Apologies:

Lachlan Millar MP- at Parliament

Introduction – Vietnam Veterans’ Day/ Long Tan

On 18 August, we commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. We remember the sacrifices of those who died and say thank you to almost 60,000 Australians who served during the 10 years of our involvement in the Vietnam War.

The Vietnam War was Australia’s longest military engagement of the 20th Century.

The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team in South Vietnam during July and August 1962 marked the start of Australia’s involvement in that war.

By the time the war had come to an end, almost 60,000 Australians served during a decade of conflict between 1962 and 1972. Tragically, 521 of them died and 3000 were wounded.

Battle of Long Tan

The Battle of Long Tan was a significant moment in Australia’s war in Vietnam.

On 18 August 1966, in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan, Australian soldiers fought one of their fiercest battles of the war.

The men of Delta Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, faced a force of some 2000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops. The battle was fought in wet and muddy conditions during a heavy tropical downpour.

By the end of the day, 17 Australians had been killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom died a few days later. This was the largest number of casualties in a single operation since the Australian Task Force had established its base at nearby Nui Dat the previous April.

There were other major battles including Coral Balmoral where 28 Australians were killed in battle over a period of one month.

This Sub-Branch held its first Vietnam Veterans’ Day service over 30 years ago at the old site in Clermont Street where the cenotaph was located then, and has held a service each year since.

On this day, we commemorate all the battles fought by Australians in Vietnam, from large-scale operations to platoon and section-level encounters. We remember the sailors of the Royal Australian Navy who supported land operations, and members of the Royal Australian Air Force who served in combat and transport roles.

It is a day to say ‘thank you.’

On Vietnam Veterans’ Day, we pause and reflect on the bravery, teamwork and endurance that Australians displayed throughout the war.

We honour those veterans who:

• lost their lives during battle

• returned home wounded, ill or injured

• lost their lives in the years since they returned

• still carry the physical and emotional scars of their service

We also pause to reflect on the impact of service on veterans’ families.

Commemoration of Vietnam veterans

Some veterans didn’t feel properly honoured for having served their country in Vietnam. In 1987, veterans received the welcome home parade that some felt had been denied them when they returned from war. Around 22,000 Vietnam veterans marched through Sydney, in front of a crowd of some 100,000 Australians.

History on the Mural – Dean Smoothy – CHRC

Opening Prayer – Father Terry Loth – Catholic Church

Dedication of the Mural- Cr Kerry Hayes Mayor of CHRC

Laying of Wreaths

Parade attention.

Names of the fallen at the Battle of Long Tan – Tony Simon

Playing of song “He was only 19.”

Parade -about turn to view the wall of the mural.

Reading of the ODE – all in attendance after my reading of the Glorious Dead:

“They went with song to battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow,

They were staunched to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.”

Ode:

“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them,

LEST WE FORGET

Last Post – Jacinda Stefaniuk – Bugler

Minutes silence

Flag Bearers move to the flags which will be hoisted to full mast during the playing of Reveille.

Reveille – Bugler

Closing Prayer – Father Terry Loth -Catholic Church

National Anthem – Marist College will lead.

Thank you:

To the community for your attendance and it is very pleasing to see attendance by our youth who are our future leaders.
CHRC – Dean Smoothy, Nicole Rickards, Kris Stefaniuk; Kayla Wren & Rad;
Our Bugler Jacinda Stefaniuk;
Marist college

What does the imagery on the wall behind you mean?

As most people around the world, I have a deep admiration to those that have served and will serve their country.

This mural project started with a couple of ideas of what concepts should be depicted on this not so very attractive blank wall.

After meetings with the Emerald RSL Sub-Branch, it was decided that to maintain and enrich the areas’ theme, being that of Emeralds Anzac Square around the cenotaph was the best way to honour those people and increase awareness and recognition of their sacrifices.

Many discussions were held regarding what the mural should contain which included time lines, flags, emblems and images of the animals that contributed. Extensive consultation was undertaken with the local RSL, the Artists Bill and Luke Gannon and the Australian defence force. These discussions resulted in what you see before you……

The significance of these images:

The Train – was the troop train that ran from Winton through to Rockhampton then onto Brisbane picking up people to serve in WW1. The image used was a picture taken here at Emerald station. If you stand at the same angle form where they took the photo, it will show a different perspective.

The badges – You will see four badges, the RSL badge, then the badges that represent the Navy, Army and Airforce. The RSL badge became a national badge in 1916, the badge originally showed two male figures, then 3 to depict the three branches of the defence force; and in 1990 another figure was added to represent the women who served. The defence force advised us of the correct protocols for displaying the badges: The badges had to be placed into a specific order and placement on the mural with Navy, Army and Air force.

Ode, Lest we forget and silhouette of soldier – these words signify the remembrance of the fallen, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and that they do not stand alone and they will be remembered.

Poppies – a show of remembrance for all those who have died in conflicts all over the world

For all Those who served – as it was not just to honour the original Anzac’s but for all those that have served our country regardless of their heritage, nationality or social status. The mural would have become very crowded with all the different flags and images to cover all nationalities and heritage. It was this reason that this wording was particularly selected to include and pay respect to the service and sacrifice of all service men and women that served.

Soldier carries a wounded soldier – to demonstrate the mateship, courage and sheer will to help in times of need.

Central Highlands Regional Council has been honoured to partner with the Emerald RSL Sub-Branch to deliver this beautiful new work of art.