In 2017, we recognise the service of Australia’s peacekeepers. Australian service men and women have been in the field of peacekeepers continuously since 1947, serving in more than fifty multinational operations spanning the past 70 years.
To recognise this year’s event, the Department of Veteran Affairs have released the sixth edition of their ‘Century of Service’ series. Titled, ‘Comradeship – stories of friendship and recreation in wartime’ the book explores stories of Australians who even in the darkest days, found joy through simple pleasures such as sport, music and conversation.
One story featured in the book highlights how the great Australian summer sport of Cricket brought joy in times of adversity. In October 1954 the English cricket team strode onto the WACA ground in Perth to take on Western Australia. The first match of a fiercely contested 1954-55 Ashes series, all spectators were keen to watch a good game!
Meanwhile in Korea, a group of Australian and English troops were preparing for their own showdown on a desolate oval, a few kilometres behind the demilitarised zone - the Korean Ashes. Prior to the game, renowned test player Keith Miller, sent a note in support of the Australians, urging them to ‘twist the lion’s tail’. Australia won the match, with three wickets, and later sent a few words of encouragement back to the Australian team playing on home soil, “We have given the lion’s tail a preliminary twist. The rest is up to you”.
If you would like to read about other Comradeship stories, this book is available in the Dumbleyung Library. The Dumbleyung Library is open during CRC opening hours Monday 9.30am -4.30pm and Tuesday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm. Library membership is FREE and it’s easy to register – ask us today!
*this article is supported with information from the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Remembrance Day Service
The Wagin RSL are holding a Remembrance Day Service on Saturday November 11. The service will commence at 10.45am at the Wagin memorial. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the ceremony. Poppies will be on sale this Friday November 10 outside the Wagin Co-op and Newsagency. For enquiries about the service please contact David Hill, 0439 981 518.