ANZAC SPIRIT BURNS BRIGHT IN MAROUBRA

SOUTHEAST EASTERN SUBURBS VOICE

• BOTANY • CHIFLEY • CLOVELLY • COOGEE • DACEYVILLE • EASTGARDENS • EASTLAKES • HILLSDALE • KENSINGTON • • KINGSFORD • LA PEROUSE • LITTLE BAY • MALABAR • MAROUBRA • MASCOT • MATRAVILLE • PAGEWOOD • RANDWICK • ROSEBERY •

ANZAC SPIRIT

BURNS BRIGHT IN MAROUBRA

Anzac celebrations are starting early in Maroubra, with a march and commemoration ceremony on Sunday April 10. Starting at 11am, ex-service personnel and other community members will march from the corner of Garden St and Maroubra Rd. At the cenotaph opposite Souths Juniors, there will be speeches remembering our war heroes. Then on the actual day when we honour our service personnel, Monday April 25, there will be a dawn service at the cenotaph, commencing 4.30. All are welcome to both events.

Despite enormous Australian casualties, the Japanese logistic support was over stretched and the allied forces finally prevailed in this phase of operations against Japan.

Focus of this year’s celebrations is the bravery of ‘Maroubra Force’ in the jungle on the Kokoda Track and the northern region of New Guinea during 1942-43. Maroubra Force, initially an ad hoc force consisting of the Papuan Infantry Battalion, the 39th Infantry Battalion and the 53rd Infantry Battalion, was reinforced as the Japanese onslaught continued. These additional personnel had valuable combat experience – they were members of the 7th Division’s 21st Brigade, consisting of 2/14th, 2/16th and 2/27th Battalions who had previously seen action in the Middle East.

“Some have referred to the actions of Maroubra Force as the Battle for Australia while others, seeing the bedraggled remnants of the Force, referred to them as ‘Those Ragged Bloody Heroes,’ said Maroubra RSL sub-Branch president Colin Flatters, seen (right in pic) with other sub-branch committee members.

While the war against Japan continued until August 1945, there is little doubt that the actions of Maroubra Force played a significant role in thwarting that country’s plans to invade Australia.

Colin said: “Maroubra RSL Sub-Branch remembers and pays tribute to all our brave men and women who served in all theatres of war, but this year in particular we focus on the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the Force which bore the name of our suburb, Maroubra.”

He said the bravery of Maroubra Force members was underscored by the Australian casualty list in actions on the Kokoda Track – approximately 600 killed and 1600 wounded. Total Australian casualties during WWII are estimated at 27 000 killed and 23 000 wounded.

“On these statistics alone, it doesn’t take very much thought to realise that we owe our WWII Veterans and their families’ an enormous debt and respect for their sacrifice,” Colin said. The commemorations at the April 10 event will involve local schools and other community groups who will lay wreaths in honour of our war heroes. Thus, the youngest members of our community will pay tribute to the bravery of previous generations – and as they see the names of fallen service personnel from this community on the cenotaph, gain an understanding of the sacrifices that were made.

Services have been limited over the last two years due to COVID restrictions, so this year gives the opportunity to hold unrestricted services and activities that commemorate the sacrifices made by those serving in the defence of our country.

LEST WE FORGET.

Resilient abuse survivor finds support

Meet Jae.* She is a survivor of rape and life on the streets. Now the 30-year-old is turning her life around with help from The People’s Pantry in Mascot.

The food relief hub on Botany Rd has often helped her through a tough week. But it’s more than food support for Jae. It’s a connection with others.

And connection is more important than ever after the journey she’s been on. At 27, she found herself homeless. She drifted into a relationship with a man who hit her when they were out in public. Then in a subsequent relationship, she was raped. But now she sees light at the end of the tunnel. “I will not let rape define my life,” Jae says. She has received emotional support through the 1800RESPECT counselling service plus Mission Australia. Now she has a roof over her head and has been developing a local support network since discovering The People’s Pantry last December. All the best, Jae, with your journey to complete recovery.

The People’s Pantry is run by South Eastern Community Connect (SECC), a not-for-profit organisation based in Eastlakes. If you’re having trouble coming up with funds to put food on the table, you are welcome to drop round. Donations of food and other grocery supplies are also welcome.

To find out more about The People’s Pantry, visit bit.ly/peoplespantry or call 0415 783 558.

CONSIGNING INCINERATOR PLAN TO THE GARBAGE TIP

Local politicians and other opponents of the Matraville incinerator proposal posed for pictures alongside two garbage trucks decorated with slogans opposing the scheme. The event was organised by Chris Hanson of No More Incinerators. councils, Christina Curry and Dylan Parker, were there, along with Kingsford Smith MP Matt Thistlethwaite. You may also recognise the looming figures of former Randwick mayor Danny Said and newly-elected South Ward councillor Bill Burst. Bill has burst onto the local political scene by putting forward a plan, approved by council, to fly anti-incinerator flags in Matraville and Little Bay for a month.