Peacekeepers honoured at Warragul function

The service on United Nations peacekeeping and peacemaking operations by Australians, including a number from the local district, was honoured at a function in Warragul.
Held on May 26, International Day of UN Peacekeepers, the service at Warragul RSL clubrooms was the third year it had been marked at Warragul with the UN flag flying proudly alongside the Australian flag at the entrance to the club grounds.
The Warragul RSL Pipes and Drums band provided a fitting opening and closure to the ceremony that featured addresses by former peacekeeper John Bailey of Warragul, RSL sub-branch president Ben Vahland and a video and photographs of peacekeeping operations.
Some 66,000 Australians - members of the defence forces, police and civilian organisations - have served on more than 50 UN operations since 1947, 16 of whom lost their lives.
Mr Bailey of Warragul served in East Timor during his 34 years in the Army Reserve and the regular army.
In a sometimes emotional recalling of his time in East Timor Mr Bailey spoke of his role as a mechanic where he repaired and serviced military vehicles and equipment, delivered supplies to areas of conflict, supported an orphanage and conducted security patrols.
Mr Vahland said Warragul was one of only a few RSLs in Victoria that held a formal service on Peacekeepers Day, stating that over more than 75 years about two million people had served with the UN in an unique partnership to help countries transition from war to peace.
They went where others couldn't or wouldn't go, he said.