By KATRINA BRANDON
RECOGNISING those who bring peace to our land, Morwell RSL held a Peacekeepers Peacemakers Day event on September 13.
About 25 veterans and locals joined the Morwell RSL for the afternoon to chat and catch up.
Morwell RSL Sub Branch President Don Fuller led the proceedings.
“National Peacekeepers Day is observed here in Australia on the 14th of September of each year. This date marks 1947, when four Australian military observers deployed to the Netherlands East Indies, which is now Indonesia, and they became the first field peacekeeping mission,” Mr Fuller said.
“Peacekeepers are international military, police, and civilian personnel who work under the United Nations to help countries move from conflict to peace.”
Mr Fuller said that the role of the peacekeeper and peacemaker comes in three categories:
-Protecting the civilians by stopping violence;
-Keeping vulnerable populations safe from harm, monitoring ceasefires, observing agreements, and patrolling buffer zones, and;
-Building stability, supporting elections, disarming former combatants, and promoting the rule of law.
Australia has contributed military, police, and civilian personnel to international peacekeeping operations every day since September 1947.
On a global scale, Australia has been peacekeeping for about 70 operations across 60 countries, with 65 Australians serving on peacekeeping missions and 17 losing their lives while on service.
“As Australians, we’ve done a bit to continue to help the world try and maintain a little bit of peace,” Mr Fuller said.
“We here at Morwell have decided to acknowledge those local veterans who have served as peacekeepers and peacemakers.”
Due to some delays with a new memorial, Mr Fuller instead welcomed people to lay wreaths at one installed for a different event. The wreath-laying was followed by The Ode, a minute’s silence, and Advance Australia Fair.
After leading the service, Mr Fuller welcomed Pro Active Health Owner and operator Thomas Kearney to discuss veterans’ health.
Mr Fuller also told veterans they can reach out to the local advocates through the Morwell RSL on Wednesdays, either by appointment (made through reception) or by dropping in.
Highlighting the importance of looking after themselves, Mr Kearney talked about Pro Active Health and other services available in the region.
Pro Active is an allied health group, with gym, pool, physiotherapy, podiatry and dietary services available. Mr Kearney said that they occasionally also do home visits, particularly in Gippsland, where he hopes to bring more services and programs.
“I like to identify what people are interested in or what they might feel that they need, and we run a lot of prevention programs in ourselves and just general strength conditioning,” he said.
Mr Kearney talked to the group about recommended exercise needs, tailored fitness programs, physio, diet programs, planning events, pushing for more members and other things through referral.
Overall, Mr Kearney and Mr Fuller noted that it’s about starting conversations to help prevent isolation and connect local veterans and peacekeepers with support.
For more information on the Morwell RSL’s local services for veterans, go to: https://morwellrsl.com.au/pension-and-welfare-services/
