Photo’s:

1. Frances Cairns at the Victory in the Pacific Day Commemoration Service
2. Victory in the Pacific Day Commemoration Service
3. Victory in the Pacific Day Commemoration Service
4. Great Irish Famine Commemoration
5. Great Irish Famine Commemoration

By Frances Cairns

Friday 15^th August

Victory in the Pacific Day Commemoration Service –  80^th Anniversary

The Second World War ended on the 15^th August 1945 and the Commemoration at the Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney was sponsored by RSL NSW.

The service was very moving, as you would expect it to be and although there had been a lot of rain, we remained dry with cloudy skies above us.  The Recessional was sung by Petty Officer Tracy Kennedy, accompanied by the Australian Navy Band Sydney and followed by the Commemorative Address by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW.

Speeches, prayers and wreath laying with The Ode, Last Post, Reveille, The Benediction and Australian National Anthem hi lights. Of notable importance was the attendance by our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and two WW11 veterans.

What struck me was the apparent absence of security and I thought if a similar event was held in the USA for example, there would be marksman up on top of the buildings with the weapons at the ready. It shows that Australia is such a trusting country.

Saturday 16^th August

2025 Commemoration at the Australian Monument to the Great Irish Famine

Held at the Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney NSW, the Great Irish Famine Commemoration Committee Inc hold this annual event for the benefit of all those connected to this history both in Australia and around the world. The Committee was formed in 1995 with the express purpose of establishing a memorial to recognise all those who died in Ireland or fled overseas including  Australia, to find a better life.

There were speeches, a poem and musical items, both in English and Irish Gaelic. Museums of History NSW supported the event and Martyn Killion gave an address. Dr. Jeff Kildea spoke about the Earl Grey Famine Immigration Scheme and Brianna Parkins, who is connected to ‘Ireland Calling Radio’ gave a reflection on the Kerry Orphan Girls. The two hour service concluded with a wreath laying ceremony with single flowers available for those who wanted to pay their respects.

For those who wanted to, lunch was organised at the P.J.O’Brien’s pub in King Street and we wandered down from Macquarie Street through drizzly rain.

It was a lovely event and there was good sharing afterwards over lunch.