Four Burdekin veterans were presented with Certificates of Appreciation for their service and contribution to Australia’s defence efforts by Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox.
Mr Willcox made the presentations at a RSL Home Hill Sub Branch meeting on Monday, May 20 and said the Certificates of Appreciation are available under the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Program.
“They’re a way of expressing the nation’s gratitude to those who served overseas in Australia’s Defence Forces from the Second World War on, or on the home front during the Second World War,” he said.
“We’re very fortunate that we’ve got four recipients in the Burdekin.
“Two, unfortunately, are being presented posthumously and are being represented by their sons.”
The four recipients were presented with Certificates of Appreciation signed by Mr Willcox, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh.
RSL Home Hill Sub Branch President Richard Kelly was one recipient of the certificates having served nine months in Vietnam.
“We’ve received these certificates for appreciation for what we’ve done overseas,” he said
“I was unlucky in one way but lucky in another when I was called up (to serve in Vietnam).
“A lot of people said, ‘Are you going?’ and I said, ‘Why not? I’m going to serve my country.’
“I was proud to serve my country and was one of the lucky ones who got to come home.”
Mr Willcox shared his appreciation with the RSL Home Hill Sub Branch members.
“It’s not lost on me the fact that the freedoms we enjoy today, they’ve been hard fought for,” he said.
“People have actually gone over there, protected our boundaries and made sure that we’re safe and can enjoy each and every day.
“I can’t thank the Australian Defence Force and the veterans enough.”
Certificate of Appreciation Recipients
• Andrew Clive for his contribution to the Volunteer Defence Force E Company Ayr 16th Battalion VDC QLD (accepted posthumously by his son Ron Clive)
• Jack Petersen for his contribution during World War 2 (accepted posthumously by his son Allan Petersen)
• Richard Kelly for his war service in Vietnam
• William “Bill” Lowis for his contribution as Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Australian Navy Vietnam and Indonesian peacekeeping operations
L-R Richard Kelly, Allan Petersen, Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Ron Clive and Bill Lowis
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