An inspired address by former Charlton resident, Wing Commander, Garry McKee resonated strongly with the large crowd attending the 2023 Charlton Anzac Day ceremony last Tuesday on a gloriously mild autumn morning.

Representation of age groups from across the community swelled the crowd, which included many students from both the Charlton College and St. Joseph’s Primary School, who also joined participants in the march to the Charlton Hall.

With the crowd lining both sides of the road near the Cenotaph, spontaneous applause set the procession on its way, led by RSL Sub Branch President, Allan McGillivray, Buloke Mayor, Alan Getley and Wing Commander Garry McKee, with the Charlton/ Wycheproof Citizens’ Band providing the musical accompaniment. It is a stirring sight, even if RSL numbers are declining.

Support

Community support for the local commemoration of the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing was indisputable as the Hall rapidly filled for the formal service and was remarked upon by a number of the official speakers.

Following the welcome by Sub Branch President, Allan McGillivray, Buloke Mayor, Alan Geltey spoke, acknowledging the numbers of young people attending and emphasizing the role they would play in leading Anzac Day in the future.

Referencing the passing of two of the remaining three Victorian World War II veterans, (both Berriwillock residents), Cr. Getley said the future was in the hands of the youth. Thanking the RSL for the invitation to attend the Charlton service, Cr. Getley commended all participants for their input to the occasion.

Branch Padre, Reverend Judi Bird, invited the crowd to join in the singing of the first hymn, before the Charlton College SLC Leaders, Lennon Jablonka and Jacob Olive, read the 23rd Psalm. The choir then followed with the singing of “Abide with Me”.  

Guest Speaker

The highly experienced and decorated guest speaker, Garry McKee opened his address with the recognition of Charlton being his “hometown” despite a 48-year career in the Royal Australian Air Force, which included postings to the US and the UK, along with serving in 11 different countries.

After completing Year 11 at Charlton College, Garry joined the Air Force in 1975 as an apprentice radio technician, moving on to become an NCO on 1982 and an electronics engineer in 1996 – later obtaining a first class degree in engineering at Lincoln University in the UK in 2012. With postings to the UK (three years) and the US (two and three years respectively, including working at the Pentagon) Garry was the Australian representative on the Five Eyes Interoperability Council Management Committee as Chief of Staff.

During the course of his service Garry has worked on the F-111 swing wing bomber for 25 years, and more recently on the Heron UAV surveillance drones.

Numerous decorations also make up his CV, including amongst others, the NATO Medal with ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) clasp and Air Commander Australia Commendation.

Returning to Australia in January this year, Garry and his wife, Karen are now based at East Sale where he is serving as the Head of Logistical Engineering at the Headquarters Air Academy which trains its aviation specialists, including air battle managers, air traffic controllers and pilots.

War Zone

In an address which began with the origins of Anzac Day, the statistical details of the Gallipoli campaign never fail to make sobering reading. The deaths of 8,709 Australians and 2701 New Zealanders and a total of 44,000 Allied soldiers on that small peninsula introduced the theme which Garry wove throughout his speech – “They knew their chances were slim, but they went anyway.”

Relating local stories: from Charlton’s Jayne Burton about her uncle, Sgt. Colin Cameron, and his role in the daring, but ill-fated raid on the Japanese fleet in Singapore in Operation RIMAU – where tragically none of men returned home – “They knew their chances were slim, but they went anyway.”

The impact of a visit to the Imperial Air Museum at Duxford UK, also yielded mind-numbing numbers of loss. In the USAF display pavilion, on dozens of glass panels, are small silhouettes representing US aircraft loss in Europe during World War II. Some 38,400 aircraft in total, plus the loss of crew, paint a grim picture of the improbable odds which combatants faced.  

Garry also shared time spent with two former Pathfinder aircraft captains at RAF Wyton Bomber Command Centre, Cambridgeshire who, as young men of just 19 and 24 years of age, were flying, in pre-radar days, the big, slow Lancaster bombers. As the best of the best, these low flying pilots took great risks to mark locations for the higher altitude bomb drops, with both young men flying in excess of a full tour of 30 missions -one on 47 and the other on 72!

Qualities

While relating other instances of dedicated service, Garry acknowledged the qualities of “greatness” shown by  the Second World War generation including: steadfastness, courage (not once, but repeatedly), generosity of spirit, effort in rebuilding the world after the war, commitment to making life better for the next generation, and the capacity to cope with the volume and breadth of change they not only witnessed, but facilitated.

“On 25th April every year we gather, and as a nation, perform a ritual rich in tradition and symbolism,” said Garry. “Our actions are our demonstrated tribute to the men and women who have given their lives defending everything that we want Australia to stand for:  Freedom, Opportunity, Courage and Mateship”.

Acknowledging the immense support offered by military families and partners, appreciation for the current men and women serving was concluded with “we wish them success and a safe return home.”

“It is my hope that in 108 years’ time, Australians and New Zealanders will still be gathering at events like this to remember and honour the courage and sacrifice of current comrades and those that served before them. Lest we forget.”

Thanks

Charlton’s official ceremony concluded with thanks being extended to: the Charlton / Wycheproof Band and Bandmaster Brian Heenan OAM, the Charlton Choir under the leadership of Gill Gretgrix, Charlton College and SLC Leaders Lennon Jablonka and Jacob Olive, St. Joseph’s School, the Charlton Police, Buloke Mayor, Cr. Alan Getley, Reverend Judi Bird and guest speaker Wing Commander Garry McKee.

Following renditions of the New Zealand national anthem (“God Defend New Zealand”) and “Advance Australia Fair” all were invited to the RSL club room for refreshments.

See the full ANZAC Day coverage in the issue.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 28 April 2023.