Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes joined several hundred people in Rabaul last week to commemorate ANZAC Day and the 70th anniversary of when World War II came to Rabaul, then an Australian territory.
Dr Sykes spoke in Parliament this week about the trip and of the importance of recognising and remembering one of the darker chapters in Australian war history.
Dr Sykes joined World War II Coast Watchers Jim Burrowes and Matt Foley, members of Rabaul Montevideo Maru Society, the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, representatives of the Governments of the United States, Britain and Norway as well as many locals at the commemoration in Rabaul.
He said, “The invasion of Rabaul in 1942 is a dark day in Australian history.
“The Lark Force of about 1,000 men was called upon to defend against many thousand Japanese.
“There was no plan for a strategic withdrawal and when defeat was inevitable the order of ‘every man for himself’ is a condemnation of military and political leadership of the time.
”Whilst a couple of hundred men successfully escaped to Australia, many died of disease or were killed including over 100 men being massacred at Tol Plantation.
“Most tragically 835 military and 218 civilians lost their lives on the unmarked Japanese ship the Montevideo Maru which was sunk by a US submarine.
“Congratulations go to those involved in organising the commemorative services, in particular Susie McQuade and her family, Steve Flanders, the Rabaul Historical Society, Phil Ainsworth, Andrea Williams and John Holland.
“I hope that the many people present who lost husbands, fathers or loved ones took comfort in the fact that Rabaul will not forget their sacrifice.
Dr Sykes also presented wreaths in Rabaul on behalf of local families in memory of lost loved ones and the many servicemen and women who gave their lives during the war.

War Memorials in Bright, Avenel and Longwood are three of 43 communities to share in more than $240,000 of Victorian Government Restoring Community War Memorial Grants, announced today by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Hugh Delahunty.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said Bright would receive $6,000, Avenel $3,500 and Longwood $3,200 as part of the latest funding round from the Restoring Community War Memorial Grants program.
Dr Sykes welcomed this funding and said, “These memorials are important community assets deserving of upgrades and preservation and play a significant role in remembering and recognising the sacrifice made by our servicemen and servicewomen.
“It is timely that these funding announcements are made just before ANZAC Day on 25 April this year.”
The funded projects are;
Bright – The funding will be used to refurbish the Mafeking Square War Memorial and includes repainting the clocktower and cleaning of honour roles, coat of arms and other brass symbols.
Avenel – The Avenel War Memorial will receive an update of the names on the memorial honour roll plaques and the area around the memorial will be landscaped.
Longwood – The Longwood Boer War Memorial will be paved with seating and landscaping undertaken around the memorial.
Dr Sykes said, “I congratulate the Alpine Shire, Avenel RSL Sub-Branch, the Longwood Action Group and Strathbogie Shire for their successful applications.”
Mr Delahunty said the Victorian Government was committed to passing Victoria’s war history to subsequent generations.
“Victorians are rightly proud of the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans and these grants will help keep their memories and stories alive through memorials around our state,” Mr Delahunty said.
“Local war memorials and avenues of honour play an important part in teaching new generations about the role veterans have played in our Victorian history and these grants provide practical support to keep them in good condition.
“By investing in the restoration of war memorials we can ensure our war history continues to be passed on to future generations and the legacy of our servicemen and women is kept alive through memorials around our state,” he said.
Restoring Community War Memorial Grants are available to councils, RSL clubs and community groups and facilities.
“We will continue to work with local governments, key ex-servicemen organisations and community groups to ensure the sacrifice of our veterans is never forgotten, especially in the lead up to the Centenary of ANZAC commemorations,” Mr Delahunty said.
Dr Sykes concluded, “This year I will attend a memorial in recognition of the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru in Rabaul. I am extremely honoured to be able to present wreaths on behalf of locals in my electorate who have a close connection to those who lost their lives on this ship.”
A full list of grant Restoring Community War Memorial Grant recipients and more information about applying is available at http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/veterans/veterans-heritage/war-memorials/restoring-community-war-memorials

ANZAC Day, 25 April 2012, is an important national occasion and a time to pause and reflect on the bravery and sacrifice made by our servicemen and servicewomen during two World Wars, other conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said, “This is a time for all of us to express our gratitude to the people who served in World War I and II, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, other threats of war including Afghanistan and peacekeeping missions around the world.
“They endured what they endured so that we may enjoy what we enjoy - living in the best country in the world.”
Dr Sykes said that this ANZAC Day he will join families of Lark Force members in Rabaul to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the tragic loss of life of Lark Force members during and after the fall of Rabaul in 1942.
Dr Sykes said, “There are very strong local connections to the Lark Force, many members were recruited from north east Victoria and they trained at Trawool prior to marching up the old Hume Highway in September 1940 en route to Bonegilla before being deployed to Rabaul.
“The thousand or so men of the Lark Force were no match for the many thousand Japanese who invaded Rabaul on 23 January 1942.
“There was no evacuation strategy and the command ‘every man for himself’ reflect poorly on the military and political leadership of the time.
“Some men were killed during the initial invasion, at least 130 were killed in the Tol Plantation massacre and many succumbed to disease and malnutrition as they tried to find their way back to Australia.
“Most tragically over 800 Lark Force members and over 200 civilians from Rabaul lost their lives when the unmarked Japanese ship the Montevideo Maru, which was transporting them back to Hainen Island, was torpedoed by the American submarine USS Sturgeon.
“Over 500 people, including some Lark Force veterans (and some Gull Force veterans who suffered similar massive losses on Ambon) attended the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the march of the Lark Force and Gull Force held in Benalla on Sunday 26 September 2010.
“One veteran, Norm Furness, with strong north east Victoria connections, conducted the commemoration ceremony at the Shire of Remembrance on 22 January 2012.
“Another person with strong local connections was Dr John Cooper who put his life at risk to protect the welfare of nurses who had chosen to stay in Rabaul in the knowledge of the Japanese invasion.
“There are many stories of the courage and endurance of Lark (and Gull) Force members and grief of families who did not learn of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru for several years nor the Tol massacre for decades.”
This year’s ANZAC Day posters also mark the 70th anniversary of two other battles from the Second World War; the bombing of Darwin and the campaign in Kokoda, papua New Guinea.
Dr Sykes concluded, “I encourage everyone in the Benalla Electorate, young and old alike, to make the time to participate in a local ANZAC Day commemoration and to remember those who gave our lives for our country.”
For more information on ANZAC Day commemorations contact your local RSL branch.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today welcomed funding from the Victorian State Government’s 2011 Veterans Council – ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund of $480 to produce the Violet Town RSL monthly newsletter.
Dr Sykes said RSL newsletters were an important way for veterans and their loved ones to stay in touch and informed about matters directly relating to war veterans.
“This funding will allow the Violet Town RSL to continue to support their ex-service personnel, their dependants and surviving war widows through the delivery of a newsletter.
“In addition to this funding I am pleased to be able to continue my support for the publication of the Violet Town RSL newsletter as a token of my personal gratitude for the sacrifices made by our servicemen and servicewomen.”
A total of $415,000 across Victoria has been provided to help deliver projects and initiatives to enhance the wellbeing of Victoria’s ex-service personnel.
Minister for Veterans Affairs, Hugh Delahunty said, “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for us, so this initiative is about giving something back to those who served.”

The Restoring Community War Memorials Grants Program 2011-2012 supports local communities in the Benalla Electorate who are keen to renew or repair their war memorials.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said, “The program provides funding of up to $10,000 to assist ex-service organisations, local councils, schools and community groups to preserve, restore and enhance local war memorials and honour rolls.
“For example in the 2010-2011 round the Bonnie Doon Community Group Inc received funds to help clean and re-varnish the WWI and WWII Bonnie Doon Honour Rolls and return them to their original and historically significant location.
“Euroa Community action undertook a project to replace the 129 plaques and plinths in the Avenue of Honour on Clifton and Tarcombe Streets and the Nagambie Sub-branch received funding to install a Cairn at the existing memorial to include the names of a family of brothers from the district who served in WWII.
“While the Violet Town Sub-branch used the funding to repair and fit the missing portion of the rifle from the memorial statue, refresh the lettering and clean the moss from the granite pedestal and stanchions.
“These are all important and worthwhile projects and ensure that our war memorials remain places of community pride and respect,” Dr Sykes said.
Since the program commenced in 2005 over 350 war memorials and honour roll restoration projects across Victoria have been allocated funding.
Applications for the Restoring Community Grants 2011-2012 close on 30 January 2012. A copy of the guidelines and details of how to apply for a grant can be obtained at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 366 356.
Further information is also available at www.veterans.vic.gov.au.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes encourages eligible groups to apply for grants currently available through the Victorian Veterans Council Grants Program 2011 – 2012.
Dr Sykes said the grants provide an opportunity to honour of the service and sacrifice made by our local service men and women in north east Victoria.
“The grants also provide an opportunity to improve the knowledge of all Victorians about our peacekeeping and peacemaking history as well as support the education and welfare of the dependants of those who have served our country so well.”
The grants are provided in two streams.
The Anzac Day Proceeds Fund is available to organisations whose principal aim is to provide welfare for the ex-service community.
The Victorian Veterans Fund provides funding of up to $30,000 for organisations running projects which honour or commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans, inform Victorians about our service history or assist with the education of veterans’ dependants.
Applicants seeking funding in excess of $30,000 may be considered provided the project is discussed with the Victorian Veterans Council prior to submission by calling the Veterans Unit - Ph. 03 99353042
Priority will be given to projects that increase the capacity of the veterans community to:
• Honour or commemorate the service or sacrifice of veterans;
• Inform Victorians about our history of service in conflicts, including peacekeeping and peacemaking operations; and
• Assist with the education of veterans’ dependants.

Applications close:
• ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund close on Monday 5th September 2011.
• Victorian Veterans Fund close on Monday 19th September 2011

For more information contact the Grants information line on 1300 366 356 or visit www.veterans.vic.gov.au

This year is the 70th anniversary of two significant battles during the Second World War, the Siege of Tobruk and the Battle for Greece and Crete which are commemorated in the 2011 Anzac Day posters produced by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
The images on the posters are poignant and reflect the courage, endurance, sacrifice and mateship of our Australian servicemen and women.
The poster commemorating the Siege of Tobruk features an image of men of the Australian Forces at the edge of the harbour with oil tanks in the background. With the Italian defences penetrated, the troops secured the town and forced the surrender of the Italians.
The poster commemorating the Battle for Greece and Crete features an image of four Australian soldiers at the Acropolis while on leave in Athens. The soldiers arrived in Greece in time to see some of the sights before joining the people of Greece and Crete in their fight for their country.
In each of our local communities there were young men and women who fought in these and many other conflicts throughout the world.
Anzac Day is the day that all Australians should pause and reflect on the enormous sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and servicewomen and their families to ensure that we do not forget them.
Throughout Victoria communities are working hard to restore War Memorials and Honour Rolls so that our war history can be passed on to subsequent generations.
The Nagambie RSL, for example has been provided funding to install a Cairn at the existing Nagambie Memorial to include the names of a family of brothers from the district who served in World War II.
Schools play their part as well in educating our young people on the importance of Anzac Day and for some students that means a trip to Canberra to visit the Australian War Memorial.
The Grade 5 and 6 students from St Mary’s Primary in Mansfield have recently made that trip and in the words of one student Grade 5 student;
‘Going to the Australian War Memorial was a great experience. It was sad knowing that Australians gave up their lives for us. Listening to The Last Post and The Ode was very moving.
‘Seeing the newest Victoria Cross recipient Benjamin Roberts making a speech on behalf of the Australian soldiers in Afghanistan who are helping to protect the Afghan people made me aware how grateful I am to be able to live in one of the safest country’s in the world.
‘It also means I am thankful for all the soldiers who fought in the World Wars to help keep Australia a free country’.
Like this young student, I say to all Australians on Anzac Day, please show your gratitude to our servicemen and servicewomen who served and continue to serve in armed conflicts and peace keeping missions throughout the world, particularly our soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

The commemoration on Sunday of the 70th anniversary of the march of the Lark Force and Gull Force through Benalla was a very special day for the 350 family members of veterans who attended along with six veterans.

Norm Furness, Max Gilbert, Tony Robinson, Lionel Penny, Fred Kollmorgen, Sam Blaby, Walter Hicks and Bill Sykes

The ceremony commenced with a march down Bridge Street lead by the Benalla Caledonian Band. The Salvation Army Band played a number of hymns during the service.
It was particularly fitting to have the Salvation Army band participate, as veteran Fred Kollmorgen was the only member of the Salvation Army Band with the Lark Force to survive.
Lark Force veterans, Norm Furness, Fred Kollmorgen and Gull Force veteran Max (Eddie) Gilbert spoke briefly of their war time experiences and their fond memories of the hospitality they received on the march from Trawool to Bonegilla in September 1940.
Fellow veteran Walter Hicks recited The Ode and veterans Lionel Penny and Sam Blaby laid a wreath on behalf of the Gull Force and Lark Force respectively.
Dr Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla who organised the commemoration said that it was a very emotional day. Dr Sykes said, “Clearly many families are still grieving over the tragic fate of their loved ones.
“It was wonderful for them to be able to speak to surviving veterans and learn a little more of their loved one’s fate.”
Mr Tony Robinson, the Minister assisting the Premier with Veteran Affairs, spoke of how the Lark Force at Rabaul and the Gull Force on Ambon succumbed to the overwhelming odds of the advancing Japanese in 1942.
The losses experienced by the Lark Force and the Gull Force were horrific. Up to 75% of their members were either killed in battle, executed, died of starvation, illness or maltreatment.
In the case of the Lark Force, around 800 of their number were killed when the unmarked Japanese ship (the Montevideo Maru) transporting them to POW camps was sunk by an American submarine.
Dr Sykes said, “The most appalling part of the history of the Lark Force and Gull Force was that they were forsaken by the Australian Government and military leaders. In the case of the Lark Force, when they were overwhelmed by the advancing Japanese the order was “Every man for himself” – what a disgrace!”
Dr Sykes continued, “Family members including wives, children and grandchildren of veterans travelled from all over Australia to participate. Their efforts were rewarded by being able to network with families of other soldiers and to talk to the veterans present.
“The glee in people’s eyes as veterans such as Norm Furness and Eddie Gilbert recalled the names of family members and loved ones was most gratifying.”
After the formal ceremony at the Cenotaph was completed, people adjourned to the Drill Hall to enjoy a magnificent afternoon tea, courtesy of the Benalla Red Cross.
It was over a cuppa that much of the catching up took place.
Well done to Meryl Batson and Ann Sloan and their team for the afternoon tea and for preparing mannequins in World War II costumes.
Lindsay Cox, Salvation Army historian put on a wonderful display of photos and memorabilia.
Dr Sykes concluded, “It was very gratifying to be able to help families of veterans learn more about the fate of their loved ones and to honour the six veterans who attended the ceremony. My gratitude for the sacrifices made by our military has grown again as a result of this experience. To all of our servicemen and servicewomen, past and present, I say ‘thankyou’.”

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has welcomed the Victorian Veterans Council Grants Program for 2010/2011 which helps support the veteran community through the funding of a range of welfare support, commemorative and educational initiatives.
Dr Sykes said, “I have a strong sense of gratitude to all veterans who sacrificed so much to ensure that Australians can call this country the best place to call home.
“It is important that veterans continue to receive support and recognition.
“The Veterans Council Grants Program recognises the significance of continuing to provide vital assistance to our veterans and to help preserve and honour our war history.”
Eligible organisations who can apply for funding include patriotic funds, Victorian ex-service organisations, local councils and not-for-profit community groups.
Projects that will be considered for funding include welfare services and equipment for the ex-service community, repairs or restorations to ex-service community accommodation and to provide communications such as newsletters.
Commemoration projects and events of regional and local significance will also be considered as well as education programs, exhibitions or displays that honour or commemorate veterans service and education programs that provide assistance to veterans’ dependants.
Projects are funded through the ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund and the Victorian Veterans Fund.
Applications must be received by Monday 6 September 2010 and can be submitted online at www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au , by email to grantapplications@dpcd.vic.gov.au, by fax to (03) 9208 3680 or by mail to Community Investment Services, Department of Planning and Community Development, GPO Box 2392, Melbourne 3001.
For further information contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 or www.veterans.vic.gov.au. Application forms are available from Bill Sykes’ office, 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla VIC 3672.
To request an accessible format application form, such as large print, contact the Veterans Unit on 9208 3856 or email veterans@dpcd.vic.gov.au.

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, is pleased to announce that a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the march of the Lark Force and Gull Force will be held in Benalla’s Botanical Gardens in September this year.
“My decision to hold such a special commemoration is in direct response to my Letter to the Editor in January, in which I called for expressions of interest from local people interested in this important part of Australia’s World War 11 history,” Dr Sykes said.
“There has been a very enthusiastic response to my enquiries, not only from people in my electorate but also from residents in other towns throughout North East Victoria, Melbourne and interstate.
“Further, the poignant stories told to me by the many people who extended hospitality to the soldiers en route and the descendants of members of the Lark and Gull Forces who endured so much/lost their lives in defence of our country has made a lasting impression.”
Dr Sykes said, “Accordingly I have commenced arranging a commemorative ceremony in Benalla’s Botanical Gardens on Sunday, 26 September 2010 from 2pm to 4pm.”
Details of the day are yet to be finalised, however the program will include:

• Attendance by veterans including;
Norm Furness – President Lark Force Association
Fred Kollmorgen - Salvation Army Lark Force
Max Gilbert – Gull Force

• Des O’Brien – President Gull Force Association; and hopefully

• The Salvation Army Band;

• Address and display of memorabilia by Lindsay Cox, Salvation Army Historian; and

• Brief informal ‘speeches’ by people with memories of the march.

“The Botanic Gardens in Benalla is a beautiful setting for the gathering with magnificent roses and impressive monuments to those who served including Weary Dunlop and Captain Hec Waller.
“I invite yourself, family and friends to put this date in your diary.”
For more information on the commemoration contact the office of Bill Sykes on 03 5762 2100 or email bill.sykes@parliament.vic.gov.au.