THE Wimmera has marked 75 years since the first Japanese bombing of Darwin with a commemoration service at Horsham College’s Maroske Hall.
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Horsham College school captain John Paul Macalinga said it was important to educate the students of today about what happened in Darwin from 19 February 1942 to November 1943.
“A sample of what one class has learned is on display at the back of the hall,” he said.
“The research included, the listing of the events, why the soldiers were so brave and to talk about how few supplies they had compared with the Japanese.
“They are also required to list some reasons why we should remember them.”
Horsham College school captain Kassie Peterson said the bombing raid was one of Australia’s greatest disasters as Darwin’s defence garrison was poorly equipped.
“On February 19, 1942, war came to Australia.
“It was the first attack ever made by an enemy on Australian soil and the first battle Australians fought on Australian Soil.
“The first bombing raid on Australia occurred without warning at 9:58am. This is why this service is held at this time, the very important moment when the bombs started to fall.”
Horsham Rural City Council Mayor Pam Clarke said it was her fourth time speaking at a Darwin Defenders service and it was a privilege every time.
“I was involved in the 65th anniversary service and it was a real privilege to hear these men’s stories,” he said.
“I’d like to really like our only Darwin Defender, Mr Fisher. It’s wonderful you could be here.
“As you can imagine being the 75th anniversary, not many of the original diggers are here with us. We think there are about six remaining in Wimmera.”
Cr Clarke said a number of Aboriginal soldiers fought in Darwin and many other places but had no recognition when they returned.
“They were not allowed to vote but they fought for our country and our freedom,” she said.
Cr Clarke asked the secondary school students to imagine that people only a few years older than them were asked to defend Darwin with World War One guns and little ammunition.
“You are only one of 800 people sitting on those cliffs,” she said.
“They were expecting 20,000 Japanese to invade.”
“Think about it”.
Cr Clarke said it was important to acknowledge the mistakes of the past so Australia could learn from them.
“There was strict censorship at the time” she said.
“None of the Diggers, when they returned, were able to speak about their experiences or what happened.
“The real problem was that the Australian government would not tell the people the truth. These men came back knowing that people were hearing stories that were untrue about their service in Darwin.”
“The injustice of this event was shameful, and a shameful part of our history, and a disservice for the men who served in Darwin.”
Warrant Officer David Sodholz, born in Natimuk and educated at Horsham Technical School, served with the Australian Defence Force in the Northern Territory as a long range patrol specialist.
Warrant Officer Sudholz’s uncle, Bob Sudholz was a Darwin Defender with the 19th Light Horse machine gunners and died last year.
Bob Sudholz was one of two Darwin Defenders from the Wimmera who died last year.
Warrant Officer Sudholz told the service about the history of the 19th Light Horse, which saw reservists from across the Wimmera transported up to Darwin.
“There were 1000 men from the Wimmera in Darwin the day it got bombed,” he said.
Warrant Officer Sudholz said volunteers from the Wimmera were taken through Horsham, which became a major staging point, by train to Alice Springs.
There volunteers were then taken by truck to an area near Darwin that was basically jungle.
“It was a welcome change coming from the Wimmera, which was hot and dry at the time,” he said.
St Brigid’s college year nine student Annabella Fort read the poem ‘Darwin Defenders’ in memory of the estimated 900 to 1100 armed forces members and civilians who died during three years of attacks.
Dimboola Memorial College Secondary College captain Remi Kuhne read from the poem ‘A special thanks from an Anzac’s kid, about the debt that younger generations owe war veterans.