"It is an important part of our history, and we are aware of the need to respect and honour their memory and to ensure it never occurs again."
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So said Horsham College co-captain Jorrdan Weir, as students from across the city and Dimboola gathered at the Darwin Defenders Commemoration Service for 2020 in the school's Ian Maroske Hall on Wednesday.
The day marked 78 years since 242 Japanese aircraft attacked Darwin during World War Two. Several battalions comprised of Wimmera men were stationed at Darwin, while Horsham was on the train line via which troops were transported on their way to Darwin.
"Many who went to war were my age or the age of my friends. I can't imagine what that would have been like," Jorrdan said in her closing address to the service.
For the second year running, a Wimmera veteran that served in Darwin did not attend.
Jorrdan said the gathering's "thoughts and prayers" were with those defenders who still lived in the Wimmera.