The UN Peacekeeper Commemoration Service in Junee will occur again on May 24 at 9:30am at St Luke’s Anglican Church. All are welcome to attend both the service and following morning tea.
This was held in conjunction with Junee RSL Sub-Branch.
Reverend David Hilliard from the Junee RSL Sub-Branch said this will be the fourth year they’ve held the service.
“The Peacekeeper Service is to remember those men and women from the military from various policing jurisdictions and civilians, who have served as peacekeepers around the world with the United Nations,” he said.
“Sadly, more than 4,400 peacekeepers have lost their lives since 1948, and in 2024, there were 57.”
Although there were no Australians amongst the 57, Reverend Hilliard said there were more than 68,000 civilians, military and police personnel serving in 11 UN peacekeeping missions whose work is in confronting increasingly complex and interconnected challenges that have been shaped by a shifting geopolitical landscape.
Despite these challenges, he said peacekeepers remain steadfast in their pursuit of peace.
“In conjunction with the Junee RSL sub-branch and St Luke’s Anglican Church, we felt it important to remember peacekeepers on ANZAC Day,” he said.
“We have remembered the peacemakers who had fought in some fairly horrific battles, but there are also those who are following the peacemaking and seek to support the UN in peacekeeping.
“Peacekeeping is, in some ways, pushing it uphill with a pointed stick because both sides need to want peace. Peacekeepers are often in harm’s way, the same as peacemakers, and so they ought to be remembered because they come home with very similar physical, mental, emotional and spiritual injuries. Often, the peacekeepers get left out, and so this year the theme for UN Peacekeepers Remembrance Day is “Invest in Peace”, which is not just finances, but it’s time and energy.”
For 80 or so years, UN peacekeepers have been working on missions with some notable Australian inclusions featuring the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Cambodia.
“This year, we’ve got a guest speaker in Ken Robertson, who is an Air Force Warrant Officer,” he said.
“He is the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of the Defence Force. He is working up there in a very strategic area, and I’ve asked him to come and just do a reflection.
“Ken’s not actually a peacekeeper. He has deployed in warlike operations, but I’ve asked him to reflect on peacekeeping in the changing geopolitical space in the world in which we live today.”
During the service, Reverend Hilliard said they will have musical bands in attendance, featuring a teacher from Wagga who will bring five students in support. Following the morning tea will be a cake cutting event, which he said everyone is welcome to attend.
“Everyone is welcome to come and share in some morning tea after the service as well. For peacekeepers, military veterans or police officers, they’re invited to wear their medals even if they choose to come in civilian attire,” he said.
Each year has seen a five to 10 percent increase in their numbers, and Reverend Hilliard said they are looking forward to commemorate the roles of peacekeepers both past and present.
“From my point of view, it’s not just about numbers,” he said.
“It’s about providing a time for those folk who want to have a time to remember our peacekeepers. Particularly those who have been peacekeepers or have peacekeepers from their families”
Five days before Peacekeeper’s Remembrance Day (29 May), the Junee RSL Sub-Branch will hold their commemoration on May 24.
Jack Murray
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