Page 7 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 57

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Anzac Day 2021

Brian Kay – Guest Speaker, Bray Park State High School

Editor: As many of you will already know, Brian Kay is President of his local branch
of the Returned Services League (RSL) in Queensland, Australia. He regularly keeps
in touch and has reported that he was able to commemorate Anzac Day on Sunday
25th April 2021 without all the Covid 19 restrictions. Brian was guest speaker at a local
high school as well as MC at their Sub Branch Dawn Service on the Sunday morning.
He has forwarded a copy of his speech which commends Ex-AACC Sgt Gary
Sturdy for his gutsy efforts during the Bushfires last year. Brian also mentioned
the most recent recipient of the Victoria Cross, Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’
Sheean, who was awarded the 101st Australian VC posthumously in 2020, becoming
the only Royal Australian Navy VC recipient from WW2.
Introduction with great loss of life, property and
My name is Brian Kay, and I am the our precious environment. All our
President of the Bray Park-Strathpine Emergency services were mobilised
RSL Sub Branch. I would like to thank to fight the fires, including elements
Brian Kay with Elijah, whose Great Uncle was Ordinary
the Principal of your school for the kind of our Defence forces and civil Seaman ‘Teddy’ Sheen who was posthumously awarded
invitation to address the Staff, Students organisations like Park Rangers and the Victoria Cross 2020
and Parents at your Anzac Day Service community support groups. As the
this year, the 106th Anniversary of the bushfire emergency stretched on for firms, fresh food from local suppliers, and
landing at Gallipoli in WWl. day after day one ex-serviceman RSL groceries, cooking equipment and fuel
member realised that the endurance of from generous community donations.
Address the firefighters on the ground in East With his group of volunteers, Gary
Though we tend rightly to concentrate Gippsland, Victoria was being stretched set up a field kitchen near Orbost and
in our commemoration on the sacrifices to the limit. Bruthen and though they started feeding
we as a Nation have endured to preserve Ex-Army Chef, Gary Sturdy, a up to 250 firefighters fresh meals this
our democratic freedoms, I would like Kilmore/Wallan RSL Sub Branch soon expanded to over 600 emergency
to recount today how we still exhibit member, formed a small workers, Defence personnel and civilian
the qualities of mateship, endurance volunteer group called volunteers per day
and initiative so evident in the Anzac “Operation Veteran for over 10 days,
Spirit displayed by our Servicemen and Assist” and set about 24 hours per day.
Women over the years. collecting Army field The true Spirit of the
In early 2020, before Covid 19 was kitchens from Albury/ Anzac; helping your
even named, we faced catastrophic Wodonga, transport mates.
bushfires in NSW and Victoria support from local For this out
standing example of
mateship, endurance
and initiative, Gary
was presented with
a Commendation
Medallion by General
Angus Campbell, Chief
of the Defence Force. As
an ex-serviceman who
served with Gary many
years ago, I was proud to
witness his recognition for exemplary
service with in his veteran community.
Conclusion
I would just like to end today by
emphasising that the Spirit of the Anzac
is in all of us; it is how we respond to
challenges; how we help our mates in
time of need; and how we put others
before self.
Brian Kay and Gary Sturdy at the Blue Amos Dinner, Camberra, March 2020, with Gary’s Commendation Medallion Lest We Forget

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