Victory in the Pacific Community Day

Premier of Queensland and Minister for Veterans, the Honourable David Crisafulli MP; Commander, 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Ben McLennan CSC and Bar;       Deputy Commander, US 5th Air Force, Brigadier General, John Schutte; US Consul-General, Consul-General Jeremy Cornforth; Townsville City Council, Acting Mayor, Councillor Ann–Maree Greany and Councillors; service men and women of the Australian Defence Force and US Armed Forces; Veterans; servicemen and women; community members, welcome all.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands on which we gather, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and all First Nations people here today.

Graeme and I are delighted to be with you in Townsville, to join in the Victory in the Pacific 80-year commemoration.

It is wonderful to see so many people here this morning at the Jezzine Barracks, honouring those who served during World War II, and learning more about the contributions of the Townsville community to the war effort.

On the 14^th of August 1945, when the Japanese accepted the Allied demands for unconditional surrender, it marked the end of several long years of conflict that had produced immense upheaval and tragedy for not just our country but much of the world.

Many thousands of Australians had perished, been held captive, or wounded, yet it was obvious that while the battles were being fought by our brave Defence personnel overseas; ordinary people—in towns and localities across Australia—were also living through a transformative event.

One of the Queensland communities most directly affected by the activities of the Second World War was Townsville. When Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941 and brought the United States into the global conflict, it also brought the theatre of war to the Pacific, and propelled Townsville into the limelight as a crucial strategic military base for our country.

What was in early 1942 a city of about 35,000, by mid 1943 had grown to a population of 120,000—three quarters of whom were service men and women. Airfields, air raid shelters and anti-aircraft gun emplacements were constructed, while search lights lit up the night. 

Homes and businesses were commandeered for military use, including schools such as St Anne’s Church of England Girls’ School— which became barracks for members of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force. There were food, clothing and petrol shortages, with long queues for civilians, anxious and fearful of potential evacuation.

And there were the terrifying nights in July 1942, when Japanese flying boats made three attacks on the town and harbour. Fortunately, they were unsuccessful, but they demonstrated how close the war had come.

Amongst all of this—according to the Queensland Governor of the time, Sir Leslie Wilson—up to 5,000 locals were serving in our armed forces, and this must have caused significant distress and worry for those at home.

Yet with the challenges, were also acts of incredible generosity, care and compassion—as reflected in the efforts of charitable organisations, and the daily activities of citizens doing all they could to assist military personnel here, and those fighting overseas.

To learn more about Townsville’s history as a garrison town, I encourage you to visit the Army Museum North Queensland while you are here, and today, as you visit the displays, and enjoy the entertainment, please keep in mind that the peace we enjoy now, we owe to the courageous and selfless efforts of those who served then, and those who continue to serve and protect our country.

Thank you.