The Parramatta and Epping RSL sub-branches will host thousands of locals at services this ANZAC Day as Australians gather to pay respect to those who have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
This year’s commemoration will be especially poignant for Pendle Hill’s Doug Mackay, as Australia marks 50 years since its involvement in the Vietnam War officially ended.
The 78-year-old was one of the first Australians conscripted to serve in Vietnam as a Royal Australian Engineer in the 1 Field Squadron on 30 June 1965 – at the tender age of 19.
After weeks of training across NSW, Victoria and Queensland, Mr Mackay boarded the HMAS Sydney bound for Vietnam in May 1966.
“From the deck of (HMAS) Sydney we could just see this smoke drifting in the background and we’re thinking ‘what are we going to walk into here?'” he said.
“It was quite horrific.”
Mr Mackay was involved in building a camp site for soldiers and supported the infantry in mine and booby trap detection.
He vividly remembers a mortar attack in August 1966 that injured many Australian troops, a prelude to the Battle of Long Tan.
“We lost 45 engineers in total during the term I was there and six of those 45 were known personally to me. So, we think of those guys… we lay a wreath for all Vietnam veterans on ANZAC Day.”
While there was little fanfare – or thanks – when Mr Mackay first returned to Australia, now, more than 50 years on, Vietnam War veterans are honoured and remembered alongside all service personnel for the sacrifices they made.
Mr Mackay has used his experience to give back to the community by speaking at schools, leading ANZAC Day services at nursing homes, and working in conjunction with the City of Parramatta to help establish Men’s Sheds at Northmead in 2007 and another near the convict-built Female Factory in Fleet Street. Both are still operating today and growing in popularity.
He encourages everyone to attend local Dawn Services at Parramatta or Epping, including young children and those who have recently settled in the area.
“Those words from the First World War diggers – mateship, integrity, responsibility – are all still valid today,” he said.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Donna Davis, who will attend the Dawn Service hosted by the Parramatta RSL sub-Branch at Prince Alfred Square, said while it’s been more than 100 years since the first ANZAC Day, the meaning of the day is as strong as ever.
“ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most sacred days of commemoration – a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. It’s also a time for veterans to reconnect, remember mates and share stories,” Cr Davis said.
“At this time, we also think about those in our community who are currently serving in conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and thank them for all they do to protect our freedoms.”
