Joining forces to mark Victory in the Pacific

The Victory in the Pacific Committee, which consists of Cabra-Vale Diggers and Mounties club groups, plus seven associated RSL Sub Branches from Bankstown to Campbelltown, are joining forces to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the end of the World War II conflict.

Devoted individuals on the committee have organised the commemoration service and street parade to be held on Monday 14 August 2023, to pay their respects and to remember those who were involved in the conflict, including those who never returned.

The march will start at Cabra-Vale Ex-Active Servicemen’s Club, in Canley Vale and will move along Bartley Street onto Railway Parade, finishing with the Commemoration Service in the Cabravale Memorial Park.

This year, NSW Minister for Veterans, David Harris MP, local politicians and the consulate generals from the United States of America, Japan, and New Zealand will be in attendance. 

The clubs involved this year are Smithfield RSL Sub Branch, St Johns Park Bowling Club, Campbelltown RSL Sub Branch, Cabra-Vale Ex-Active Servicemen’s Club, Fairfield RSL Sub Branch, Mounties Group of clubs, lngleburn RSL Sub Branch, Liverpool RSL Sub Branch and Bankstown RSL Sub Branch. Public and secondary school students are also expected to attend on the day.

“We expect to lay over 50 wreaths by the dignitaries and the community,” the organisers said. “The organising committee has arranged for a flyover with World War II aircraft during the service. It will be a respectful event which promotes the understanding of Australian military history in the Pacific. 

“We invite our local community and media to attend this commemoration service to remember all those affected by war and honour those who sadly did not return home.”

In June 2005, the Cabramatta district was awarded a grant from the Commonwealth Government to provide a permanent memorial to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Victory in the Pacific. 

It was suggested that a plaque be mounted on two columns or pedestals adjacent to the steps leading to the Rotunda in the Cabravale Memorial Park. A joint Commemoration Service was held on 14 August 2005 to commemorate the victory and unveil the plaque. 

The march and commemoration service proved a huge success attracting several hundred spectators. Following that success, it was decided that the march would become an annual event with the emphasis given to the future education of the local community and school students.