Veterans honoured

By Bridget Cook
BERWICK Brae Retirement Village honoured its 17 veterans last month with a special parade.
To commemorate the 65th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific, the retirement village held a motorcade of vintage army jeeps and motor cars, donated by the Dandenong Valley Historic Car Club and the Berwick RSL.
The parade was led by the Casey Pipe Band and finished with the Oakleigh City Band, as fellow residents and visitors waved the veterans on with Australian flags.
A service followed with prayers, reflection and a minute’s silence while the Last Post was played.
The commemorations did not stop with the parade, with movie classics including Gone with the Wind, Shirley Temple, Glenn Miller and Al Jolson being played in the theatre room, a swing dance demonstration dance by Rockin Suzi’s Dance School and floorshow by Sentimental Journey.
The main building was decorated in the 1940s era theme with various display rooms depicting 1940s memorabilia including home wares, fashions and toys.
There was also a war room displaying World War II army tents, medic equipment used during the wartime, war medals, books and photos.
Community project students from Berwick Primary School, Haileybury College and Heritage College were able to meet with the veterans as they talked about their experiences serving for their countries and life during war.
Berwick Brae Retirement Village manager Arlene Coutts said she was overwhelmed by the support from business and community groups and would like to thank them for their contributions.
More than $600 was raised on the day through gold coin donations and a raffle. All proceeds will go to the Berwick RSL.
Sarah Mackie, from Berwick, was the winner of a quilt bed cover.