Paul McDermott: How Mildura will commemorate Anzac Day
Mildura RSL president and Vietnam veteran explains what Anzac Day means to him. See the full list of Mildura’s Anzac Day services here.
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“Anzac Day is a solemn occasion. You have to remember the servicemen and women who served and returned and those who served and didn’t return.
“It is important to reflect on what occured not only during my time but in all conflicts, those that happened a long time ago and also the more recent ones.”
They are the words Mildura RSL president Paul McDermott used to describe Anzac Day.
A Vietname veteran, Mr McDermott served in the Royal Australian Navy on board the HMAS Hobart. He enlisted about 1964 and served just short of 10 years.
“It wasn’t compulsory then,” he said
“That didn’t come until about 1967 or 1968.”
He worked in meteorology and navigation during his time in the Navy however but first worked in the banking world.
“I went into the bank straight out of school and then I realised that a banking career wasn’t for me,” he said.
“And that’s why I joined the Navy.”
Mr McDermott travelled to Vietnam in 1968 and again in 1970.
He described the experiences as “terrifying”.
“Two tours of Vietnam is very frightening,” he said.
“It was frightening but we all had a job to do so we just got on and did it.”
For Mr McDermott, Anzac Day is about remembering the fallen and the mates who survived.
“The ships company is one, you were a team and you relied upon one another. If someone mucks up the whole ship mucks up,” he said.
“You wanted to get your job right.”
“I am disappointed that this year I won’t be able to catch up with my Navy mates like usual as I am president of the RSL but seeing them is always something I look forward to.”
Mr McDermott married during the war and his wife and him returned to Mildura to raise their two sons.
These days he spends his time volunteering; especially with the RSL.
“We try and do the best by all our veterans,” he said.
Mildura Anzac Day services
Dawn service:
Service: 6.10am at Henderson Park, Cnr. Deakin Ave and Thirteenth Street
6.30am: Breakfast available for a gold coin donation at the Mildura RSL
March:
Assembly at the corner of Deakin Ave and 8th Street at 10.30am.
Step off: 11am.
Service: Henderson Park (Approximately 11.30am).
Red Cliffs
Muster: 8.30am at the Old Court House.
Step off: 8.45am.
Service: 9.00am Barclay Square.
Refreshments will follow at RSL Hall.
Irymple
Muster 8.30am at the Bocce Club.
Step Off: 8.45am.
Service: am at Senior Citizens Club Rooms.
Refreshments will follow at Senior Citizens Rooms.
Merbein
Muster 8.45am at the RSL.
Step Off: 9.00am.
Service: 9.30am at Kenny park.
Refreshments will follow at RSL Hall.
Robinvale
Dawn service
Assemble at 5.45am.
Service: 6am at Robinvale Cenotaph.
March
Assemble at 9.45am at Robinvale Pharmacy.
Service: 10am at Robinvale Cenotaph.
Euston
Muster: 8.15am at Euston Club Car Park.
Service 8.30 am at Euston Memorial Park.
Boundary Bend
Service: 3pm at Memorial Park, Boundary Bend.
Wentworth
Dawn Service
6am at the Cenotaph.
March
Assemble at 10.45am at Adelaide Street.
Service at 11am at the Cenotaph.
Curlwaa
Service: 9am at Memorial Hall.
Dareton
Service: 11am at Tapio Park.
Pooncarie
March: Assemble at 10.30am at the Pooncarie Hotel.
Service: 11am at the Cenotaph.
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