Today marks the 75th anniversary of Australian peacekeepers and peacemakers, commemorating the nation’s involvement in peacekeeping operations around the world.

A community service and plaque unveiling recently took place at War Nurses Memorial Park on Takalvan Street honoring local peacekeepers past and present.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Australians have served in peacekeeping roles every year since 1947.

“The first Australian peacekeepers were deployed to the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia),” the department says.

“Their intense experience observing the frontline between Dutch troops and Indonesian Republicans foreshadowed the experiences of generations of Australians to come.

“We commemorate the contribution made to the service of peace by Australian defense personnel, police and civilians.”

Sharon Barsby, a member of the Bundaberg District Women’s Veterans Association and resident of Gin Gin, served on a peacekeeping mission in Rwanda, Africa in 1995.

She said she had traveled as part of her 14-year role in the Australian Army.

“I went to Rwanda to provide logistical support to our troops, I stayed there for six months,” Sharon said.

“It was a good opportunity, I was able to support people in need and work with people all over the world.

“I was part of a contingent of 100 medical personnel, 100 infantry and about 100 logistics personnel.”

In July this year, the community came together with the Bundaberg District Women Veterans Association to commemorate the peacekeeping efforts of people like Sharon.

The unveiling of the special plaque marked 75 years of Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers.

Vice President Angela Hillis Csc said it was a special event that coincided with a number of other milestones.

“We unveiled a special plaque on Wednesday July 17 which was part of our 55 years of reunion since the establishment of our association in the region,” she said.

“The plaque commemorates when Australia entered peacekeeping and humanitarian aid.

“It was placed in War Nurses Memorial Park as a tribute to the number of people in the medical field who have been and are involved in peacekeeping operations.”

The community memorial service also marked the 60th anniversary of the deployment of Australia’s First Troop to Vietnam.

Local dignitaries and community groups laid wreaths as a sign of respect during the moving service.