‘The price of peace’ reflected on at Toolamba’s Anzac Day service

By Nicola Ceccato

Apr 25, 2024

Listening: A strong crowd attended the Toolamba Anzac Day service. Photo by Megan Fisher

The voices of the Toolamba Community Choir, singing Lee Kernaghan’s Spirit of the Anzacs echoed across Wren St, Toolamba.

A crowd of well over 200 people gathered around them at the Toolamba Community Hall on Thursday, April 25, to reflect and remember those who had served, those lost and those still serving in war.

The service, organised by the Toolamba Lions Club, saw those attending lay wreaths and poppies at the hall’s war memorial.

A minute’s silence was observed with the stillness of the moment exemplifying the reflective tone of the day’s meaning.

The guest speaker for the service was Major Peter Shearer, who played a critical role in providing command and control information and communication systems across his career in the Australian Defence Force.

In rememberance: Veteran Major Peter Shearer was the guest speaker at the Toolamba Anzac Day service. Photo by Megan Fisher

Mr Shearer enlisted in the Australian Army in 1965, putting his hand up to serve in the Vietnam War only a few months before national service came in.

He served at the Royal Australian Corps of Signals as an operator of keyboard and radio at the School of Signals, and by 1966, he was transferred to Saigon, Vietnam.

After returning to Australia, he continued climbing up the ranks, serving in various roles within the signals area before officially retiring in 2014.

In his speech, Mr Shearer reflected on the past soldiers who had served, as well as those currently serving.

“Whilst we proudly remember relatives, friends, acquaintances or all in general who have lost loved ones to the terrible call of conflict, we should also take the time to think about those who did return but continue to suffer the physical and mental ravages of their service and those of their family and friends who supported them and also suffered indirectly because of their love for them,” Mr Shearer said.

For Mr Shearer, the importance of commemorating Anzac Day was not just about remembering those who served and were serving. It’s also about remembering them through the lens of learning about and from history.

Hosting: John Calleja hosted the Toolamba Anzac Day service. Photo by Megan Fisher

“We need to be reminded of the sacrifice that all these servicemen made, either through being killed or wounded or even serving, they come back with those memories,” he said.

Inspiring: Peter Shearer shared his thoughts on Anzac Day at the Toolamba Anzac Day service. Photo by Megan Fisher

Younger generations: Toolamba Primary School students share a reading with the crowd. Photo by Megan Fisher

“If we don’t continue to acknowledge history, then we’re not going to be alerted or as alert to look into the future and make sure that we don’t make the same mistakes again.”