Keith Payne VC veteran charity group hosts successful ‘Digger Day’
A message from Rick Meehan OAM JP, Chairman, Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group (KPVCVBG)
Well, Digger Day 2023 on 23 July is done and dusted for another year. The sun was shining, the field and grounds at Shoalhaven Rugby Park in Nowra were looking immaculate and there was a fantastic positive vibe among the large crowd in attendance. The day was an absolute success.
Digger Day is a celebration rather than a commemoration. It showcases our current men and women and more importantly our nation’s and the Commonwealth’s highest awards for valour: the Victoria Cross, the George Cross and Cross of Valour.
While this event is and will always be about veterans, it has proven to highlight that the term Digger is an iconic synonym for mateship, camaraderie and doing what is right in helping your mate in any situation, no matter the cost.
Digger Day is always our leading fundraiser for the Keith Payne VC Group, allowing us the opportunity to continue our many programs (Walk to Talk, Vitamins for Veterans, supporting our older veterans, Voyager and Frank E Evans services) with many more on the horizon.
The game was the usual local Rugby Union Derby between Shoalhaven and Kiama. Kiama put up a valiant effort, with Shoalhaven coming out winners at the end of the day. Our VIP guests on the day included:
- Mr Keith Payne VC AM (Australia’ oldest living VC recipient)
- Mr Willie Apiata VC (New Zealand’s only current VC recipient)
- Mr Michael Pratt GC (Australia’s only current George Cross recipient)
- Edna and George Wheatley (wife and son of Kevin ‘Dasher’ Wheatley VC)
- Carmel and Helen Rattey (daughters of Reg Rattey VC)
- Janine Lord (granddaughter of New Zealander Reginald Judson VC DCM MM)
- Ken Jacka (descendant of Albert Jacka VC MC & Bar)
- Rachel Bostock (acclaimed violinist)
Events included a glorious display by the Army Red Berets parachute team, a land on to drop off passengers by the CHC helicopters AW139 and a land on and static display by the historic Navy UH1B ‘Iroquois’ helicopter from HARS..
This was followed by a Last Post ceremony, with a haunting rendition of the Last Post by Rachel Bostock on the violin, followed by lovely and fitting renditions of both the Australian and New Zealand anthems by Destiny from Vincentia High.
Ron Payne (Son of Keith Payne VC AM) took us through the Ode.
We even spotted a couple of retired Wallabies (Glen Ella and Phil Cox) in the crowd on the hill enjoying the day.
One of the highlights of the day was the surprise of having our VIP guest Willie Apiata VC donning the Kiama strip for a run in Second grade….even slipping in a good forwards try.
A huge thank you to:
- Lockheed Martin Sikorsky
- Air Affairs
- CHC Helicopters
- Bomaderry Charity Trust
- HARS
- Naval Cadet units TS Shoalhaven and TS Jervis Bay
- RAN Fleet Arm
- HMAS Albatross
- Army Red Beret Parachute Team
- Sight and Sound Nowra
- Shoalhaven and Kiama Rugby Clubs
- the match officials
- all members of the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group, and
- all friends, families and supporters on the day
Looking forward to 2024.
For more photos from the day and to keep track of our work, follow us on Facebook:
Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group | Facebook
Below: Last Post Ceremony and Ode; Keith Payne VC AM, Willie Apiata VC and Rick Meehan OAM; crowd watching on as the Iroquois landed on; Kiama Rugby team with their special guest player Willie Apiata VC; members of the Keith Payne VC Group and TS Shoalhaven carry on all national flags and banners; Willie Apiata VC and Michael Pratt GC; Keith with Shoalhaven Rugby coach greeting his team.
