Sailors return to remember

By Dion Teasdale
HEALESVILLE RSL marked Remembrance Day last week with a visit from officers and crew members from HMAS Yarra.
Two officers and five crew members from the ship travelled from Port Melbourne to take part in Remembrance Day commemorations in Healesville.
The sailors shared morning tea and lunch with sub-branch members, and friends and family of returned service personnel.
HMAS Yarra, which is named after the Yarra River, and its crew, has forged a strong relationship with Healesville RSL over the past 12 months.
Healesville RSL president Terry Moloney said the sub-branch was pleased to welcome the crew members, who visited earlier this year, back to town.
“Healesville RSL has informally adopted the crew of the HMAS Yarra and we welcome opportunities to have them visit us on special occasions,” he said.
“It means a lot to have them visit us on Remembrance Day, a day that reminds us that peace can prevail.”
HMAS Yarra Chief Petty Officer Mine Warfare Sean Killgallon said the sailors had been looking forward to their visit.
“We’ve formed a relationship with the people here and it is great to be able to come back and catch up with the locals again,” he said.
He said the crew of HMAS Yarra had recently spent a month and a half in New Zealand and were glad to be back in Victoria for Remembrance Day.
“(Remembrance Day) is about remembering those who served in the past, but it is also about those where are currently serving,” he said.
Healesville RSL property officer Mick Grant said the visit from the crew of the HMAS Yarra was more than just an opportunity to share lunch.
“Having the crew from HMAS Yarra visit for the day is a great way to tie the past to the present,” he said.
World War II veteran Tony Rice, a member of the British Merchant Navy, said it was important to keep remembering conflicts of the past.
“I saw a lot of men die during World War II.
“It is sad going back over it, but it is good to remember,” he said.