When VP Day dawns on August 14 this year, it will be 75 years since the guns fell silent bringing to an end World War II.
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Years of carnage and destruction had come to an end and millions of people took to the streets and pubs to celebrate the peace, mourn their loved ones and to hope for the future.
The end of the war in the Pacific was particularly poignant for Australia with the war literally raging on our doorstep.
The Australian mainland was bombed on 97 occasions resulting in the wounding of many civilian and military personnel.
The Loyal Company of Town Criers and the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australian Town Criers has once again invited its criers across the globe to take part in 'A Cry for Peace Around The World', as they did on the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Victory in Europe, on May 8.
The Parkes Shire's town crier for more than 24 years, Tim Keith, will again take to the stage to recognise the historic day and anniversary.
But he won't be alone - returned servicemen and women from the Parkes RSL Sub Branch will join him as they too commemorate the service and sacrifice of more than one million men and women during World War II, abroad and at home.
"They deserve our admiration and respect, and that is why on August 15, starting in Australia and New Zealand, we will once again see town criers in their roles as official ambassadors for their cities, towns and regions deliver The Cry For Peace to solemnly commemorate this important day in Australia's history," the Australian Guild said.
The Cry For Peace Around the World is an international commemorative event taking place to mark Victory in the Pacific at 11.05am on August 15.
Tim proudly joined town criers from all over the world on the 75th anniversary of VE Day on May 8 during a special ceremony at the Parkes Cenotaph in Cooke Park.
Even though that cry was done in almost complete isolation in the park when tough coronavirus restrictions were in place across Parkes and the state, Tim raised his bell with nine other Australian town criers at 3pm, while the New Zealand and Great Britain town criers followed their time zones.
He also wore his 75th anniversary medal that participating town criers received.
Tim has carried out his duties in an exemplary fashion since his appointment in 1996, representing the Parkes Shire and the Parkes community at many local events.
He has also promoted Parkes at the National Town Crier Championships.
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Christine Little
I love sharing people's stories, particularly local stories that are special and important to the people of Parkes. If there is one thing I have learnt in my 10 years of community journalism, it's that stories are everywhere. All it takes is a good story teller to make it worth reading. Email: christine.little@parkeschampionpost.com.au
I love sharing people's stories, particularly local stories that are special and important to the people of Parkes. If there is one thing I have learnt in my 10 years of community journalism, it's that stories are everywhere. All it takes is a good story teller to make it worth reading. Email: christine.little@parkeschampionpost.com.au
