While living in a free and thriving country, we must commemorate those who heroically sacrificed for our freedoms.
Although an anticipated public holiday, ANZAC Day means much more than allowing Australian citizens to reap the benefits of a day-off. It gives an opportunity to thank, commemorate, and appreciate the impossible task military men and women have undertaken for the good of Australia.
ANZAC Day is bittersweet, we mourn and rejoice those lost and those who arrived home safely.
The Australiasian Order of Old Bastards in Hornsby is a charity raising money for their pri-mary beneficiary, the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Children’s Ward at Hornsby Hospital. During World War II, the term ‘Old Bastard’ was said between servicemen as a term of endearment, and although typically strange and possibly construed as rude, the phrase stuck. The International Order of Old Bastards was formed in the United States of America post-war.
In 1968, Australian serviceman Leo Bradshaw MBE founded the Australsian Order of Old Bastards to raise funds for the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Camperdown.
The Old Bastards have seen over 100 chapters open internationally, all raising money for children in need.
Secretary for the Hornsby chapter is Mick Gallagher, former Vietnam veteran for the Austral-ian Naval Defence Force and former Hornsby Shire Mayor. Though a busy, energetic man, spent time with the oldest Old Bastard member of the Hornsby Chapter for his 100th birthday.
‘Fancy him being in the World War II Dutch Air Force as a navigator, and me being a Navy Vietnam veteran meeting up,’ laughs Mick Gallagher.
Maurice Cohen is a Royal Netherlands Air Force navigator, serving in the Second World War. Maurice has been graced with a remarkable achievement.
‘You have lived through remarkable and often difficult times,’ wrote the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh MP, to Maurice on his 100th birthday. ‘Through efforts such as yours, we have gained a proud heritage of courage, endurance and service.’
Mick, Maurice and the President of AOOB Gena Mulukin will attend the local service the weekend before ANZAC Day, where they will place a wreath on behalf of the charity.
The Post wishes Maurice Cohen a Happy Birthday.
We thank all servicemen and women in our Australian military, past and present, for their brave sacrifices.
