After years of heart break, turmoil, and total disruption to the Redlands way of life, a radio transmission came through the US Army Radio Receiving Station at Birkdale that the war was over and so began the celebrations of Victory in the Pacific, VP Day!
On Saturday 16 August, Residents of Redland City (Birkdale, Thorneside, Capalaba, Wellington Point and beyond) gathered to reflect on the 80th Anniversary since 'Victory in the Pacific' was declared and received on 14 August 1945 on Cotton's Farm (formerly Willard's Farm), Birkdale – signalling the end of WWII.
Music from the era by Redland City Bands greeted people on arrival, as Birkdale State School P&C hosted a sausage sizzle and sale of VP Day badges.
Presentations were made by Birkdale Scouts; COOEE Elders; Birkdale State School and their Junior Choir; Redlands Genealogical Society; Redlands Coast Museum; Theatre Redlands; Capalaba Rotary Club; Wellington Point Rotary; Redlands RSL; Wellington Point State High School; Bayside District Amateur Radio Society; Federal, State and Local Council Representatives, with thanks to Redland City Council, ABC TV's 7:30 Report and other groups.
Stories of significance were shared and celebrated, thanks to those who have documented oral histories, written records, and shared research material over the years.
Some of the stories shared included that the first Australian Women's Land Army camp in Queensland was established at Birkdale School of Arts Hall. 1,500 US Navy troops at a time camped and trained at the Gunnery set up at Wellington Point. 300 to 400 US Army soldiers camped at Capalaba Hotel and in the flats, protecting the area, which was isolated by Tingalpa Creek, as critical radio surveillance ensured direct links between MacArthur, US President and Generals remained secure, encrypted, and top secret throughout the war.
In another story, Wellington Point State High School drama student, Jacob Petrovic, shared Dante Bellarino’s childhood memories with Hughie Cotton about the day they were at the US Army WWII Radio Station and word came through that the war had ended and Mr Cotton drove along Birkdale Road to Wellington Point Pub with the boys yelling Yippee!!! The War is Over!!!
The importance of Redlands and the local stories were presented with such passion the whole hall was held in interest and immense pride.
The day was not only about celebration, but also commemoration and community representatives laid wreaths and remembered those who had made the supreme sacrifice.
At the conclusion of Reflections on VP Day, Capalaba Rotary Club and Wellington Point Rotary Club gave three Peace Poles to Birkdale State School, Birkdale Scouts and Wellington Point Community. One of the Peace Poles was accepted by, Ans, a Javanese POW survivor who attended. Rotary Peace Poles are in countries across the world and commenced in Japan.
The day was hosted by Capalaba Rotary Club and Wellington Point Rotary Club and was an opportunity to gather for the first time as a community and reflect upon a phase of the local history that many had forgotten, yet which remains increasingly compelling as we move toward the 90th Anniversary of American arrival in the year 2032, when people will visit the Redlands area and may ask: "What is the history of this place?"
'Reflections on VP Day' explored a significant chapter in the story of the Redlands area inspired by the vision of the late Scout Leader Merrill Ovenden OAM, supported by Cr Paul Bishop and Col Sutcliffe OAM. The event later featured in Federal Parliament, thanks to Henry Pike MP, Member for Bowman.
Hopefully we learn from our past and peace will prevail. The chatting, mingling, exchanging of memories and stories was very special.
Col Sutcliffe
RC of Capalaba
