Elsie Lange
From Kashmir, to the Golan Heights, to the Sinai Desert, John McCausland’s service as a peacekeeper took him across the world.
Now, the veteran who spent 24 years as a professional soldier is the president of the Woodend RSL and organises its Anzac Day activities taking place on April 25.
“I’ve been part of the RSL for about seven years,” Mr McCausland said.
“Like many veterans, I didn’t engage for a number of decades, but like many veterans, you gravitate back to the veteran community after a period of time.”
His service started with the United Nations on the line of control between India and Pakistan, before he was transferred to the Middle East after the 1973 war between Israel and a coalition of Arab states.
Mr McCausland then worked as a peacekeeper observer between Israel and Syria and then in the Sinai Desert between Israel and Egypt.
To him, Anzac Day is not just about veterans, but about education and community.
“I think this is Australia’s national day,” Mr McCausland said.
“That’s the day the community comes together to give thanks for the sacrifices of the generations before, and for us to give thanks for them for giving us a national identity and providing the community and society where we are one and free.”
The Woodend RSL’s commemorative service will begin at 11.30am, which includes a march through the high street and a service at the RSL.
“This year we’ve got five schools involved in that service in different ways, it’s a real community event,” Mr McCausland said.
“That’s what I strive to achieve, involvement of the whole Woodend community.”
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