Community
15 August, 2025
Marking war’s end
‘Victory in the Pacific’ celebrations recognise 80 years since August 15, 1945
ON August 15, 1945, celebrations sparked around the world. The war was over.
This day became known as ‘Victory in the Pacific’ – when Japan surrendered to the Allies, officially ending World War II (WWII).
In 2025, the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific is marked and all those who bravely served to secure our peace honoured.
WWII Army veteran Leslie Sinclair remembers the moment he found out the war was over.
“There was a concert party on the beach starring English singer Gracie Fields, but many of us had to stay behind in the pits, just in case, so I volunteered to stay back,” he said.
“Then when the concert was over, I remember they were all coming up and yelling out, ‘The war’s over, the war’s over’.”
Almost immediately, drafts of men who had been serving the longest began returning to Australia, but Mr Sinclair and a few others had to stay back.
“We went out to a place called Kokopo Ramale Mission and stayed there for about three months,” he said.
“They had a Japanese POW camp there. They’d surrendered, but we were there to protect the people from the mission, including the nuns, in case there were any hostilities.”
Reflecting on his service, Mr Sinclair said he’d do it again in a heartbeat.
“Oh, the mateship you had – you never forget them. I would serve my country again if I had to,” he said.
“There’s now two of us left from the battalion, so I think it’s important for people to know our story.”
Tablelands Regional Council Councillor Kylie Lang said an activity-packed three-day celebration was planned from today (see details to the right).
“We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the events and commemorations that mark this special day in our wartime history,” she said. “During WWII the Tablelands area became the largest military base in Australia, with camps at Atherton, Herberton, Kairi, Mount Garnet, Ravenshoe, Tinaroo and Wondecla. Rocky Creek was the site of the largest military hospital in the Southern Hemisphere, a 3000-bed hospital that treated over 60,000 patients.”
VP 80 schedule
THE Tablelands are hosting an activity-packed three-day celebration to recognise the 80th anniversary of VP Day.
The events include:
• TODAY (Friday, August 15) at 11am – war graves observance, Atherton War Cemetery, Rockley Rd, Atherton. 5pm-6pm – exhibition opening and book launch, Rocky Creek Igloo on Frazer Rd, Tolga. The art exhibition features prints from the collected works of Captain Ian McBain (1905 –1995) and Lance Corporal Joyce Meier (nee Ehms) (1917–2015).
• SATURDAY, August 16 – WWII history tour, 8.30am-1pm, an historical bus tour of training and camp sites. Family commemoration, 2.30–4pm, Rocky Creek War Memorial Park, Kennedy Highway, Tolga. 5.30pm-late – WWII dinner dance, Rocky Creek Igloo on Frazer Rd, Tolga.
• SUNDAY, August 17 – 9.30am-noon, Victory in the Pacific memorial service, Rocky Creek War Memorial Park, Kennedy Highway, Tolga. The dedication and unveiling of plaques starts at 9.30am, and then gather at 10.15am for a 10.30am start of the VP Day memorial service, followed by a barbecue lunch at the Rocky Creek Igloo, Frazer Rd, Tolga.
