Reg Selwyn was an 18-year-old living at Cowwarr when he joined the Australian Army in 1942.
Reg did his training in Queensland before he was stationed at Buna in Papua New Guinea as a driver-mechanic during World War Two and was responsible for carting freight from the wharf across the country. He returned home to Australia in 1946.
Now 97, Reg lives in Churchill and is one of six Gippslanders to be the first in Australia to receive a special honour.
At the weekend, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Gippsland MP Darren Chester presented Reg with a medallion commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of the war on August 15.
“Reg is part of that remarkable generation of Australians who lived through the Great Depression and World War Two, then went on to help build the nation we enjoy today, even in these difficult times,” Mr Chester said.
“As we approach this special anniversary of the war’s end, we recognise that it will be one of the last opportunities we have as a nation to publicly acknowledge the remaining veterans of the Second World War, of which there are around 12,000 still with us today.
“These brave Australians served our nation in the far corners of the world, fighting in theatres of war from Europe to North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, to Asia and the Pacific, as well as the Australian mainland.
“As a nation, we can never fully repay the debt we owe these amazing men and women but, to mark their service, the Federal Government has produced this Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration for our remaining living Second World War veterans.
“This is a way we can say ‘thank you for your service’. It’s a gesture of appreciation from a grateful nation to those who, like Reg, were part of the war effort and worked to protect our way of life.”
Second World War veterans can apply online to receive the Commemorative Medallion and Certificate at dva.gov.au/medallion. Those without internet access can call 02 61918217 during business hours. Families may also apply on behalf of a living veteran.
The medallions and certificates will be distributed during August.
