News

Forgotten war remembered at Moama service

By Emily Donohoe

Jul 30, 2025

Moama RSL sub-branch vice-president Bruce Smith, Murray River Police District Chief Inspector Michael Fuller, Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Daniel Mackrell, Moama RSL sub-branch president Ken Jones, Korean War veteran John Munro, Victorian Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie and Moama RSL sub-branch vice-president Leigh Bennett. Photos: Emily Donohoe Photo by Emily Donohoe

Seventy-five years on from the start of the conflict, Moama RSL sub-branch members held a service to mark Korean Veterans’ Day.

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Annually on July 27, the anniversary of the armistice in 1953, the Korean War is marked by nations that were involved, including Australia.

Moama RSL sub-branch president Ken Jones leads the service. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Australia was one of the United Nations member states to send armed forces to the conflict between North and South Korea, deploying 18,000 soldiers.

More than 350 Australian lives were lost, 1200 wounded and 40 are still ‘missing in action’.

Moama RSL sub-branch president Ken Jones led the service, which included the laying of wreaths, the reading of the Ode, and playing of the Last Post, Rouse and the Australian and South Korean national anthems.

Murray River Police District Chief Inspector Michael Fuller lays a wreath. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Mr Jones also provided a special address to attendees, including Victorian Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Daniel Mackrell, Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie and Murray River Police District Chief Inspector Michael Fuller.

“We honour and recognise all Korean War veterans who served and sacrificed in the pursuit of peace,” he said.

“We are honoured today to have our only surviving Korean veteran from the Echuca-Moama area in attendance — John Munro.

“John is one of only 1000 (Australian) Korean veterans who are still with us.”

Attendees stand for the Last Post and minute of silence. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Mr Jones also recited the Korean War Poem, written by retired US Army Lieutenant Commander Roberto J. Prinselaar and etched into a Korean War veterans’ memorial in New Jersey.

“But Korea really happened, so please — remember us,” it ends.

Following the service, attendees shared a morning tea together in Moama RSL’s Poppies on Merool room.