Joe Peoples
Joe attending the Remembrance Day service in 2011Kingscliff this week lost one of its greats, with the passing of long-time RSL head Joe Peoples.
"Joe Peoples' name has been synonymous with Returned Servicemen's League activities since he moved to the local community in 1981," current Kingscliff RSL sub branch vice president Brian Vickery said.
"He, with limited assistance, resurrected an old RSL Hall in Kingscliff and rejuvenated the veteran and public attitude towards Anzac Day and Remembrance Day from that day until his retirement as President of the Kingscliff Sub Branch in 2006. Joe almost singlehandedly organized and conducted these major events.
"Joe and his wife Valerie encouraged a stronger Women's Auxiliary within the Sub Branch and worked tirelessly to ensure that they remained strong and, above all, financially viable.
"He assisted by picking up elderly ladies to attend monthly bingo, delivering the food for afternoon tea and calling the bingo numbers.
"He was active in Legacy, Rotary and a constant attendee at VIEW Club meetings. He always made himself available at schools for discussions with the students prior to Anzac Day and Remembrance Day and in 2007 featured in a short film which encouraged the use of school children in its production.
"Each year Joe was invited to attend the Presentation Night of the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club as one of its foundation members."
Born on June 1, 1924, Joe joined the Royal Australian Navy on September 1, 1942, was a WWII veteran and was discharged on February 18 1946, continuing on as reserve until 1963 when he then joined the Army Reserve until 1979.
He had served with the 9th Field Ambulance and the 42nd Royal Queensland Regiment.
Joe married his wife and partner Valerie in 1952 and they had four children.
He joined the RSL in 1947 and has been involved with six Sub Branches in QLD and NSW before coming to Kingscliff and was President from 1984 to 2006.
He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours list on June 8, 2009 and his other medals include 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, 1939/45 War Medal, Australian Service Medal, Defence Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Volunteer Defence Corps, Police Long Service Medal, General Service Medal, Long Service Medal/Navy/Reserve.
As well as his defence force service, Joe served as a police officer for 30 years.
He is survived by his children and their partners, Michael, Paul and Bernadette, Anne and Cathleen and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all of us who have attended Joe's Anzac Day services in Kingscliff.
Joe's funeral will be held at St Anthony's Catholic Church, Pearl Street on Friday, August 10, at 11.30am.
Rowan Robinson
SAPPER Rowan Robinson - RIPSAPPER Rowan Robinson will never return to Kingscliff, but he will always be remembered there as a lovable hero and a man who served his country with honour.
Sapper Robinson suffered a gunshot wound on Monday when a partnered special operations task group and Afghan National Security Forces team was engaged by insurgents.
He received immediate first-aid and was flown to the hospital facility at Multi National Base Tarin Kowt, but later died of his wounds.
Sapper Robinson was a 23-year-old specialist combat engineer from the Sydney-based Incident Response Regiment.
As a well-known athlete, exceptional student and member of the Cudgen Headland Surf Live Saving Club, Sapper Robinson left his mark on the seaside community.
Past and present teachers of Kingscliff High School, from which he graduated in 2005, remembered him as a well-liked student.
Retired Kingscliff High School teacher and Robinson family friend, John Waide, said the boy he watched grow up always knew he was destined to be a soldier.
"He was always a likable chap and he played football for us at school, he was an outstanding sportsman and a champion lad," Mr Waide said.
"You always expect the brave and bold to give us their best and that was Rowan.
"My youngest son Luke was really good mates with him. It's disbelief everybody is feeling because he was so good at everything he did.
"He was looking forward to hopefully coming home in August. To finish an engineering degree."
Mr Waide said Rowan's friends were shattered by the news of his death, but remembered him as a hero.
"We are all very proud of him. I have nothing but respect for Rowan and what he stood for," Mr Waide said.
"He was a cheeky sort of lad in some ways, the girls all loved him. After his mum and dad moved to Townsville we would still see him and right from Year 11 he knew he was in the Army. He always knew that's what he wanted to do."
Kingscliff High School vice-principal Stuart Cutcher added to the tributes.
"I would like to express my sympathies and condolences to Rowan's family and friends at his passing," Mr Cutcher said.
"He was extremely well liked by students and teachers alike and he made wonderful contributions to our reputation."
Kingscliff RSL sub-branch vice-president and Cudgen Headland Surf Club member Brian Vickery said the whole community was mourning.
"I can verify the feeling of sadness in the community today. I have been talking to many people who knew him and they are in disbelief by this tragic incident," Mr Vickery said.
Supplementary Article: Written by Tweed Daily News - 10 June 2011
AUSTRALIAN Army Combat Engineer and ex Kingscliff High School student, Sapper Rowan Robinson, was farewelled from Afghanistan on Thursday by his comrades in a moving memorial service and ramp ceremony at the Multi National Base, Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.
The 23 year old was killed in action on Monday during a partnered Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and Afghan National Police (ANP) mission.
In his eulogy, the Commanding Officer of the SOTG described Sapper Robinson as a young, dedicated soldier who was born for the profession of arms.
"Rowan was highly motivated and had every desire to continue to serve his country for many years," he said.
"Whether it was clearing a path potentially littered with IEDs (improvised explosive devices), fighting for his mates or providing over-watch, no task was too great and no request for help was ever unanswered," CO SOTG said.
"Everything he turned his hand to produced outstanding results. Without fail he jumped at the challenge of leading our operators to their objective, risking his life so that others may live."
Rowan was remembered during a ceremony within the SOTG compound, surrounded by his colleagues from the Incident Response Regiment (IRR), the 2nd Commando Regiment, the Special Air Service Regiment and representatives from ISAF and Afghan National Security Force units.
Former Kingscliff High School teacher, John Waide said Rowan's friends were "shattered" by the news of his death and current vice-principal, Stuart Cutcher said he was "extremely well liked by students and teachers alike."
"He was a truly lovely boy," Mr Waide said.
"He was too young to die, but no war is a safe war."
After Thursday's memorial service, Sapper Robinson's casket was placed onto a Long Range Patrol Vehicle (LRPV) by fellow engineers and led through an honour guard of soldiers from the Task Group. He was escorted onto a waiting RAAF C-130 Hercules aircraft to begin the long journey home to family and friends in Australia.
"Rowan was a man who was as selfless as he was courageous," CO SOTG said.
"His actions on the day he was killed led to the removal of several insurgents and the largest cache of weapons, ammunition, drugs and bomb components found this year," CO SOTG said.
The Commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General Angus Campbell, said the work of Sapper Robinson and his fellow combat engineers was fraught with danger.
"Under heavy fire, with his mates in danger Sapper Robinson moved at great risk to himself to provide covering fire," Major General Campbell said.
"Sapper Robinson accepted his role to protect his mates and clear the way forward. He did so with guts and determination. He did so always leading from the front. He will be sadly missed by his mates, friends and family."
Sapper Robinson will be repatriated through RAAF Amberley and will be buried with full military honours
