A relative from Australia's first Victoria Cross recipient in World War I will be a special guest at this year's annual Digger Day event.
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Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021, Shoalhaven Digger Day, which is organised by the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group (KPVCVBG) is designed as a means to reflect on what our veterans have done for our country in all past wars and conflicts but also raise awareness and funds for many of the issues which many veterans suffer, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) .
Rick Meehan, chairman of the KPVCVBG, whose brainchild Digger Day, says he never expected the event to gain such momentum and become such an important part of the Shoalhaven community.
"I suppose we always hoped it would become a big event," he said. "But you never know. Things like this start well and go great guns for four or five years and can then peter out.
"But Digger Day just seems to get bigger and bigger and go from strength to strength each year.
"I know it's a day now ingrained in the Shoalhaven and our local veterans and community as a whole looks forward too.
"The event's success is not only a credit to the Shoalhaven Rugby Club who have joined us to run with and support the concept, but the Shoalhaven community which has embraced it and made it such a success.
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"I must also thank the volunteer group who have been with us, many of them since the first event and continue to work for veterans and strive to take care of our veterans."
Over the years a number of Victoria Cross recipients have attended the events - one year it was the biggest gathering of VC recipients ever in the Southern Hemisphere.
The one staple has been Australia's oldest VC recipient Keith Payne AM.
Despite having a few "health hiccups of late" the spritely 87-year-old is as keen as ever to make the trek south from Queesnsland for the big event.
Over the years he's been joined by various family members of other Victoria Cross recipients.
And this year it will be Ken Jacka, a relative of the legendary Albert Jacka, the first Aussie to be awarded the VC at Gallipoli in WWI.
Lance Corporal Albert Jacka was presented with the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery on the night of May 19-20, 1915, at Courtney's Post on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
While holding a portion of a trench with four men, they were heavily attacked. All except Jacka himself were killed or wounded and the trench was rushed and occupied by seven Turks.
Lance Corporal Jacka at once most gallantly attacked them single-handed and killed the whole party, five by rifle fire and two with the bayonet.
Later Captain Jacka, could quite easily have been awarded two further VCs for various other actions - he received the Military Cross and a bar to that award for his actions at Pozières in August 1916 and at Bullecourt in 1917.
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Ken and his family, wife Mikaela and their children Imojen (10), Patrick (8) and Charlie (5) have recently relocated to the Shoalhaven from the central Victorian town of Maryborough, not far from his famous relative's hometown of Wedderburn.
Mikaela is completing studies to become a doctor at the University of Wollongong's Shoalhaven Campus.
A chance meeting "at the school gate" with one of the Keith Payne group members revealed his famous family connection.
He has since been invited by organisers to be one of the special guests at this year's Digger Day commemorations.
He will join Keith Payne, fellow relatives of VC recipients Helen Rattey (daughter), Doug Rattey (great nephew) of Reg Ratty VC, George Wheatley, the son of Kevin 'Dasher' Wheatley, George Cross recipient Michael Pratt and Cross of Valour recipients Darrell Tree and Victor Boscoe who will also be among the special guests.
They will be flown into Shoalhaven Rugby Park by helicopter, through CHC Helicopters and two Royal Australian Navy EC135 helicopters from 723 Squadron, the home of the Joint Helicopter School at HMAS Albatross.
"I never expected anything like this," Mr Jacka said.
"I feel very proud and honoured to be part of the day.
"It's a great concept and a fantastic initiative.
"Anything that can bring people together, especially in these hard times, where some of us have lost connections. We hear how important interaction is especially for mental health. This has got to be a good thing.
"I know the last couple of years have been a tough time for a lot of people, especially here in the Shoalhaven, so getting people together and maintaining those connections is even more important."
To mark the occasion the Keith Payne Group has presented Mr Jacka with a replica set of his famous relative's medals.
"This is really special," he said.
"I've seen the originals in the Australian War Memorial but to have our own set is very special.
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"Our family, of course, is very proud of Albert and his achievements. To hold a set of his medals, and see them close and touch them is emotional."
World renowned violinist Rachel Bostock who will again performing a moving rendition of the Last Post and artist George Petrou, who is a regular visitor to the Shoalhaven and supporter of Digger Day and the KPVCVBG has just released a new book of his work, The Art of Sacrifice, will also be among the special guests.
After the disappointment of having to cancel the 2020 event due to COVID, this year's event is shaping up to be bigger than ever.
The day will be held on Saturday, July 17 at Shoalhaven Rugby Park and will again feature rugby clashes between keen local rivals, Shoalhaven and Kiama.
It is also a big year for the Kiama Club which after having to postpone 60th anniversary celebrations last year due to COVID, is marking the occasion in 2021.
Both sides will wear special commemorative jerseys for the match, and to mark the 10th anniversary of Digger Day the jumpers will be given to the respective players
A spare set of 2021 jerseys and the jumpers, unused from the 2020 cancelled event, will also be on sale for $100.
If you would like to purchase one contact Rick Meehan on 0428 443 361.
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