General News
19 February, 2025
Darwin Defenders remembered on the 83rd anniversary of the bombing
The Bombing of Darwin remembered at the Horsham Cenotaph
A small gathering met at the Horsham Cenotaph in Sawyer Park on Wednesday, February 19, to honour the 83rd anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin during World War ll.
Eighty-three years ago, Australia faced the most significant single attack mounted by a foreign power on February 19, 1942, when Japanese enemy forces bombed Darwin, leaving hundreds of service members dead and countless injured.
Horsham Rural City Council mayor Ian Ross joined the small gathering and laid a wreath at the cenotaph in honour of the contingent from the Wimmera and Mallee.
Sheryl Barlett from the Darwin Defender Committee led the service and reflected on those who left the region to serve as volunteers defending Darwin.
The military militia defending Northern Australia from the Japanese forces comprised of volunteers from around Australia, including 900 from the Wimmera and Southern Mallee.
"Many of the volunteers from the Wimmera and Mallee were from farms, either directly or through farming industries and witnessed the first bombs dropped on Darwin at 9.58am on February 19. along with men and women members of the Navy, Air Force and Medical Corp," she said.
It was the first of 84 air raids on Darwin, and history shows 188 Japanese enemy aircraft rained more bombs on Darwin that day than were dropped on Pearl Harbour.
The highlighted the remarkable contribution the Australian militia played in defending Australia.
"With so many of the young men away, the women of the region were encouraged to take up positions on farms and in the farming industry, significantly changing the community's fabric," she said.
"In 2011, the Bombing of Darwin Day joined Anzac Day and Remembrance Day as a National Day of Observance."
President of the Darwin Defenders John Byrne and Treasurer Lynne Wright also attended the service.
Mr Byrne read the Ode and the group was invited to recite the Lord's Prayer.
This year's service was scaled down.
The committee decided on a smaller event due to the many commitments that had faced the community in recent weeks with the fires in the Grampians and Little Desert National Parks.
Plans are underway to return to the larger service involving the community and schools in 2026.
The Bombing of Darwin Day is a day to reflect on those who selflessly and courageously defended Australia, helped others, dealt with the aftermath of war and paid the ultimate sacrifice with their life.