I was the conducting officer of the National Peacekeeper Day Service held in Mullumbimby on 14 September 2026. I take umbrage to the letter (23 September) by Stephen Williams, President of the Mullumbimby RSL sub-branch, regarding the purpose of the Australian National Peacekeeper Day Service and his implied criticism that a wreath, which was laid in memory of a civilian aid worker killed in Gaza, was outside the purview of the ceremony, and in that in doing so, it was a ‘political’ act.
This is not a simple matter and requires detailed refutation.
Mr Williams stated inter alia that the purpose of the service was ‘to honour the sacrifices made by all Australian Defence Force personnel and Australian Federal Police personnel’.
That narrow interpretation, wherein he restricts those who are to be remembered on this national day to just defence and police personnel, is wrong. His limited interpretation is at odds with the Australian Government’s definition which is published on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Anzac Portal website which is: ‘National Peacekeepers’ Day honours all Australian peacekeepers, peacemakers, peacebuilders, and peace enforcers.’
The Australian Government, through the Anzac Portal, pays tribute to those aforementioned classes of Australians for their ‘extraordinary contributions to uphold international stability and security in challenging environments.’
Modern peacekeeping is asymmetrical and, in many cases, predominantly civilians take the lead. Such as: facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid; helping war-torn communities; and rebuilding or restoring infrastructure.
It is, and remains, my considered belief that the role of women in peace operations is vital and has been ignored or downplayed over the years. In fact the role of women has grown. Today, more women serve in peacekeeping operations than ever before. They are indispensable.
So, when I was asked to step in to conduct the commemorative service, I thought to myself, who represents the best in human qualities to represent the sacrifice made by all Australian peacekeepers, irrespective of status or gender. And to me that was the Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom who was killed in an Israeli drone strike while delivering vital humanitarian aid in Gaza. Zomi was driven by passion and a purpose to assist people in need. People like Zomi are rare and their selflessness should always be remembered.
So I asked someone from our community who has demonstrated the same qualities of selflessness and compassion as Zomi over the years – and apparently my choice of Mandy Nolan as that representative is seen as a ‘political’ act by members of the RSL. I take exception to that inference.
My advice to those who are ‘put out’ by my choice is the same as my granny used to give me as a kid – ‘take a Bex powder, go and have a lay down, a good cry and get over it’.
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