Racing in Victoria is suspended today due to the untimely death of Dean Holland. It is only fitting on this special day.
That it occurred in a lowly maiden race shows just how unexpected our riders can suddenly be injured or in this case lose their life. It’s no good saying “they died doing something they loved.” People who go to work each day do not expect to be seriously injured or indeed killed. But it happens , not only in Racing, but in many industries, mining, industrial, people who drive cars for a living.
What we don’t expect and what impacts so many people is an industry that is so public.
Today we also honour our soldiers, the defenders of our Country and at times the evils of war in other countries. We currently have about a thousand refugees from the war in UIkraine where their soldiers are dying every day. Our thoughts should also include those people who are voluntarily, as were our soldiers, putting their lives on the line for their country.
Our soldiers from Australia and New Zealand included all races, those that were here and those who came here to enjoy our way of life, and they were all fighting for our great countries with a united goal, the right to live in freedom.
Lest we forget
. My Dad and my grandads fought and I served in the CMF. My nephew is a submariner.
What we now need is for the younger generation to step up and serve in the Reserves just in case we are once more called to defend our Countries.