Today we commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the almost one million Australians who served our nation, and the support and fortitude of millions of Australians on the home front.

The event will be commemorated at St Andrews Anglican Church, Lismore at 12 noon when the bells will chime. They will join other bell towers throughout Australia in marking the occasion. Stephan Hall Parish Secretary Anglican Parish Lismore said "unfortunately not all the bells in the Lismore tower can ring due to COVID-19 restrictions".

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said Victory in the Pacific signified the end of the Second World War for Australia and was met with scenes of celebration and relief 75 years ago, and tomorrow, a special commemorative service would be held at the Australian War Memorial to remember all those who served.

“The end of the Second World War is a moment our nation will forever remember, it is part of our history, and the stories told by Australians who were there on 15 August 1945 remind us of this,” Mr Chester said.  

“Tomorrow a grateful nation will tune in to watch the national commemorative service broadcast live on the ABC from the Australian War Memorial – collectively we will say ‘thank you for your service’ to our Second World War veterans.

“It is a time to remember and reflect on the service and sacrifice of the almost one million Australians who served, the 39,000 who died, and the some 30,000 who were prisoners of war.

“Remarkably, around 12,000 are still with us today, with veterans planning to attend the commemorative service, along with Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley and the Prime Minister Scott Morrison.”

“Given we cannot gather in large numbers to commemorate and pay our respects, I urge all Australians to think of ways they can still do so, safely,” Mr Chester said.

The broadcast of the commemorative service will commence at 9.30am, with the service starting at 10am and can be viewed on the ABC, Commemorations and War Graves Australia Facebook page or on the ABC’s on-demand and catch-up TV service, ABC iview.

The Sunday Profile is Phil Eckford, a navy veteran and Goonellabah resident who talks about the sinking of the Nimbin and remembers the day that World War II was over. You can read Phil's amazing account first thing Sunday morning on the Lismore App or on the website, www.lismoreapp.com.au.