War veteran recognised

By Jason Dom
A PAPUA New Guinea war veteran has been recognised by the Australian government for his service during the Vietnam War.
The Vietnam War 1954 to 1975 refers to the period when the United States and other members of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (Seato) joined forces with South Vietnam to fight communist forces.
The Australian involvement in the Vietnam War began with a small commitment of 30 military advisers in 1962, and increased in April 1965 to upgrade its military commitment to South Vietnam’s security.
Papua New Guinean Richard Amol Cherake was recruited then, and enlisted as a midshipman in the Royal Australian Navy strategy reserve on Wednesday for serving 50 years in the navy since 1968.
According to Colonel Dave Buller, Cherake was accepted for cadet training along with three others in 1968 and in 1971 he was moved to logistics.
“Cherake retired on 28 Feb, 1975. He continued to serve his country as a local magistrate from 1994 to 2005 and later become a lawyer,” Buller said.
Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said that it was an important time to for him to witness and award Cherake his significant services to serve both countries, Australia and Papua New Guinea, during the cold war. Cherake was presented with four medals.