Commemorating Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up ... discovering we have the strength to stare it down.
- Eleanor Roosevelt
On 30 March 2015, Rose Bay High School was very privileged to host Mr Doug and Mrs Kaye Baird, parents of the late Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG to our school.
Corporal Cameron Baird’s heroic story, which encapsulates the qualities of the Anzac legend, is well known to the community of Rose Bay High School. In 2014, an assembly was held to commemorate his courageousness and ultimate sacrifice and a memorial stone in his honour was installed in the school’s commemorative garden.
Corporal Baird is the 100th Australian to be awarded the highest military decoration for acts of bravery in wartime, the Victoria Cross. His posthumous award was presented to Doug and Kaye Baird by the (then) Governor-General, The Hon. Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO, during a ceremony at Government House, Canberra on 18 February 2014.
About Cameron Baird
Born in Burnie, Tasmania, in 1981, Cameron Baird joined the Australian Regular Army in January 2000 and was posted to 4th Battalion (Commando), Royal Australian Regiment (now 2nd Commando Regiment). Cameron served in East Timor and Iraq and was deployed four times to Afghanistan. He was awarded the Medal of Gallantry in 2007 on his second operational tour.
Cameron Baird was on his fourth tour of Afghanistan in 2013 when he was involved in the action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 22 June, as team commander, he participated in an assault on the Taliban-held village of Ghawchak in Uruzgan province. Shortly after the helicopter insertion, Cameron Baird led his team in silencing a number of enemy positions while under heavy small-arms fire. He then went to the aid of another team whose commander had been seriously wounded. With selfless disregard for his own safety, he drew the fire from an enemy machine-gun position, “the bullets hitting the ground around him”. He managed to suppress the enemy fire, allowing his team to regain the initiative.
Once in the enemy compound, Cameron Baird forced his way into hostile buildings amid intense small-arms fire. He charged the enemy’s position three times to draw fire away from his team. On the third occasion, Corporal Baird’s actions “enabled the enemy to be neutralised and kept his team safe, but ultimately cost him his life”.
The commemoration
Students from History classes 9-1 and 9-2 (2014) hosted the event for Corporal Baird VC MG's parents, Doug and Kaye Baird.
After warmly welcoming Mr and Mrs Baird the students held a ceremony to pay homage to the 100th recipient of the Victoria Cross in the Commemorative Garden where Sophia Bellears, Chloe Harle and Sarah Pilgrim read the Soldier’s Code, a speech by former Prime Minister John Howard and a poem.
Assisting Mr and Mrs Baird with the formal garden proceedings were Thad Wiggins, Jayden Harris, Theo McSwain and Jonty Williams.
In addition to planting two rose bushes, wreaths were laid in recognition of the military service given by Corporal Baird VC MG and all those who selflessly served our country in conflicts over the past 100 years.
Award announced
For those who gathered together at the formal proceedings, the rituals were truly heartfelt and proved to be not only a very real and sombre reminder of the costly sacrifices made but also highlighted the valuable legacies left behind by Australia’s service men and women.
Following the commemorative procedures in the garden, invited students and staff attended afternoon tea where former principal, Mr Jason Szczerbanik announced a Rose Bay High School award would be established in honour of Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG. The inaugural award will be presented to a student at Achievement Afternoon in December, 2015.
Privileged to learn and remember
Those present at the informal part of the afternoon event were fortunate to view treasured memorabilia owned by the Baird family and were privileged to hear poignant and frank personal stories about Cameron which his parents openly shared. These opportunities and personal conversations with Doug and Kaye Baird enabled guests to gain a much better understanding of Cameron’s lifetime experiences and some comprehension of the values of a humble man who became the 100th Victoria Cross recipient. It quickly became clear that like all true distinguished heroes, Cameron Baird was undoubtedly valiant, professional and dauntless. Equally, it was apparent there were so many other cherished layers and facets of his personality that were deeply missed by his family and comrades and worthy of remembrance by Australians all.
Just as Corporal Cameron Baird’s Victoria Cross justifiably recognises his “most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice at Ghawchak village, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, as a Commando Team Commander in Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER,” there is no doubt, he is the role model Anzac who embodies the qualities of “endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship”.
As well as effusively thanking Mr Doug and Mrs Kaye Baird for accepting our invitation, we also wish to acknowledge and thank Captain Darren Elder who facilitated their visit to Rose Bay High School.
Additionally, we sincerely extend our appreciation to the following businesses who have supported our commemorative endeavours and who, like us, believe it is an important and honourable duty to preserve the memory and the sacrifice made by Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG. These businesses include:
- Dobson’s Monumental Works
- Gondwana Florist
- Cabbages Florist
- New Town Station Nursery
- Bunnings – Rosny
By Suzanne Pattinson
Rose Bay High School
Tasmania