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Our Victoria Cross Heroes book launch

our VC heroes cover.jpg

Tasmania has a long and proud military history and the Tasmanian Government is a strong supporter of our veterans and their families and also those currently serving in the armed forces.

All of those Tasmanians who have served our nation’s uniform provide us with an example of service and sacrifice and we also particularly recognise a select group who have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

The Victoria Cross is our nation’s highest award for bravery in battle and a staggering 14 Tasmanians have received this award since Trooper John Bisdee received the first VC in 1900 in the Boer War.

Eleven Tasmanians were awarded the Victoria Cross during World War I, including Australia’s most decorated infantry soldier Lieutenant Colonel Harry Murray who was raised in Evandale.

The 100th Australian to receive a Victoria Cross was Burnie-born Corporal Cameron Baird for his exploits and bravery in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan on 22 June 2013.

The book Our Heroes, Tasmania's Victoria Cross Recipients by Guy Barnett MP recognises those 14  Victoria Cross recipients and also several other notable Tasmanians has been released to coincide with the Centenary of ANZAC commemorations.

The book is in its 4th edition and was first published in 2006 when Mr Barnett was a Tasmanian Senator.

This latest edition includes background on campaigns from the Boer War to Afghanistan and, with the co-operation of Corporal Baird’s family, includes a special chapter on Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG.

Mr Barnett thanked Doug Baird for attending the book launch and Premier Will Hodgman for launching the book.

"This new book has unearthed many new stories and facts about our brave soldiers and I hope young Tasmanians are inspired by the values, courage, endurance, mate-ship and sacrifice which flow from these pages and I dedicate it to all Tasmanians who have served, and their families," Mr Barnett said.

The book is available at most RSL Tasmania Sub Branches and also from the Public Buildings in Paterson Street, Launceston, for a $5 donation which goes back to the RSL.