SOPO REMEMBRANCE
At SOPO we are dedicated to upholding the history and traditions of the club, while ensuring we continue to pay our respect to the past, present, and future. While we continue to grow, we maintain our commitment to our veterans and the Southport community.
SOPO will continue to commemorate veterans, hosting significant remembrance events such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day.
Our mission is to honour our past and work with veterans and the community to ensure we never forget those came before us and support those who continue to serve or served on our behalf.
The Ode of Remembrance is performed daily at 6pm and is a moment to pay our respect to fallen soldiers and veterans of wartime service and sacrifice. Our SOPO community gathers on each day to commemorate and remember those who dedicated their lives to our country.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.”
The battle of Kapyong was fought during the Korean War. The battle began for the Diggers on April 23, 1951, and was fought in cold conditions over difficult terrain. It stretched out for two days where a mere group of a few hundred men gallantly held off close to 10,000 enemy forces in a decisive stalling battle. 32 Australians died in the Battle of Kapyong, 59 were wounded and three were taken prisoner. On this day, SOPO proudly remembers the fallen, reflecting on brave characters those who fought in the battle.
ANZAC Day falls on the 25th of April every year. The day marks the landing at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War I. SOPO commemorates fallen soldiers, survivors and loved ones affected by the war. Our commitment goes beyond the ANZAC Day events as SOPO community gather for an ODE every day in honour of our veterans.
SOPO remembers those who fought in the Vietnam war paying our respect to Australian Soldiers who served during the countries 10-year involvement. SOPO commemorates the Vietnam veterans on August 18th, a National Day of Remembrance for the war that 60,000 Australian Soldiers fought in.
On the night of 22nd of April 1951, Chinese forces launched a major offensive against United Nations forces defending the South Korean capital, Seoul, and positions further east. Next morning the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade (including the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment) was ordered to the valley of the Kapyong River about 60 kilometres north-east of Seoul, where South Korean forces were being driven back.
During a night of fierce fighting and throughout the daylight hours of 24th April the Australians and a Canadian battalion, supported by a New Zealand artillery regiment, stalled the Chinese advance before eventually withdrawing after dark. At a cost of 32 men killed, 59 wounded and three missing (taken prisoner), the Australians had helped hold up the Chinese 60th Division and inflicted heavy casualties which totaled more than 500 killed alone. For their contribution to this action, 3 RAR were awarded a US Presidential Citation. 340 Australian lost their lives during this conflict.
SOPO hosts a Commemorative Service on behalf of the Australian Council of Korea Veterans Associations (ACKVA) and Southeast Asia, Korean and Peacekeeping Veterans Association (SEAK).
SOPO provides a meeting venue and fund raising support for SEAK.
SOPO continues to give back to our community. We are dedicated to donating and supporting local non-for profit charities within the Southport Community. As part of our mission, vision and values we believe that giving back to our community is our way of saying thank you to our loyal club members.
Proudly supporting Legacy and the people they have helped for decades. They provide the essential social, financial and developmental support that these families depend on each day.
Sisters Cancer Support Group (SCSG) is a community based, non for profit organisation that provides support for women from Multicultural communities affected by cancer.
Community Grant Awardee.
Empowers, supports, inspires and celebrates war widows, carers and families affected by defence services.
Community Grant Awardee.
Community Grant Awardee.
Community Grant Awardee.
