Frank rises to Remembrance Day challenge

Andrew Mathieson
OLD digger Frank Hayes cast a solitary figure on Remembrance Day this week, standing beside the flag pole at Geelong’s Johnstone Park like a loyal soldier.
The Whittington 83-year-old takes seriously his responsibility that lasts barely moments.
After all, former servicemen only get one chance – if they’re lucky – to raise the Australian flag on Remembrance Day and a queue always forms for the job.
“It’s been carried on from veterans to veterans,” Mr Hayes explained.
“All the ones who have done it before me have passed on.”
The Geelong RSL life member, who has dedicated 62 years of service to the branch, fought in New Guinea and served in occupied New Britain after the Battle of Rabaul at the end of the Second World War.
While hundreds filed into Geelong’s Shrine of Remembrance on Wednesday, Mr Hayes waited for his cue while trying to keep his cool under the sweltering sun.
He has been slowly pulling down on the ropes for more than 10 years since the last flag raiser went to the biggest battlefield in the sky.
“I have seen the white door twice already but I wasn’t going in,” he said.
“I’ve had two strokes, I’ve had a brain operation but I’m still here.”
Flag raising also occupies Mr Hayes on Anzac Day, so selling poppies and campaigning for a national day to commemorate the end of the war are now his other passions.
The enthusiastic seller has raised more than $50,000 in the past decade but was concerned the day peace came back to the world had been forgotten.
“I took a survey of 20 people and asked what day did when the Second World War ended,” Mr Hayes said.
“Out of the 20, only two knew and they were ex-servicemen.
“I’d like to see August 15 become a national day.”