Unsung Yet Unshaken

The Quiet Heroes Of Australia’s Peacekeeping Efforts

By Hannah McNamara

Not all veterans wore their service on their sleeves, nor did their names make headlines, yet many acted as the quiet glue that held peace together. These are the silent achievers of Australia’s story, men and women who worked under the radar but whose contribution was no less vital.

Among them stands Rod Francisco – Mackay veteran, President of the Walkerston-Pleystowe RSL Sub Branch, and Mackay’s 2024 Man of the Year. A man with a great heart for people and a tireless advocate for recognising the service and sacrifice of our nation’s peacekeepers. His voice reminds us why it matters to honour those who served in ways often overlooked, but deeply instrumental in keeping communities – both at home and abroad – connected and safe.

“It’s pretty important for me. I was in a peacekeeping force in East Timor… one of the early units that deployed, so for me that’s a pretty significant day to recognise the efforts that I personally put in, and the people within the unit I served with,” he said.

“Lots of my peers, and mates, have served on peacekeeping operations so it’s important to them as well.”

Rod marked the day by reconnecting with fellow veterans.

“I caught up with a few friends that I served with overseas… a couple of mates of mine that have served in different places where they had some pretty bad experiences. So, you tap in just to make sure everybody’s okay.”

“We get a bit nostalgic about some things, but it’s also really beneficial to talk about the good times and have a little laugh.”

Peacekeeping, he explains, comes with very real risks that are often overlooked.

“Quite often you are quite literally the person in the middle between two opposing forces… unarmed.”

“What a lot of people don’t know, is that it took a long time for those people that were killed or died on peacekeeping operations for their names to go up on the honour wall at the Australian War Memorial.

“It’s there now, but it took a long time… because I think a lot of people don’t realise how dangerous these operations were, or can be.”

Rod adds that Australia has been peacekeeping since 1947 without interruption, and it’s something he and many veterans are proud of.

“We’ve been doing it continuously… and that’s something we’re quite proud of.”

Reflecting on his service, he admits there were moments of uncertainty.

“You’re trained, you’re prepared, you’re briefed, but also the circumstances can be quite dynamic or unexpected and so there’s a level of anxiety that comes with it… not one day is the same as the next.”

Today, Rod advocates for wider recognition of all who serve, particularly younger servicemen and female veterans.

“Often we don’t look at veterans in their 20s and 30s as veterans because we always just think of older people,” he says.

“Women are always asked if the medal is their husbands, or their fathers… when they’re just wearing their hard-earned medals with pride.”

“We need to recognise that veterans come in all shapes and sizes, all genders and all ages… I’d really like to see them be recognised for the hard yards they’ve done as well.”

From his service as a peacekeeper to his ongoing work across the Mackay region, Rod embodies what it means to serve with both courage and compassion. With a heart that beats for his community, he reminds us that peacekeeping is not only about standing between opposing forces, but also about standing up for recognition, respect, and remembrance for all.

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Mackay veteran, President of the Walkerston-Pleystowe RSL Sub Branch, and Mackay’s 2024 Man of the Year Rod Francisco honours the quiet courage of Australia’s peacekeepers. Photos supplied

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