World War 2 didn't officially end until the surrender was signed on September 2, 1945, but Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley declared the war's end on August 15. Bega District News' edition of August 16 reported the announcement.
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THIS morning an united religious service of thanksgiving will be held in the King's Theatre at 11 o'clock, and at 9.30 this morning there will be a ceremony at the the hospital, at which the band will take part, and citizens are invited to join in and provide "something extra" for staff and patients.
Unbounded is the joy of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters of our men who have been for years prisoners of war with the Japanese.
In the afternoon there was a huge procession from the war memorial to the showground, where the children were entertained at sports and given refreshments.
Over 80 pounds had been collected to provide entertainment and refreshments for the children.
At night there was another procession to the showground, where there was a huge bonfire, community singing, and dancing.
But while we who have survived are rejoicing let us not forget those who died that we might live and who rest in simple graves in he jungles of New Guinea and in foreign lands and in the sea.
May they rest in peace.
While our thanks go to God and our fighting forces and those of our Allies, let it be an inspiration to us to do our best to make the world a better place.
This is the story in the next edition of the paper.
BEGA got back to work on Friday after two days' celebration of peace.
The crowd at the showground on Wednesday night was, we believe, the largest ever seen there at night.
The huge pile of wood for the bonfire was lighted by Lyle Sly and Doug Otton, American Silver Star holders.
An effigy of Tojo, cleverly constructed by Messrs Ray Buckley and Jackson at the gas works, was suspended overhead and consumed by the flames, amidst great rejoicing.
There was a great procession of people on foot and in cars to the ground.
Inside the pavilion there was community singing and dancing and addresses by the Mayor, Alderman Ayres and others.
The revelry went on till after midnight.