Keith Payne, hero VC and ‘living treasure’ turns 90

Journalist: Zoe Devenport

Daily Mercury

One of Australia’s ‘living treasures’ is celebrating his 90th birthday and community leaders have lined up to give war hero Keith Payne their best wishes. Born at Ingham in 1933, the veteran rescued 40 wounded men from no man’s land while under heavy fire from a North Vietnamese force near the Cambodian border. For his bravery, Warrant Officer Class II Keith Payne was awarded Australia’s highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, by Queen Elizabeth II aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1970.

MACKAY RSL SUBBRANCH WAR HISTORIAN AND VIETNAM WAR VETERAN COL BENSON

Fellow Vietnam veteran Col Benson said he had admired and respected Mr Payne for the 40 years he had known him. “ H i s word is his honour,” the Mackay RSL war historian said. “He has given a lifetime of service to Australia since he was 17 years of age. “And his lifelong partner Florence, or Flo, they are living treasures … both are honourable people who have given a lot to the community.

“I give him my very best wishes for his 90th birthday.”

MACKAY VETERANS GROUP PRESIDENT AND VIETNAM WAR VETERAN LES PALMER

Vietnam War veteran Les Palmer also wished the legend a happy birthday. “Not many people have done what he’s done,” the Mackay Veterans Group president said on behalf of the group. “We all should be proud of him. We all are proud of him.”

MACKAY RSL SUBBRANCH PRESIDENT KEN HIGGINS

Mackay RSL sub-branch president Ken Higgins, said Mr Payne’s heroics quickly became well known among the Australian troops in Vietnam. Mr Higgins said Mr Payne had always been passionate about supporting his comrades during conflict or in peacetime. “He’s been a very complex soldier,” he said. “Even after Keith got out of the army, he’s still out there doing things in the community and he’s very passionate about our First Nations people and Islanders who served in the Australian military.”

PTSD FRONTLINE CHAIRMAN PETER WIRTH

PTSD Frontline chairman Peter Wirth said he met Mr Payne when he first moved to Mackay eight years ago. “I found his openness and candour extraordinary,” Dr Wirth said. “His ability to share stories from 40 years ago was so clear, and his willingness to share the pain that he’s been through and the adventures he’s embarked upon is amazing. “I regard him as a dear and special friend. I’m honoured to know him.”

MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL MAYOR GREG WILLIAMSON

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said “larger than life”, an “Aussie icon” and a “bloody good bloke” were just a few of the ways to describe Mr Payne. “But it’s Keith’s compassionate determination to make the lives of Aussie veterans better, that stands this man apart for me,” Mr Williamson said. “We are honoured that Keith and Flo have called Mackay home for a very long time, and that we have been able to share a small part of Keith’s incredible journey. “Happy Birthday mate.”

MACKAY MP JULIEANNE GILBERT

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said Mr Payne was a “wonderful inspiration” to the community and a “true war hero”. “And he continues to be a hero in the Mackay community, (spending) his time helping veterans, particularly those coming back from recent conflicts,” Mrs Gilbert said. “Keith deserves to have a very happy 90th birthday, with his loved ones, family, and friends.”

DAWSON MP ANDREW WILLCOX

Dawson MP Andrew Willcox said Mr Payne was a “fierce advocate” for veterans “every step of the way”. “From growing up as a local Ingham lad in the 1930s to defending our nation in three separate international conflicts, Keith is a local veteran, a local hero, and a local legend.” Mr Willcox said. “To a Dawson hero, someone who I hold in such high regard, and someone who I’m proud to call my mate, happy birthday.”

VETERANS’ AFFAIRS MINISTER MATT KEOGH

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh also had well wishes for Mr Payne on his milestone birthday. “A veteran of the Korea and Vietnam Wars, and the Indonesian Confrontation, Keith is an extraordinary Australian who I’ve had the honour of working alongside in my time as Minister,” Mr Keogh said. “His bravery protecting his mates against unimaginable odds in service was matched only by his advocacy following service. “Spending decades working to make sure all veterans are recognised and supported as they so deserve. “Thank you for your service to our nation Keith – you really are one of Australia’s finest.”