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Narrogin’s Tracey and Jurgen Brandner continue to hail the importance of Anzac Day

Campbell WilliamsonNarrogin Observer
Jurgen and Tracey Brandner have great respect for all who have served.
Camera IconJurgen and Tracey Brandner have great respect for all who have served.

Forty-two years after first meeting in the Royal Australian Navy, Narrogin couple Tracey and Jurgen Brandner make sure their grandchildren know the importance of Anzac Day.

Mrs Brandner served as a petty officer writer in the RAN for 10 years, while Mr Brandner served as a weapons technician for 20.

Mr Brandner also founded the Narrogin Cadets with Graham Dawson after moving to Narrogin in 1992, continuing his involvement over the next 17 years.

“I have such a deep respect for Defence Force personnel, for what they’ve been through, for what they’ve done both for themselves, for their families and for the country,” Mr Brandner said.

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Mrs Brandner said she had done her best to provide their children and grandchildren with an understanding of Anzac Day.

“It’s a very important day in the Australian calendar,” she said.

“We’ve now got grandkids and our kids and make sure they’re aware of what it’s about.

“We made sure that they were aware of the importance of the day — not just a holiday.”

While serving, the couple were away from each other and their children for significant periods.

“We got married on the third of January. Ten days later I joined the ship and my boss said, ‘Where’s all your gear? We sail on Monday’,” Mr Brandner said.

“I’d just got married.

“It’s heartbreaking ... but at the end of the day, she was in the navy and I was in the navy. We both sort of knew what we were getting ourselves into — you just accept it.”

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