Today is Australian Peacekeeping Day, it gives us the opportunity to honour Australians who have served in peacekeeping missions for the past 78 years. Not all peacekeepers are members of the defence force, they might also be police or civilians. Peacekeepers have many roles including doctors, nurses, translators and engineers.

Australians have been involved in peacekeeping since 1947. They were part of the first United Nations mission to Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Since then they have served all over the world. Peacekeepers go to countries where there is, or has been conflict. They try to keep or bring peace. Sometimes peacekeepers provide security or help to rebuild communities.

More than 66,000 Australian men and women have served in more than 50 international peacekeeping operations since 1947; tragically 16 have lost their lives.

Alex Milne spoke to Regimental Sergeant Major Allan Castle (retired) about his experiences as a peacekeeper in Rwanda. The Australian peacekeepers served in Rwanda following the genocide in 1994.

Listen to Alex Milne and Sunday Celebration every Sunday morning from 6am on Brisbane's 96five.

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