In the heart of the tranquil Shire region, there stood a tight-knit community ofveterans who had served their country with unwavering dedication and pride.These veterans had come from different branches of the military—Navy, RAAF, andArmy—but they had formed a strong bond, recognizing the importance of workingtogether as a team, just as they had during their service.To symbolize their unity and their connection to their homeland, they decided tocreate a badge for their Shire Veteran Association. This badge would not only honour their military backgrounds but also pay homage to their shared love for their local sports team, the Mighty Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. The badge was designed with great care and thoughtfulness, each element carrying deep significance. The choice of colours was deliberate: blue represented the vast expanse of water, an homage to the Navy veterans among them. White symbolised the clouds, a nod to the RAAF veterans who had soared through the skies. Black,the colour of the earth, represented the Army veterans who had marched on solidground. Together, these colours represented the unity of their experiences andbackgrounds.At the centreof the badge, a majestic shark emerged from the depths of the blue, itspowerful form denoting the region they all called home—the Shire. It was a symbol of strength, resilience, and the pride they took in their local rugbyleague team, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.Above theshark, a beautifully rendered Southern Cross shone brightly, illuminating thebadge like a guiding star. This constellation held a special meaning for theShire Veteran Association. It represented not only the stars that had guidedthem through their military careers but also served as a reminder of theircommitment to their fellow veterans—past, present, and future. It was a symbolof hope, unity, and the enduring spirit of Australia's veterans. As the badge was unveiled, it quickly became a source of pride for the CRONULLA-SUTEHRLAND VETERAN ASSOCIATION. They wore it with honour on their uniforms, displayed it at their meetings, and shared it with fellow veterans and community members alike. It became a unifying symbol, reminding all who saw it of the bond forged through service, the love for their local team, and their dedication to the greater community. The badge served as a testament to the resilience and unity of the Shire veterans. They knew that no matter where life had taken them in their military careers, they were forever bound by their shared experiences and their love for the Shire and its beloved Sharks. Edward Lopez-President