Members,
You may recall from my last update that Committee was keen to continue to commemorate the Regimental Battle Honours at the appropriate memorials with Kapyong in April, Coral/Balmoral in May, Long Tan in August, and Maryang San in October. I still think it is important that we continue to mark these Regimental events in the National Capital, however, the attendance needs to more than just the four or five committee members. The Committee provides a wreath for each service and is grateful for the provision of a bugler from the RMC Band to support these events.
I was pleased to see at the Kapyong Day Commemorative Service in 2023 we had about 60 people attend. We had good representation from the RAR Association ACT, the ACT Korean community, and members from Staff College and RMC. This is the sort of support the committee would expect for all the commemorative activities.
Upcoming Activities and Commemorative Services
- Kapyong Day Commemorative Service 2024. We will commemorate the Regimental Battle Honour for Kapyong on Wednesday 24 April 2024 at 11:30 hrs at the National Korean War Memorial on ANZAC Parade. It will be followed by a lunch at the Mercure Hotel at 12:30 pm. The Korean Community, RMC & ADC have been contacted with details of the
commemoration. - Anzac Day March and Reunion. The RARA – ACT will march as an Association on Anzac Day and conduct a reunion at the Mercure Canberra on 25 April 2024 from 11:00 hrs. According to the official website, the march returns to the
AWM Parade Ground this year. The Association requires two volunteers to carry the Association Banner during the march, volunteers can respond to this email or contact the Secretary. More information will follow in due course from the Secretary, Glenn Crosland. - Coral/Balmoral. We will commemorate the Regimental Battle Honour for Coral/Balmoral on Monday 13 May 2024 at 11:30 hrs at the National Vietnam War Memorial on ANZAC Parade. It will be followed by a lunch at the Mercure Hotel at 12:30 pm.
- Maryang San. We will commemorate the Regimental Battle honour forMaryang San on Friday 4 October 2024 at 1130 hrs at the Korean War Memorial on ANZAC Parade. It will be followed by a lunch at the Mercure Hotel at 12:30 pm.
- Infantry Corps Dinner (with the RAR Foundation). The Infantry Corps Dinner with the RAR Foundation is planned for Thursday 21 November 2024 at 1830 for 1900 hrs at the CIT Restaurant, Reid. The dinner will also include the Hassett Trophy presentation for the best junior leader in the Regiment and School of Infantry. This year we will have representation from the RAR Corporation Board members and the members of the RARA AGM and National Council Meeting that is being held in Canberra over the period 20 – 22 November. I will provide more information as we get nearer the events.
Membership
At the time of this update our financial membership is sitting at 22. This is not enough to sustain our yearly commemorations, with wreaths, and our funding for the food at the Anzac Day reunion. The minimum number of yearly subscriptions we need for the Association to remain viable is around 60. The committee has set the annual membership at $30, and we agreed that members could only pay three years ($90) in advance. The Association has online banking with Defence Bank. Therefore, you can pay your membership subscription online using the following details.
Defence Bank
RAR Association ACT
BSB: 833-205
Account: 20697760
Please ensure that your Initials & Surname are in the reason for payment area. For example, J.Blow –Subs.
Duty First Magazine
The Autumn edition 2024 can be accessed at dutyfirst.com.au. If you require a hard copy please let the Secretary Glenn Crosland know.
Stephen Dunn, AM
Brigadier (Retd)
President
RAR Association (ACT Branch)
M: 0404815648
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