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Battle for Australia Association
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A great commemoration in Sydney. The NSW Police Band, St Andrews Cathedral School Choir, representatives of His Excellency the Governor, the New South Wales Government, Opposition, Diplomatic representatives of the allies who fought for our country's freedom, service representatives and service organisations.
The keynote address was by Air Commodore Mike Kitcher AM, CSM; an outline of the RAAF contribution to the Battle of Milne Bay, please view below.
CLICK HERE to download a transcript of Air Commodore Kitcher's Speech.
CLICK HERE to download order of service.
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The ACT Committee of the
Battle for Australia Commemoration National Council
advises all interested persons that the
2018 Battle for Australia Day
National Commemorative Ceremony
will be held in the Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard of the
Australian War Memorial
on Wednesday 5 September 2018
commencing at 11.00 am.
Those attending should be seated by 10.45 am
Queries should be directed to the
Battle for Australia National Ceremony Coordinator
Colonel John Jackson (Retd)
(02) 6288 3373
or the Events and Ceremonies Office - Australian War Memorial
ceremony@awm.gov.au (Subject: Battle for Australia Ceremony)
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The Queensland Battle for Australia Commemoration Service will be held, at 1100 hours, at the Battle for Australia Memorial, Chermside Historical Precinct, 61 Kittyhawk Drive, Chermside,on Wednesday 5 September 2018.
It will be followed by morning tea and is open to the public to attend and to lay floral tributes.
His Excellency the Governor of Queensland will be attending, and the Official Address this year will be delivered by Air Commodore Michael Paterson DSM, representing Chief of Air Force.
The Queensland contact is: Pat O'Keeffe, President, Battle for Australia Commemoration Committee (QLD) Inc., email pjok1941@gmail.com
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Wednesday 5 September 2018 at 1100 at the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne.
To mark the 75th Anniversary of the battles of Lae, Salamaua, Buna and Gona
The Melbourne commemoration features
A keynote address by a prominent Australian. In 2018 the speaker will be Wing Commander Sharon Bown (Retd), a RAAF nurse who served in East Timor and Afghanistan.
Choral performances by the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir led by renowned Andrew Wailes.
Readings of Australians at War by four selected students from the attending schools.
Military music by a Defence Band including invited school student musicians.
Guard of Honour; Shrine Guard Catafalque Party and fly past by military aircraft.
Schools are encouraged to bring a wreath or floral tribute.
Schools can also visit the Galleries of Remembrance after the ceremony. A prior booking may be required. (reception@shrine.org.au)
CLICK HERE to download flyer.
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2018 marks the 75th Anniversary of those operations and battles of the Battle for Australia which occurred in 1943. In recognition of the significance of 1943 in our nation's history, the Battle for Australia Association of NSW hosted a special event this year on the 16 February. On this date we mark the anniversary of the coining of the phrase "Battle for Australia" by Prime Minister John Curtin following the Fall of Singapore in 1942.
The event was an address by Tim Gellel, Head of the Australian Army History Unit. Prior to taking up this position, Tim was an Australian Regular Army Officer, whose thirty-year career included deployments to Afghanistan and Kuwait in support of Australian Special Operations Task Groups, and postings as the Commanding Officer of the Australian Defence Force School of Languages, and as a Defence Attaché and as a student in Japan. He holds a Master of Arts (International Relations) from Deakin University, and is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force School of Languages (Japanese), the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force Command and General Staff Course, and the Japan National Institute for Defence Studies. Tim has authored several articles, and presented on, Australian and Japanese military history, and is currently completing a manuscript focussed on the Battle of Milne Bay.
You can experience Tim's address by viewing the video below.
The event was well attended by the individuals and ex-service organisations that comprise the Battle for Australia Association. Most have served in the Australian Defence Force, many have relatives who fought in the Defence of Australia in World War 2. The Battle for Australia Association was also pleased to host members of Parliament and the Diplomatic Corps. The event was fostered and in part funded by the Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs.
