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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 Colonel Glenn Ryan, CSC and Bar; a succinct summary of the Kokoda campaign. Avaialable for download HERE or please view below.
CLICK HERE to view 84 photos of the ceremony, download and save in high definition if required.
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Pimlico High School stood out among organisations commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1992 by placing a time capsule in a Memorial in the shape of a Nissen hut near the main entrance to the Townsville School. The progressive school has again stepped out by taking the opportunity of the 75th year of the anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, a most significant engagement in the string of actions that comprise the Battle for Australia, to combine both commemorations on the day designated by the Australian Government for commemorating the Battle for Australia. Pimlico State High also took the opportunity of its 25th anniversary to open and refresh the time capsule and reinter it with an improved container and preservation measures.
The occasion was marked by an assembly of over 1,200 children and teachers in the school ground on the morning of Wednesday, 6 September 2017 to hear an address by the Chairman of the Battle for Australia Commemoration National Council, Air Vice-Marshal Roxley McLennan AO (Retd) and to remember and give thanks to those that fought and gave their all for our enduring freedom when Australia was directly threatened during the Second World War. At the rededication of the memorial with its new time capsule and reimagined purpose, an additional plaque noting the conflation of the Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration with the Battle for Australia was unveiled.
The commemorative service was led by members of the Student Council and supported by leaders in the student body and the Australian Army Cadets. The turn out by all was exemplary and in many ways set the standard for commemoration, recognition and education of our youth about this important chapter in our history and heritage.
Particular plaudits are due to the Principal of Pimlico State High School, Mr Joel Buchholz for his leadership and vision in facilitating an event that I am assured will be continued on an annual basis. Also due great credit are the behind the scenes workers such as Noel Usher and Ashleigh Norford whose enthusiastic and persistent support made the commemoration one to be proud of. The impact of the commemoration was further enhanced by the volunteers of the Townsville and District Military and Historical Vehicles Club Inc who kindly attended with their beautifully presented Jeeps of the period as "staff cars". Finally, recognition is due to the local government and community dignitaries whose presence lent weight to the relative importance of this commemoration in the eyes of the Pimlico State High School students.
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An early start to commemorations in 2017, 75 years since Australia's peril in 1942. An address by Dr Peter Dean of the Australian National University in Sydney on 17 February 2017. Dr Dean's, a former soldier, special area of interest is military strategy, in particular Australia in the Pacific 1941 - 1945.
The audience was the Battle for Australia Committee and invited service organisations members of the Battle for Australia association. It had been intended to gather a wider audience, however, economic restrictions dictated otherwise. The committee thanks the Department of Veterans' Affairs for donating the venue. Notable attendees included Olive Jardine who as an Army Nurse (now well over 90) who had been in Darwin during the bombing, Colonel Sue Graham who represented the Commander Forces Command, and the Honourable Natasha MacLaren Jones who represented the Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott. Olive Jardine brought the original war bonds.
Dr Dean's address was considered most illuminating to all present. It can be viewed below:
The assembled Audience:
