The September issue of ‘Stand To’, expressed the Association’s pride in the Battalion and particularly the 11 diggers who made up the winning section for The Duke of Gloucester Cup and the Ghurkha Trophy for 2018.

The Duke of Gloucester Cup, is the premiere Infantry military skills competition, designed to pit the very best sections from across the Royal Australian Regiment, competing for the coveted Duke of Gloucester Cup trophy. The competition tests soldiers across foundation warfighting skills, marksmanship training and physical endurance while under immense fatigue. In 2018, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment placed first, despite the battalion currently being deployed on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The winning team earns the right to represent the Army at the Cambrian Patrol. Exercise Cambrian Patrol is a continuous, 48-hour, long-range patrol exercise. It has been running for over 50 years and is considered to be one of the most arduous and prestigious military events in the world. The patrol tests battle-craft, robustness, leadership and navigation. Last year’s event saw the largest participation yet, with over 1200 British soldiers and 28 international army teams taking part.

Our Diggers need your help as this year, the 6th Battalion’s team of 11 members is seeking to additionally take part in battlefield tours of Pozieres and Fromelles. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and have emotional significance for these passionate soldiers of the Royal Australian Regiment.  As a member of the Battalions’ own association, we are appealing to you, for any amount you can afford so as to make a significant contribution to the costs involved, which include transport, accommodation and the tour itself, which will be conducted from 21 – 25 Oct 18. There are 11 members attending.

Donations can be made to the Association’s bank account as follows:

6 RAR Association
Bank of Queensland
BSB 124 076   A/C No. 1016 3894`

Please use ‘EXCAM’ followed by as much of your name and initials as will fit, as your reference.

Alternatively, please follow the link below to make a donation using PayPal.
https://paysubsonline.com/Registration/D9D9B3F33F105420566E6D18A0428E73F0FD4D28A76CE1D9CC847A1FBD0B8E42.htm

We thank you for your anticipated generosity.

Graham Smith, 6 RAR Association

Members and Friends of the RARA SA.

On Friday 23 November, we will be combining the Regimental Birthday with Xmas drinks for our friends.  Again this is going to be externally catered by Cheryl’s Cuisine at a cost of $10 per head.

Finally, or Friday 14 December, we will have our Xmas party for members with a BBQ.

The latest edition of Army News is now available to view online: www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews

IN MOTION: Equipment, technology and services showcased at Land Forces conference. – Pages 1-3

CHANGES FOR RANGES: New procedures for live-fire ranges to come into force. – Page 4

NEW LAUNCH: Multi-rotor unmanned aerial systems rolling out to every unit. – Page 5

 And in sport:

WHITE WASH: Army dominates at the Australian Defence International and Interservices Alpine Snowsports Championships. – Pages 27-28

From RARA National

https://rarnational.org.au/the-royal-australian-regiment-70th-anniversary-celebrations/

More on the dinner below.

The 2018 Royal Australian Infantry Corps Annual Dinner will be held on Thursday 22 November 2018 in Canberra.

 The RAR Foundation and the RAR Association (ACT Branch) have again joined to host the Royal Australian Infantry Corps Annual Dinner, which will be held to celebrate the 70th Birthday of the Royal Australian Regiment.

The Dinner will be held at the Canberra Institute of Technology Restaurant (1st Floor, Building K, Constitution Avenue, Reid) on Thursday 22 November 2018, 1830 for 1900 hours. Dress will be lounge suit, no medals. Cost is $85.00 per head.

The Dinner is open to all Infantry soldiers and officers, serving or retired, ARA or ARES, including Allied Infantry personnel.

All interstate Infantrymen are cordially invited.  

To secure your place, please book and pay no later than Friday 09 November 2018 by:
a.            advising RAR Association (ACT Branch) by e-mail of your attendance (hq@rarfoundation.org.au).
b.            making your payment as outlined below.
c.            advising if you have any special dietary requirements.

Payment should be made by cheque or by direct deposit to:
a.            Account Name:            RAR Foundation
b.            BSB:                            112 908
c.            Account Number:         043368817
d.            Description:                  Surname/Dinner
Cheques should be made payable to the “RAR Foundation” and mailed to GPO Box 3112, Canberra, ACT, 2601.

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See Major Events for the RARA SA function.

You can view the Newsletter here  RARA SA – News – September 2018

I am writing to inform you about an outreach session in Adelaide on 26 September 2018  about the services and supports available to current and former members of the Australian Defence Force  who are concerned about having taken the anti-malarial medications mefloquine (trade name Lariam) and tafenoquine.

You may be aware that some current and former serving members of the ADF have raised concerns about the past use of these anti-malarial medications and possible long-term negative health effects.  Approximately 1,983 ADF members were prescribed mefloquine between January 2001 and June 2018.

You may also be aware that the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is currently undertaking a Senate Inquiry into the “use of quinilone anti-malarial drugs mefloquine and tafenoquine in the Australian Defence Force”.

The Government wants to assist these individuals. The Mefloquine Outreach session will provide current and former ADF personnel, their family members, carers and friends, with information and face-to-face assistance.

At the outreach session, representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) and the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) will provide information on:

• the role of the RMA and the Statements of Principles system;
• how to submit a claim with DVA;
• how claims are assessed; and
• support services, including treatment and counselling.

DVA and VVCS staff will also be available to answer questions and provide one-on-one assistance.

The details for the outreach session is as follows:

DATE:                        Wednesday, 26 September 2018

TIME:                          6.00 pm

LOCATION:              Mess Hall, Torrens Parade Ground, Victoria Drive, Adelaide

TO REGISTER – Interested persons should email their name and contact details to SA.DC.EVENTS@dva.gov.au or telephone Tina Jarman on 82900514.

For those who are unable to attend the outreach session, information covering the topics discussed will be available on the DVA website.

I would be grateful if you would pass this information on to your contacts in the current and former serving ADF community and to anyone you think may benefit from attending the outreach session.

Regards

Information in relation to the recent Veterans’ Entitlements Amendment Bill 2018 relating to the Bereavement Payment tabled by Minister VA during the week.  In brief, this is not a change to the eligibility or payment of the Bereavement Payment – it is an administrative change that is outlined in the attached fact sheet. 

Also, following some recent questions in relation to the Veteran Payment, I also attach further information and the Veteran Payment.  It is important that any veteran is need of this payment be assured that DVA will continue the payment until there is financial certainty.

Veteran Payment- Information sheet

Veterans’ Entitlements Amendment Bill 2018 – Information sheet

Here is the latest Holdfast. 

http://tunnelrats.com.au/pdfs/newsletters/Holdfast-32.pdf

In the edition below, there are numerous excellent articles and photos including one of 5 RAR’s Sergeant Rod Lees after the mine incident in June 1969 – the photo was supplied by Rod.

http://tunnelrats.com.au/pdfs/newsletters/Holdfast-31.pdf

There is a very interesting article about FSB Andersen during February 1968.  Many of our 3RAR comrades will remember this Operation

http://tunnelrats.com.au/pdfs/newsletters/Holdfast-30.pdf

Here is the link to the Tunnel Rats Newsletter page

http://tunnelrats.com.au/newnewsletters.php

This is the current issue of the Infantryman

Infantryman August

Below for March 2018

Infantryman final 2 March 2018

Below is December 2017

Infantryman December 2017 Dec 4

Below is the August 2017 issue

Infantryman August 2017

Yet again, a highly enjoyable and successful Dinner with fabulous food, great friends and wonderful comradeship.

A selection of photos below

Here is a copy of the 2nd edition of A Duty Done;

 ADD 2 Ed Combined MkII (3)    posted on 27 June 18.

To order the original book, please view this  A Duty Done Order_Form_Sep

If paying by EFT, please ensure you place your initials and surname as the reference.  If you have a specific book number, also please insert that ,e.g.  VX Smith 591

You can also read the original A Duty Done here.

Greek Night – 4 May 18.

A highly successful evening with more than 65 guests enjoying a feast provided by Tim, Tas, Con & Sia.

a

A selection of photos, all self-explanatory

And, 7RAR Parading

What a great afternoon of eating drinking and generally making merry with wonderful friends along with our two very learned wine experts in William Smidmore and Mike von Berg.  Of course without the wonderful team of workers who made it all happen and come together  and of course the Caterers who did a fabulous job and making life a little easier for the team – if I mention names then sure as eggs somebody will be left out and we cannot let that happen.    

So a great day had by all. Cheers. Mrs. Vice (aka Lynn Graham)

And photos – courtesy of Penelope & Bruce Forster – below, as always, click on photos for better viewing and captions.

Esteemed elder of the RARA SA Colonel Don Beard AM RFD ED has provided an interesting article and a number of photos of  his time in Japan and Korea.  Another esteemed elder, Colonel Peter Scott, has provided the captions.  You may have to rotate a couple of the photos whilst viewing.

Article by Colonel Don Beard AM RFD ED

L to R Major Don Beard, Medical Officer BCOF Hospital Kure, Randolph Churchill visiting journalist, Jean Irvine, Nurse in BCOF Hospital, Kure, circa 1950

Stretcher Bearers of 3RAR carrying casualty through the snow. Captain Don Beard RMO 3RAR Somewhere at the rear. Probably during early 1951.

Likely 3RAR soldiers cleaning weapons in Korea circa 1951

Here are a few photos of our highly successful dinner.  As always, by selecting a photo you will be able to view a better photo as well as the caption for it.

And some nostalgic memories of our May 2013 Regimental Dinner

Click on the image for improved viewing, 1967 I think.

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Please view the latest news on the RCB campaign here RCB Update

There is an extensive history to this campaign under the Advocacy tab (above).