Greetings to all Association members for a safe, positive and rewarding 2016. A warm welcome is extended to the 25 new members who joined our National Association last year.
In January 2016, a most significant change occurred within the Association’s committee. Our current patron, Lt Col Maurie Pears MC (Ret’d), has regrettably experienced continuing ill health and understandably has requested replacement. Members will be well aware of his distinguished military career since graduation from RMC Duntroon in 1950 until CO 1 PIR 1968 – 70. He has been a most loyal, devoted and unassuming Patron since succeeding Maj Gen Mike Jeffrey AC AO (Mil) CVO MC.
Maj Gen Brian W. Howard, AO, MC, ESM, when contacted by me in January 2016, immediately agreed to become our Patron. The Association is honoured to have such an outstanding officer who served initially as a Platoon Commander with 1 PIR in 1968 – 70 in Port Moresby, Manus Island and Vanimo until transferred to the Goldie River PIR Training Company and promoted Captain. In 1969 Brian was posted to 1 PIR as OC D Company, Lae PNG. In 1970 he was appointed OC Admin Company 1 PIR Port Moresby and in 1971 appointed 2IC 1 PIR, Port Moresby.
General Howard was instrumental in establishing a permanent PNG Military Exhibit within the Infantry Centre Museum at Singleton NSW. The official opening of this exhibit was attended by myself and Greg Ivey, representing our Association. General Howard continues to maintain a most positive, personal interest in all matters associated with the PNG Defence Force. We welcome his appointment as our Patron.
Members will be pleased to learn that we have within the Association 5 surviving Veterans of WWII. We wish them well for the year ahead.
Finally, congratulations to the Website Team, who have made the new Website www.soldierspng.com operational, and which now contains much relevant Army information for our Members.
Em tasol
by President Don Graham
Commemoration Service and Luncheon
75th Anniversary celebrations were conducted by the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Association of Australia at 1100 hrs on Saturday 20 June 2015 at the Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall, Cascade Gardens, Broadbeach to commemorate the raising of the PIB at Murray Barracks, Port Moresby, in June 1940.
The execution of the Anniversary was an outstanding success. No less than 80 distinguished guests attended, including a State Minister and a Gold Coast Councillor, together with QLD and interstate members of the Association, PNGVR members and civilians.
Significantly, three former COs of the PIR supported the Anniversary with their attendance. These were:
- Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Ret’d); CO 2 PIR; our inaugural Patron
- Colonel Ron Lange AM; CO 1 PIR
- Lieutenant Colonel Maurie Pears MC; CO 1 PIR; our current Patron
The detailed planning and liaison by the Association organizers over six months ensured the Gold Coast event in all areas was a resounding success. During the period 14 November 2104 to 10 June 2015, many attempts were made by the organizers to communicate with the PNGDF without success. The Military Attaché to the PNG High Commission, Colonel Joe Fabila, finally advised the Association that Commemoration activities would not be conducted in Port Moresby during June.
The planned attendance, by the Association’s Vice President (Major D.D. Graham), at the expected Port Moresby event was regrettably cancelled.
At 1230 hrs a most enjoyable Reunion Luncheon was held at the Surfers Paradise RSL Club. The renovated facilities and meals were enjoyed by all those attending. Our sincere thanks go to Alan Whelan, Surfers Paradise Sub Branch Secretary, who coordinated all our support within the RSL Club. Thanks also to Major Laurence Quinlivan (Ret’d) who showed slides of PNG localities after 1975.
2015 AGM and GM (Minutes are available here.)
The AGM/GM of our Association was conducted after Lunch within the Surfers Paradise RSL Club starting at 3.12pm.
One Minutes Silence was observed in memory of those who had passed away since the previous AGM including Sgt Frank Wust, former President, and Lt Col Dick Battersby.
Chairman Don Graham thanked all the outgoing Committee Members for a very busy and successful year particularly the detailed planning, liaison and execution of the 75th Anniversary activities. Don vacated the Chair to allow Ian Ogston to oversee the election of the new Committee Members. Almost all positions were filled (see the AGM Minutes) but I would like to draw your attention to the two unfilled positions and encourage you to volunteer to fill one of these positions:
- Membership Officer
- Interstate Representative for Victoria
Please see below how these positions assist the Association**.
New Website www.soldierspng.com
Thanks to the hard work of Frank Cordingley, Fabian Mamare and Kevin Smith, the new Association Website was launched at our Reunion.
Thanks also to Greg Ivey who proposed the new Website as an ongoing resource and its launch to mark the 75th Anniversary.
This new website will convey to the world our Association’s two primary aims:
- To document and honour the role of the PIB and NGIB in the defence and history of TPNG from 1940 to 1947
- To record the role and experiences of the Servicemen/women who served throughout TPNG from 11 March 1951 to Independence on 16 September 1975
I look forward to seeing Members at our next Association activity on Saturday 8 August on the Gold Coast to commemorate Kokoda Day and to unveil the PIR Paver and the first of the individually-named pavers to honour deceased Servicemen from TPNG.
- maintain the accuracy of the Membership List
- increase the number of Members
- raise any Membership issues within the Committee
- provide input to Committee discussions
- promote the Association in your State
(Our President, Major Don Graham, performed the role of MC at the Commemoration Service and Chairman at the AGM. Major Graham served two terms in TPNG: first, from 1956 -58 as a Platoon Commander with PIR at Taurama Barracks and Vanimo Outstation; second, from 1966-68 as the Staff Officer, Recruiting, at HQ PNG Command based at Murray Barracks.)
W.O. John Wilkinson (PIB and NGIB) (right) is awarded the Association’s highest honour by President Don Graham. The speaker is Peter Porteous. (Photo: G. Carnes 20/6/2015)
Greg Ivey saw this article in the Army News of 21 May 2015.
There are many in our Association who may be interested in this initiative.
