1942
‘THE FIRST AMBUSH (AGAINST THE JAPANESE) OCCURRED (ON THE MAINLAND) WITH ELEMENTS OF THE PAPUAN INFANTRY BATTALION … AT AWALA ON JULY 23 1942.’ (AWM)
75th ANNIVERSARY
This year, our Association along with Veterans and official organisations across Australia and Papua New Guinea, will commemorate the Kokoda Campaign Anniversary.
Set out below are the details of the various events that will be taking place over the next weeks:
BROADBEACH, QLD
7 August: Dinner at Surfers Paradise RSL Club, 6 pm. All Welcome.
8 August: RSL Commemoration Service at Cascade Gardens, 10.30 am.
Guest Speaker: Major – General Brian Howard AO MC ESM
Reunion Lunch: 12.00 for 12.30pm Surfers Paradise RSL Club (Recognition will be given to Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall artist, David Yardley).
Please let Greg Ivey (iveygj@gmail.com) know if you are attending by 1/8/17.
All of these details and more are on our website (www.soldierspng.com)
MELBOURNE
26 August:Location: Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne. 11am. This event is being organised by the 39th Battalion, 2/14th Battalion and 2/16th Battalion Associations in Victoria.
Guest speaker: Victorian Governor
Our Association will be represented by our President, Committee Members and other Members. Association Members are invited to Lunch at a venue near by and details are included at the end of this Newsletter.
CANBERRA
28 August: AWM Last Post Service: 5 pm. This public Service will honour Lt. Arthur Smith (PIB) who was executed by the enemy on 28 August 1942.
All welcome. Our Association will be Laying a Wreath during this Service.
Please note that this Service can be watched live on the AWM website from 4.55pm (AEST time). (The Last Post Service honours a Veteran every day.)
PERTH
17 September: Kokoda Service at Kings Park.
When more information is available, it will be posted on our website.
PNG
28 August: A Commemoration Service will be held at the Isurava Memorial.
When more information is available, it will be posted on our website.
2017 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR ASSOCIATION
The Association AGM was held at the Geebung-Zillmere RSL Club, Brisbane on June 6. The full Minutes of this meeting can be found on our website (click here). Some significant points that have come from this meeting are listed below:
- Our Association celebrated its 10th year in April. President Don cut an anniversary cake which was shared for Afternoon Tea.
- We are delighted that all previous office bearers have been able to continue in their roles for the next 12 months.
- Our Association now has 110 members across Australia.
- Progress is being made to name a bridge in Caboolture, Qld after our previous President, the late Sgt Frank Wust. This is a long government (and community) process and we applaud Secretary Kev for his correspondence on the Bridge Naming.
 AGM Meeting (L to R) |
 Secretary/Treasurer Kev presents correspondence |
 President Don cuts the 10th Anniversary cake. |
PICTURES FROM PNG PAST
Our President, former Major Don Graham has supplied ARMI NIUS with some excellent pictures from his first Tour in PNG with the Pacific Islands Regiment. Click on any photo to enlarge.
 December 1956, 8 Platoon ‘C’ Coy, PIR |
 PIR colour party with Regimental Colours |
| PIR soldiers and their catch. Man with Slouch Hat (holding grenade) is none other than our President. | More of Don’s photos in future editions of Armi Nius. |
LEADERSHIP NEWS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Greg Ivey has alerted me to significant changes taking place in the leadership of Papua New Guinea. Below is a summary of the information that Greg noticed in Una Voce.(Official journal of the PNG Australia Association)
Sir Michael Somare retires.
Sir Michael Somare
Papua New Guinea’s longest serving MP, known as the ‘Father of Independence’, Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare has finally retired from politics. After 49 years, he is possibly the longest serving parliamentarian in the Commonwealth of Nations.
Born in 1936 in the Sepik River District, he witnessed the Second World War at the age of 6 when the Japanese occupied his area (and triggered his long-term interest in Japan). Sir Michael served as Prime Minister of PNG during three separate terms from 1975, for a total of 17 years. He led two political parties, PANGU and later the National Alliance Party.
New Governor General is Elected.
Mr Bob Dadae
PNG Governor-General, Sir Michael Ohio, passed away on 18 February 2017, only ten days before his term was due to expire. PNG’s House of Assembly subsequently selected the new Head of State. His Excellency Mr Bob Dadae (a current Member of the House) is now the new Governor – General having defeated former PNGDF Commander Ted Diro and another Member of the House, Timothy Bonga, in the vote by elected Members.
STOP PRESS:
Melbourne 26 August Lunch Venue
Victorian Members, Interstate visitors and family are invited to a reunion Lunch.
Chloe’s Restaurant, Young & Jacksons Hotel, Cnr Flinders & Swanston Streets
The “PIB-PIR” Table is booked for 1pm. RSVP to Greg Ivey ( IVEYGJ@GMAIL.COM)
A-la-Carte OR $34 Express Menu (Drink, Mains, Tea/Coffee & sweet biscuit)
All welcome, whether attending the 11am Shrine Service or not.
Newsletter Editor: Ian Ogston ( ozoggies2@gmail.com)
Association Website: www.soldierspng.com