APRIL 25 – ANZAC DAY MARCHES and Lunch Gatherings
G’day to all PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn Members & friends – Wherever you live in Australia the Association invites you to join the commemoration of Anzac Day this year, Friday 25th April, remembering family members and the PNG Veterans. Please take some photos of the event in your area and send them to our newsletter editor, Norm Hunter at nrhunter@bigpond.net.au. Thanks go to our Brisbane ANZAC Day representatives, Phil Adam and Ian Minns for their assistance this year. Sincere thanks to Cameron Simpson and Jason Morris, grandsons of Sgt Frank Wust who have agreed to be our Association Banner Bearers in Brisbane. For those of you who can travel to Brisbane, we look forward to seeing you, especially our New Members, at the activities listed below. Plans for other centres will be sent later, including NSW, where WO2 ‘Jock’ Wilkinson, who turns 104 in early April, will be leading the Leeton ANZAC Day ceremony.
BRISBANE EVENT
Wreath Laying Ceremony, 9.00am
We welcome everyone including partners, to this short Ceremony in Anzac Square at the PNG Statue near Adelaide Street. The ceremony only takes about 20 minutes and you can simply turn up without notice. (More details later)
We have confirmation that the PNG Consul General, Mr Reatau Rau and wife Susan will again join our association this year. Mr Rau intends to march with our group.
Partners and family
After the Wreath Laying, partners and family can meet at the “Sugar & Spice Cafe”, just around the corner in Adelaide Street for coffee and to watch the march.
Marchers – meet by 10.05am for 10.25 form up. (Army is first in the march order this year)
We invite everyone who wishes to march to meet under our (pale blue) Association Banner in George Street (Near the intersection with Charlotte Street). Information and Programs will be available from the marquee in Queens Park. Our unit is presently Number 35 in the draft Order of March placed in front of the 39th Bn. Assn. We then follow the usual route down Adelaide St and finish near the GPO. After a group photo, we plan to walk directly to the Coffee Club in Charlotte Street to re-connect with family. A copy of the Program and other information can be accessed at https://www.rslsouthqueensland.org/anzac-day-parade/
Lunch after the march.
A lunch booking beginning at 11.30am has been made at the Coffee Club 128 Charlotte Street between Edward and Albert streets, just half a block down from the hotel we gathered at last year. Thanks go to Ken Boyne, from the 2nd/14th for organizing this. We will meet with members of other kindred PNG Associations there.
Please phone Kev Horton on 0418 750189 if you are having difficulty finding our group on the day. (Look for our allocated Order of March Number 35)
I would appreciate members who intend to march and also those who are going for lunch letting me know by Easter Sunday 20st April either by email at kevhorton49@gmail.com or phoning me on 0418 750189.
Cheers Kev Horton (Hon Secretary)
JUNE 1 – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and LUNCH
The AGM is held at the Geebung – Zillmere RSL Club, Brisbane.
AUGUST 8 – KOKODA DAY COMMEMORATION, Broadbeach QLD
NOVEMBER 11 – REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE and Lunch
Kev Horton- Hon Sec kevhorton49@gmail.com
PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR Assoc