AGM 2025
Association Annual General Meeting 2025.
A good indication of the overall health of our Association was the attendance of 12 people at the 2025 Annual General Meeting—7 members, 1 Associate member, 2 friend of the Association and two family members. Unfortunately our Patron, Maj Gen John Pearn AO, RFD. Was committed to a prior speaking engagement, and President Phil Ainsworth had to return to Sydney for a family medical issue.
However the 7 members just met the criteria for a quorum and the meeting went ahead.
Vice President, Bob Collins, chaired the meeting and the usual Reports from the President (read out by Bob, Treasurer, Museum Curator and Welfare Officer were tabled.
Of particular importance was the decision by the Management Committee that ANZAC Day 2026 would be the last formal march for the Association and in following years, members would group, watch the march, then proceed to an appropriate venue for an informal get-together.
Association Secretary, Michael White, was awarded the Patron’s Medal and this will be presented to him at a later, appropriate time, as Michael resides in Canberra.
Web Master, Trevor Connell, was awarded Life Membership of the Association for his maintenance of the Web site since the new site was established.
The incoming Committee for 2025/6 year will consist of:-
· President—Phil Ainsworth
· Vice President—Bob Collins
· Secretary—Colin Gould MBE
· Treasurer—Michael White
· Committee Members—Mike Griffin, Peter Rogers DFC,
Paul Brown ,Peter Rogers (younger) and John Batze.
The honorary positions were also reappointed.
· Patron - Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD.
· Welfare Officer - Paul Brown
· Hon Solicitor - Craig Ray
· Museum Curator - Paul Brown.
After the meeting the Museum remained open and a pleasant BBQ lunch was cooked by Peer Rogers (younger) while everyone caught up on old times with PNGVR.
After the meeting. Bob Collins, Colin Gould MBE, Paul Brown, Kerry and Elaine Glover, Sylvia McNeilly, Peter Rogers (younger), Jessica Harrington, Joyce and Gerry McGrade, Mike Griffin. Photo taken by Greg Amey
President's Report.
Association Annual General Meeting 2025.
A good indication of the overall health of our Association was the attendance of 12 people at the 2025 Annual General Meeting—7 members, 1 Associate member, 2 friend of the Association and two family members. Unfortunately our Patron, Maj Gen John Pearn AO, RFD. Was committed to a prior speaking engagement, and President Phil Ainsworth had to return to Sydney for a family medical issue.
However the 7 members just met the criteria for a quorum and the meeting went ahead.
Vice President, Bob Collins, chaired the meeting and the usual Reports from the President (read out by Bob, Treasurer, Museum Curator and Welfare Officer were tabled.
Of particular importance was the decision by the Management Committee that ANZAC Day 2026 would be the last formal march for the Association and in following years, members would group, watch the march, then proceed to an appropriate venue for an informal get-together.
Association Secretary, Michael White, was awarded the Patron’s Medal and this will be presented to him at a later, appropriate time, as Michael resides in Canberra.
Web Master, Trevor Connell, was awarded Life Membership of the Association for his maintenance of the Web site since the new site was established.
The incoming Committee for 2025/6 year will consist of:-
· President—Phil Ainsworth
· Vice President—Bob Collins
· Secretary—Colin Gould MBE
· Treasurer—Michael White
· Committee Members—Mike Griffin, Peter Rogers DFC,
Paul Brown ,Peter Rogers (younger) and John Batze.
The honorary positions were also reappointed.
· Patron - Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD.
· Welfare Officer - Paul Brown
· Hon Solicitor - Craig Ray
· Museum Curator - Paul Brown.
After the meeting the Museum remained open and a pleasant BBQ lunch was cooked by Peer Rogers (younger) while everyone caught up on old times with PNGVR.
President's Report for NGVR & PNGVR Association's AGM, 18 October 2025
Members, friends, and guests, I present my twentieth report to the NGVR & PNGVR Ex-members Association Inc.
The Association is in good hands due to your remaining long serving, office bearers, and committee members with Canberra member Michael White as Treasurer. Otherwise, our membership remains reasonably stable, losing a few to death or debilitating illness.
Since our 2024 AGM, to our knowledge, three members/friends have died. These are Tom Kelly, AIF & PNGVR (aged 100, March 2025), Maxwell Russell Hayes (July 2025), and Ronald Albert Strand (August 2025). We thank them for their service. We were recently advised that Evelyn Cockram, wife of George Cochram NGVR, died aged 103 in 2023. If anyone is aware of other passings, please speak with either Bob Collins or me so recognition for their service is appropriately acknowledged.
2025 has been an exceptional year as so many special anniversaries were celebrated: many functions were held in Australia celebrating PNG’s 50th Anniversary since Independence; other ceremonies were held for the 80th Anniversary for the end of the Pacific War; Camp Columbia Heritage Association celebrated the establishment and use of the Camp Columbia in Wacol and the importance of Brisbane in the Pacific War effort; and, Brisbane celebrated its 200th Anniversary of settlement. In addition to attending many of these on behalf of the Association, our usual operations continued.
Our activities during the past year included:
1. Anzac Day March and Reunion
2 1st July Montevideo Maru 81st Anniversary Memorial Service
3 Publication and distribution of 6 issues of Harim Tok Tok
4Maintenance of our web site www.pngvr.weebly.com and face book
5 Maintaining and operating our museum with openings to the public on the first Saturday of each month and with group tours
6 Holding 6 management committee meetings
7 Attendance at numerous kindred organisations’ events and commemorative services, and
8 Maintaining contact with our older and frailer members and friends.
Most if not all activities were reported in Harim Tok Tok, our face book and web site. Please keep yourself informed by regularly viewing these media.
Our newsletter Harim Tok Tok remains our main means of communicating with our wide-flung membership, and our newsletter continues to grow in its popularity. I would like to acknowledge Editor Bob Collins contribution by producing 96 issues over the past 15 years, thank you Bob for your passion and dedication.
I also thank our Canberra based member Trevor Connel who has maintained our we site www.pngvr.weebly.com for at least the past six years, thank you Trevor. The website is easily accessible and has a wealth of information including all past issues of Harim Tok Tok. It is well worth browsing. The Association is seeking a volunteer to administer our Facebook.
Our Museum’s Curator Paul Brown, his assistants Colin Gould and Mike Griffin, with help from Jessica Harrington and Sylvia McNeilly continue to maintain the Museum. We are indebted to these few for their ongoing work with the Museum, which has become a focus for many of our activities. The Association’s legacy to the community, we hope, will be our military museum which will ensure that the history of our two unique units and the enduring relationship between Australia and PNG are not forgotten. We need more volunteers to assist the Curator, and volunteers need not be members.
We appreciate Alex Garlin and his NSAAQ team for their ongoing assistance to our Association. The maintenance of the Military Precinct is a credit to them.
We acknowledge King & Co Property Consultants for its 20 years support to the Museum and the production of our Harim Tok Tok by way of design and printing flyers etc.
As you are aware our Association has been granted a lease by NSAAQ in 2023. The most pressing issue for the Museum is to lock in an appropriate organisation which is willing and capable of assuming the responsibility for and running it. We are hopeful that Forest Lake RSL, will be able to undertake this task. Presently, we have no other option available.
Earlier this year, and on behalf of PNGAA, I approached BCC for the Military Precinct to become an Australian PNG/ Pacific Cultural and Community Centre. Although this submission was unsuccessful, I was told BCC liked the concept and would seek another more appropriate site for the proposed centre. In September, Councillor Sarah Hutton verbally advised that the NSAAQ will be vacating the Wacol Historical Precinct late 2026, and the site is likely to be leased to Forest Lake RSL, conditional upon the Museum Building being sub-leased to our Association. There has been no formal communication to us from either the BCC, NSAAQ or RSL, so details may change.
Despite our limited funding opportunities, our present financial position is sound, at least for the next few years. Our recently adoption of Xero for our accounting has materially assisted our Treasurer in maintaining our accounts. However, our financial position remains under pressure due to the loss of Oxley Bunnings Sausage Sizzle revenue in 2022, and increased costs associated with running the Museum. Although the new Oxley Bunnings premises began operating in September 2025, committee decided not to apply for a sausage-sizzle spot as we have insufficient resources for a full day’s operation, and because the new location of the spot is not advantageous for sales. Finances will remain an issue for our 2025-26 management committee. None-the -less, continuing support from members and friends with donations and bequests will be sought.
I would like all members to think about the future of the Association – our number is being depleted by age and fragility, and active members are very few. I can see an end, and I prefer a planned and orderly end, rather than just fading away. Perhaps 2026 will be our last ANZAC DAY march with a wrap up within 12 months after that. Later, re-unions and get- togethers may be arranged informally and ad-hoc fashion – over to you for your thoughts.
On behalf of our Members, I thank the outgoing committee members. We are always appreciative of our Honorary Chaplain Ron McDonald and Honorary Solicitor Craig Ray who are always available when needed. Our Patron Major General John Pearn graciously continues to provide engaged support and encouragement to us, thank you Sir.
Unfortunately, and regrettably, Chaplain Ron McDonald has recently resigned from his position due to ill -health and family matters – we thank Ron, and we look forward to seeing Ron and his wife Cheryl at future events.
Bob, thank you for going beyond, filling in for me when I am absent and assisting in many other unexpected ways.
I wish our incoming office bearers and committee members every success in 2025-26, and I thank members and friends of the association for their continuing support.
Finally, thank you Paul Brown, Bob Collins, and Peter Rogers the younger for arranging todays AGM and luncheon.
I wish you all a healthy and happy 2025-26 year and may all your wishes come true.
Phil Ainsworth,18 October 2025
President
NGVR & PNGVR Ex-members Association
M: 0418 730 348
E: [email protected]
W: www.pngvr.weebly.com
Association Annual General Meeting 2025.
A good indication of the overall health of our Association was the attendance of 12 people at the 2025 Annual General Meeting—7 members, 1 Associate member, 2 friend of the Association and two family members. Unfortunately our Patron, Maj Gen John Pearn AO, RFD. Was committed to a prior speaking engagement, and President Phil Ainsworth had to return to Sydney for a family medical issue.
However the 7 members just met the criteria for a quorum and the meeting went ahead.
Vice President, Bob Collins, chaired the meeting and the usual Reports from the President (read out by Bob, Treasurer, Museum Curator and Welfare Officer were tabled.
Of particular importance was the decision by the Management Committee that ANZAC Day 2026 would be the last formal march for the Association and in following years, members would group, watch the march, then proceed to an appropriate venue for an informal get-together.
Association Secretary, Michael White, was awarded the Patron’s Medal and this will be presented to him at a later, appropriate time, as Michael resides in Canberra.
Web Master, Trevor Connell, was awarded Life Membership of the Association for his maintenance of the Web site since the new site was established.
The incoming Committee for 2025/6 year will consist of:-
· President—Phil Ainsworth
· Vice President—Bob Collins
· Secretary—Colin Gould MBE
· Treasurer—Michael White
· Committee Members—Mike Griffin, Peter Rogers DFC,
Paul Brown ,Peter Rogers (younger) and John Batze.
The honorary positions were also reappointed.
· Patron - Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD.
· Welfare Officer - Paul Brown
· Hon Solicitor - Craig Ray
· Museum Curator - Paul Brown.
After the meeting the Museum remained open and a pleasant BBQ lunch was cooked by Peer Rogers (younger) while everyone caught up on old times with PNGVR.
President's Report for NGVR & PNGVR Association's AGM, 18 October 2025
Members, friends, and guests, I present my twentieth report to the NGVR & PNGVR Ex-members Association Inc.
The Association is in good hands due to your remaining long serving, office bearers, and committee members with Canberra member Michael White as Treasurer. Otherwise, our membership remains reasonably stable, losing a few to death or debilitating illness.
Since our 2024 AGM, to our knowledge, three members/friends have died. These are Tom Kelly, AIF & PNGVR (aged 100, March 2025), Maxwell Russell Hayes (July 2025), and Ronald Albert Strand (August 2025). We thank them for their service. We were recently advised that Evelyn Cockram, wife of George Cochram NGVR, died aged 103 in 2023. If anyone is aware of other passings, please speak with either Bob Collins or me so recognition for their service is appropriately acknowledged.
2025 has been an exceptional year as so many special anniversaries were celebrated: many functions were held in Australia celebrating PNG’s 50th Anniversary since Independence; other ceremonies were held for the 80th Anniversary for the end of the Pacific War; Camp Columbia Heritage Association celebrated the establishment and use of the Camp Columbia in Wacol and the importance of Brisbane in the Pacific War effort; and, Brisbane celebrated its 200th Anniversary of settlement. In addition to attending many of these on behalf of the Association, our usual operations continued.
Our activities during the past year included:
1. Anzac Day March and Reunion
2 1st July Montevideo Maru 81st Anniversary Memorial Service
3 Publication and distribution of 6 issues of Harim Tok Tok
4Maintenance of our web site www.pngvr.weebly.com and face book
5 Maintaining and operating our museum with openings to the public on the first Saturday of each month and with group tours
6 Holding 6 management committee meetings
7 Attendance at numerous kindred organisations’ events and commemorative services, and
8 Maintaining contact with our older and frailer members and friends.
Most if not all activities were reported in Harim Tok Tok, our face book and web site. Please keep yourself informed by regularly viewing these media.
Our newsletter Harim Tok Tok remains our main means of communicating with our wide-flung membership, and our newsletter continues to grow in its popularity. I would like to acknowledge Editor Bob Collins contribution by producing 96 issues over the past 15 years, thank you Bob for your passion and dedication.
I also thank our Canberra based member Trevor Connel who has maintained our we site www.pngvr.weebly.com for at least the past six years, thank you Trevor. The website is easily accessible and has a wealth of information including all past issues of Harim Tok Tok. It is well worth browsing. The Association is seeking a volunteer to administer our Facebook.
Our Museum’s Curator Paul Brown, his assistants Colin Gould and Mike Griffin, with help from Jessica Harrington and Sylvia McNeilly continue to maintain the Museum. We are indebted to these few for their ongoing work with the Museum, which has become a focus for many of our activities. The Association’s legacy to the community, we hope, will be our military museum which will ensure that the history of our two unique units and the enduring relationship between Australia and PNG are not forgotten. We need more volunteers to assist the Curator, and volunteers need not be members.
We appreciate Alex Garlin and his NSAAQ team for their ongoing assistance to our Association. The maintenance of the Military Precinct is a credit to them.
We acknowledge King & Co Property Consultants for its 20 years support to the Museum and the production of our Harim Tok Tok by way of design and printing flyers etc.
As you are aware our Association has been granted a lease by NSAAQ in 2023. The most pressing issue for the Museum is to lock in an appropriate organisation which is willing and capable of assuming the responsibility for and running it. We are hopeful that Forest Lake RSL, will be able to undertake this task. Presently, we have no other option available.
Earlier this year, and on behalf of PNGAA, I approached BCC for the Military Precinct to become an Australian PNG/ Pacific Cultural and Community Centre. Although this submission was unsuccessful, I was told BCC liked the concept and would seek another more appropriate site for the proposed centre. In September, Councillor Sarah Hutton verbally advised that the NSAAQ will be vacating the Wacol Historical Precinct late 2026, and the site is likely to be leased to Forest Lake RSL, conditional upon the Museum Building being sub-leased to our Association. There has been no formal communication to us from either the BCC, NSAAQ or RSL, so details may change.
Despite our limited funding opportunities, our present financial position is sound, at least for the next few years. Our recently adoption of Xero for our accounting has materially assisted our Treasurer in maintaining our accounts. However, our financial position remains under pressure due to the loss of Oxley Bunnings Sausage Sizzle revenue in 2022, and increased costs associated with running the Museum. Although the new Oxley Bunnings premises began operating in September 2025, committee decided not to apply for a sausage-sizzle spot as we have insufficient resources for a full day’s operation, and because the new location of the spot is not advantageous for sales. Finances will remain an issue for our 2025-26 management committee. None-the -less, continuing support from members and friends with donations and bequests will be sought.
I would like all members to think about the future of the Association – our number is being depleted by age and fragility, and active members are very few. I can see an end, and I prefer a planned and orderly end, rather than just fading away. Perhaps 2026 will be our last ANZAC DAY march with a wrap up within 12 months after that. Later, re-unions and get- togethers may be arranged informally and ad-hoc fashion – over to you for your thoughts.
On behalf of our Members, I thank the outgoing committee members. We are always appreciative of our Honorary Chaplain Ron McDonald and Honorary Solicitor Craig Ray who are always available when needed. Our Patron Major General John Pearn graciously continues to provide engaged support and encouragement to us, thank you Sir.
Unfortunately, and regrettably, Chaplain Ron McDonald has recently resigned from his position due to ill -health and family matters – we thank Ron, and we look forward to seeing Ron and his wife Cheryl at future events.
Bob, thank you for going beyond, filling in for me when I am absent and assisting in many other unexpected ways.
I wish our incoming office bearers and committee members every success in 2025-26, and I thank members and friends of the association for their continuing support.
Finally, thank you Paul Brown, Bob Collins, and Peter Rogers the younger for arranging todays AGM and luncheon.
I wish you all a healthy and happy 2025-26 year and may all your wishes come true.
Phil Ainsworth,18 October 2025
President
NGVR & PNGVR Ex-members Association
M: 0418 730 348
E: [email protected]
W: www.pngvr.weebly.com
