ANZAC Day 2022.
Front page of the Courier Mail. L-R. Paul Brown, John McGrath, Mal Zimmerman, John Christopher, Kevin Shorthouse OAM. OL., Peter Rogers (younger) Tony Boulter, Bob Collins, Phil Ainsworth.
BRISBANE.
The wet weather dampened the jackets but not the spirit of the 15 PNGVR and 5 relatives who marched in Brisbane this year. Four of our members went around in golf buggies and two other PNGVR members, Peter Rogers DFC and Marty O'Sullivan were in Brisbane on the day but marched with other units.
Prior to the march commencing a Courier Mail photographer snapped a shot of 9 of the assembled party and the photo, made the front page of the Courier Mail the following day, together with some comments from Kevin Shorthouse on page 8.
A last minute request of the Salvation Army Band for our chaplain Ron and his wife Cheryl to play in their band meant that the banner this year was carried by Ian Thompson and Gil Harvey-Hall.
President Phil Ainsworth led the marching contingent followed by Paul Brown marching in his Juniper Greens and this received good press from the ABC commentary team. Unfortunately the rain did not stop from the time we were formed up on the road ready to march off until later when we were drying off in the Hotel.
A total of 43 members and family friends turned up at the Stock Exchange Hotel. President Phil Ainsworth welcomed all and the usual toasts were proposed and friendships renewed. Normally when the public is allowed to enter licensed venues after 1pm, the room we have used at the Stock Exchange Hotel for many years now would have been swamped with other patrons but a combination of Covid and wet weather meant that only a few turned up, although the crowds lining the streets for the March were almost the same strength as normal.
Overall, a great day due to those who each year perform the task of organising the flags and banner for the march and the later get-together at the Hotel.
The wet weather dampened the jackets but not the spirit of the 15 PNGVR and 5 relatives who marched in Brisbane this year. Four of our members went around in golf buggies and two other PNGVR members, Peter Rogers DFC and Marty O'Sullivan were in Brisbane on the day but marched with other units.
Prior to the march commencing a Courier Mail photographer snapped a shot of 9 of the assembled party and the photo, made the front page of the Courier Mail the following day, together with some comments from Kevin Shorthouse on page 8.
A last minute request of the Salvation Army Band for our chaplain Ron and his wife Cheryl to play in their band meant that the banner this year was carried by Ian Thompson and Gil Harvey-Hall.
President Phil Ainsworth led the marching contingent followed by Paul Brown marching in his Juniper Greens and this received good press from the ABC commentary team. Unfortunately the rain did not stop from the time we were formed up on the road ready to march off until later when we were drying off in the Hotel.
A total of 43 members and family friends turned up at the Stock Exchange Hotel. President Phil Ainsworth welcomed all and the usual toasts were proposed and friendships renewed. Normally when the public is allowed to enter licensed venues after 1pm, the room we have used at the Stock Exchange Hotel for many years now would have been swamped with other patrons but a combination of Covid and wet weather meant that only a few turned up, although the crowds lining the streets for the March were almost the same strength as normal.
Overall, a great day due to those who each year perform the task of organising the flags and banner for the march and the later get-together at the Hotel.
Before the March. Gerry McGrade, Paul Brown, Bob Collins, Ian Thompson, Peter Rogers (the younger)
Waiting for the Golf buggies (and a dry ride). Doug Ng, Colin Gould MBE, John Batze, Roy Edward
Below. Paul Brown, Doug Ng.
Below. Paul Brown, Doug Ng.
Above and below. Moving into position just prior to commencing to march.
Ian Thompson with banner, Paul Brown in Juniper Greens.
Below. Phil Ainsowrth getting ready. Ian Thompson and Gil Harvey Hall with Banner. Tony Boulter with Australian flag.
Ian Thompson with banner, Paul Brown in Juniper Greens.
Below. Phil Ainsowrth getting ready. Ian Thompson and Gil Harvey Hall with Banner. Tony Boulter with Australian flag.
As can be seen it was wet and windy. Tony Boulter with Australian flag, Kieran Nelson with PNG flag, Peter Rogers (younger) with Regimental flag.
Paul Brown gives a cheery wave to the crowd
At the reception.
Above. Doug Ng, Paul Brown, Gerry McGrade, Peter Rogers (younger) Colin Gould MBE, Gil Harvey-Hall, Mal Zimmerman, Kieran Nelson.
Below. Doug Ng, Bob Collins, Gerry McGrade, Phil Ainsworth.
Above. Doug Ng, Paul Brown, Gerry McGrade, Peter Rogers (younger) Colin Gould MBE, Gil Harvey-Hall, Mal Zimmerman, Kieran Nelson.
Below. Doug Ng, Bob Collins, Gerry McGrade, Phil Ainsworth.
Paul Brown proposing toast to Absent Friends and Departed Comrades.
Fran & Doug Ng, Gerry & Joyce McGrade
Doug Ng, Bob Collins, Gerry McGrade.
ANZAC Day Sydney.
Above L-R. . ?, Andrea Williams, Roger Newsome, Pat Johnson, Ross Johnson, ?, Mike Leask, Gaynor Kaad, ?, Louise Newsome, Peter Leyden, Chris Hardy.
Below. Ross and Pat Johnson.
Above L-R. . ?, Andrea Williams, Roger Newsome, Pat Johnson, Ross Johnson, ?, Mike Leask, Gaynor Kaad, ?, Louise Newsome, Peter Leyden, Chris Hardy.
Below. Ross and Pat Johnson.
Above and below. Rabaul Dawn Service
After the Rabaul Dawn Service. Susie McGrade, daughter of Association member Gerry McGrade on the right.
ANZAC Day 2022 Port Moresby. More than 2,000 people attended.
Lae War Cemetery after the Dawn Service.
