Anzac Day 2024
Brisbane
Perfect weather on the day saw PNGVR off to a slow start, being number 63 on the parade order of march. The march commenced at 10am and our contingent did not get away until after 11am.
A sign of our ageing Association this year with only 16 members taking part in the parade with another 3 in Golf Carts. The group was led by President, Phil Ainsworth, with Ian Thompson and Peter Rogers (the younger), our new Treasurer, carrying the banner. For the first time since the Association was formed the group marched without the three flags, Australian, Association and PNG, that have been carried on all previous marches. Contributing factors to the lower numbers were flu and accident victims not able to be present.
The outstanding Brisbane City Salvation Band marched immediately in front and kept us in step: many remarked “not once did we have to change step after march-off”. Our Chaplain Ron MacDonald was a trombonist and his wife Cheryl a flag bearer in the band. Being more widely spaced between marching entities this year gave us greater time in front of the TV cameras, something not normally enjoyed.
It was great to see Michael White, a Canberra member, join us for the day and one of our Marchers, Ken Duus, whose grandfather, Sgt (later Lt) Gil Robertson, served with the NGVR, and ANGAU was interviewed live by Channel 9 prior to the march.
Following the march we immediately moved to the usual venue, the Stock Exchange Hotel, where 40 people in all enjoyed the post march festivities. The Beaman and Ng family groups certainly added to the numbers.
Unfortunately there was a lot of confusion at the early stages of our reunion when the Hotel mixed up the bookings and we had two other groups booked into the same area at the venue, causing our group to be crowded for a period into s much smaller space than needed. However the matter was eventually sorted out and we had the area to ourselves, only to be the victims of catering confusion which left us without sufficient food for the number present.
However, after the initial confusion had been settled the usual festivities continued with old acquaintances reminiscing over earlier days and the usual toasts were proposed.
Once again our thanks to Secretary, Colin Gould, for his organization prior to the march and to our new Treasurer, Peter Rogers, for being on the door at the reception and then manning the Q Store and taking Membership fees.
Canberra
One member marched, Trevor Connell.
Perfect weather on the day saw PNGVR off to a slow start, being number 63 on the parade order of march. The march commenced at 10am and our contingent did not get away until after 11am.
A sign of our ageing Association this year with only 16 members taking part in the parade with another 3 in Golf Carts. The group was led by President, Phil Ainsworth, with Ian Thompson and Peter Rogers (the younger), our new Treasurer, carrying the banner. For the first time since the Association was formed the group marched without the three flags, Australian, Association and PNG, that have been carried on all previous marches. Contributing factors to the lower numbers were flu and accident victims not able to be present.
The outstanding Brisbane City Salvation Band marched immediately in front and kept us in step: many remarked “not once did we have to change step after march-off”. Our Chaplain Ron MacDonald was a trombonist and his wife Cheryl a flag bearer in the band. Being more widely spaced between marching entities this year gave us greater time in front of the TV cameras, something not normally enjoyed.
It was great to see Michael White, a Canberra member, join us for the day and one of our Marchers, Ken Duus, whose grandfather, Sgt (later Lt) Gil Robertson, served with the NGVR, and ANGAU was interviewed live by Channel 9 prior to the march.
Following the march we immediately moved to the usual venue, the Stock Exchange Hotel, where 40 people in all enjoyed the post march festivities. The Beaman and Ng family groups certainly added to the numbers.
Unfortunately there was a lot of confusion at the early stages of our reunion when the Hotel mixed up the bookings and we had two other groups booked into the same area at the venue, causing our group to be crowded for a period into s much smaller space than needed. However the matter was eventually sorted out and we had the area to ourselves, only to be the victims of catering confusion which left us without sufficient food for the number present.
However, after the initial confusion had been settled the usual festivities continued with old acquaintances reminiscing over earlier days and the usual toasts were proposed.
Once again our thanks to Secretary, Colin Gould, for his organization prior to the march and to our new Treasurer, Peter Rogers, for being on the door at the reception and then manning the Q Store and taking Membership fees.
Canberra
One member marched, Trevor Connell.
Assembling for the march.
Bob Collins, Barry Beaman, John McGrath, Michael White, Phil Ainsworth, Peter Rogers, Gil Harvey-Hall,
Charles Blake, Glen O’Brien, son of Charles Blake, Ken Duus, Kevin Shorthouse, Gerry McGrade
Bob Collins, Barry Beaman, John McGrath, Michael White, Phil Ainsworth, Peter Rogers, Gil Harvey-Hall,
Charles Blake, Glen O’Brien, son of Charles Blake, Ken Duus, Kevin Shorthouse, Gerry McGrade
The Banner carriers Peter Rogers (the younger) and Ian Thompson
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Ian Thompson, Phil Ainsworth, John McGrath, Peter Rogers (the younger)
Gerry McGrade, Ian Thompson. L rear Gil Harvey-Hall, Centre rear Peter Rogers (the younger)
Glen O'Brien with new Qld PNG Consul General, Mr Reatau Rau. Eileen Beehan in background taking many of the photos displayed on this page.
Kevin Shorthouse, Gil Harvey-Hall, Glen O'Brien.
Ian Thompson, son of Charles Blake, Charles Blake, Phil Ainsworth.
Bob Collins prior to the March
Douglas Ng, Colin Gould MBE, Roy Edward waiting for Jeep transport.
Douglas Ng in Jeep ready for anything
Left
The salute at Town Hall where the Governor took the salute
Below.
Passing the Cenotaph at ANZAC Square
The NG family outside the post march venue. Wendi, Douglas, Fran, Terri, Ainslie.
At the reception.
— brother of Barry Beaman, Gerry McGrade, Michael White, John McGrath, brother of Barry Beaman, Barry Beaman,
Phil Ainsworth, (son of Charles Blake) , Doug Ng, Charles Blake, Ian Thompson, Glen O’Brien, Peter Rogers (the younger),
Gil Harvey-Hall, Ken Duus, Bob Collins
— brother of Barry Beaman, Gerry McGrade, Michael White, John McGrath, brother of Barry Beaman, Barry Beaman,
Phil Ainsworth, (son of Charles Blake) , Doug Ng, Charles Blake, Ian Thompson, Glen O’Brien, Peter Rogers (the younger),
Gil Harvey-Hall, Ken Duus, Bob Collins
Gil Harvey-Hall and son in law with Michael White from Canberra
Association Chaplain, Ron MacDonald, wife Cheryl and Ken Duus whose Grandfather was NGVR.
Before the Brisbane Anzac Day March in Anzac Square, Brisbane .
The PNG Consul-General to Qld , Mr Reatau Rau , his wife, and Phil Ainsworth. Mr Retau’s father was a “ Fuzzy- Wuzzie Angel” and his uncle’s served in PIB. They were attending the PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR Association’s memorial service.
The PNG Consul-General to Qld , Mr Reatau Rau , his wife, and Phil Ainsworth. Mr Retau’s father was a “ Fuzzy- Wuzzie Angel” and his uncle’s served in PIB. They were attending the PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR Association’s memorial service.
ANZAC Day Sydney. L-R. Warren Martin, Louise Newsome, ?, Gaynor Kaard, ?, Chris Hardy, Mike Leask, ?, Peter Leyden's son (holding the banner), ?, Peter Leyden, Pat Johnson, ?, ?, Peter Leyden’s son ( also holding the banner), ?, ?.
Above and Below. Rabaul. A service held on ANZAC Eve by a group from the 2/22nd Battalion Association hold a memorial Service.
ANZAC Day PNG. Above. Dawn service at Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby.
Below. Dawn service Lae.
Below. Dawn service Lae.
