RAR National Memorial Walk

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NMW Report – 19 December 2020

A very thirsty Walk welcomed 130mm over the week and more since. It will do wonders for the place but in other ways be a hindrance such as it is too wet to have the turf cut and delivered and the Western Bank will now have turf laid in the new year. Another downsize is Wombat’s nemesis, the dreaded weeds: they are everywhere. 

A small price to pay I suppose but on a positive note we have spread Searles Lawn Booster on all green areas and madly spraying the gardens with Searles 5 in 1 Fertilizer. And it has softened the lawn for aerating.

The strong winds that came with the rain has done minimal damage apart from ripping the ridge cover off the BBQ shelter and stripping all the bark off the gum trees. The area between the Korea and Vietnam Gardens looks like a brown shaggy carpet has been laid. It will take some doing to get rid of it but will have to be done before it dries out completely as it will make the perfect fuel for a fire.

Last Monday it teemed with rain but a few of us turned up anyway. Me, mainly to assess any damage, and as you can see in a couple of photos four or five of the usual suspects turned up. You can see Rod Newham with his power washer going, he didn’t think the place was wet enough. And I am sure, a bit like Arthur Willemse , Mick Vanburgh needs his weekly spin on the shoulder blower. I give him an A for determination as he got rid of most of the dead leaves. However, it was impossible to mow so all the leaves are on the lawns, but we did manage to rake up most of them and put into bins.

All in all, everyone, as usual is chipping in and achieving their tasks as well as additional ones. For example

  • Therese Muggeridge (Muggy’s widow) has done a mighty job up at NMW southern entrance (the 1 Division end) cleaning up and planting begonias in all the bare patches.
  • Ken Cupples continues to amaze us with his dedication: he is always there and keeps coil and spark plug dry and working in his little Red Tractor and trailer – he is everywhere picking up deadfall and tree debris.

On our sick list we report:

  • Darryl Backwell is back in the Mater hospital with another recurrence of his scoliosis. 
  • Mal Black took a fall at home and hit the back of his head. I just rung him to find out how he was and he replied in his inimitable conversational way “I’m vertical. Hoo Roo” so I guess that means he is OK!!  
  • Margaret Deveroux is continuing her treatment. We all send our regards to Margaret and miss her presence: not to mention her delightful smoko treats.
  • Ron Woodrow is still recovering and healing. I am having trouble getting him a gate pass. We would dearly love to see Ron and Ivy next Monday, I can come down to the Lloyd St gate and sign them in.

On Monday 21st December Dad’s Army will, after its normal work, have its Break- Up BBQ smoko. It gives me the opportunity to thank all our Dad’s Army volunteers for their dedicated loyalty and commitment in this Covid 19 year to our RAR Family to keep the memory of our fallen warriors and our Regimental Spirit Alive.

Suicide Concern

We were terribly saddened by the news of the two young soldiers from both the Battalions here at Enoggera Barracks that took their own lives recently.

We at DA keep the memory of our fallen warriors alive under the RARA’s National motto “Keeping the Spirit Alive”. But that motto also encompasses both current and past serving living members of the Royal Australian Regiment and their families (The Regimental Family) through our duty to care for each other.

Sadly, we as the Regiment missed the crack that these young blokes fell through.

As part of our Regimental Family, we have a “mob” called Kilcoy Diggers (KD). This “mob” is ably led by Rod Slater an ex RSM of 8/9 RAR. They assist the Kilcoy Race Club (KRC) to conduct all races on its calendar by setting up prior to, assist where needed on the race day and then dismantle and stow everything after the event.  In return KRC donates an amount of money to KD who distributes it to worthy causes of like-minded Ex Service Organizations. Many of DA are members of KD.

A Go Fund Me page was set up for Shane Holt of 8/9 RAR and KD donated the $1000.00 from KRC to Shane’s family. After all it is what families do!

Rod wrote the following to accompany the donation: 

“Kilcoy Diggers is a volunteer group of primarily ex Diggers & Partners, many of whom served in 8/9RAR. We assist Kilcoy Race Club to conduct their major race days for which we receive a donation which we in turn then donate to a worthy Ex Service Organisations or Groups. Our donation from the race meeting on 29 November could not go to a more worthy cause. We extend our most sincere sympathies & condolences to the Family & Friends…DUTY FIRST”

Open Arms – Veterans and Family Counselling –  #Check5

This year has presented significant challenges for everyone, in the way of natural disasters, the COVID pandemic and with particular impact on the veteran community – the release of the IGADF Report. These have resulted in an increased focus on maintaining mental health and wellbeing and a recognition of the power of connection.

Over the holiday period, we’re encouraging all current and former ADF personnel and their family members to square away their mental health and check in with 5 people in their lives. #Check5

Connect with them, yarn with them and motivate them to act.

For more on how to connect and start a conversation: https://www.openarms.gov.au/check-5…

In closing I would like to wish you and yours a very happy and joyous Christmas and a well earned break. To me Dad’s Army people are the epitome of everything held dear in the Regiment: your loyalty, your mateship which includes the camaraderie often shown by the ANZAC spirit that we possess and are all rightly proud of and your commitment to the task in hand to achieve what we do in Keeping the Spirit Alive for Warriors past and present. The hope a new year without the rigors and trials of the present is one to bring you peace and happiness to all.

Remember another one of my sayings – out there are ex politicians, ex teachers and ex whatever but there is no such thing as an ex veteran. Stay proud of what you did and stay safe and see you all in 2021

Duty First

Dave McDonald
Manager
RAR NMW

 19 December 2020

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Visit: McDowall State School – National Memorial Walk – Remembrance Day 2020

Thank you to the Royal Australian Regiment Association for hosting our visit to the National Memorial Walk 11th November 2020, from the 2020 Year 6 students and staff of McDowall State School.

We walked through the Garden of Remembrance and observed all the plaques that were placed next to the soldiers own remembrance tree. The plaques had all the soldiers’ names that died in war and I appreciate and respect them. It was a solemn day for all of us but we should always remember everyone who fought for our country. Lest we forget.

I thought that the Army Barracks was a good experience and a good way to learn about Remembrance Day. I thought that it was good to be able to look at all the soldier’s trees and pay them respect for giving their lives to make Australia better today.

I would like to thank Barry, (6C2’s guide) for taking us on the walk in the living memorial and telling us about the past soldiers who fought in the war for the rights and freedom for our country. I really appreciate what you did for us and teaching us about the wars and what it was like back then in them. I surely enjoyed this visit and I will never forget it (I loved the Jubie Juice and biscuits)

Dear Veterans,

On Behalf of Grade Six students at McDowall State School I would like to thank you for hosting our unforgettable 2020 Remembrance Day at the National Memorial Walk. We all are very thankful as we learnt about the history of our nation and how the ANZAC’s fought, and still fight for our freedom. 

I’d like to say thank you to the veteran’s for inviting our school to commemorate Remembrance Day at the National Memorial Walk. I enjoyed walking through the living memorial showing us how many people have passed in recent and older wars. I am very thankful to our tour guide, Barry, who educated us on the wars and what happened then. I found our time at the memorial highly educational and an enlightening experience. Thank you for allowing us to come.

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NMW Last Day of Winter – Manager’s Report

Well spring has sprung (“…the grass is riz…”) which means that maybe we won’t have as many cooler nights and things will start growing again but, the big “must have”, rain, is still AWOL. We can but hope that it will turn up, not only for the Walk but the imminent bushfire season and the man on the land. We can but pray.

Work is still happening around the Walk.  The sandstone garden on the northern end of the Contemplation Bld (CB) has been completed and just needs to be planted out.  Infantry green and scarlet were the guidelines for a floral display which we thought would be no problem we have the lower edge worked out and the same with the top edge, however, the middle edge was going to be the Brisbane Floral Emblem of Poinsettias. Normally not a problem and they could be bought anywhere but they are a native of Mexico and with C19 there is no imports. I know they can be grown from cuttings and we may have to resort to that method.

Keep in mind what I said above about the sandstone wall garden. We have finished its construction at a cost but we want to complete it before dedication. 3 RAR Corporation has folded and as a parting gesture has donated an amount of money to be used for a specific purpose that  just about  covers the cost of this garden.  I wanted this to be a sort of surprise but once the garden is planted a suitable brass plaque will be attached and a ceremony will be held when it is officially unveiled. I will endeavor t o have our Patron, Maj Gen Stuart Smith AO CSC (Rtd) to do the honours of dedicating it to the 3 RAR Heroes. Thank you 3 RAR Corporation.

At the front of the Contemplation Building, grass seed (Kikuyu and Rye) has been sown and is already sprouting in places. Seed was decided upon not only because of cost but at some stage Defence is going to put a footpath in and in my experience footpaths make a terrible mess of lawns.

In the raised garden bed in Diggers Rest near the BBQ, which was filled with Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ which just sat there and stayed green so it was decided to get rid of the Xanadu (if you don’t like a myriad of roots invading your property don’t plant it) it is worse than the root system of the dreaded Golden Penda.  The end result  is to have it  replanted with native wildflowers that will show a flash of colour all year and will be reasonably low maintenance.  Another reason for the colour is that it will compliment the scarlet, white and green of the Long Tan Battle Honour Garden opposite it.

Greg Decker has been busy again using work parties from both Battalions (6 RAR and 8/9 RAR) to fill a 20m3 bin with tree rubbish from the mulching area. I must commend both units on their willingness to supply work parties pending our and their unit requirements.  Simple when you work together.

All in all a good job done by DA and the spirit and camaraderie is still strong. By the way we picked up a new recruit in Bob Varcoe whom many of you may know from 8/9 RAR and 6 RAR: welcome Bob.

Dad’s Army People

Ron and Ivy Woodrow are well with Ron taking things steady after his hip replacement.  He advises that he has spoken to Margaret Gibbons and it seems she and Kiwi are OK in Covid 19 lock down at Fairview. 
Trevor Pond came in on Monday and fitted a new starter motor to Ken Cupples’s red tractor. Trevor is recovering from back surgery and seems to be in fine spirits although he walks around like Quasimodo but he gets there and retains his sense of humour. 
Ken Cupples, our revered elder (in years) turned up again and was kept busy clearing the rubbish from the trees cut down last week in Theresa’s area.  He is an inspiration to us all. Our best wishes to Ken’s wife, Selma.
Then L/Pte Rick Hollingdrake turned up and it was good to see him and I am sure by the amount of talking he thoroughly enjoyed himself.
Margaret Deveroux , God bless her, got out of her sick bed to make DA one of her famous fruit cakes for smoko: it was greatly appreciated and finished. 
Bob and Audrey Kyte returned from Darwin looking well tanned and I hear the muddies were sensational. Audrey made passion fruit iced cup cakes for us which were lovely. Pity you couldn’t turn up Rodric it was a veritable feast.

Keeping the Spirit Alive

Dave McDonald