The Regiment’s National Memorial Walk (the Walk) is in excellent condition, thanks to the outstanding commitment of the Management Team, our loyal volunteers, Dad’s Army, and the support from both 6RAR and 8/9 RAR.  

The Commanders of 7^th Combat Brigade (currently Brigadier Jason Blain) continue to be fully supportive by directing the support of resident RAR Battalions (6RAR and 8/9RAR). This includes providing work parties when other commitments allow, co-ordinating any activities requiring Army/Defence support involvement and assisting with visitor access to Gallipoli Barracks. 

Activities

Public visits to the Walk have decreased, due to both the security restrictions on entry within Gallipoli Barracks and Covid 19 restrictions. Within those limitations we continue to provide commemorative services, school visits and family and community group visits. 

Anzac Day 2021

Severe restrictions interfered with our normal commemoration. Nevertheless, we continued with our own dawn service, albeit limited in numbers to eight living persons but with our 706-spiritual deceased.

Remembrance Day 2020

As normal we hosted the McDowall State School Grade 6 pupils (120) to a special Service. This event is a feature event for the school that has a high percentage of defence family students.

Work Experience Program (WEP)

We continue to support 7 Combat Brigade’s monthly program (subject to Covid 19 restrictions) which involves visiting the Walk for our show and tell.

Projects

This year has seen our Project Officer Greg Decker hyper-active in the completion of these activities:

• Contemplation Building:
  • Northern Forecourt saw a complete redesign: 
    • The total removal of the bank
    • Install of sandstone block walls
    • Replacement of soil, mulch and plants
    • Install of a irrigation system
    • Renamed 3 RAR Garden

See Photo 1 & 1A below

• Western Forecourt was improved by:
  • Raising sleeper walk
  • Install of safety rail and swage
  • Returfing and install of irrigation system

See Photo 2 & 2A below

• All forecourts:
  • Removal of all pavers
  • Install of a solid concrete pavement

See Photo 3 & 1A below

• The old container for storage will be replaced at the end of July with a purpose-built storage room
• Central Pathway:
  • Kerbing of the western side of the of the pathway between the Korean and Japan Areas See Photo 4 below
• The Trees:
  • A Brisbane Garden Group – Men of the Trees (MOTT) provided their support to planting trees on the western boundary bund. We greatly appreciated their support.

• Ken Falvey has been outstanding in his horticultural care of the Walks Garden beds and cultivation of a green field behind the Walk’s southern carpark

A major project was the 3 RAR Memorial Garden, funded by the 3 RARA and opened by Mick Servos the NMW’s concept initiator

Finance

The NMW is in a sound financial position thanks to the annual subscription from the RAR Battalions and the RAR State and Battalion Associations that assists with its maintenance, development and administration. A bequest of $310,000 from Frank Cuphey ex 2 RAR (Korea) will be invested for use solely for NMW capital improvements as determined.

Volunteers

Dad’s Army volunteers are the living heart and soul of The Walk. Their dedicated support and loving care are gratefully appreciated by The Regiment. To single out any one person would be an injustice to the whole Team: but there are those who the Team would want me to identify – Greg & Luke Decker (Projects), Barry Shipway (Curator), Ken Cupples, Mick van Burgh, Rod Newham, Ken Falvey, Mal Black, Trevor Pound, Owen Puie and Teresa Muggeridge (Muggsy’s widow).

We thank Major General Stuart Smith AO DSC for his continued patronage of the NMW

Future Activities

We plan to produce a promotional video of the Walk for the RAR Family and the Australian Public as well as updating our NMW brochure.

It seems that there is movement on the creation of a specific public precinct within Gallipoli Barracks. This can be seen with the concentration of all Museums near the old Commander’s Mess and the NMW. It will allow public access without the need for the strict security applied to the Barracks entry.

My personal thanks to all who have contributed to our success in Keeping the Spirit Alive

Duty First

View the Walk here and the photo gallery here

Dave McDonald

Manager

[email protected]

22 July 2021

PHOTO 1 – COMTEMPATION BLUILDING NORTHERN BANK

PHOTO 1A

PHOTO 2 – RAISING SLEEPER WALL

PHOTO 2A – INSTALL OF SAFETY RAIL AND SWAGE

PHOTO 3 & 1A – INSTALL OF CONCRETE PAVEMENT AFTER REMOVAL OF OLD PAVERS

PHOTO 4 – INSTALL OF KERBING CENTRAL PATHWAY