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RAR NATIONAL MEMORIAL WALK LOCATION |

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New edition here each fortnight automatically |
Archive Editions: 2001 - 2012 |

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Register: read Electronic Edition FREE. |
Northern Services Courier |

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FAIR GO CAMPAIGN: Australia Day is a time for all of us to celebrate everything that makes this Great Land the best place in the world to live and raise a family. And it is a time to reflect on our good fortune to be able to call ourselves Australians. This is an ideal opportunity to also remind the Australian people of the important role our military forces have played and continue to play in helping the Nation through its most challenging times, whether it is protecting their interests overseas or at home. For your action
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To link this Australia Day theme with the Fair Go Campaign, we are releasing a new flyer |
Stand To (go to the website) |

In late 2010 the National Presidents of the Defence Force Welfare Association; the Naval Association of Australia; the Royal Australian Regiment Corporation; the Australian Special Air Services Association; and the RAAF Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations. |
Providing a stronger voice on issues impacting the conditions and wellbeing of currently serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force. |
DFWA |
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26 JAN |

Thales Australia and Steyr Mannlicher have been working together since 1986 to deliver assault rifles, and since then have continuously improved weapon performance and enabled the integration of a wide range of third-party accessories. The SA2 currently in service demonstrates the continuing evolution of this capability. Source
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Steyr Mannlicher is the original designer of the Australian Defence Force's F88 assault rifle, which was manufactured and subsequently developed further by Thales Australia |
26 JAN |
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23 JAN |
GUEST BOOK FEEDBACK: New to this and just Surfed in. Bloody good site lads. The memory bank is not real good these days, but thought I recognized some names. See you in Townsville in Jul 2012.
Rod Hooper
2RAR RAEME Jul 1969 -Jul 1971
Leave a message here |
16 JAN |
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14 DEC |

Read the article here
Source: Townsville Bulletin
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TOWNSVILLE DEFENCE DUO IN BATTLE FOR KITCHEN SUPREMECY: DAVID HOPGOOD & SCOTT BRADSHAW
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13 JAN |
SILENT SOLDIER FIGURINES FOR SALE
Mrs Liz Church, widow of Dave Church [12 Pl D Coy 3 RAR 67/68] wishes to sell a collection of 11 x "Silent Soldier" figurines and one slightly larger one. Liz wishes to sell them as a set and offers them at $1100.00 the lot. If genuinely interested please contact Liz, via "Dutchy" Lensing, dutchyle@bigpond.net.au who will pass on. |
12 JAN |
ANZAC CENTENARY MOTIF ('BRANDING') - STATEMENT FROM THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT CORPORATION
You will be aware of the criticism related to this matter reported in the press late last week, and more recently the Minister of Veterans Affairs' comments released today. The Corporation's Chairman and National President Michael von Berg has released the following statement on the Subject. Read the document here
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11 JAN |
"WHEREVER YOU ARE" (MILITARY WIVES WITH GARETH MALONE) OFFICIAL VIDEO
"This video is taken from a British series where Gareth Malone takes a group of people and turns them into a choir. This time he's taken a group of military wives, whose husbands are deployed in Afghanistan, and turned them into a choir. Gareth looks about 16yrs old but is actually in his mid-30s and a Choir master for the London Symphony Orchestra, among other things. The song is based on excerpts from letters written by the couples whilst apart and this is the beautiful result. The sentiment expressed in this song are relevant to all military families. |
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11 JAN |

Fighting to the finish is now available for pre-order, with delivery in February 2012. The Australian War Memorial is offering FREE postage and handling and a bulk discount for orders of five or more. To pre-order for yourself or for your association, click here |
FIGHTING TO THE FINISH: THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY AND THE VIETNAM WAR, 1968-1975. BY ASHLEY EKINS WITH IAN MCNEILL
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11 JAN |

Click image to view online |
'Duty First: 60 Years of the Royal Australian Regiment, 1948 - 2008.'
Caption: '3RAR during Exercise Talisman Sabre in 2005'
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11 JAN |
UNREST IN THE RANKS AS RETIRED TROOPS SLIDE INTO POVERTY
So the politicians have seen fit to grant themselves another pay rise. No, sorry, the Federal Remuneration Tribunal has granted them a pay rise and they have accepted its ruling. Changing the legislation to say no is apparently not an option.
by Peter Criss, a retired RAAF air vice-marshal |
11 JAN |
GUEST BOOK FEEDBACK: Wow! first time I have seen this site and it is great and lots of familiar names passing through. Thanks to all concerned.
Murray Martin (Vietnam 66/67). Leave a message here |
9 JAN |
THERE WILL BE WOMEN IN FOXHOLES
The warrior caste has been opened to females but rearguard actions still remain, writes Deborah Snow. ''I was one of the first women to do the job I did in the army and it was very tough … I was called things like ho, front bum, whore, slut, useless sheila and the word starting with 'c' that I don't say. There were times when I was threatened with physical violence.''
The Sydney Morning Herald |
7 JAN |
JUST A FAIR GO! SITUATION REPORT No 9: I was going to issue an end of year SITREP, but decided that that would be looking backwards, and be somewhat negative. We need to look to the future and 2012 will be a crucial year for our fight for "A FAIR GO' campaign. I am now convinced that OPERATION "LETTER RAID" was a great success. Many of you will have received a response from one or more politicians, albeit some of these from the politicians' staff. The point is however that the Politicians did receive our letters.
Neil Weekes
JUST A FAIR GO! |
5 JAN |
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23 DEC |
DO YOU KNOW THIS WAR HERO'S FAMILY?
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, today called on RSLs, historians and ex-servicemen and women to come forward if they know the next-of-kin of 12 brave Australian servicemen who died in World War II prisoner of war camps. |
20 DEC |
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13 DEC |

As summer approaches, expect to find more snakes lurking around your home, bush and farmland. But remember, if you leave snakes alone, they won't want to hurt you.
SUNDAY MAIL |
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11 DEC |
SURVIVAL RATES RISING FOR MOST CANCERS IN AUSTRALIA
Cancer death rates are falling in Australia even as incidences rise of lung cancer in women and prostate cancer in men, according to research published today in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology.
... Professor Olver said the far greater incidence of cancer than a subsequent death rate was good news, as it showed "increasing success in cancer control. This can be both due to better treatments but also early detection of those cancers with population screening programs; breast, cervix and bowel cancer. The participation rates for cervix and breast cancer which have proven successful in reducing cancer deaths are still lower than the ideal. The bowel screening program has the lowest participation rate of all but that is because it really only consists of sporadic testing of three age groups and this highlights that it should be a priority for Government to complete this program and drive the bowel cancer death rates down further." |
9 DEC |

"This is why I joined the army, to come over here (Afghanistan)."
Women in the military: around the world
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Deployment duties come up quickly
Pte Buckingham, 29, completed her Recruit Training at Kapooka, followed by IET in late 2010 and then posted to 2RAR
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9 DEC |
MESSAGE FROM ACTING CHIEF OF ARMY REGARDING UNACCEPTABLE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
You may be aware of recent public reporting about inappropriate comments made through social media.
I am personally appalled and disenchanted with the repugnant comments made by some among us on Facebook. Racist and homophobic comments are entirely unacceptable and completely at odds with Army's values, including all of the cultural and equity training we undertake.
These comments display, for all to see, a simple lack of human decency, intelligence and compassion; the very qualities that set us apart from our adversary. The behaviour undermines our efforts in Afghanistan, fuelling those who seek us harm and weakening our efforts to win the support of the Afghan people. At home, such comments erode the confidence of our Government, the Australian people and, indeed, the overwhelming majority of soldiers.
We should be proud of the great work that Army undertakes on a day to day basis, both at home and abroad. We should all remain committed to protecting the reputation of the Australian Army. In my view, there is no place in the Army for people who act with such poor judgement.
Finally, I actually encourage the use of social media, such as Facebook, for good. Harnessing the power of social media can help us learn and adapt more quickly than ever before. But that same power can be equally destructive when it is used inappropriately. We each have an obligation to ensure that we act with the good of Army in mind. It is a serious obligation and one for which individuals must be held to account. Unacceptable behaviour is unacceptable, regardless of the means through which it is conveyed.
P.B. SYMON
Major General
Acting Chief of Army
Army Internet |
8 DEC |
3RD BATTALION, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT
Just a short note to advise that 3RAR held a small ceremony and morning tea at Holsworthy yesterday (30 November), to mark their departure after 28 years, and to honour those members of "Old Faithful" who died during this period. The memorial, consisting of an impressive metal eagle, the emblem of airborne forces, was unveiled.
As most will know, 3RAR is moving to Townsville. A good number of ex-members turned out including Joe Vezgoff and several other Kapyong veterans. The following former Commanding Officers also attended. Brigadier Jim Shelton, Major General Peter Phillips, Lieutenant Colonel Roger Tiller, Colonel Wade Stothart and myself.
The Commanding Officer of 3RAR, Lieutenant Colonel Trent Scott, invited all veterans to join the Battalion for the first Kapyong Day parade in Townsville on 24 April 2012.
3 RAR is expected to deploy to Afghanistan during 2012.
Duty First
Hori Howard
(Major General B.W. Howard AO MC ESM (Retd))
CO 3RAR 1976-78 |
2 DEC |

To subscribe to Duty First, please contact your State Branch
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Duty First, Vol 10, No. 4
Produced by the NSW Branch of the Royal Australian Regiment Association for the Royal Australian Regiment Corporation and all State Branches
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28 NOV |

WE WERE REOs Australian Infantry Reinforcements in VIETNAM By Richard "Barney" Bigwood and Andrew Bigwood BA. Arts. (Hons)
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Available here, here, here & here
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28 NOV |
LONG TAN TO AFGHANISTAN DOCUMENTARY LAUNCHED
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, has welcomed the release of a new documentary Long Tan to Afghanistan, to be launched at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane (26 Nov) tomorrow. The documentary is a powerful, insightful journey into the lives of the soldiers of Delta Company 6RAR ahead of their deployment to the Mentoring Taskforce in Afghanistan, their families at home and the heart-wrenching impact of war. The documentary makes comparisons between the battle of Long Tan in 1966 and contemporary warfare in Afghanistan, through the eyes of veterans, young soldiers, and the families who support our troops from back home. Mr Snowdon said Long Tan to Afghanistan gives Australians an insight into the motivations and emotions felt by our Australian Defence Force members in the lead up to deployment to Afghanistan. |
27 NOV |
VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH REPORT RELEASED
The key findings of the Review of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Mental Health Group Treatment Programs, identified the effectiveness of PTSD group treatment programs. Across all measures from entry to nine months follow-up, the group treatment programs resulted in statistically significant changes for participants on the overall reduction of PTSD symptoms, improvement in perceived quality of life, improvement in family relationships, reductions in anger and reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression. The report delivers on a 2009 recommendation made by Professor David Dunt as part of the Independent Study into Suicide in the Ex-Service Community.
Read the Report
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26 NOV |

For 39 years the Australian Defence Force strenuously denied a unit called the 2nd Defence and Employment Platoon existed during the Vietnam War.
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Thirty-nine years ago an Australian Army Platoon saw action in Vietnam. Years later, the army said they didn't exist. What secrets were they trying to hide?
Available here
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26 NOV |

This book is a tribute to the NASHOS we trained and took to South Vietnam.
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Just a Nasho (Revised Edition) by Bill Parry (Ex-3, 7, 2, 8, 9, 8/9RAR and AATTV.
Available here
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26 NOV |

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The current 'Australian Infantry' magazine (Oct 11 - Apr 12) available in most newsagencies ($7.95). |
20 NOV |
CAN YOU HEAR AUSTRALIA'S HEROES MARCHING? - AUSTRALIAN ARMY TRIBUTE
A short tribute to the soldiers of the Australian Army, past and present. The opening text is taken from the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by John McCrae. The text at the end of the video is taken from the poem 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon. Music: 'Can you hear Australia's heroes marching?' By Peter Barnes |
11/11/11 |

Called the Rifle Input Control (RIC) it attaches to the front picatinny rail of most common rifles. It has been designed to provide dismounted close combat soldiers with a fast (instinctive) and simple way of remotely controlling devices attached to their weapon, body or helmet, without the need to take either their eyes or hands off task. |
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11 NOV |

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THE latest shooting of Aussie diggers by rogue Afghan soldiers is cartoonist Mark Knight's latest inspiration. Herald Sun |
10 NOV |

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AUSTRALIAN ARMY JOURNAL VOL VIII, NO. 2 WINTER 2011
To access previous issues of the Australian Army Journal please click here |
9 NOV |
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9 NOV |
A MESSAGE FROM ONE OF OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS IN GERMANY, CPL LUCAS BOY'E
Thanks to everyone that has been passing on their best wishes for me and also which I extended to the other six Australians I am with. At this point in time as I write this letter all seven Aussies are still in Germany, and are doing well. We are all overwhelmed with the support coming from everyone back home and are very appreciative.
Thanks again.
CPL L.W. Boy'e |
8 NOV |
REST IN PEACE: MICK BERRIGAN: THE LAST VIETNAM VICTIM, 7RAR
He landed in Vietnam in April 1967 and took a hit in November ahead of an attack on a Viet Cong camp 1km east of Nui Toc Tien. Australian guns were called in to soften up the camp and five of the six shells hit. The other exploded against a tree 50m from Pte Berrigan and shrapnel from it tore through his skull and his brain. |
31 OCT |
AUSTRALIAN MARINES TO FLEX MUSCLES
AUSTRALIA'S first batch of dedicated amphibious soldiers or "marines" will be ready to sail off to war when the navy's new landing ship enters service early next year. More than 1000 infantry troops from the Townsville-based 3rd Brigade are being trained in amphibious operations and up to 350 will be at sea permanently from 2014 when two massive 27,000 tonne landing helicopter dock ships (LHDs) are due to enter service as part of a new era of "power projection". The former Royal Navy 16,000 tonne Bay Class landing ship Largs Bay, purchased by Australia for $100 million to become HMAS Choules, is the first of the three new vessels to arrive and will be ready for low-level amphibious operations next year.
The battalion will be broken into three combat teams of about 350 troops each. One team will be at sea virtually full-time, one will be in lead-up training and the third will be resting. |
25 OCT |
AFGHANISTAN: A REVEALING ARMY REPORT
I've just finished reading Colonel Peter Connolly's account of his time in command of the ADF's Second Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force in Uruzgan between May and December 2009. 'Counterinsurgency in Uruzgan 2009' reads a lot like an edited post-operation report and its great to see an Australian Army officer writing about his combat experience for a public audience. The report is put out by the Land Warfare Studies Centre within Army, whose mandate is to 'raise the level of professional and intellectual debate within the Army'. By James Brown |
21 OCT |
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18 OCT |
DENTS IN THE SOUL
DVD dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Frightening and overwhelming traumatic experiences can have a strong impact on your mind and emotions.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder and is one of a range of psychological reactions you can have to a traumatic incident. PTSD can be distressing with negative consequences for your health and wellbeing.
It can affect anyone, but there is help available. Read more |
12 SEP |
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25 AUG |
We Were Soldiers Once … The Decline of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps? This provocative article questions the use of the Infantry Corps in the current high-tempo period of deployments, asking if the Infantry is being used to its full potential. The author claims (in 2008) to represent the views of frustrated Royal Australian Infantry members who feel that they are not being employed to their full potential in current operations. Read the complete article: Australian Army Journal Vol 5 No.1 Autumn 2008 pg. 39 |
6 JUL |
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30 MAR |
ABOUT |
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BUDGET 2011-12 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS: HTML PDF |
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CONCESSION ENTITLEMENTS PENSION RAIL TRAVEL (QUEENSLAND PENSIONER)
TRANSLINK FARE & TICKETING CHANGES 2011 (GO CARD) |
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| MORE BANG FOR NO BUCKS – SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY USED BY AUSTRALIAN CAVALRY IN VIETNAM 1967-68, BY COLIN CAMPBELL |
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PURE MASSACRE - AUSSIE SOLDIERS REFLECT ON THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE, BY KEVIN O'HALLORAN. |
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| THE GREY EIGHT IN FOCUS” [8 RAR UNIT PICTORIAL] |
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| VIETNAM ON CANVAS, KEN MCFADYEN: AN ARTIST AT WAR, BY SANDRA LEE |
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| AUSSIE SOLDIER PRISONERS OF WAR, BY DENNY NEAVE AND CRAIG SMITH |
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DVDS |
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MUSIC |
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| "KOREA" - BY FRANCIS M. MACY |
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| "OLD DIGGERS WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY" - GEORGE MANSFORD |
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| "THE COLUMN WILL MARCH AGAIN" - GEORGE MANSFORD |
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| B COY 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) BN SOUTH VIETNAM 1967–68, 23-26 APRIL 2012, NANANGO, QLD. PETER GURNEY: 0419 649 774, siren33@bigpond.com |
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2/4RAR 1973-1995 40TH ANNIVERSARY CENTRED ON 15 AUGUST 2013, TOWNSVILLE, QLD. |
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RIFLEMANS' LUNCH: FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH - MOOLOOLABA SURF CLUB
POC: Kevin Lynch 0416 275 504 |
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DIGGERS LUNCH: LAST FRIDAY EACH MONTH - GAYTHORNE RSL
POC: Ken Cullen (07) 3289 4052 |
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SLIDESHOWS/PHOTOGRAPHS |
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WEBSITES |
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TOUCHBASE. OUT OF THE SERVICE, BUT STILL IN TOUCH.
You may now be out of the Australian Defence Force, but you can still stay in touch. The touchbase website has information and links that can help you in civilian life, from jobs and finances to health and well-being. Sign up to Find Your Mates and subscribe to the quarterly e-newsletter to get in contact with family and friends and receive stories written especially for the ex-service community – covering topics and people that are of interest to you and your family. |
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| HISTORY OF THE VICTORIA CROSS |
| THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT HONOUR ROLL 1948 - 2011 (UPDATED+) |
| NOMINAL ROLL OF VETERANS OF WW 1, WW 2, KOREA, VIETNAM, & GULF WAR |
NOMINAL ROLL OF NEW ZEALAND VETERANS OF VIETNAM
NEW ZEALAND ROLL OF HONOUR (VIETNAM) |
AUSTRALIAN HONOURS LISTS
AUSTRALIA DAY 2012 HONOURS LISTS (COMPLETE)
AUSTRALIA DAY 2011 HONOURS LIST (MIL)
AUSTRALIA DAY 2011 HONOURS LISTS (COMPLETE)
THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY 2011 HONOURS LISTS (COMPLETE)
THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY 2011 HONOURS LISTS (MIL) |
| DEFENCE HONOURS AND AWARDS |
| AUSTRALIAN HONOURS AND AWARDS + WEARING AWARDS |
| APPLICATION FOR ISSUE OR REPLACEMENT OF ADF MEDALS AND/OR AWARDS |
| INFANTRY COMBAT BADGE (ICB) (CRITERIA) |
| ARMY COMBAT BADGE (ACB): DEFENCE INSTRUCTIONS (ARMY) 2009 |
| AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL (ADM) APPLICATION (Revised Oct 2010) |
| NATIONAL SERVICE 1951-1972 MEDAL (ANSM) APPLICATION |
| PINGAT JASA MALAYSIA (PJM) APPLICATION |
| EAST TIMOR SOLIDARITY MEDAL (ELIGIBILITY) |