2RAR Association Inc

08/05/2026

Timor Solidatory Medal Update - SOLD OUT

Apologies All - Just been informed when I tried to put in the order that this has now all sold out.

The medal can still be attained though as a replica from varies businesses that do medal mounting such as below site from $30 but not in the case with the miniature:

04/05/2026

VALE:
VX700285 / 378175 John Barrington BROWNBILL RFD KCSJ KtOT (Scot) Th Dip.
12 Sep 1929 - 22 Apr 2026

Service: 2 RAR 1951-52, LT 3 RAR Korea 1953-54, 1 RAR 53-54

From Peter Fraser President RARA Vic

It is with great sadness I advise you of the death of our oldest and longest serving member of The Royal Australian Regiment Association in Victoria: Lieutenant John Brownbill RFD KCSJ KtOT (Scot) Th Dip. John served with 3 RAR in Korea.

John was an energetic and reliable member of the Association who attended and contributed to nearly all meetings and activities, until ill-health curtailed his involvement. We will all miss his forthright opinions and remember his commitment to the welfare of our members.

He will be sadly missed.

John’s funeral will take place on Friday 8th May, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, High Street, Kew at 1400 hrs. Medals should be worn.

DUTY FIRST

John's Story:
A shipping clerk before enlisting in Melbourne, John was selected for officer training and posted first to 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) in June 1952. He was sent to Japan, then in February 1953 was transferred to 3RAR which was fighting in Korea. There he commanded an infantry platoon in action in the region of Hill 355, Samichon Valley and the Kansas Line.

John has described his fellow diggers as being determined in the face of danger and taking pride in their battalion. He remembers the camaraderie and compassion and reserves special praise for the 'unsurpassed performance' of the medical personnel. John returned to Australia in March 1954 and in May transferred to the Citizen Military Forces, finally ending his Army service in 1975.

After his military service, John worked once again for a shipping company and he was Operations Manager (Victoria) of the Blue Funnel Line before studying theology at Ridley College. He became a Chaplain in 1989 and in 2009 was created a Knight of Honour in the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem. In 2012 John was promoted to Knight of Grace. John was twice President of the Victorian Branch of the RAR Association and is honorary Chaplain to thirty-one ex-service associations. John says he recognises in the servicemen of today the same characteristics of mateship that he saw during his service in the Korean War. To view a youtube videos of John's experiences visit:
https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/stories/oral-histories/john-brownbills-story

04/05/2026

WELFARE:

DFRDB Update - FYI:
Please click to see the update on the DFRDB from ADFRA, this is a result of the last Senate hearing. It is posted on RARA website, Click here - https://rarnational.org.au Although it may seem like just DFRDB, it also shows the wider issue with Defence super as per the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpM8Odn6sRg

1 like. "The Legislated Erosion of ADF Superannuation Entitlements"

24/04/2026

Veteran update:

East Timor veterans with qualified service can now "at own cost" receive the following medal

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CNE5Mh4wS/

The service and sacrifice of our Australian Defence Force personnel is never far from my mind.

I’m honoured by the generous offer by the President of Timor-Leste, His Excellency José Ramos-Horta, to expand the eligibility criteria for the Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal.

More than 20,000 Australians served in Timor-Leste. Now, any ADF or AFP member who served at least 30 days on mandated missions in Timor-Leste since 1999 will be eligible for the medal.

Thank you President Ramos-Horta for recognising the service of our people, and the continuing friendship between our nations.

ADF veterans who meet the criteria can purchase and wear the medal. Currently serving ADF members will be advised by Defence that they meet the criteria, and will be approved to wear the medal.

Thank you to all our ADF members and veterans, and their families, for their service.

24/04/2026

ANZAC Day 2026 - Two Up

Two-up is a traditional Australian gambling game, involving a designated "spinner" throwing two coins, usually Australian pennies, into the air. Players bet on whether the coins will both fall with heads (obverse) up, both with tails (reverse) up, or one of each (known as "odds").

The Ringie selects a player as the spinner (generally greeted to loud calls of "Come in, Spinner!" from the rest of the players). The spinner tosses the coins in the air using the kip until they win (and continue spinning), lose (and the kip is offered to the next player around the ring), or toss the kip (take their winning wagers and retire).

The basic format of the game:

Two heads mean the spinner wins.
Two tails mean the spinner loses both their bet, and the right to spin.
Odds ("one them") means head or tail bets are frozen, and the spinner throws again.

The spinner is required to place a bet (usually on heads) before their first throw which must be covered (equaled) by another player. If the spinner wins they keep the bet and cover, minus a commission which the boxer takes out of this bet. If the spinner loses, the entire bet goes to the player who covered the bet. This makes throwing the coins a slight losing proposition compared to a side bet, however this is balanced by the interest of throwing the coins and the chance of adding a personal "lucky - dodgy" touch to the spin. The disadvantage (cost of running the game) is shared about the School by the Kip being passed about the Ring during subsequent spins.

20/04/2026

VALE:
5411624 PTE Ross William PIGDON
10 May 1948 - 09 Apr 2026

2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn - Vietnam 19 May 1967- 14 May 1968 -Signals Pl

The Association has been advised that Ross has sadly passed away.

The Funeral Service to celebrate and honour the life of Mr Ross William PIGDON of Cue will take place in the West Chapel at PINNAROO Valley Memorial Park, Whitfords Ave, Padbury WA commencing at 3:00pm on Thursday 23 Apr

Ross was an Association member number 612.

Thank you Dennis Ellery for the notification.

Photo attached is from AWM of Ross who took part in a continuing civic action program in the village of Dat Do, Vietnam

15/04/2026

VALE:
42563 Robert Graeme 'Shorty' SOJAN
22 Mar 2026 (aged 87)

2RAR/NZ Vietnam 1970/71
2/4RAR 15 Aug 1973 - 13 Feb 1977
4RAR Malaysia/Borneo 1966/67

Merv Dicton has advised of the sad passing of Shorty. Shorty was an original 2/4RAR member.

A funeral service was held for Robert on 9 Apr 2026 at the Lakes Chapel, in Townsville, QLD.

10/04/2026

VETERANS CATCH UP SEQLD Reminder:

2RAR SE QLD Coffee Catchups for 2026:
The pictured dates are for the SE Qld 2 RAR Coffee Mornings for 2026 at either:
WEST SIDE HQ RSL Club at 3 Clewley Street CORINDA (situated next to the Corinda Railway Station) 07 3379 8555
OR
GEEBUNG RSL Club at 323 Newman Road (Cnr Newman Rd and Collings Street) GEEBUNG QLD 07 3265 3711.

If you require any further information, please contact Lou (M: 0412 642 745) or Graham (M: 0415 205 245).

Next catch up is 30 Apr - Geebung RSL

10/04/2026

Veteran Welfare:

To our veteran community, with the current unprecedented time in our military history, the blanket media coverage and public scrutiny occurring, the 2 RAR Association wants to make it known that the Association is there to assist all our veterans at this time.

We as an Association are not here to pass judgement on any fellow soldier but are here to support our veterans who may be requiring support at this time. The Association is happy to come to you if we are able, to listen and for support. It is moments like these that veterans must stick together and support through a genuine presence with each other.

Please reach out if you need support at this time.

Regards
2RAR Association
E: Secretary@2rar-association.net.au
M: 0404 078 797

06/04/2026

SEEKING VIETNAM STORIES:

We have been contacted by respected author, Jeff Steel, who has started writing a new book on the ANZAC Vietnam era,and is looking for potential contributors of personal accounts, views or experiences.

He is most recently published by Big Sky Publishing. You can check his credentials via Google searches etc, one being:

https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/jeff-steel/?srsltid=AfmBOoqtFrYhOsIlFZjTPPr2epkLUHTYz4O42KH2WM097CVU4kRskYPT

Amazon carries his previous books:
https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/Jeff-Steel/author/B097CPT781?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Jeff has started his research with a dozen or so Aussie Diggers and junior NCOs, and those interviews are already under way.

However, Jeff has asked that we help expand his contact list with some senior NCOs and officers with Vietnam service, no matter what rank, unit, corps, posting or date of service. (This includes Kiwi’s too, please!)

If there is any interest in providing the requested assistance, Jeff can be contacted direct, on email jsteel@bigpond.net.au

or on Australian mobile number 0419 429 998.

If you may not be interested but know of someone else who may be qualified and interested, please feel free to forward this request.

Follow Jeff Steel and explore their bibliography from Amazon's Jeff Steel Author Page.

31/03/2026

ANZAC DAY - INFO 2026

Brisbane
Form up point: George St between Margaret & Mary Street (Group 5 - Section C - Number 38 after 1 RAR Association)
Time: 1030 hrs (please arrive earlier as parade starts from 0945)
Order of March: Behind 1 RAR
Post march gathering: TBC
POC: TBC

Adelaide
Dawn Service: Burnside RSL Subbranch, 13 Beatty Street, Linden Park. with the piper “Piping in the Dawn” along Beatty Street at 0605hrs with the Service then commencing at 0620hrs.
ANZAC Day March – Adelaide - Form up point: IVO North Terrace and Pulteney St.
Form Up Time: 0900 hrs - Step Off 0945hrs
Post march gathering: Lion Hotel, Melbourne St, North Adelaide.
POC: Mal Allen - 0451 374 133

Townsville
Dawn Service: Lavarack Barracks
Timings:
1. Gunfire Breakfast – 0455 to 0515
2. Dawn Service – 0530 to 0600
3. Breakfast – 0630
ANZAC Day March:
Form up point: Strand Park, Townsville
Time: 0830 for 0900 Step off
Post march gathering: From 1000 at Molly Malones, 87-95 Flinders ST, Townsville
POC: Robert Althofer - 0404 078 797

Melbourne
FUP point: on Collins Street west.
Time: 0800
Post march gathering: Mail Exchange - Collins St, Melbourne opposite the Southern Cross Station
POC: Shaun Hughes - 0421 546 494

Perth
Form up point: St Georges Terrace
Time: 0845
Post march gathering: TBC
POC: Alex Nie - 0417 993 751