Another month is upon us and the Easter Eggs have been in the shops since January! Both the RAAHC and the
Regimental Committee (RC)
It was proposed in the Regimental Committee (RC) by Head of Regiment (HOR) that consideration be given to amendments to the RAA National Memorial on Mount Pleasant, Canberra to reflect recent Gunner operational service.
The RC has agreed, that the purpose of the Memorial should be to recognise the service of all Gunners and that the 'campaigns' reflected on the Memorial parapet are for all campaigns in which Gunners have served (not simply those in which Gunners have died). The RC further
agreed that the memorial needs to be updated in line with the above recommendation to reflect the most recent campaigns in which the younger generation of serving and retired Gunners have served.
The RAAHC Board considers that the RAAHC should get involved in the upgrade and that the National Memorial should reflect on the service of all Gunners past and present. It is proposed to appoint a Working Group and develop a TOR to undertake the task.
150th Anniversary of the RAA
The RC has determined that it will accept "1871" as the symbolic year in which a permanent and continuous Australian artillery presence was established. Therefore, it was agreed that 2021 would be the 150th anniversary of this occurrence and that the RAA would mark the occasion in a schedule of national and unit ceremonies and events which were yet to be identified and planned.
The RC agreed to appoint a 150th anniversary sub-committee and to develop a terms of reference (TOR). The consensus was for a series of smaller activities conducted throughout the year to be investigated (inclusive of merchandising and unit activities) and to hold a single major event of the Royal Regiment in a location to be determined for a Regiment commemoration.
MOU Between RAAHC & Regimental Committee (RC)
An MOU has been signed between the RAAHC and the RC. The purpose of the MOU is to establish an informal partnership between the two organisations and it sets out the vision,objectives and responsibilities of each party in relation to the promotion of Australian Artillery and its history and heritage.
In this respect the RAAHC has recently agreed to assist in the restoration of the Port Jackson 4 pounder held at the School of Artillery, one of the first cannons to arrive in Australia. We will provide funds to assist the restoration of the barrel and the construction of a new naval carriage.
Once complete, the restored piece will be displayed indoors - initially at the School and ultimately in the new Artillery museum.
At its February Meeting the Board appointed a Publicity Officer to provide oversight of RAAHC communications. Brian Hall has volunteered to assume the role and I am sure he will tackle the task with enthusiasm. I stand ready to assist him in any way I can.
It is planned that the ACG will participate in the ANZAC Day Service in Goulburn in 2019. It is also planned (subject to obtaining funding)to take the ACG to Tasmania in November 2019 to tour from Devonport to Hobart culminating in participation in the Hobart Remembrance Day Service. Discussions are also underway for display locations for the ACG at the end of 2019.
The
Honorary
Secretary and Treasurer have a torrid job at the best of times but it is made more difficult if
changes
to personal details are not advise. Can I ask members to please advise changes to their details by email to raahcoffice@gmail or by "snail mail" ( we used to know it as By Post!) to P.O. Box 171 Cremorne Junction, NSW 2090.
