8/9th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment Association (Inc)

15/06/2026

VETERAN CARD REFRESH 2026

19/05/2026

For WA Members.
Michael Kelly, Korean Historian from the Australian War Memorial. Will be giving the above detailed presentation on the Battle of Kapyong. Only cost involved is $5 to pay on the day for your afternoon tea. We are so lucky to have Michael give this presentation. See you there.
Peter Heeney

24/04/2026

“All,

Anzac Day remains the most important annual national commemorative event for serving and ex-serving members of the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). Many of you will be personally supporting RAR Association activities as part of Anzac Day. Thank you for your continued compassionate commitment to service and society.

This Saturday morning, I will be honouring my father’s Regimental story at the Dawn Service in his home town, Wallaroo SA. At the recitation of the Ode and the sounding of the Last Post, my thoughts will be with him, you and all who have served the Regiment. I hope you have a thoughtful and peaceful Anzac Day.

Stuart Smith
Chairman
RARC

23/04/2026

ANZAC Unbreakable Valour

Stream and Save ANZAC Unbreakable Valour - Distributed by DistroKid

23/04/2026

What those Old RSM's get up to!

06/04/2026

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

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 [email protected]
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.

28/03/2026

Addressing last year’s Chief of Army’s History Conference, DEPUTY CHIEF OF ARMY MAJOR GENERAL CHRIS SMITH DELIVERED A REMARKABLE AND CONTROVERSIAL SPEECH, WHICH WAS ONLY RECENTLY MADE PUBLIC.
“A key symptom of this neglect is the Army’s use of abstract, jargon-heavy, managerial language [that] obscure the violent reality of war and disconnect soldiers from the true nature of their profession.

“This abstraction fosters complacency, intellectual shallowness, and hubris, reinforced by ignorance of military history.”
In this inspiring address, Major General Smith illustrated his argument with [controversial/damming] examples from Rwanda and Afghanistan, describing complacency, poor discipline, weak leadership, and a lack of moral courage – that led to avoidable loss of life.

In November 2025, the Chief of Army's History Conference was held at Parliament House in Canberra. This year's topic: Mastering the Army Profession.As the Ar...

27/02/2026

Although we haven’t received the info ref defences participate and format for the funeral service, here is the info from the funeral service web site. I suggest to book early if your travelling to Carins

Please note the in lieu of flowers please donate to Legacy

Condolences can be forward via email to [email protected] or [email protected]

Condolences can also be left on at the tribute centre on heritage funeral site https://www.heritagebradyfunerals.com.au/

Please pass to your membership and any other who you think would like to know, your support is appreciated

20/02/2026

VALE BRIGADIER GEORGE "WARRY" MANSFORD AM (1934-2026)
On behalf of the members of the Cairns RSL Sub Branch, and all in our community who hold deep respect for a life of extraordinary service, I pay tribute to George Mansford AM — soldier, leader, mentor, and one of the Australian Army’s most authentic and formidable commanders.
The Australian Army has lost a giant. George passed away this morning at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy forged in courage, discipline and an unwavering belief in his people. A veteran of the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War, he was, in every sense, a soldier’s soldier.
As the visionary founder of the Jungle Training Centre (Battle School) at Tully, George set a benchmark for realism and professionalism in jungle warfare training that has saved countless Australian lives. His insistence on high standards was never about bravado — it was about preparation, survival and bringing our people home.
His philosophy was simple yet profound: “knowing your people, understanding people, valuing people.” It was a principle he lived by. Whether through his influential book Leadership on the Battlefield, his novel of the ‘Mad Gallahs’, or his instrumental role in raising the 11th Brigade and strengthening Northern surveillance capabilities, George remained a relentless advocate for the quintessential Australian soldier.
To the wider world he was a Brigadier. To those who served under him, he was “Warry” — a leader who understood that mateship is the most powerful weapon an army possesses. He embodied the spirit of service before self and led from the front in both war and peace.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to George’s family and loved ones. His life of service will not be forgotten, and his legacy will endure in the soldiers he trained, the leaders he shaped, and the lives he helped protect.
Lest We Forget.
Nathan Shingles
President
Cairns RSL Sub Branch

13/02/2026