Reserve Forces Day Tasmania – 6th July 2014

The annual Reserve Forces Day march and parade will take place in Hobart on Sunday 6th July on Franklin Wharf at 12noon. Marchers are invited to form up in Mawson’s place at 11.30am. Family, friends and the general public are encouraged to attend and view the parade.

There will be a static heritage vehicle display and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque remembering the over 1000 Tasmanian volunteers whom embarked Hobart for Europe during WW1 on 20/10/1914 (our first reservists). 400 of whompaid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The parade will be officiated by The Honourable Will Hodgman – MP Premier of Tasmania, Colonel Commandant RAA Tasmania and central region Colonel Steve Carey, Commander Stacey Porter Commanding Officer Royal Australian Navy Tasmania, as well as other VIP guests, senior ADF personnel, and past and present reservists.

There will be an Army/Navy band as well as a musical presentation by festival of voices choir, “Men in Black”. Various cadet units will be flag bearers. Media are invited to attend.

BACKGROUND

Volunteers under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Sir Laurence Street AC KCMG QC formed the Reserve Forces Day Council in NSW in 1998. The inaugural National Chairman was the late Sir Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG KCVO CBE. After 15 years Sir Laurence retired and the National Chairman is the Honourable Tim Fischer AC.His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the national Patron-in-Chief for the Reserve Forces Day Council of Australia.

The Council in all states consists of serving and former members of the Services whom give of their time voluntarily to manage the Reserve Forces Day activities. The inaugural Reserve Forces Day celebrated the 50th anniversary of the reforming of the Citizen Military Forces after World War II on 1 July 1948 .

The objective of the day is to raise the profile of the Navy, Army and Air Force Reserve Forces, to recognise serving and former Reservists and to thank families and employers for their support. In 1998 12 cities throughout the nation held parades with 22,000 serving and former members taking part. Such was the success of the 1998 event that parades and celebrations are now run annually throughout Australia. Many new Unit Associations were formed and existing Associations have enjoyed increases in their membership. The Unit Associations and their members still support the Australian Defence Force family and although they are no longer serving are keen to support the current Units. This year 20 cities will conduct parades and celebrations throughout Australia. In 2012 Hobart won “Best City” for its parade beating out all other Australian cities that year.

THE THEME FOR 2014

Each year we establish a theme relative to ADF events and the involvement of Tasmanians. This year will be unique and very exciting. We are going to remember the departure of the first Tasmanian troops to Europe for WW1 from the docks at Hobart on 20th October 1914.

The Tasmanian quota in the 1st AIF departed from Ocean Pier in Hobart aboard Transport ships Geelong and Katuna, 39 Officers and 996 other ranks departed for Europe. During the first world war the Tasmanian 12th and 40th Battalions were raised as part of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) and served with outstanding distinction in Gallipoli and other European Theatres. Around 400 did not return. Their sacrifice earned the two Battalions three Theatre Honours and 25 Battle Honours.

The 12th/40th Battalion, The Royal Tasmania Regiment (12/40 RTR) is now an Australian Army Reserve battalion and holds more Battle and Theatre honours than any other unit in the Australian Army . These are all displayed on their Queen’s and Regimental Colours.

In 1948 Ocean Pier burned down. The original brass plaque (pictured below) which was attached to the pier in honour of the departed troops was lost. As a tribute to those brave Tasmanians the Reserve Forces Day Council will replace the plaque as a permanent reminder of the part our state played in the Great War.

Download:
140610_ReserveForcesDay_message_signed.pdf
Denis Bignold, Peter Bignold, Doug Wyatt. First pub: July 1