Tasmania Wins Best Parade in the nation for the second time in 3 years

Board Members Denis Bignold, Alec Young and Peter Bignold receiving award from Former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fisher AC GCPO and Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP Speaker of the Federal House

Demonstrating once again that Tasmania punches well above its weight on the national stage, The Reserves Forces Day Council (RFDC) of Tasmania is proud to announce that Hobart won “Best City” in the national council awards dinner held in Sydney on 25th October 2014. Beating 18 other Australian cities Hobart was awarded this coveted prize for overcoming significant challenges to successfully hold the parade in July and replacing a bronze plaque commemorating the departure of some 1000 Tasmanian troops to the battle fields of WW1.The award was presented byFormer Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fisher ACGCPO and Hon Bronwyn Bishop MPSpeaker of the Federal House of Representativesat a Gala Dinner in Sydney. State council spokesperson, Peter Bignold said, “this makes all the hard work worthwhile. It is a huge undertaking,by a small group of dedicated volunteers, to organise this important annual parade. To be named “Best City”, against 18 Australian cities including large cities like, Melbourne and Sydney with huge committees, is a real feather in our cap”.Hobart won the same award in 2012. The launch of Reserve Forces Day 2015, the ANZAC centenary year, was hosted the same weekend by His Excellency General TheHonourable David Hurley AC DSC Governor of the State of New South Wales at Government House Sydney.

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.

Board Members Denis Bignold, Alec Young and Peter Bignold with His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC Governor of the State of New South Wales at Government House Sydney

Image of Memorial Plaque
State Chairman: Denis Bignold, Historian:LT COL Doug Wyatt OAM, RFD (Retd), Media Liaison: Peter Bignold