This year’s parade promises to be unique and exciting as we commemorate our final year of “The Centenary of the First World War” and the 20th Anniversary of The Reserve Forces Day Council events around Australia. Our theme recognizes the WW1 battles of 1918 along the Western Front and Middle East with emphasis on Tasmanian units represented by the associations attending the day with a special tribute to the 3rd Division Commander Tasmanian MAJGEN Sir John Gellibrand KCB DSO & Bar (5 December 1872 – 3 June 1945 – Gallipoli Campaign, Battle of Pozières, Second Battle of Bullecourt, Battle of Dernancourt, Battle of Amiens, and the Battle of the Hindenburg Line).
Many notable dignitaries are attending including high ranking ADF personnel representing the 3 services: Navy – Rear Admiral Allan Du Toit AM, Army – Major General Steve Smith AM and Air Force – Air Vice Marshall Peter Scully AM. Guest of Honour is The Honourable Elise Archer MP, Attorney General, Minister for Justice, Corrections, Art and the Environment.
A Tasmanian Light Horse Troop will march with the Derwent Scottish Pipe Band.
On parade will be serving and former members of the three services, and descendants. Some will be in uniform and others in civilian attire. The majority, of course, are former members who are proud of their service and are keen to show their support for current and past ADF Reserve members.
DATE: 1st July 2018
LOCATION: Hobart Cenotaph
VIP ARRIVALS: 10:00am to 10:30am
TIME: Marchers form up at 10:00am on Anzac Avenue under the direction of the RSM.
GUEST SPEAKER: The Honourable Elise Archer MP, Attorney General, Minister for Justice, Corrections, Art and the Environment
WET WEATHER PLAN Parade will move to the covered seating area of the Hobart Regatta Grounds
EVENT BACKGROUND & HISTORY
In 1998 volunteers under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Sir Laurence Street AC KCMG QC formed the Reserve Forces Day Council in NSW with was the late Sir Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG KCVO CBE as inaugural National Chairman. In 2013 Sir Laurence retired and the current National Chairman is the Honourable Tim Fischer AC was elected. His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the Reserve Forces Day Council of Australia, national Patron-in-Chief.
The state and territory Councils all consist of serving and former members who 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, 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 with all Associations enjoying increases in membership. The Unit Associations and members support the Australian Defence Force family and keenly support the current Units.
The Hon Tim Fischer AC was appointed National Chairman on 1st Feb 2013. Last year around 20 cities conducted parades and celebrations throughout Australia. In 2012 and 2014 Tasmania won “Best City” for its parade beating all other Australian cities.
LTCOL Mr Peter Hodge (R’trd) – State Chairman First published June 22
