2018 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

1RAR CORAL50 WEEK REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN 

On behalf of Commanding Officer 1RAR and the President of the 1RAR Association, welcome to the beginning of the Registration Process for the Coral 50th Commemorations - known as 1RAR Coral50 Week.

CO 1RAR wrote to all Coral Veterans almost 3 months ago. This email has been sent to all who pre-registered interest in attending the 15-18 May 2018 Coral Week and to all who are members of the 1RAR Association. If you know of someone who may not have received this email invitation please forward it to them and encourage widest distribution. This email is also on the Association Website so you can find the references without having to dig up this email again, just go to www.1rar.asn.au and hit the Coral50 button at the top of the page. 

Our Coral Veterans are assembling in May next year in Townsville and ensure the battle is commemorated properly and, to help them appreciate their place in our Battalion's history, we want as many of those who have served in the Big Blue One, or with her on operations, to gather to honour our Coral Veterans and participate in a magnificent week of commemorations, reunions and celebrations. The program is spectacular. Note the significance of the 1RAR Colours parade - the colours have only been replaced once since the Battle of FSPB Coral.

With six months to go, we have received over 250 pre-registrations of intent to attend on the 1 RAR Association Website. Many of them will have taken advantage of the hotels specials listed on the Association website - its not too late they are all still available! As you register for this event, you can see who else is coming! We need to do some work on rations, transport and access to the Barracks so registration closes on 1 March 2018.  Please read the instructions carefully so your payment (if required) is credited correctly. 

We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to welcoming you to Coral Lines in Lavarack Barracks, Townsville in May 2018.

Registration is now open!.

Duty First,
Administration Team comprised 1RAR and the 1RAR Association

REGISTRATION DETAILS

50th Anniversary Coral and Balmoral CANBERRA 

INTENTION TO ATTEND

Commemorative Service and Luncheon Canberra ACT -    13th  May 2018   

Name

Guest’s Name

Phone  Number 

Email 

Address 

Will you be attending the Canberra Commemorative Service           YES /   NO

Would you like to attend the Canberra Luncheon                             YES  /  NO

50^th Anniversary Activities TOWNSVILLE

Name: 

Phone:

Email: 

Address: 

Partner’s Names: 

Other Guest’s Name/s: 

I / we will be attending the Mayoral Reception Tue 15 May                         YES  /  NO

I / we will be attending the Parade Wed morning 16 May                             YES  /  NO

I will be attending the 1 RAR Coral Veteran’s dinner evening Wed 16 May    YES  /  NO

I / we be attending the Memorial Service/ Cenotaph Thu morning 17 May      YES  /  NO                       

I / we be attending the Coral Reunion Group Dinner Thu evening 17 May       YES  /  NO

I /we will be attending the 1 RAR Open Day Fri 18 May 18                            YES  /  NO

Here is the Warning Order:

Treasurer Ray Curtis No7 of 9 Coral Drive    Jerrabomberra  NSW  2619 Fax: 02 6255 9426 E: rosandray4@bigpond.com

Committee Member(A/ Secretary) Alan (Jack) Parr 5 Laura Close Rockyview  QLD  5032 parralan@hotmail.com

Committee Member Bryan (Jazza) Smith 416/91 Anzac Parade Redliffe  QLD  4020 bajjsmith42@websheild.net.au

1^st Battalion Battle Group Reunion: Warning Order

F.S.B. Coral Vietnam 50^th Anniversary

To commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Coral there will be two activities in May 2018. 

CANBERRA

The first commemoration event will be conducted by DVA in Canberra on Sunday 13 May 2018.This will take the form of a Commemorative Service at the National Vietnam Memorial on Anzac Parade commencing at 1030 am. There is no restriction on the number of people that can attend and will include members of all units that were involved in the battles of Coral and Balmoral and the general public. 

The Service will be followed by a Lunch provided by DVA at the Canberra Convention Centre. Numbers for the lunch are restricted to veterans of Coral/Balmoral and one guest. Also included are Next of Kin of those killed at Coral/Balmoral and Widows/Partner of deceased Coral/Balmoral veterans.  

Later that afternoon the Australian War Memorial (AWM) will conduct a special Last Post ceremony dedicated to Coral, commencing at approximately 4.50 pm.

TOWNSVILLE

The second commemorative event will be held in Townsville between Tuesday 15 and Friday 18 May 2018. A copy of the CO 1 RAR’s invitation to attend is attached. (Not in this file. I will send it later  JP.)

Program of Townsville events:

Tuesday 15 May

Afternoon 

§  Coral veterans arrive and settle into accommodation under own arrangements 

Evening 

§  Townsville Mayoral Reception for Coral Veterans 

§  Timing: 1730h to 1930h 

§  Location: Jezzine Museum, The Strand 

§  Invited: All Coral veterans with partner, plus Widows and Partners of deceased Coral Veterans as guests of honour. CO 1RAR and others at invitation of Mayor of Townsville 

§  Dress: Coat/Jacket and medals 

§  Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return 

Wednesday 16 May 

Morning 

§  Changing of the Colours and Coral Commemoration Parade 

§  Timing: 0900h to 1130h 

§  Location: 1RAR Parade Ground, Coral Lines, Lavarack Barracks

§  Invited:  All Coral veterans, partners and families (special seating enclosure). Past and present members of 1RAR and the public 

§  Dress: Coat/Jacket and medals 

§  Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return 

§  Principal Guest: Governor General

Evening 

§  Coral 50 Commemoration Dinner 

§  Timing: 1800h for 1830h to 2200h 

§  Location: Likely to be on 2RAR Parade Ground due to set up requirements and clash with use of 1RAR Parade Ground for Colours Parade in the morning 

§  Invited: All Coral Veterans (without partners due to limited seating), VIPs and selected past and present members of 1RAR.

§  Concept: Buffet dinner under marquee with 1RAR Band. Ceremonial ‘march-in’ of Coral veterans. Coral veterans seated prominently. Each Coral veteran paired with a digger from 1RAR as a host. Fireworks display during the evening.  

§  Dress: Coat/Jacket and medals 

§  Cost: approx. not more than $40 per head (TBA) 

§  Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return 

  

Thursday 17 May

Morning 

§  Memorial Service

§  Timing: 0900h (Step-off) 

§  Location: Cenotaph on The Strand, after 500m march from Fryer Street roundabout on The Strand to ANZAC Park 

§  Invited: All Coral Veterans and families, former 1 RAR veterans of other conflicts and Contingent from 1RAR 

§  Dress: Coat/Jacket and medals 

§  Concept: All-of-1RAR memorial service with Coral veterans marching under Coral banner at the front, then the remainder of the veterans under the Association banner, with two contingents of 1RAR soldiers one between each of these two contingents; and the 1RAR Band. Groups of contingents with a contingent banner can assemble separately at the Cenotaph.      

§  Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return 

Evening 

§  Coral Reunion Group Memorial Service and Dinner

§  Location: Townsville RSL Club.

§  Concept: The evening will follow the format of the function conducted in Hobart last year.

§  Invited: All Veterans and families.

§  Timings: Meet at 1730h.  Seated by 1755h.  Commence Memorial Service 1800h.Dinner 1900h.

§  Cost: It is anticipated that the cost of the evening will be approximately that same as Hobart.

§  Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return

Friday 18^th May 

Morning 

§  1RAR Open Day 

§  Location: Coral Lines 

§  Timing: 1000h commence, BBQ at 1300, Dispersed by 1500h 

§  Invited: All Coral Veterans, partners and families. All other ex-1RAR members, their partners           and families 

§  Dress: Casual 

§  Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return 

§   

Evening

§  Disperse under own arrangements

Organizing Committee

We are lucky enough to have two organizing committees for the 50^th activities. For the Canberra activity we have Mike Bindley and Tony Jensen and for Townsville we have John Salter and Rod McLeod.

I thank all of them on your behalf as this is has not been an easy path to negotiate dealing with DVA, the 1^st Bn and the 1 RAR association. 

REGISTRATION

Registration and payment for the reunion dinner in Townsville will be requested early in the New Year. A separate Newsletter will be sent then.

Intention to Attend

For those of you who are not on email or have not previously responded, we require an indication of your intention to attend one or both of the Commemorative activities in Canberra and Townsville. 

CAN YOU PLEASE COMPLETE THE ATTACHED FORM AND RETURN IT TO 

Ray Curtis

7/9 Coral Drive

Jerrabomberra NSW 2619

50th Anniversary Coral and Balmoral CANBERRA 

INTENTION TO ATTEND

Commemorative Service and Luncheon Canberra ACT -    13th  May 2018   

Name __________________________                     Guest’s Name __________________________

Phone  Number _______________________             Email ________________________________

    

Address _____________________________________________

              _____________________________________________

              _____________________________________________

Will you be attending the Canberra Commemorative Service            YES   NO

Would you like to attend the Canberra Luncheon                 YES   NO

50^th Anniversary Activities TOWNSVILLE

Name: ____________________________________  

Phone: ______________________________                      Email: ___________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Partner’s Names: _______________________________________________________________

Other Guest’s Name/s: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I / we will be attending the Mayoral Reception Tue 15 May 18                    YES  /  NO

I / we will be attending the Parade Wed morning 16 May 18                        YES  /  NO

I will be attending the 1 RAR Coral Veteran’s dinner evening Wed 16 May 18       YES  /  NO

I / we be attending the Memorial Service at the Cenotaph Thu morning 17 May      YES  /  NO                             

I / we be attending the Coral Reunion Group Dinner Thu evening 17 May 18         YES  /  NO

I /we will be attending the 1 RAR Open Day Fri 18 May 18                        YES  /  NO     

MORE 2018 CORAL INFO

CLARIFICATION OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR CORAL 50

There are TWO separate FUNCTIONS

1.    Canberra on 12-13 May 2018. The DVA website lists this function as:-

50th anniversary of the Battles at Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral
13 May 2018
Commemorative Service held at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial, Anzac Parade, Canberra, ACT

Use this website to look for updates:  https://www.dva.gov.au/commemorations-memorials-and-war-graves/commemorations-and-anniversaries/domestic-commemorations

NOTE: This is a COMBINED function for ALL units and Sub-units that served in the Battle of Coral Balmoral in AO Surfers

More information on this function should be available after a DVA meeting this Thursday.

2.    Townsville from 15^th  to 18^th May 2018

NOTE: This is a function for 1RAR personnel that served in the Battle of Coral Balmoral in AO Surfers

The Program at this time is:-

 Tuesday 15 

Afternoon 

Coral veterans arrive and settle into accommodation under own arrangements

Evening 

1. Townsville Mayoral Reception for Coral Veterans

·        Timing: 1730h to 1930h 

·        Location: Jezzine Museum, The Strand 

·        Invited: o All Coral veterans with partners as guests of honour 

o   CO 1RAR and others at invitation of Mayor of Townsville 

·        Dress: Coat and medals 

·        Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return 

Wednesday 16

Morning

Changing of the Colours and Coral Commemoration Parade

·        Timing: 0900h to 1130h

·        Location: 1RAR Parade Ground, Coral Lines, Lavarack Barracks

·        Invited:

o   All Coral veterans, partners and families (special seating enclosure)

o   Past and present members of 1RAR and the public

·        Dress: Coat and medals

·        Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return

·        Principle Guest: Governor General

Evening

Coral 50 Commemoration Dinner

·        Timing: 1800h for 1830h to 2200h

·        Location: Likely to be on 2RAR Parade Ground due to set up requirements and clash with use of 1RAR Parade Ground for Colours Parade in the morning

·        Invited: (without partners due to limited seating)

o   Coral Veterans (all invited, no limit),

o   VIPs and select past and present members of 1RAR, and

o   others on first come first seated basis - limited seating

·        Concept: Buffet dinner under marquee with 1RAR Band. Ceremonial ‘march-in’ of Coral veterans. Coral veterans seated prominently. Each Coral veteran paired with a digger from 1 RAR as a host. Fireworks display during the evening.

·        Dress: Coat and medals

·        Cost approx. not more than $40 per head (TBA)

·        Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return

Thursday 17^th

Morning 

Memorial Service 

·        Timing: 0900h (Step-off) 

·        Location: Cenotaph on The Strand, after 500m march from Fryer Street roundabout on The Strand to ANZAC Park 

·        Invited: All Veterans and families; and Contingent from 1RAR 

·        Dress: Coat and medals 

·        Concept: All-of-1RAR memorial service with Coral veterans marching under Coral banner at the front, then the remainder of the veterans under the Association banner, with two contingents of 1RAR soldiers one between each of these two contingents; and the 1 RAR Band. Groups of contingents with a contingent banner can assemble separately at the Cenotaph. Normal order of service. 

·        Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return 

Evening 

Reunion Groups Activities 

This is the Dinner organized by Rowdy for the Coral Reunion Group at the Townsville RSL

For the Coral Reunion Group and invited guests, we will also hold the 50^th Anniversary Coral Reunion Dinner and Memorial Service on the evening of Thursday 17^thMay. This activity will be along the lines of the very successful reunion in Hobart this year and will include the same format indoor audio/video memorial service.

The Dinner is to be held at the Townsville RSL under the capable stewardship of Rowdy McLeod and is promising to be a very great night. Further information and costs for this event will be made available once more detail is obtained. Registration for this dinner only will be done in the normal way through Ray Curtis. Cost is expected to be in the vicinity of $85 a head.

Friday 18 

Morning 

1RAR Open Day 

·        Location: Coral Lines 

·        Timing: 1000h commence, BBQ at 1300, Dispersed by 1500h 

·        Invited: o All Coral Veterans, partners and families 

·        all other ex-1RAR members, their partners and families 

·        Dress: Casual 

·        Transport: from defined pickup points (TBD) around Townsville and return 

Evening 

o   Veterans disperse under own arrangements 

NOTE: 

Remember when you were asked at the Hobart Reunion where you wanted to go and the majority elected to join the Battalion in Townsville. Those not wishing to travel to Townsville had the opportunity to go to Canberra and mix with the pollies at a cocktail party. John Salter has been working tirelessly with the CO 1RAR, 1RAR Assn and Rowdy McLeod to make the 50^th Anniversary of the Battle of Coral a week to remember and some of the activities planned for the week would need to be limited. Those involved and mentioned above are trying to include wives. Partners and family members where possible but in the case of the dinner on the Wednesday night, let’s be understanding of the numbers when you consider that the veterans and soldiers of the Battalion could reach around 700/800 which will take a lot of organising on its own without trying to find room for our wives or partners. As you would have read in the instructions sent out, that the CO 1RAR wants to have each veteran looked after by a soldier on that special night.

Out of all the activities planned for the week, the dinner on the Wednesday night is the only time wives, partners and family members will not be with the veteran. They are invited to the Reception on the Tuesday night, guest of the Battalion at the parade on the Wednesday at Lavarack Barracks, be there to see us march in Townsville and attend the memorial service at the Townsville Memorial and then we are all together for our own Memorial Service and Dinner on the Thursday night at the Townsville RSL and then to finish it off, we are all guests of the Battalion on the Friday to thank them and say good-bye.

While it would be great to have everyone attend all functions, you must understand that the numbers just won’t allow it to happen and it is only one dinner. I ask that you all get behind those trying to get the best deal possible and hope you all come to Townsville and enjoy the journey and the friendships that have been made over the past fifty years.

There has also been people asking about the cost of the dinner at the RSL and does it cover food and drinks? Rowdy McLeod is our contact in Townsville and we will be working with him over the coming months and will have the answers for you regarding the Thursday night dinner, rest assured we will have a great night like we always do.