Tuesday, August 29, 2017

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

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 15th  to 18th 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: 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 17th
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 50th Anniversary Coral Reunion Dinner and Memorial Service on the evening of Thursday 17thMay. 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: 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 50th 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.