Ashgrove/Bardon RSL Sub Branch

The Sub Branch was very proud to see one of our members receive an acknowledgement of his service in the 2023 Australia Day Honours.

Lt Col Kevin Humphreys, Member of AshgroveBardon was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for distinguished command and leadership in warlike operations as the Commander Aviation Support Element in Afghanistan from 1 March -2 August 2006.

Many in the ex-services community will also know Kevin for his initiative in the creation of the Cor Infinitus movement to pay respect to and provide comfort and support to the families of veterans lost to suicide after serving their country.

Discussions are currently underway with Councilor Steve Toomey and Kevin Humphries about the placement of a memorial in Stewart Place Ashgrove to commemorate these veterans.

Stewart Place, AshgroveMemorial Upgrade

Plans are also underway for an upgrade of the Stewart Place memorial and a prominent signage acknowledging the 61st Battalion Queensland Cameron Highlanders, The Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in 1917 during the First World War but disbanded the same year without seeing active service. It was re-raised in Ashgrove by Gallipoli veteran Lieutenant-Colonel John MacDonald Grant MC VD as a part of the Militia in 1938 in Brisbane, Queensland. With the outbreak of the Second World War they initially undertook garrison duties in Australia, however, in 1942 they were deployed to New Guinea where they took part in the Battle of Milne Bay, during which the Japanese were defeated for the first time in a major land battle. In late 1943, the 61st Battalion was withdrawn back to Australia for a period of re-organisation and training before being deployed overseas again in late 1944. This time they were deployed to Bougainville, where the Australian 3rd Division had taken over from the American garrison and the battalion joined the drive towards the Japanese stronghold at Buin in the south of the island. Following the end of the war, the 61st Battalion was disbanded as part of the demobilisation process on 8 January 1946.

Ithaca Creek State School

Tobruk Memorial

Ithaca Creek State School has an ANZAC Ceremony each year. One of the invitees , over many years, was a ‘Rat of Tobruk’ named Gordon Wallace, who sadly passed away two or three years ago. Sometime during his involvement with the school he had arranged with the

Supplying

The Tobruk Memorial at Ithaca State School

Rats of Trobruk Association to place a memorial at the school. We think this would have been in the early to mid 2000s. Obviously being out in the open for so many years it started to look well-worn so we decided to give it a face lift. The painting was done by John Pye, a retired painter, who does many favours for groups like the Sub-Branch.

The Sub Branch Annual General Meeting will be held on 26th March 11:00am at the Red Hill Community Sports Club, Fulchers Rd Red Hill. Members and interested members of the community are invited to attend.

10 years.

For a current price list and details about ordering – email thegaploco@gmail.com or visit thegaploco.com

We are a community owned, local, worker run, registered worker co-operative.

Deliveries are on Mondays and we also run a pop up shop between 10am and 3pm on Mondays at 15 High St Ashgrove (in the Oakleigh Scouts car park)

Deliveries are on Mondays and we also run a pop up shop between 10am and 5pm on Mondays at 15 High St Ashgrove (in the Oakleigh Scouts car park)

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