ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY NATIONAL MEMORIAL Extension Project
Our Vision A Memorial that tells the story of all Australian Gunners past, present and future Our Mission To deliver an extension to the Memorial by the end of 2026 so that the service of all Australian gunners is recognised, honoured and commemorated Our Values Focus – we will keep to the task we have been set Excellence – we will deliver an extension that makes gunners proud Economy – we will deliver good value for money Flexibility – we will be adaptable, innovative and agile Collaboration – we will work collegiately and with all our stakeholders
THE STORY OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY NATIONAL MEMORIAL EXTENSION PROJECT The service of Australian gunners is commemorated by the Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial, which stands atop Mt Pleasant in Canberra. The Memorial was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 9th March 1977. It features panels that recognise service in campaigns from the Sudan to South Vietnam, but it is silent on the contribution of gunners over the past 50 years, and there is no space for additional panels. This shortcoming leaves many younger members of the gunner community feeling they have been forgotten. The Royal Regiment has initiated a project to address this issue. The project will extend the Memorial to provide panels for six contemporary campaigns and operations and allow for the easy addition of further panels in the future. The extension will bridge the gap between historical and contemporary service, telling the story of all Australian gunners, past, present and future, and ensuring that they are honoured and recognised. The project aligns with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by contributing to the mental well-being and social inclusion of serving soldiers and veterans. The Regiment intends that the updated Memorial will be re-dedicated in 2027 to coincide with the 50th anniversary year of its original unveiling. Funding the extension will be heavily reliant on the generosity of donors and supporters. The project will achieve meaningful and measurable impacts, particularly in: • Fostering a sense of belonging by enhancing the Memorial as a space where all Defence members and veterans, but especially gunners, feel represented, acknowledged, and connected. • Promoting mental well-being by providing a dedicated space for healing and reflection, contributing to improved mental health outcomes for Defence members and veterans. • Enhancing community engagement by strengthening public awareness and understanding of military service, encouraging greater community support and helping to link Defence members and veterans to the community from which they are drawn.
A Memorial for all gunners, past, present and future. The Memorial Extension will: • Preserve the existing Memorial and extend it in sympathy with the original design. • Extend the eastern and western walls, add enclosure walls on the northern side and expand the pebble-topped concrete forecourt. • Add panels in the walls naming modern campaigns and operations including Somalia, East Timor/Timor Leste, Iraq, Afghanistan, Peace Operations, and Domestic Operations and blank panels for future operations. ‘Artist Impression’
THE STORY OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY NATIONAL MEMORIAL The Memorial’s stone outer wall is symbolic of the early forts that defended many of the ports of the Australian colonies. The central Memorial plinth incorporates the Regimental badge and commemorative and descriptive plaques. The plinth is flanked by two rifled muzzle-loading 64 pounder guns, which were originally a part of the Sydney Harbour defences. Inside the wall there are eight panels listing the wars and campaigns in which Australian gunners had served at the time of the Memorial’s construction. These are flanked at each end with the panels bearing one of the Regiment’s mottos, and its Battle Honour: Ubique (Everywhere). The site of the Memorial was selected because it is a designated saluting location and gun salutes are still fired from the Memorial site. The current Memorial was conceived by Major General John Whitelaw, AO CBE. The RAA National Committee, comprising Whitelaw as chair and Colonels Commandant from each state, raised funds through tax-deductible donations and an Art Union. A formal proposal was submitted to the National Memorials Committee in September 1975, and construction was completed 18 months later.
The Project Team: Led by Lieutenant Colonel Matt White, Chief of Staff Colonel Charles Weller, Finance/Fundraising Officer Captain Andi Dimmock and Project Continuity/Advisor Major (Retd) Darryl Kelly. The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company, the Australian Artillery Association and the Royal Australian Engineers are providing support to the project. Funding the Project: The project will seek grants and donations to raise the capital required to complete the extension. The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company will provide financial services to the project. The Company has Deductible Gift Recipient status under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and is recognised as a charity by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Estimated Costs: Construction Costs - planning, licences, materials, labour, fees (including contingency) $460,000 Marketing, Advertising, Heritage Assessment, Architectural and Engineering Services $60,000 Administration - legal, travel, stationary, other $20,000 Total Cost of the Project - $540,000 (excluding GST)
The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery National Memorial Extension Project E: raanm2027@gmail.com T: 0452 623038 (Project Manager) https://www.raanm2027.com
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