History
BATTALIONS
RAISED
Deactivated and remains on ORBAT: 2 Commando Regiment replaced 4RAR on 19 June 2009.
Formation
After World War II, it was decided that a small regular army be established and an Australian component be deployed to the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) in Japan. The 34th Infantry Brigade was raised on Morotai Island in the North Moluccas specifically for that purpose. It comprised the 65th, 66th and 67th Battalions. As this new Brigade was formed mostly from volunteers from Australian World War II Divisions, the new brigade carried forward the outstanding traditions of its infantry battalions.
On the 23rd of November 1948, the three battalions were designated the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Australian Regiment. Shortly thereafter, on 10th March 1949, His Majesty, King George VI, granted the title “Royal” to the Regiment and thus the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) was born comprising 1 RAR, 2 RAR and 3 RAR.
8RAR ASSOCIATION INC
“IN DIRECT SUPPORT AWARD”
RECIPIENTS
During the Long Hai Day gathering in Brisbane on 28 February 1992, ex-Kiwi gunner Buck Peters of 161 NZ Battery, (our major gun support in Vietnam) donated a 105mm brass shellcase, 1971 vintage to the Association. His idea was for it to be an annual award to a deserving person or group that in some special way helped or supported the Association and its members. This donation is a fine gesture and a sound idea and with Tony Jucha’s help an appropriate name for the award was forthcoming and Buck had the shellcase suitably engraved, the inscription reading:
“The 8RAR In Direct Support Award for always being on call to help a mate”
This award ceremony is repeated each year on Long Hai Day and the shellcase inscribed with the recipient’s name. It will reside in the 8/9RAR Hall of Memories. The Association National Committee will select the award recipient/s each year from submissions sent in from all branches of the Association.
RECIPIENTS
| YEAR | RECIPIENT/s | STATE | COMPANY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Eroll Weatherall | QLD | D |
| 1993 | Nepean District Veterans Support Group (Coe Family) | NSW | C |
| 1994 | Ken Rees | VIC | A |
| 1995 | Mal and Carol Black | QLD | SPT |
| 1996 | Ruth Mateer | QLD | ADMIN |
| 1997 | Len Thompson | NSW | C |
| 1998 | Phil Hay (Previous Hon Auditor) | QLD | ADMIN |
| 1999 | Mick (Pommy) Carter | NSW | C |
| 2000 | Tex Weston | QLD | C |
| 2001 | Barry Magor | NSW | SPT |
| 2002 | Kevin Sullivan | NSW | D |
| 2003 | Tito Di Giovanni | WA | C |
| 2004 | Bob Hall | ACT | A |
| 2005 | Ron and Ann Stanton | SA | ADMIN |
| 2006 | Chad Sherrin | QLD | C |
| 2007 | Fred Young | NSW | C |
| 2008 | Chris Treadaway | QLD | C |
| 2009 | Wilf Hedley | ACT | SPT |
| 2010 | Geoff Halsey and Derek Walsh | SA | C & SPT |
| 2011 | Paul Gallagher | QLD | B |
| 2012 | Klaus Scheuermann | QLD | A&C |
| 2013 | Ron and Marjorie Goward | QLD | ADMIN |
| 2014 | Father Stan Hessey | NSW | ADMIN |
| 2015 | Ted Forward | SA | B |
| 2016 | Neil Smith AM | VIC | ADMIN |
| 2017 | Brett Johnson | TAS | B |
| 2018 | Ken Falvey | QLD | C |
| 2019 | Tony Sillcock | ACT | ADMIN |
| 2020 | John Weatherley | QLD | C |
| 2021 | Dennis Moss | QLD/VIC | C/D |
| 2022 | Jim Stopford | SA | D/SPT/ADM |