History

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.


Page 1. https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/506

Page 2 .Unit Citation / South Vietnam

Page. 3. Presentation of Colours Complete.

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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