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2013 - Unfinished Business - The Boer War
The National Boer War Memorial in Canberra will be the closest thing we will have to a Reservists' memorial
AND it still has to be funded and constructed!

The focus this year will be on the 23,000 Veterans/Reservists who served in the war and the attributes and skills they brought back from the war into the Militia units. The foundations they forged and skills they took to WWI. They set a high standard for the future Australian Army. Almost 1,000 members died.

We feel we owe it to these veterans to help the National Boer War Memorial committee raise funds through donations and government funding by using our numbers and organistion to seek the help of our Federal Members and gain a commitment before the election due no later than 30 November 2013. For those who remember we will engage tactics that were successful in the "New Medal Group" that worked with others to gain a new medal - the result was the Australian Defence Medal.

Most of the Guidons and Colours of Reserve units have as their first battle honour "SOUTH AFRICA 1899 -1902" - it is the only battle honour that does not have a memorial in the national capital recognising that war.

Mouse-over images for details.

We will also recognise Reservists in the three services and those who are currently serving overseas.

Register your Interest to March If you are interested in taking part in Reserve Forces day 2013, use the button to the left to register your interest. You will receive updates about the parades in your state.

The objective of the Reserve Forces Day is to raise the profile of the Navy, Army and Air Force Reserve, to recognise former and serving Reservists (including those who served in the Citizen Military Forces (CMF), and Citizen Air Force (CAF)) and to thank partners and employers for their support.

Reserve Forces Day is celebrated across Australia and is the annual recognition for serving and former members, the 1.25M Australians who have served in the nation's Reserve Forces. These public parades would not be possible without the wonderful support of our sponsors.

Volunteers under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Sir Laurence Street AC KCMG QC formed the Reserve Forces Day Council in NSW in 1998. The inaugural National Chairman was the late Sir Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG KCVO CBE. 

The Council is made up in the main of former members of the Navy, Army and Air Force who give of their time voluntarily to run the Reserve Forces Day activities. The inaugural Reserve Forces Day in 1998 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the reforming of the Citizen Military Forces after World War II on 1 July 1948 and Reserve service. The date of the first of July was chosen as the official date of Reserve Forces Day with the celebrations being held on that day or the weekend before or following that date.

The first parade was held on Wednesday the first of July 1998 with 8,000 serving and former members marching along George Street Sydney, in total 12 cities throughout the nation held parades with 22,000 serving and former members taking part with present and former equipment. It was such a success that many new Unit Associations were formed and existing Associations had increases in their membership. The Unit Associations and their members still see themselves as part of the Australian Defence Force family and although they are no longer serving are keen to support the current unit and their members. Such was the success of the 1998 event that parades and celebrations are now run annually throughout Australia.

By 2012, 20 parades and celebrations were held throughout Australia including 7 in NSW.

The Hon Tim Fischer AC was appointed National Chairman on 1 February 2013.

2012 Parade Video Available for Purchase

The 2012 National (Sydney) Reserve Forces Day Parade Video is now available for purchase. A steal at $25. Click Here to visit our online shop.

RFDC Dress and Ceremonial Standards

Click Here to download the Reserve Forces Day Council Dress and Ceremonial Standards Manual (460 kb .pdf file). This manual is designed to give associations an indication of what is required to win a council award.

Click Here to download the details of standards drill, a handout for standards bearers

Reservists and former Reservists of Australia, this is your site. If you have information that needs to be published, or comments on this site please do not hesitate to contact the Webmaster.