PRESIDENTS WELCOME


MAJ Chris A. Rosenthal, CSC

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to the website, for those who do not know me I was lucky enough to be an original member of the Battalion in when it was reformed in 1985 in its current role as a Regional Forces Surveillance Unit. To date I have had the pleasure of being posted to the Battalion for many years throughout its development as an RFSU. Serving as Alpha Comany OC, Bravo, Charlie and Operations Support Companies as well as BHQ as the IO, A/ADJT and Second-in-Command. I am currently posted back in Cairns for 2011 and look forward to rejoining the Battalion and working with the Association Committee.

Vision
I welcome the challenge of the position of Association President and look forward to further developing the Association. It is my intention to assist the committee to build on the interest generated by the 25th anniversary of the re-raising of the Battalion and make maximum advantage of the incorporation of the Association to:

  • Build up the membership of and strengthen the Association,
  • Increase participation within the membership,
  • Plan and conduct social activities,
  • Enhance the website with member contributions on their service and history, and
  • Support the Battalion via subsidisation of awards/prizes, support to the memorial walk and where requested by the Battalion.

Membership
The Association welcomes all of those who are former members or who had relatives or an interest the Battalion in its many forms. From its current role as a Regional Forces Surveillance Unit, to its earlier forms and organizations; as an Independent Rifle Company and  a Citizens Military Forces Battalion in the Royal Queensland Regiment, the post WWII 51 FNQR, 31st/51st Bn AIF and CMF, 51st Battalion CMF and the original 51st Battalion Australian Imperial Force.

Aim
The aim of the Association is to increase a knowledge and understanding of the 51st Battalion, provide fellowship for members, support and maintain a close relationship to the Battalion.

Fellowship
The Association has been offered a base at the Gordonvale RSL and many of the local members meet each Friday. It is roughly in the centre of the Cairns Hinterland. All members are also welcome to 51 FNQR Happy Hours at Porton Barracks, Edmonton.

Functions
The committee is planning a number of functions this year as well as participating in some 51 FNQR functions and civic events. They are:

Discrete Association Functions (open to all members and currently serving members of 51 FNQR):

  • 5 March 2011 Innisfail – Lunch at the Innisfail RSL
  • 13 August 2011 Atherton at a venue to be advised.

51 FNQR Functions:

  • Family Meet and Greet Function 11 February 2011.
  • Porton Day Cocktail Party in Cairns and Porton Observance at Ross Island.
  • Happy Hours.
  • Functions TBA

Civic Functions:

  • ANZAC Day – Cairns and each locality.

Current Projects
It is my intention to assist the committee to build on the interest generated by the 25th anniversary of the re-raising of the Battalion and make maximum advantage of the incorporation of the Association to;

  • Develop the membership;
  • Fellowship via formal and informal functions, including meeting at the Gordonvale RSL;
  • Develop Association memorabilia – (badges, shirts, name plates etc.) and act as a conduit to 51 FNQR items (ties, lapel pins, mugs, glasses etc.);
  • Enhance the website by fostering members articles on their or a relative’s service with the Battalion, including photos of historical interest and sites of interest; and
  • Support the Battalion’s activities and members – through subsidisation of annual awards/prizes and the memorial walk.

Future Projects:

  • Plan, develop and support the coming centenary of the raising of the Battalion as the 51st Battalion Australian Imperial Force on 1st March 2016.
  • Plan, develop and support the centenary of the battle of Villiers Bretoneux (the 51st Battalion is the only remaining Unit on the Australian Army Order of Battle whose ancestor participated in the battle),

I look forward to the coming year and the enthusiasm of both the committee and the members to further develop the Association as the wider portion of the Battalion Family. Please take time to view the website and if you wish to enquire or join the Association please follow up the contacts listed below:

Membership Secretary Bob Davis at  bobcat.davis@bigpond.com

Cairns Area Representative Murray at McGrath at murray.mcgrath@bigpond.com
Tablelands Area Representative, John Hardy at John.Hardy@deedi.qld.gov.au
Innisfail Area Representative, Alan Woodnutt at au_chainsaw@yahoo.com.au
Gulf Area Representative, Jim Nuttal at jim51@austarnet.com.au