2RAR Association Inc

16/10/2026

REMINDER NOTICE:

2RAR Association AGM: 30-31 Oct 2026

Just a reminder that the annual reunion/get together is only 2 weeks away. The program of events is:

SEQLD: Tweed Heads
Friday 30 Oct 12.00pm to 2.00pm
Men - Lunch at Greenmount SLSC. Pay your own lunch and beverages. Dress casual.
Ladies - Lunch Twin Towns Resort (room to be confirmed). Pay your own lunch and beverages. Dress casual.

Friday 30 Oct 4.00pm to 7.00pm
Meet and Greet in Harbour Lounge Balcony. Pay your own food and beverages. Dress casual.

Saturday 31 Oct 9.30am
Commemorative Service in Chris Cunningham Park (next to Twin Towns Resort). Medals to be worn as entitled.

Saturday 31 Oct 10.30am to 3.00pm
AGM and Reunion in Vision Room Twin Towns Resort. AGM will commence at 11.00am. Membership payment available on entry. Finger food will be served after the AGM. Raffles will be conducted throughout the gathering. Pay your own beverages. Dress casual.

Notes:
1. ALL TIMES ARE QLD TIME
2. Ordinary members (financial) and Life members may vote at the AGM. Vote will be by show of hands, numbers counted and communicated to the Chairman of the meeting.
3. Please pass on this information to others that you are in contact with.

NQLD
2RAR Association AGM and Luncheon: Townsville QLD

Friday 30th October
Meet & Greet:
Location: Townsville RSL RV Bar
Timings: 5.30pm - 11.00pm – Own cost
Dress: Casual dress attire suitable for RSL Booking: Register for Meet & Greet

Saturday 31st October
2RAR Association AGM:
Location: Townsville RSL – 139 Charters Towers Road, Hermit Park QLD 4812.
Timings: 10.30 sign in, 11am-12pm for AGM, luncheon to follow with official finish from 1500.
Dress: Casual dress attire suitable for RSL Booking: Register for AGM

16/10/2026

16th October – Battalion Birthday

16th October is the date of the formation of the 66th Australian Infantry Battalion, 2nd AIF. Each year the 2nd battalion celebrates its birthday, and the Association wishes to say a big, happy birthday to all those who have served within this fine battalion.

Timeline:
66th Australian Infantry Battalion (1945 to 1948)
2nd Battalion, Australian Infantry Regiment (1948 to 1949)
2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Infantry Regiment (1949 to 1973)
2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Infantry Regiment (1973 to 1995)
2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Infantry Regiment (1995 to 2017)
2nd Battalion (Amphibious), Royal Australian Infantry Regiment (2017 to present day)

08/10/2026

VALE - Cpl Brendan Hannam

The 2RAR Association wishes to send our deepest condolences to our fellow brethren of the 5/7th Battalion as they mourn the loss of Cpl Hannam.

The 28-year-old father of two sadly lost his life in a vehicle rollover at the Mount Bundey training ground outside Darwin on Monday afternoon.

Cpl Hannam served two operation tours in Afghanistan and went on to train Ukrainian personnel with the British Armed Forces in the United Kingdom under Operation Kudu.

The Association extends our heartfelt wishes for a swift recovery to all those injured in the accident.

Lest we Forget

02/10/2026

Veterans Support Update:

BULWARRA Seaside Apartments, Terrigal proudly supports the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment Association.

BULWARRA is a family friendly resort, run by ADF members for ADF members and their families, offering basic but comfortable self-contained, family accommodation; a not-for-profit cooperative in beautiful Terrigal that has provided affordable holiday accommodation for ADF members since 1970.

The 2RAR Association encourages our members and families to support businesses who support our members. Bulwarra apartments in Terrigal have kindly donated a holiday certificate for a free weekend family holiday to be used for our major prize at the Association's upcoming AGM and reunion gathering.

We encourage our members to register with Bulwarra as Defence Members and follow them on their page to show our support

For more information about BULWARRA visit www.bulwarra.com.au

02/10/2026

VALE:

213954 WO2 William “Billy” Frederick FARRAR
15 July 1932 – 26 Sep 2026

2 RAR Malaya 1961-63
1 SAS Sqn Brunei 1965
2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn, 7 Pl C Coy and RP Sect,
South Vietnam 19 May 1967 – 21 May 1968
2 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn, RAP Sgt, Admin Coy,
South Vietnam 16 May 1970 – 26 May 1971

Family and friends are warmly invited to honour and celebrate Billy’s life.

In celebration of Billy’s vibrant personality and zest for life, guests are encouraged to wear bright colours.

When: Thursday 08 October 2026 at 11:00AM (QLD time)

Where: East Chapel of the Rockhampton Crematorium, 436 Yaamba Rd, Norman Gardens QLD

Livestream: https://tributes.fitzroyfunerals.com.au/william-frederick-farrar-febb61af-faba-f111-aaad-6045bdc352c2

May he Rest In Peace

13/09/2026

DVA - Royal Commision Update:

9 September 2026 marks two years since the release of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Final Report.

The latest update includes changes to the status of 15 recommendations, including recommendations that were previously noted for further work, and are now agreed-in-principle or agreed.

To read more on this progress you can visit the following website.

9 September 2026 marks two years since the release of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Final Report.

13/09/2026

Commemoration:

OP SLIPPER - Commemorating 25 years since the commencement of OP Slipper.

Join us as we gather 25 years on to commemorate a generation of Australian's who served during Operation Slipper. Reflect with pride on the Challenges and the Mateship, and remember those that paid the ultimate Sacrifice.

Date: Sat 17 Oct - 6pm-11pm AEST
Location: Townsville RSL, QLD
2 course Meal and 4 hour drink package
Ticketed event: $160 or a table of 8 for $1200

For more information or to purchase tickets click on the link

Commemorating Australia's Operation in Afghanistan and the Middle East

07/09/2026

Commemoration:

Korean War Memorial Service

Picture: Ronald Monkhouse, 2 RAR at the 73rd Korean Veterans memorial Service that was held on the Gold Coast, QLD on 27 July 2026

01/09/2026

Book Release:

Just Another Day in the Delta - Max Speedy

Australian Naval Pilots Flying US Combat Helicopters in Vietnam.

For those that may be interested to read about the RANHFV the following soon to be published book will be released from 19 Nov.

https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/just-another-day-in-the-delta/

01/09/2026

DVA Matters:

Veteran Allied Health Discussion Paper - Update

From 1 July 2027 the new Allied health arrangements will come into effect.

Under the changes, the current 12-session treatment cycle will be removed. Veterans will still need initial GP referrals but will no longer need GP referrals after every 12 sessions to access allied health care.

The annual $5,000 review threshold will also be introduced. Veterans who require more than $5,000 in allied health care each year will still be able to receive clinically necessary treatment, the threshold will not apply to Veteran Card holders receiving the Special Rate Disability Pension or Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Pension, or those who have been determined to be catastrophically injured.

Veterans approaching the threshold will have their treatment reviewed with their health care team. They will be able to continue accessing treatment while DVA considers any request for additional care, so there is no unnecessary interruption to treatment.

Feedback will help make sure changes do not result in any gap in accessing service for veterans who have a clinical need for allied health treatment.

To review the discussion paper, get involved in a consultation session or submit your feedback, visit Changes for allied health from July 2027 | Department of Veterans' Affairs, consultation closes on 30 October 2026.

The Government will be investing $169.7 million to increase fees for allied health providers from 1 July 2027