Somalia Veterans & Family
Government House
Australian Army Band (Attn: CO)
Royal Military College – Duntroon (Attn: RSM)

REUNION – 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF ADF OPERATIONS IN SOMALIA – CANBERRA 23-25 APR 23

Introduction

1. 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of ADF operations in Somalia that were conducted in two distinct operations being Operation IGUANA (as part of UNOSOM) established under UNSCR 751, and Operation SOLACE which was established under UNSCR 794 authorising a coalition of UN members under US command, to form UNITAF.

2. These operations made significant contributions in the overall UN mission to protect the delivery of humanitarian assistance and restore peace, while demonstrating the ADFs ability to pivot to complex operational needs at short notice.

3. This reunion is planned to be focussed on Australian contributions to operations in Somalia between 1992-95 and is inclusive of supporting and allied contributions.

Aim and Objective

4. Aim. The purpose of this instruction is to detail the administrative arrangements for the conduct of events to mark the 30th anniversary of ADF operations in Somalia to be conducted in Canberra.

5. Objective. This reunion seeks to provide an opportunity for veterans and family to gather at a significant milestone to mark the anniversary of ADF operations in Somalia.

Key Appointments

6. Key appointments for this reunion are:

1. 1. Host Officer – His Excellency, General David Hurley, Governor-General of Australia.

1. 2. RAN LO – Mr John Perryman.

1. 3. 1RAR Bn Group/Admin LO & Planning Committee – Mr Glenn Crosland, Mr Vince Creagh and Mr Ken Snell.

1. 4. UNOSOM LO – Mr Greg Jackson and Mr John O’Grady.

1. 5. Band Support – LTCOL Glenn Rogers, CO Australian Army Band.

Program

7. The reunion is planned for three days from Sunday 23 – Tuesday 25 Apr 23, with a welcome function preceding the main reunion activities. Key events are summarised as:

• Saturday 22 Apr 23 – Welcome Function – RMC Sergeants’ Mess. The RSM RMC Duntroon, WO1 Carl Hemberg, has kindly offered to host welcome drinks with light snacks. Details TBA, including registration system to assist planning. [Note this is prior to the formal reunion program]   The Mercure Canberra is also booked to host welcome drinks with a max capacity of 100 pax. B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt veterans with family have indicated interest in that venue. Dress is smart casual, and there may be some costs.
• Sunday 23 Apr 23 – Reunion Reception – Government House Yarralumla. The Governor-General will host a reception for invited guests (veterans and family) in the grounds of Government House commencing from early afternoon. Admission is through the Front Gate (map to be provided) in accordance with the guest list. It is important that all veterans and family are registered to attend this event.

A sequence of events will be distributed ahead of the reception. Formalities are planned to be kept to a minimum.

Dress is smart casual, and there are nil costs.

• Monday 24 Apr 23 – Sub Unit Functions (responsibility of sub-unit members to arrange and conduct). At this stage, following events are being tracked:

1. 1. 0A/BHQ (1RAR), lunch event at Poppy’s Café, AWM (POC Ken Snell).

1. 2. UNOSOM, lunch event at Federal Golf Club, Red Hill (POC John O’Grady).

1. 3. HMAS Tobruk/RAN, dinner event at EQ Café, Deakin (POC John Perryman).

1. 4. [TBC] A Coy event, (POC Andrew Boyd).

1. 5. [TBC] 7 Platoon, C Coy event, (POC Anthony Swinsburg).

3. 6. [TBC] Recon Platoon, Spt Coy event, (POC Cameron Wainwright). Dress is casual, costs per individual event plans.

• Tuesday 25 Apr 23 – ANZAC Day Dawn Services. Veterans and family are encouraged to participate in dawn services around Canberra, which includes the Canberra Dawn Service (details through the AWM website) commencing with readings from 0430 and service from 0530, ADFA and RMC Dawn Services, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commemorative Ceremony which commences on completion of the Canberra Dawn Service.

• Tuesday 25 Apr 23 – ANZAC Day. The reunion group will lead the Canberra veterans parade supported by the 1RAR Band at the Australian War Memorial (AWM), led by His Excellency General David Hurley, by contingent as follows:

1. 1. HQ Australian Force Somalia;
2. 2. 1RAR Battalion Group (to include subordinate units force assigned, interpreters and Qantas aircrew);

1. 3. HMA Ships TOBRUK and JERVIS BAY;
2. 4. UNOSOM (including AFP); and

1. 5. Allied & Supporting Contingents (NZ, US, other UN partners, Journalists, NGO). Final arrangements and timings TBI.

Dress is Day Dress with medals.

• 25 Apr 23 – Post ANZAC Day March Function. A post-March function will be conducted at Poppy’s Café at the AWM. All members of the reunion contingent are invited to participate, and there may be some costs involved (TBC).

All veterans and family are advised that general parking will not be available at the AWM on ANZAC Day. Separate arrangements are available for mobility impaired veterans – anyone with questions are requested to notify the planning committee through the email listed.

Administration

8. Accommodation and Travel. All participants are responsible for own travel and accommodation for the duration of the reunion. A summary of hotel deals has been listed on the 1RAR/Operation Solace, Somalia Veterans Association and HMAS Tobruk Facebook pages.
9. Weather. Participants are reminded that weather in Canberra in April can be cool with some rainfall, experiencing average temperatures span of 7-20 degrees.
10. Reception Registration. Once the registration site is established (by Dec 22), all veterans and family will need to supply the following information as a minimum:

1. Name
2. Unit and Subunit
3. Names of family members attending.
4. In the event of family members attending to represent a deceased veteran, please ensure all information requested in paragraph 10 is provided.