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A Memorial for all gunners, past, present and future

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$131,400 raised of $460,000 goal
28.5%

Our Vision

A Memorial that tells the story of all Australian Gunners past, present and future

To deliver an extension to the Memorial by the end of 2026 so that the service of all Australian gunners is recognised, honoured and commemorated

Our Mission

Our Values

Focus - we will keep to the task we have been set

Excellence - we will deliver an extension that makes gunners proud

Economy - we will deliver good value for money

Flexibility - we will be adaptable, innovative and agile

Collaboration - we will work collegiately and with all our stakeholders

General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd)

“I commend the effort to bring the Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial up to date and provide for recognition of future service.” 

  General (Retd) the Honourable David Hurley AC CVO DSC

“This is an essential task that should be completed quickly …” 

Senator David Pocock.

“I commend the extension project to all who have a concern for the interests and welfare of serving and ex-serving men and women of the Australian Defence Force.” 

Greg Melick, National President RSL

“RSL Australia strongly supports the efforts of the artillery community to bring the Memorial up to date and provide for recognition of future service.”

About the Project

The service of Australian gunners is commemorated by the Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial, which stands atop Mt Pleasant in Canberra. The Memorial was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 9 March 1977. It features panels that recognise service in campaigns from the Sudan to South Vietnam, but it is silent on the contribution of gunners over the past 50 years, and there is no space for additional panels. This shortcoming leaves many younger members of the gunner community feeling they have been forgotten.

The Royal Regiment has initiated a project to address this issue. The project will extend the Memorial to provide panels for six contemporary campaigns and operations and allow for the easy addition of further panels in the future. The extension will bridge the gap between historical and contemporary service, telling the story of all Australian gunners, past, present and future, and ensuring that they are honoured and recognised. The project aligns with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by contributing to the mental well-being and social inclusion of serving soldiers and veterans. The Regiment intends that the updated Memorial will be re-dedicated in 2027 to coincide with the 50th anniversary year of its original unveiling.

Funding the extension will be heavily reliant on the generosity of donors and supporters.

The project will achieve meaningful and measurable impacts, particularly in:

  • Fostering a sense of belonging by enhancing the Memorial as a space where all Defence members and veterans, but especially, gunners, feel represented, acknowledged, and connected.

  • Promoting mental well-being by providing a dedicated space for healing and reflection, contributing to improved mental health outcomes for Defence members and veterans.

  • Enhancing community engagement by strengthening public awareness and understanding of military service, encouraging greater community support and helping to link Defence members and veterans to the community from which they are drawn.

The story of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery National Memorial

The Memorial’s stone outer wall is symbolic of the early forts that defended many of the ports of the Australian colonies. The central Memorial plinth incorporates the Regimental badge and commemorative and descriptive plaques. The plinth in flanked by two rifled muzzle-loading 64 pounder guns, which were originally a part of the Sydney Harbour defences.

Inside the wall there are eight panels listing the wars and campaigns in which Australian gunners had served at the time of the Memorial’’s construction. These are flanked at each end with the panels bearing one of the Regiment’s mottos, and its Battle Honour: Ubique (Everywhere). The site of the Memorial was selected because it is a designated saluting location and gun salutes are still fired from the Memorial site.

The current Memorial was conceived by Major General John Whitelaw, AO CBE. The RAA National Committee, comprising Whitelaw as chair and Colonels Commandant from each state, raised funds through tax-deductible donations and an Art Union. A formal proposal was submitted to the National Memorials Committee in September 1975, and construction was completed 18 months later

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Gold Benefactors

Business Benefactors

Individual Donors

Paul ‘Blackie’ Winter

Silver Benefactors

Business Benefactors

On behalf of the Regimental Committee, the officers and soldiers of the RAA, both serving and retired, the Gunners extends its sincere gratitude to Kongsberg Defence Australia

The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company has been a strong supporter of the RAA National Memorial extension project, providing advice and other essential services from the outset. They continue to advocate on behalf of the project and have demonstrated tremendous generosity by donating $20,000 to this important Gunner initiative. On behalf of the project team and the RAA, thank you.

Bronze Benefactors

Business Benefactors

The Royal Australian Artillery Gunners Fund has made a generous donation of $5,000 to the RAA National Memorial extension project. The support being shown from across the Gunner community is very much appreciated. On behalf of the project team, thank you.

RAA Officers’ Association Tasmania

Individual Donors

Saiful Bashar 

Issar Behar

Greg Bilton 

James Box

Terry Brennan

James Casey

Steven Cathcart 

David Coghlan

Frank Colley 

David Connery

John Cox 

Mike Crane 

Robert Crawford

Janice Crawford

Lachlan Crawford

Thomas Dunne 

Martin Dutton

David Edwards 

John Fairless

David Ferguson

Nick Floyd 

Aaron Foster 

Craig Furini 

Neil Graham

Benny Gray 

James Groves 

Jack Hatton 

Geoffrey Hay 

Wade Higgins

Damian Hill

Chris Hunter 

Edward Jackson 

Darryl Kelly

David Kelly

Michael Kennedy

Stuart Kenny

James Kerr 

Mary Kingsford 

Peter Lawrence 

Bob Lowry

Iain MacInnes

Peter Manucci

Steve Mathers

Samuel McAneney

Bob McEvoy 

Shaun Montgomery 

Des Mueller

Ken Murphy

Don Murray 

Samuel O’Neal 

Michael Paramor

Douglas Perry

John Platt

G Potter

Glyn Potter

Ash Power 

Bill Reid 

Robert Richardson

Peter Robinson 

Jacqueline Rohrs

Gavin Ross 

Charles Slinge

Peter Smith 

Bruce Stark

Paul Stevens

Paul Symon

Warren Tapp 

Ian Taylor

Joanna Topfer 

Balaka Trust

Paul Tys

Nick Ullin 

Arlen Wendt 

N Whitelaw  L

Matt White 

Vince Williams

Phil Winter 

News and Social Media

FAQs

  • The RAA Memorial was opened in 1977 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to honour the service and sacrifice of Australian Gunners in conflicts since 1885. However, it does not acknowledge campaigns and operations of the past 50 years. As a result, many recent veterans and currently serving members feel that their contributions are not valued in the same context. The extension aims to address this by recognising major operations since 1977, ensuring that contemporary service is acknowledged and honoured. This initiative also aligns with key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which called for greater recognition of modern veterans.

  • Preliminary estimates place the cost of the Memorial extension at approximately $460,000. The team is actively seeking ways to reduce this figure, and a more refined estimate will be available once structural engineering designs are finalised.

  • The project team is pursuing a mix of in-kind support, public and philanthropic grants, and corporate donations. However, it is expected that a significant portion of the funding will need to be raised through donations from the broader community.

  • The project timeline anticipates that 2025 and early 2026 will focus on fundraising, planning approvals, and tender documentation. The construction and certification phases are scheduled for late 2026, with handover targeted by the end of that year. However, several significant anniversaries in 2027 may serve as alternative and meaningful dates for the re-dedication of the extended Memorial.

  • The project is being supported by several key organisations:

    • The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company (RAAHC)

    • The Australian Artillery Association (AAA)

    • The Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) – providing architectural and structural design support

    • UNSW Engineering Faculty – contributing technical expertise

    We are deeply grateful for the generous and ongoing assistance and support of these partners.

  • The success of this project relies on strong community backing. You can help by:

    • Spreading awareness across your networks

    • Promoting the significance of the Memorial extension

    • Making a donation or encouraging others to contribute

    Most importantly, help ensure that the service and sacrifice of Gunners from the past 50 years is properly recognised and honoured.

  • To stay up to date on the project:

    • Follow the Facebook pages of the Royal Australian Artillery, RAAHC, AAA, and RSL Australia

    • Visit their official websites

    • Look for updates in Defence newspapers, e-newsletters, and via direct emails to RAA Associations across Australia

    More resources, flyers, and donation links will be shared regularly through these channels.

About Us

The Project Team

-Regimental Committee’s Representative: Major General Michael Crane DSC & Bar AM

-Project Manager: Lieutenant Colonel Matt White

-Chief of Staff: Colonel Charles Weller

-Finance and Fundraising: Captain Andi Dimmock

-Project advisor: Major (Retd) Darryl Kelly

Contact Us

Email: RAANM2027@gmail.com

Postal Address: PO Box 7225, Duffy, 2611, ACT