President’s Report 2026
On behalf of the Association’s Committee of Management, I extend greetings to all members and friends of the 2/3rd Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Association Inc. The Association’s 2025–26 year has been another busy and productive one.
Our 2025 reunion and AGM, held last April at the RACV City Club, Melbourne, was again a great success, with strong attendance and excellent food and company. The Committee members elected for the 2025–26 year were: President and Research Officer, David McDonald; Vice President, Gaye Berry; Secretary, Malcolm Wrigglesworth; Treasurer, Ian Campbell; and General Members, Alasdair Crooke, Ann Bragg, Anne Rae, Colin Bragg, John Macmillan, and Lynton Rose. While all Committee members contribute greatly to the effective management of the Association, I extend my particular thanks to the office bearers—Gaye, Malcolm and Ian.
This year we commemorate two important anniversaries. The first, on 1 March, marked the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the Australian Army in 1901. As the Army has noted, 2026 is a year of events and activities held across Australia to honour service, celebrate history, and recognise the Army’s enduring commitment to the Australian community.
The second commemoration is the 85th anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk. Its significance is well summarised by the Rats of Tobruk Association (ROTA):
Early in 1941, Rommel was given control of the Afrika Korps, the principal units of which were two armoured (tank) divisions. The Germans were marvellously equipped and superbly trained. After arriving in Libya, Rommel swung his attention to Tobruk. On 10 April 1941, Rommel surrounded Tobruk with tanks and foot soldiers. The ensuing 242-day siege catapulted Tobruk from obscurity to headlines around the world. On 7 December 1941, Rommel was forced to abandon the siege. This was the first defeat of the German Army in the Second World War.
Both the Rats of Tobruk Association and the Descendants of the Rats of Tobruk Association (DOTROTA) are holding special events to mark this important anniversary. And, earlier this year, I visited the Tobruk Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra. It is beautifully designed, constructed and maintained, and remains a place of pilgrimage for many families and Second World War unit associations.
Also significant to our Association this year was the opening, on 14 April, of the Australian Army Museum Puckapunyal. While the name is slightly misleading, the museum collects, preserves and exhibits the history of the Royal Australian Artillery and the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, from the Boer War through to current overseas deployments. Given the scope of the collection, it is likely that the light anti-aircraft guns used by the Regiment are represented. Admission to the museum is free.
Understandably, and appropriately, our Association places much emphasis on the wartime service of the members of the Regiment. We also remember, however, those who served not in uniform and not in combat zones, but on the home front. This was the theme of two presentations I gave over the past year.
The first was to the Canberra Region Heritage Researchers network last April, focusing on ‘Bungendore and district, NSW, 8 June 1943’. Bungendore is the nearest village to where I live. The presentation stressed the massive changes to civilian life on the home front, particularly the reshaping of commerce and industry under the Commonwealth Government’s Department of War Organisation of Industry, which prioritised war production over civilian comfort.
The second presentation was delivered at a Remembrance Day commemoration in the Victorian country town of Mitiamo. I was invited to participate by the East Loddon Historical Society, reflecting the fact that their Memorial Corner features a 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun. An edited version of my address is included in this issue of Take Post.
In closing, I commend this 2026 issue of Take Post to you. Our editor, Colin Bragg, has produced the newsletter every year since 2009, and for many years combined the editor’s role with that of the Association’s Secretary. He has now decided to step down from the editor’s role, handing the baton to another member of the Association. I know I speak for all members in expressing our sincere thanks to Colin for his outstanding contributions over the years as Take Post’s editor.
I wish all members and friends of the Association well for the 2026–27 year.
We will remember them. Lest we forget. Ubique.
David McDonald
President
April 2026
Sources:
Australian Army: https://www.army.gov.au/about-us/who-we-are/celebrating-125-years-our-nation
ROTA: https://ratsoftobrukassociation.org.au/events-for-2026/
DOTROTA Dec. 2025 newsletter: https://www.ratsoftobruk.au/copy-of-association-newsletter
Army Museum: https://www.army.gov.au/community/engage-and-learn/army-museums/australian-army-museum-puckapunyal
Presentation on home front, Bungendore: https://crhr-cbr.blogspot.com/2025/07/