Dedication of Memorial Plaques - AWM – Tuesday 15 May 2007

To recognise the sacrifice and service of the members of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (NGVR)/ Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) and the Pacific Islands Regiment (PIR).

On a balmy autumn morning in Canberra, in the Western Courtyard of the Australian War Memorial, in the presence of His Excellency, Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC and Mrs Jeffery, and other notables, a commemorative plaque to the Pacific Islands Regiment was unveiled by Mr Roy Sheargold (Papuan Infantry Battalion) and Mr Peter Porteous (Pacific Islands Regiment). Following the dedication of the PIR plaque by Defence Force (RMC) Chaplain Bob McKennay, the official party moved to the site of the NGVR/ANGAU commemorative plaque which had been placed in the western courtyard several years ago but never dedicated. The dedication of the NGVR/ANGAU plaque was also carried out by Chaplain Bob McKennay.

Prior to the unveiling and dedication, a welcome was given by Mr Steve Gower AO, Director, Australian War Memorial. Following this, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery reflected on the roles played by the NGVR, ANGAU, PIB and the PIR during WW2 and, in the case of the PIR, after the war, drawing on his own experience when serving with the PIR. Prayers were offered by Chaplain Bob McKennay of the Royal Military College of Australia, and the hymn “O God Our Help In Ages Past” was led by the Band of the Royal Military College of Australia and the Australian Rugby Choir.

Following the dedication of both plaques, a Piper played a Lament, the Ode was recited by Mr Keith Payne VC OAM (an ex-PIR Member), with everyone joining in to sing the National Anthem. Mr Phillip Ainsworth, President of the NGVR/PNGVR Ex-Members Association and Pacific Islands Regiment gave a concluding Thanks and Farewell speech.