Past Events Gallery
A selection of photos from events held by our national, and state associations. We also have numerous posts and pictures from various association events that can be found on our facebook and instagram pages. Follow both these pages to see regular updates on association events.
74TH RIMAU / COMMANDO DAY COMMERATIONS
As well as the commemorative ceremony, some of our members were presented with life membership by the Qld Governor. The ACA Qld also presented Doug Baird, OAM the father of fallen Commando CPL Cameron Baird VC, MG with a replica set of his recently awarded OAM.
​APRIL 2019 - CPL CAMERON BAIRD VC, MG HONOURED BY THE SYDNEY ROOSTERS NRL CLUB
​The Sydney Roosters presented Cameron's father Doug Baird with a signed 2018 Roosters Premiership jersey in what was a moving presentation.
APRIL 2018 - CPL CAMERON BAIRD VC, MG HONOURED BY THE AFL DURING THE 2018 ANZAC DAY ROUND
The AFL designed a fantastic AFL record for the Anzac Round in 2018. CPL Cameron Baird was honoured alongside another VC winner Bill Ruthven VC. A Copy of the record is below.
MAY 2018 - ACA QLD FAMILY BBQ
The ACA QLD committee held a family day BBQ for members and their families a t the Queensland Maritime Museum. We shared a great meal for lunch and a few drinks on the Brisbane river. The kids had a fantastic time running through the nearby navy ship.
OCT 2018 - SUPPORT TO FORMER COMMANDO ANDREW HODGE
In April this year Mueller College north of Brisbane invited one of our members John Roxburgh to deliver the address for their Anzac Day service. During the address John spoke about the role of commandos and their operations in Afghanistan.
A few weeks later the college informed the association that two of the senior students Abbey an Jayde wanted to raise some money specifically to donate to a commando family in need. Over the following months the college raised a massive $3000! The Rotary Club of Alstonvilee and Cam's Cause also generously donated some funding.
The association suggested the Hodge family would be the perfect recipients of this donation. Andrew Hodge is a former commando who suffered a brain injury, torn muscles and nerves, and multiple fractures whilst deployed in Afghanistan. Since returning even the most simple of tasks around the home can be very difficult for Andrew, his wife Monica Hodge, and their two daughters. DVA would only provide funding for some other minor improvements to the home to assist Andrew and his family.
After speaking with Andrew and Monica we put together a list of jobs and soon realised we would need some qualified tradesman to help. After placing a post on this page a few weeks ago asking for tradies to donate their time, we had an overwhelming response. A local builder Luke Irwin and a carpenter Adam volunteered their time and tools.
On Saturday 27 Oct 18 john roxburgh and jack thurgar from the commando association, 13 students and teachers from mueller college, two local tradies, and some other volunteers embarked on a backyard blitz at the hodge home.
Luke and Adam with the help of some volunteers went to work replacing an old driveway gate, building a brick letterbox, building a deck under the clothesline, and hanging a door. The mueller college students spruced up the garden, pressure cleaned around the pool, painted the deck, removed some old shrubs, and shovelled approx 2 tonnes of garden waste and rubbish. Lynette Zito from Legacy far north coast organised a BBQ and the mueller college students cooked up a storm for the team at lunch.
Another former Commando Nick Andrew from Shot Imagery generously donated his time and expertise to capture video on the day, including interviews with the various participants. Nick and his team will be editing the footage into a short video to tell the story of the day. We will add the video to the page at a later date.
It was an amazing day and a great example of local and extended community spirit coming together to help a former commando and soldier in need of some help. We would especially like to thank the following organisations for their support albeit in the form of funding or help on the day:
Legacy Far North Coast
Cams Cause
Mueller College
Adam - Carpenter
Luke - Builder
Rotary Club of Alstonville
Far north coast woodcrafters club
Hitek security systems
Ballina Bunnings
Shot Imagery
JR Medals
This is a perfect example of why the Commando Association exists – to remain connected with current and former commandos and to step up and help a brother in his time of need.