The Royal Australian Regiment National Memorial Walk:
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Regiment's formation, The Royal Australian Regiment Association built the National Memorial Walk and Contemplation Building at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera , Queensland , from funds provided by public donation, assistance from the Federal and Queensland Governments, Brisbane City Council and RAR State
and Unit Association members. The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency Sir William Deane, AC, KBE dedicated it in memory of our fallen comrades on Sunday 22 November 1998. Many of the Regiment dead are buried overseas in Japan, Korea and Malaysia, and relatives and friends are unable to visit the graves of their loved ones. This Walk provides a place of solace and focus within Australia for the commemoration of the sacrifices made by our men. The Walk consists of an avenue 700 metres long flanked by more than 1000 native Australian trees. The Walk is divided into operational theatre areas. At the base of selected trees is an individual plaque bearing the name and details of each of the 695 members of the Regiment who have died on overseas service. The Contemplation Building provides a place for contemplation and remembrance. The building is used for community remembrance activities on Anzac Day, anniversaries of Battle Honours, campaigns and unit birthdays. On its forecourt, at the base of the flagpole, is a plaque commemorating those men who died while training in Australia. Dad's Army:
The Curator, Paul (Wombat) Gallagher, together with Dad’s Army, a dedicated group of willing and able (some disabled) volunteers, give loving attention to the continuous maintenance tasks. Every Monday morning from 7.30 to about 10.00 am, they turn out to cut lawns, rake leaves, spread mulch, clear drains, trim the over 1,000 trees and hedges and other innumerable grounds maintenance tasks. For those on “light duties” other tasks related to the Contemplation Building’s cleanliness and care of the memorial plaques is completed. Darcy Dugan performs the living memorial task of placing a remembrance poppy for the anniversary date of death for each man on the Roll of Honour alongside his name. All of this is done in order to "keep the spirit alive" of our fallen brothers and to maintain a sense of camaraderie between like minded blokes.
