The AGM of the 31st Battalion Association (Brisbane Branch) was held at the Meeting Room  of the Caboolture Sports Central Club at 11am, 3rd March 2026.

President Tony Wadeson welcomed all members and guests.

The Meeting  was attended by 13 members. Apologies were received from a further 10.

President Tony gave a brief on the passing of Member Warren Gunder

Vale:- (1) Warren Gunder – 31^st Bn from 1956 – Thru Pentropic Years then 31^st Bn to Nov 1967

51^st Bn as ADJT Permanent CMF. – Transferred to Regular Army 1969

Served with AATTV in Vietnam April 1970 to April 1971 then 2RAR & other postings

until Retired 1^st Nov. 1983 as a MAJ

Chris Hamilton also mentioned the most recent passing of Brig (Rtd) George “Warry George” Mansford the highly respected Comd 11 Brigade from the 1980s who made such a big impact on all who served with him.

Chairman to request all Members to be upstanding, – In Honour of:-

MAJ Warren Gunder Brig George Mansford and all former Members of the:- 31^stBn, – 42^ndBn, – 31/42Bn and

31^st Bn Assoc who passed away during the past year.

Chris Hamilton – RECITED THE ODE – ONE MINUTES SILENCE

AGM was now opened and the Agenda as distributed Via email was followed

Presidents Report (Included Below, also Distributed via email with copies available at the Meeting)

Secretary’s Report (Included Below, also Distributed via email with copies available at the Meeting)

Treasurers Report (Distributed via email with copies available at the Meeting)

Election of Brisbane Branch Officers – All office holders remained unchanged

President: Tony Wadeson

Deputy President: Chris Pyke

Secretary: Mick James

Treasurer: Martin O’Sullivan

Committee Member: Doug Hastie

Committee Member: Tim Lewis

Other Positions

• Co Ordinator – Battle of Fromelles Commemoration Service. –MICK JAMES

• WEB Page – 31^st Inf. Bn Assoc. – “Whispering Boomerang” – Martin O’Sullivan
• Representative – Battle for Australia Committee. – Mick James
• Represenative – Anzac Day Parade Committee – Tony Wadeson

Banking remains with the Qld Country Bank and Signatories Remain Unchanged.

AGM closed and was followed by a General Meeting to discuss matters relating to Anzac Day, Battle of Fromelles Commemoration, and the ongoing need to contact new members.

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31^st Infantry Battalion Assoc.(Brisbane Branch)

President’s Annual Report – Year 2025

This past year has been a busy one for an old President, such as myself.

We started the Year with our AGM in March in this very Room. Due to its convenient, central position between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, and very close to the Railway Station, I think we should consider “Sports Central Club” to be our future Main Meeting Venue. As has been done in the past, I can picture myself, travelling home by train, falling asleep, & waking up in Ipswich.

Immediately after the AGM, it was finalising the planning for Anzac Day. Planning, starts not long after the previous Anzac Day, with me having to attend three meetings, at the RSL- S.E. Districts Sub Branch at New Farm. I have been doing this for about twenty years or so now, and experience has indicated it pays to attend, to discuss issues as things change from meeting to meeting. However, they are now enabling us to join the meeting on line – “Microsoft Teams” which will save me a three Quarter Hour Drive at night, each way, each meeting. My main problem this year was that it looked like at one stage, I was the only one going to March with our three Banners. However, as usual the Hastie family came to the rescue a week before the event. Doug’s son LTCOL Marc Hastie, regular soldier, recently retired. Marc, had recently moved up to Caboolture, contacted me to advise, that he intended to march with the 31^st Bn, and hoped to bring three more old associates with him. Doug Hastie, on the other hand, had only just been discharged from hospital. Well on the Day, one of Marc’s associates turned out to be an ex 51Bn and a Journalist. She organised a fantastic write up about the 31Bn, and the Hastie family with the ABC people covering the march.

Doug, unfortunately, couldn’t march on the day, but was immediately behind us in a Jeep. As we were waiting to March off, the President of the National Serviceman’s Assoc asked if he could March with us, as he couldn’t find his Group. Minutes later another four Natsho’s turned up and joined us. We ended up with about eleven in the group. – Marc Hastie led us, Doug Hastie was, “Tail end Charlie” in the Jeep, & there was Brook Hastie on the Saluting Dias with The Governor, taking the Salute, – with the ABC telling everyone in the crowd as well as, “on air listening”, what a great Unit the 31^st Bn had been, and were now the 31^st/42 Bn, the pride of the north. Couldn’t, have been a better result.

Shortly after Anzac Day, in May I received the sad news of the Passing of my mate, and brother PL Commander of the early sixties, – Warren Gunder. Warren was a foundation member of the Brisbane Branch of the 31^st Bn Assoc. and a very close friend of Ray Fogg. Warren hadn’t been well for some time, and as he lived in Nambucca Heads, I never heard of his Death until after the Funeral. Warren, joined the 31^st Bn in 1956 and transferred to the Regular Army in 1969. He served with the AATTV in Vietnam, from April 1970 to April 1971. He retired from the Army in 1983 with the Rank of MAJ. He was a good Soldier, and a good friend. May you RIP “Wazza.”

Our Next big project for the Year was The Battle of Fromelles Commemoration Service at Ipswich RSL. Mick & I had been meeting with RSL Ipswich Secretary, Debbie Wadwell, since January. It had been decided to contact the Governor General to be our Principal Guest of Honour. We then had to organise a principal Speaker. We had planned on having Chris Hamilton, but unfortunately Chris was going to be in France at the time of the Service. We decided on the person best fitted for the Job, our very own Association President Greg Stokie. We didn’t end up with the Governor General, so we asked BRIG Bill Date ADC to be our Special Guest. Everything went smoothly. We had Three BRIG’s – two COL’s – an Air Vice Marshall, – The French Consul General, and the Mayor, in attendance.

I was greatly surprised, at the end of the Ceremony, to be presented with a Tribute – “Life Membership of the 31^stBn Assoc.” by BRIG Bill Date ADC. I was greatly honoured, and thank my fellow Association Members for the award.

In August, I attended the 31/42RQR and Association Annual Church Service in Townsville. The Service was well attended. Much to my surprise at the end of the Service I was called up to the front of the Church by President Greg Stokie, to be presented a Second Life Membership Tribute, this time by the Governor of Queensland – Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM. That was a real surprise. I’m again, deeply honoured.

The afternoon finished well, by spending a couple of hours with BRIG Richard Pearce discussing Rugby in great detail, whilst awaiting our respective return flights to Brisbane. Whilst waiting in line to board my flight the Governor who had attended the Cowboys NRL game came along, recognised me & said “Hello we meet again.” She then went to the front end of the Plane & I went to the rear with Cattle, feeling very chuffed indeed.

Unfortunately, the last couple of months of the year, proved to be a time of illness for both my wife and I.

So I was out of action for over a month. All is now well.

I would like to pass on my appreciation to all members of our Branch, for doing their best, to attend and support our various events and services. We are all ageing, knees, hips and backs, playing up to hamper our movements. But thank you all, for your support. Thank you Deputy President Chris for being the shoulder I can lean on to get good advice and reliable support.

Special thanks to Mick James, as Secretary, and putting so much work into the “Battle of Fromelles” and the “Battle for Australia Committee”. Mick is still suffering from some after effects from his Stroke, but he soldiers on without complaint.

Thanks to Marty O’Sullivan, who is learning the ropes of accountancy and protecting our Funds efficiently.

Our Committee members Doug Hastie, Tim Lewis, and Jack Sunner, thank you for doing things that keep us moving.

Special thanks to you Pierre Sellier OAM for doing so much for us here in Australia, and representing the 31^st Bn Assoc. in Fromelles, and France.

Bring – on – 2026

Tony Wadeson

President

REPORT FOR THE 31ST BATTALION ASSOCIATION (BRISBANE BRANCH) AGM 3^RD MARCH 2026

We again conducted our annual Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles at Ipswich in conjunction with the Ipswich RSL on 19^th July 2025. Our member & Great Nephew of Col Fred Toll, Col Mark Plath (Retd), acted as host. Apart from the Commemoration, at the conclusion President Tony was presented with Life Membership of our Association by Brig Bill Date ADC.

Highlights were the increased number of Descendants attending and the outstanding speech of student, Caela Segon. Full details including speeches & photos are on our website at –

July, 2025 – 31st Infantry Battalion Association . We again thank the Ipswich RSL and President Paul & Secretary Debbie in particular, for their great assistance.

I remain on the Committee of the Battle for Australia Commemoration (Qld) Ltd and we were represented at the Commemoration on 3rd Sept 2025 by President Tony & Tim Lewis who laid Wreaths on behalf of 31^st Bn Assn & 2/31^st Bn. This was the 83^rd Commemoration of the Battle (1942-45) and was attended by the Qld Governor, Service Chiefs, PNG Consul, various RSL Clubs, veterans & students. The Committee has the ongoing financial & material support from the Qld RSL. One point of note, the Governor’s ADC on the day, was our own Maj Brook Hastie. President of our Committee is Col Mark Plath (Retd) who was a CO of 9RQR.

Tony, Evan myself & Mark Plath also attended the unveiling of the 3^rd batch of 800 plaques at Lutwyche Cemetery in Sept 2025, finally identifying WW1 Diggers who died in the 1940s,50s,& 60s. This is the great & extended work of 2 women, Cate Walker & Katrina Trevethan who are The Australian Remembrance Army. They received a grant from the Australian Govt of approx. $700,000 for the plaques in 2020 & completed them in Sept 2025. There were 4 31^st Bn diggers who had plaques unveiled that day & we met the family of one- Pte Peter Heenan. Read the story on our website for the details – September, 2025 – 31st Infantry Battalion Association

Mick James

Secretary