*AGM at Army Museum

The 2009 Families and Friends of the First AIF Annual General Meeting was held at The Army Museum, Bandiana, Victoria (36° 8’48.60″S, 146°55’3.10″E) on Saturday 10 October.

The Museum, managed by Major Graham Docksey, OAM, the Director of the Museum, as part of the Army History Unit, provided an inspiring venue for the meeting. The Army Museum is part of the Army History Unit and is open daily.  Within the vast collection of Army Heritage are displays of First World War artefacts including:

Furphy Water Cart

1916 Wagon GS

Wiles Travelling Army Field Kitchen

Albion A10 3 ton motor lorry

Light horse display

Uniform displays

At the AGM, the new Committee for 2009/2010 was elected.
The members of the incoming Committee are:
President:  Russell Curley
Vice President: Jim Munro
Treasurer: Robyn Ward
Secretary: Chris Munro
Committee Members: Maurice Campbell
Graeme Hosken (DIGGER Editor)
Alan Kitchen (Membership Secretary)
Margaret Snodgrass
Andrew Willetts

The FFFAIF AGM was followed by a successful dinner, held at the Commercial Golf Club, Albury. Members can view photos and Minutes from this year’s AGM in the Member’s Area.

*****

The Families and Friends of the First AIF applauds the joint Australian–UK decision, announced by The Hon Greg Combet AM MP and the Hon Kevan Jones MP, to conduct a full DNA testing program on the remains of Australian and British soldiers found in mass graves at Pheasant Wood (Fromelles), and for their continuing commitment to identify as many of the fallen as is possible. We also thank the Australian, UK and French governments for affording dignified individual reburials for these soldiers, buried by German soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July 1916, in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery presently under construction at Fromelles.