The Families and Friends of the First AIF Inc (FFFAIF Inc) is Dedicated to Digger Heritage and Keeping The Memory Alive (KTMA) of the First AIF Diggers who served in the Great War of 1914 -1918.
The FFFAIF has about 250 members in Australia and Overseas
- FFFAIF advocates in support of Digger Heritage issues;
- FFFAIF has proficiently organised and presented, sometimes complex, and high standard publications and events for over 2 decades:
- 21 annual John Laffin Memorial Lectures (or series) since 2003;
- 4 John Laffin Travel Scholarship Prizes awarded 2005-2008;
- 17 John Laffin Memorial History Prizes awarded since 2011;
- 4 Commemorative Tours to the Western Front 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016;
- 17 annual Sydney Fromelles Day Commemorative Processions and Commemoration Services in conjunction with the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial since 2007 (except for COVID affected 2021);
- 2 Fromelles Retrospectives in 2010, at Government House (Yarralumla) and at the King’s School, Sydney;
- 2 “Fromelles Family” Days in 2017 and 2024 bringing relatives, researchers, and key people together to share the Fromelles story;
- 4 Commemorations of the Battles of 3rd Ypres 2017-2020 (until COVID);
- 93 issues of FFFAIF’s flagship quarterly DIGGER magazine in both hard copy and e-form – a national resource of about 5,300 pages of soldier stories, many previously unpublished;
- 18 issues of FFFAIF’s periodic COBBeR e-magazine.
- runs a Facebook forum;
- provides Research and publication assistance; and
- offers Individual, organisational and concessional membership.
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Patron-in-Chief Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Ms Sam Mostyn AC was sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on 1 July 2024.
A businesswoman and community leader, Ms Mostyn is known for her exceptional service to the Australian community. She has a long history in executive and governance roles across diverse sectors, including business, sport, climate change, the arts, policy and not-for-profit.
In 2024, Ms Mostyn was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service in the social justice, gender equity, sporting, cultural and business sectors, to reconciliation, and to environmental sustainability. She had previously been appointed an Officer of the Order in 2021.
Her father, Bill Mostyn, was a graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and a colonel who served for almost 40 years in the Australian Army. As a major in the Royal Australian Signal Corps, he served in Headquarters Australian Force Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Ms Mostyn is married to Mr Simeon Beckett SC and they have an adult daughter.
To find out more about the Patron-in- Chief, Ms Mostyn and Mr Simeon Beckett SC, click here .
Honorary Patron and Immediate Past Patron-in-Chief of the FFFAIF:
General (Retd) the Honourable David Hurley AC CVO DSC
General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), is the immedite past Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and was the FFFAIF Patron-in-Chief, succeeding the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (RETD).
General Hurley has accepted Honorary Membership of FFFAIF, reflecting his continuing interest in Digger Heritage.
Major General Matthew Sykes (MoD), Lt General David Hurley (Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force) and Major General Mike O’Brien (ADF) reflect on the commencement of the Fromelles exhumation process Tuesday 5 May 2009.
[Images from Mirror.com.uk and Philippe Pauchet- Click on images to enlarge]
To find out more about the Immedite Past Patron-in- Chief, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda Hurley, click here .
Previous Patrons-in- Chief
Both inaugural FFFAIF Patron-in-Chief and former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and past Patron-in-Chief and former Governor-General General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (RETD) have accepted Honorary Membership of FFFAIF, reflecting their continuing interest in Digger Heritage.
To find out more about previous Previous Patrons-in- Chief, click on their names .
Find out more:
Association’s History
Objectives and Rules
Honorary and Life Members
Committee
Terms of Use
John Laffin