MEMBER NEWS
Highlights from around the AFA community
July-August 2026
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the members’ area of the website, which will keep you updated on the latest news and events from around the country. The articles here showcase some of the exciting activities from our State and Territory Divisions, and the new Federation Council, and will also pass on important information from a national perspective.
We are excited to be sharing this information with you every two months, and we hope that this will help you stay connected with the Air Force Association community. Whether you are a long-time member, or new to our organisation, we invite you to take part in the conversation and share your own stories with us.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Air Force Association, and we look forward to connecting with you.
Deanna Nott
National Vice President
Air Force Association Updates Strategic Plan
The Air Force Association (AFA) National Board recently held a Strategic Planning Session in Canberra to evaluate and update the organisation’s key elements: Vision, Mission, Values, Strategic Objectives and Key Initiatives.
Sharon Bown Honoured – Member of the Order of Australia
Sharon Bown, a Royal Australian Air Force veteran and ambassador for the Air Force Association, has been honoured with an appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia.
Honouring Vietnam Veterans – a tribute to service and sacrifice
On 18 August 2023, Australia united in solemn reflection to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Annual Commemorative Service in Toowoomba
The Toowoomba branch of the RAAF Association is proud to announce its upcoming annual joint commemorative service, paying tribute to the Battle of Britain and the Battle for Australia.
US Rockwell OV-10A Bronco aircraft restored to glory
The Australian War Memorial has unveiled a fully restored North American Rockwell OV-10A Bronco, model 639, which played a key role in the Vietnam War.
Aviation museum a tribute to history and service
The Maryborough Military Aviation Museum Association is pursuing its mission to preserve the rich aviation heritage of the region by building a world-class museum complex at Maryborough Airport.
Korean War memorial unveiled in WA
In a significant commemoration, WA President Clive Robartson AM, represented the AFA at the unveiling of the Perth Korean War Memorial. The date marked the 70th armistice anniversary of the Korean War.
The spectacular inaugural Pacific Airshow Gold Coast
The inaugural Pacific Airshow Gold Coast took to the skies above Surfers Paradise beach, leaving more than 200,000 attendees in awe and showcasing the cutting-edge capabilities of the Australian Defence Force and US military.
Battle of Britain service at Torrens Parade Ground
The annual Battle of Britain Commemorative Service will be held at the Air Force Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground, North Adelaide on Saturday 16 September 2023.
New Directors Join the Air Force Association Board
The Air Force Association is delighted to announce three distinguished additions to the National Board – Air Marshal (Retd) Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC, Air Commodore (Retd) Doug Chipman FAICD, JP, and Greg Hood AO.
TTD Wins Air Force Association Trophy
The Tactics and Training Directorate (TTD) Air Warfare Centre at RAAF Base Williamtown has been recognised for its outstanding contributions to the Air Force, awarded the Air Force Association Trophy at the recent Air Force Proficiency and Leadership Awards ceremony.
Dambusters: Celebrating 80 Years of Living History
The South Australia Division commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the Dambusters Raid in May 2023. Many gathered at the Air Force Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, to honour the courageous aircrew involved in the historic World War II mission.
New Life Members Honoured
A new Federation and Constitution are now in place to secure the future of the Air Force Association (AFA) for generations to come. Under the new structure, our State and Territory Divisions are now part of a federation formally linked to the national peak body.
Bomber Command Aviators Honoured
South Australia Division was honoured to have three veterans attend the 2023 Bomber Command Commemorative Service, at Adelaide’s Torrens Parade Ground, on 3 June 2023.
Historic Vimy Flag On Show at RAAF Edinburgh
A100-year-old Vimy Flag, produced in 1919 to mark the record-breaking England to Australia flight by the Vickers Vimy G-EAOU, is now on display at RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia.
MORE MEMBERS NEWS
Australian Defence Force Honorary Ranks for His Majesty The King
His Majesty King Charles III has been appointed the Honorary Ranks of Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy, Field Marshal of the Australian Army, and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force, by the Governor-General of Australia. The Governor-General and...
Commemorating our Fallen Comrades
Each afternoon at 16:30hrs, the Australian War Memorial conducts a short, solemn ceremony to remember an individual whose name appears on the Roll of Honour, which names almost 103,000 Australians who lost their lives as a result of service. Led by a Master of...
Henry Hering Medal Presentation
Air Force Association - South Australia has joined with RAAF Edinburgh in acknowledging Bomber Command veteran contribution to the Bomber Command Memorial in London. It was an honour for our Vice President, Dr Robert Black (GPCAPT Retd) to recently attend a special...
Engagement with Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs
The AFA Mitcham Branch in South Australia was recently visited by the Hon Barnaby Joyce, Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs (National), Hon Nicola Centofanti MLC, Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs (SA), and Ms Nicole Flint (Liberal Candidate for Boothby). They...
RAAF Pilot Achieves Rare Milestone – 4000 Hours on Hornet
A Gold Coast / Amberley pilot has racked up 4000 hours on the Hornet – the second person in Australia to achieve the milestone. Air Force Senior Fighter Combat Instructor Squadron Leader Jason Gamlin instructs at 1 Squadron Training Flight at RAAF Base Amberley,...
RAAFA WA Opens Sir Valston Hancock House to Support Veterans
Western Australia’s first targeted accommodation program for local veterans, Sir Valston Hancock House, was officially opened on 25 September 2024. Air Force Association National Vice President, Deanna Nott, and RAAF WA President, Clive Robartson were in attendance to...
Unveiling of new Sir Richard Williams Display at RAAF Base Edinburgh
On 12 August, AFA-SA participated in the unveiling of a new Sir Richard Williams Display honouring the Father of the Air Force by the new Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Steven Chappell at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Sir Richard Williams, a local Moonta Boy from South...
AFA-SA Releases First Ever Wholistic Annual Report
The Air Force Association – South Australia (AFA-SA) has recently released its 2023-24 Annual Report. This year AFA-SA adopted a different approach to its Annual Report developing and releasing a more comprehensive Annual Report that covered the association as a...
AFA-SA joins with RAAF Edinburgh in Remembering the Few Enabled by the Many
On 15 September 2024, the AFA-SA co-hosted with RAAF Edinburgh the 2024 Battle of Britain Commemorative Service at the Air Force Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground. The service attracted over 100 attendees including dignitaries, Air Force serving and ex-serving veterans,...
Scootaville 2024: Support our Veterans!
A group of 40 individuals have set off from Chermside in Brisbane on a 2,500-kilometre journey to Army Lavarack Barracks in Townsville. Riding 110cc scooters, these riders will participate in the event known as ‘Scootaville.’ This 20-day adventure will include stops...