NEWS HEADLINES

The annual National Ceremony commemorating the Battle of the Coral Sea, a defining World War II victory, has been held at the forecourt of the Australian-American Memorial in Canberra. Immediate Past Vice President of the Air Force Association (AFA), AIRCDRE Peter McDermott AM CSC (Ret’d), attended the ceremony, representing the AFA and laying a wreath to pay tribute to the Allied forces’ heroism.

The Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) is offering tertiary scholarships for 2026, providing $4,000 to $6,000 annually for up to three years to children and grandchildren of Australian ex-serving veterans.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Australian service in the Korean War, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will honour the occasion with a National Commemorative Service on 25 June 2025 at the Australian National Korean War Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra.
The event honoured Anzac and commemorated the 80th Anniversary of VE Day in early May.

AFA-SA recently proudly presented a unique storytelling event at the April Combined Ex-Services Mess in Adelaide, where Group Captain Greg Weller engaged with 102-year-old Ray Merrill DFC, one of South Australia’s few remaining RAAF WW2 Bomber Command veterans.

The event honoured Anzac and commemorated the 80th Anniversary of VE Day in early May.

Group Captain John Price has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Military Division (OAM) for his exceptional service as an Inquiry Officer and facilitator of administrative inquiries in the Royal Australian Air Force.

The popular charity ride Scootaville is hitting the road again in 2025 — and this year, it’s set to support both Legacy and the Air Force Association, raising funds and awareness for veterans and their families.

The Air Force section at the Australian High Commission in London has been approached by historian and craftsman David Wilson, who has self-funded a project to honour 13 WWII flying aces. One of these heroes is ex-RAAF Flight Lieutenant Murray Adams, who served with the RAF’s 80 and 250 Squadrons.

The Australian High Commission team is seeking assistance to help locate any relatives of FLTLT Adams. If you have any information or know someone who might, they would love to hear from you.

David plans to present these handcrafted memorabilia pieces in the coming weeks – most likely between Anzac Day and VE Day in early May. If any family members are found, they would be warmly welcomed to attend a small ceremony at the Australian High Commission in London, where FLTLT Adams’ accolades will be read out and the items handed over.

Please share this post or get in touch if you can help. Let’s ensure FLTLT Adams’ legacy is honoured and shared with those who knew him best.

#RAAF #WWIIHistory #LestWeForget #AirForceAssociation

The Air Force Association made a strong impression at the recent Avalon Australian International Airshow, with its Hall 4 stand drawing hundreds of visitors to explore the combined AFA and Wings magazine display.

As the 50th anniversary of Operation Babylift nears on 30 April 2025, the Air Force Association (AFA) remembers the Royal Australian Air Force’s vital contribution to this historic humanitarian effort. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia A war orphan starts school in Australia. NAA: A1501, A11167. https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/immigration-and-citizenship/migrant-stories/vietnam/operation-babylift

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Baltimore bomber aircraft, which was lost while on an operational mission during the Second World War, has been discovered off the island of Antikythera in Greece.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is seeking input from veterans to improve how it communicates with you and the broader veteran community. A short survey, conducted by independent consultancy 89 Degrees East, invites you to share your preferences on receiving updates and engaging with DVA.

To date, some 268 of DVA’s clients have an accepted eligibility under the scheme, an initiative launched by the Australian Government in 2021.

On 11 February 2025 the Senate referred the following matters to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee (the committee) for inquiry and report by 5 August 2025.

Planning is well underway for two significant commemorations honouring veterans of the Korean War and the Malayan Emergency, with events set to take place in Canberra. These commemorations provide an important opportunity to recognise the service and sacrifices of those who served.