The Naval Association

The Naval Association

of Australia

VA030 Friday 22 April 2005

ANZAC ROUND FOOTBALL MATCHES HONOUR SA VETERANS

The contribution of South Australia's war veterans will be honoured this weekend at AFL and South Australian National Football League matches in Adelaide.

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, De-Anne Kelly, said tonight's AFL match at AAMI Stadium between Port Adelaide and Geelong would mark the 90th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign with a pre-match commemorative service.

"A 90th anniversary commemorative coin will be tossed at the match by World War II veteran John Kirkmoe from the 2/10th Infantry Battalion. John's father served at Gallipoli with the original 10th Infantry Battalion, which was raised in South Australia," she said.

"The match will also include the presentation of the Peter Badcoe VC medal, which has been donated by the South Australian RSL, to the player whose conduct and play during the game best exemplifies the Anzac spirit - skill, courage in adversity, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play. The medal was named in honour of Major Peter Badcoe VC who was the last South Australian to be awarded the nation's highest honour for acts of bravery in wartime."

On Anzac Day, Monday 25 April, 30 veterans will take part in the Anzac Day cavalcade prior to the South Australian National Football League game between Central District and Woodville-West Torrens.

"The cavalcade will feature former players from South Australian clubs, representing all the armed forces and will include World War II and Vietnam veterans," Mrs Kelly said.

"The South Australian Football Commission will award the Bob Quinn medal to the player judged as 'Best on Ground' in the match. The medal is named for one of the State's most decorated football players, Bob Quinn, who won the Magarey Medal in 1938 and 1945 and was awarded the Military Medal while serving in Tobruk.

"To mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, those who served in the Pacific and Europe will be represented. The coin will be tossed by Dudley Goodwin, who served in the Royal Australian Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during World War II.

"The Ode will be read by Frank Davison, a Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot who flew night-fighters in Europe, and Bill Cowey, a 'Rat of Tobruk' who served in North Africa, Papua New Guinea and Borneo with the 2/43rd Infantry Battalion, will raise and lower the Australian flag.

"I am pleased the AFL and SANFL are acknowledging the service of Australia's veterans at their games this weekend."