4th Field Regiment (SVN) Association Newsletter No 59 - 2025

From Major Tony Kennedy, OAM 2IC/XO 4 th Regiment in Townsville. Good afternoon Peter, Apologies for taking a little longer than promised to respond. Discussion with the CO and Executive of the Regiment, in respect to an additional annual award, was interesting and brought some different views on how best to use this opportunity. Most of the expected awards for performance in rank and skills exist and are usually determined by a collective board through nominations from sub-unit to the Regiment Executive team. What we thought would be interesting is a ‘Soldiers’ Soldier’ type of peer nominated/voted award. There would be criteria framed around it to ensure that nominees meet current Defence values and ideally embody combat behaviours, and importantly, seen as ‘Mr Reliable’ the ‘Go to man/woman’ when someone needs a hand. These characters are often missed by command and leaders due to their ‘quiet achiever’ ethos and modest personality but are instrumental within the team’s success. If you think this aligns with the type of award you are seeking to be associated with, we will develop it further and get back to you with criteria and nomination processes. What we are stuck with is the name of the award. The Mike Williams, MM Soldiers’ Choice Award (or similar). However, are aware of the perceived over use of his name within the Regiment. We wondered if you and the association may wish to honour someone in this way to further promote and highlight the weight of the award. If so it would be great to have a personal synopsis and how they might reflect on this type of award. I hope this is what the association is looking for and we think the soldiers will appreciate an opportunity to select their best soldier for the year. Please have a think about this and discuss with the members. Very keen for any suggestions. Kind regards Tony (I have replied to Tony and told him we (the Old Boys) will make a decision and give them an answer by April/May this year. Therefore, I would appreciate your comments in March if you would.) A South Australian Event coming up on 18 August 2025 is planned for the Vietnam War Memorial Walk at Edithburgh on the Yorke Peninsula. The organisers have confirmed a show which includes John Schumann and the Vagabond Band with their “Behind the Lines” concert. Anyone interested can let me know and I will forward the email to you which gives lots of information and where to go for tickets etc. From the Yorke Peninsula Council website: Utilising the picturesque stretch of Walk The Yorke between Coobowie and Edithburgh, the Memorial Walk will include stunning signage detailing every Australian unit involved in the Vietnam conflict. This comprehensive collection of information will make the Vietnam War Memorial Walk the first and only of its kind in Australia. The Memorial Walk has been developed by local residents Roger Hogben and John Edwards, supported by Yorke Peninsula Council and a range of community/stakeholder organisations. It recognises the strong and proud Veteran presence on Yorke Peninsula.