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Foundation

16th Battalions Foundation

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The Purpose Of The Foundation

The Foundation will play an important role in ensuring the perpetuity of the Association as it is progressively handed over to the Associate Members to carry on into the future.

The ultimate purpose of the Foundation is to promote greater awareness, understanding and recognition of the service and achievements of the 16th Battalions during the Great War and World War II.

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President's Message

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The 16th Battalions Foundation was formed to perpetuate the history and traditions of the 16th and 2/16th AIF Infantry Battalions.

The Arnold Potts Oration and Dinner is our major fundraiser and has proved to be a significant annual event.

Speakers have included former Governor General Maj Gen Michael Jeffery, Maj Gen John Hartley and Maj Gen Len Roberts-Smith. Each has been exceptional and have set a very high standard to maintain.

Funds raised at the Oration have enabled the Foundation to finance an annual travel scholarship for a member of the Australian Defence Forces to travel to the sites of some of the most significant battles of the 16th and 2/16th Battalions.

To date, these have included the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, The Middle-East /North Africa and Western Europe. In every case, the recipient has returned with a greater appreciation of the conflicts in which the battalions were involved in and have shared that understanding with colleagues, family and friends.

Generous donations to our Education Fund have enabled the Foundation to purchase copies of the 2/16th Battalion history "A Thousand Men at War" and Bill Edgar's excellent biography of Arnold Potts "Warrior of Kokoda" for placement into schools. These have been gratefully received by all the recipient schools.

Australian military history will be of consequence for as long as our Nation endures.

With the ongoing support of our membership, the wider community and the business sector the Foundation seeks to assist in the perpetuation of a significant segment of that history.

Yours sincerely,
W L (Bill) Grayden
President 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion AIF Association

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A Message from His Excellency

Past Patron, the late Major General Michael Jeffery, AC CVO MC(Retd)
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

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As Commander-In-Chief of the Australian Defence Force and a former infantryman, it is a great pleasure to provide a message of support to the 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion AIF Association.

The history of the 16th Battalion is one of great courage, determination and sacrifice and a splendid example of the indomitable Aussie spirit so traditional of our Army.

I offer the thanks and gratitude of all Australians to every member of the Association for your exemplary service during Australia's time of dire need.

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Michael Jeffery

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Foundation Executive Committee

A foundation Management Committee has been formed, made up of veterans and associate members of the Association. This committee operates under, and reports to, the 2/16th Infantry Battalion AIF Association (Inc) committee.

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Donations/Bequests
The foundation is able to receive donations and/or bequests to enable the planned projects to take place.

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Use of Funds
Once the Foundation has built up sufficient funds from your donations projects such as these will be considered:

• Expenditure of funds by way of study grants, subsidies or scholarships to predominantly young people in Australia, or to people from countries where the 16th and 2/16th Battalions served.

• Implementation of student exchange programmes.

• Further development of the Kings Park Memorial Track.

• Maintenance of the Battalions' memorials and memorabilia.

• Approved assistance to Veterans' welfare.

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Contact:

Chair of the Foundation Committee
Mary Goldthorpe
Vice President
mary.goldthorpe@yahoo.com.au