Events coming up

ANZAC Service (Essendon R.S.L.) - * Sunday April 21st, 2024. 3:00pm start. *

Location : Cenotaph, Queens Park, Corner Mt. Alexander Rd. and Kellaway Ave., Moonee Ponds, Victoria (Melway 84A D2).

ANZAC Service in conjunction with Moonee Valley Council. Phone the Council on (03) 92438888 for details. See previous ANZAC Service photos.

ANZAC Church Service - * Sunday April 23rd, 2023. 4:00pm start. *

Location : St. Paul's Cathedral, Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria (changes every year).

All Veterans, serving Defence Force members, their families and friends are invited to attend this impressive service. The 2012, 2015 and 2021 services were held at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, Victoria. The 2011, 2014, 2016, 2022 and 2023 services were held at St. Paul's Cathedral, Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria. The service for 2010 was held at Wesley Church, 148 Lonsdale St., Melbourne, Victoria (Melway 1B R3). See previous ANZAC Church Service photos.

ANZAC Dawn Service - * Thursday April 25th, 2024. 5:30am. *

Location : Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne, Victoria (Melway 2F J12).

ANZAC Dawn Services are held annually in every capital city / major populace in Australia and many locations around the world (for example, the pilgrimage to Gallipoli, Turkey continues to grow in size every year). This emotional event commences at 6:00am. No lights or noise please (mobile phones to be switched OFF). Note that parking is not permitted in the Shrine grounds or Birdwood Avenue. See previous ANZAC Dawn Service photos.

ANZAC Day March - * Thursday April 25th, 2024. Assembly 8:30am is recommended as there have been occasions when we have moved off earlier than the R.S.L. given step off time. *

Location : Assembly in Collins Street, east of Swanston Street on the south side in Melbourne, Victoria (Melway 2F G7). Look for the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion banner.

Originally, ANZAC Day remembered the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (A.N.Z.A.C.) landings at Gallipoli on 25/04/1915 in World War 1 but has since become a commemoration of all service men and women who served Australia in times of war and died. ANZAC Marches are held annually in every capital city / major populace in Australia and many locations around the world. The Pioneers, relations and friends march as part of the ANZAC March along St. Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Victoria. Transport is arranged for all veterans (one carer may travel with each veteran). Family and friends (in neat attire) march six abreast behind the cars and marching veterans. Deceased's medals are to be worn on right breast only. See previous ANZAC Day photos.

*** POST MARCH GROUP PHOTO ***

Upon conclusion of the march and arrival at the Shrine, everyone needs to promptly move to the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion banner's location where the photo will be taken.

Traditionally, the Post March Luncheon was held at the Waterside Hotel, corner of King Street and Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria until 2013. See previous Luncheon photos.

Cafe Vic at the Arts Centre was used for an Annual Reunion for some years but currently is unavailable. The decision was made to have the Annual Reunion as a catered afternoon tea after the Annual Pilgrimage this year. See Annual Pilgrimage and Annual Reunion below.

Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.) - * Tuesday April 16th, 2024. 12:15pm start. *

Location : ANZAC House, 4 Collins St., Melbourne, Victoria.

The Annual General Meeting of the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion Association. All members are welcome to attend.

Annual Pilgrimage - * Sunday June 16th, 2024. 1:35pm start. *

Location : Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne, Victoria (Melway 2F J12).

The Annual Pilgrimage of the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion occurs on the Sunday closest to the actual date, 17/06/1941, when the Battalion first went into action at Fort Merdjayoun during the Syria Campaign. 2020 was the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the original Battalion. 2022 is the 80th Anniversary of the reforming of the Battalion.

Members of the Battalion, family and friends gather on the forecourt near the Eternal Flame at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Victoria before marching up the stairs into the Shrine for the Remembrance ceremony. This includes reading out the names of those soldiers who have passed away since the last Pilgrimage and a Battalion soldier's background prepared by a family member. Also, the bugle calls The Last Post and Reveille are sounded. The 2/2 Pioneer Battalion Flag is flown on one of the flag poles across from the Eternal Flame during the Annual Pilgrimage. A popular destination is the Battalion Tree on the west slope of the Shrine. See previous Pilgrimage photos.

Annual Reunion - * Sunday June 16th, 2024. After Annual Pilgrimage *

Location : Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne, Victoria (Melway 2F J12).

The Annual Reunion Luncheon of the 2/2 Pioneer Battalion was traditionally held on the day before ANZAC Day every year (formerly at the Maribyrnong R.S.L.) until 2009 when it was held at the Fairfield R.S.L. up to 2013. See previous Reunion photos.

*** You are invited to join us for a fully catered afternoon tea for just $20 per person. Bookings must be received by Friday June 7th 2024 by the Association Secretary (contact details in Battalion Newsletter) OR via the CONTACT US webpage so catering numbers can be confirmed. ***

Annual Picnic - * None planned at present for 2024. *

Location : Oaks Picnic Area, Jells Park South, Ferntree Gully Rd entrance, Wheelers Hill, Victoria (Melway 72 A9).

The 2/2 Pioneer Battalion used to have their annual gathering at Jells Park, Wheelers Hill. In 2008, the Younger Generation Group decided to rekindle the spirit of those family picnics as an annual event. Facilities include car parking close to picnic tables and rotunda, free electric BBQs, play equipment for children and toilets close by. See previous Picnic photos.

Excursion - * None planned at present for 2024. *

Annual excursion. So far, we have visited :

2014 (November) Canberra War Memorial
2013 Kapooka Army Base in Wagga Wagga (a Battalion training camp in New South Wales)
2008 Ballarat (Victoria) Ex P.O.W. Memorial opening
2007 Moonee Valley Council (Victoria) offices to view the original Australian flag flown above Fort Merdjayoun after the battle
2006 Puckapunyal Army Base in Seymour (a Battalion training camp in Victoria)

Overseas Group Trip - * None planned at present for 2024. *

So far, we have visited :

2016 Borneo P.O.W. camps
2012 Java battlefields and P.O.W. camps