UNOFFICIAL
Dear Alumni
Continuing changes to the regulations surrounding public gatherings have been problematic for us all this year. As the Royal Australian Air force embarks on its Commemorative events for 2021, we too are adhering to the relevant jurisdictional Health Department requirements.
Easing of restrictions has meant that we can now invite Air Force veterans and serving members to activities to be held in Canberra on 29, 30 and 31 March 2021 – but will limit numbers according to Health advice by conducting ballots for places at each event.
Included are the ballot instructions and web links for people wishing to attend and I seek your valued assistance in promulgating this information to your members/stakeholders/supporters who are either serving or retired Air Force members to allow them to submit an expression of interest to attend one of the events planned.
Thank you for your consideration to my request.
CURRENT SERVING PERSONNEL BALLOT
Air Force Centenary Commemorations in Canberra – Ballot for current serving
Air Force Members, APS and AAFC
While COVID-19 restrictions have interrupted Air Force Centenary plans, a number of events are still being planned nationally and locally at Bases, and the opportunity to participate in Canberra Events is now being made available.
National events in Canberra include:
Indigenous Welcome at the Australian War Memorial - 29 March 2021
Commemorative Service at the Air Force Memorial on Anzac Parade - 30 March 2021
Flag Raising at Commonwealth Place - 31 March 2021
Flag Raising at Blamey Square - 31 March 2021
Queen's Colour Parade and Flypast at Government House - 31 March 2021
Queen's Colour Parade and Flypast Live Site at Rond Terrace - 31 March 2021
Centenary Dinner - 31 March 2021
ACT COVID-19 requirements may limit the number of people participating in any one event. In order to allow the broadest representation at Centenary events, a Ballot has been opened to current and former Air Force members to enable them to nominate to attend one of a number of the events in Canberra on the 29th, 30th and 31st of March 2021. A separate ballot will be advertised and conducted for former Air Force members.
Call for ballot nominations for current Air Force members, APS in AF program and AAFC
All current serving Air Force members, APS members employed in the Air Force Program, and Australian Air Force Cadets are invited to submit an expression of interest to attend one of these events. It is permissible to nominate to attend multiple events but if successful in the ballot you may only be selected to attend one event to ensure the widest possible attendance across the Air Force family.
Travel
All members from outside of the Canberra region will be responsible for their own costs associated with travel and accommodation. Units may be prepared to fund such travel but this will need to be approved through the chain of command.
Ballot
The number of ballot allocations will be determined by COVID restrictions at the time and may limit both the numbers able to attend each event, and the location that the nominee is able to travel from.
The decision about attendance will be determined by Government guidance and will be left to the last possible moment to ensure maximum participation across Australia.
This Ballot is open to:
Permanent Air Force members
Reserve Air Force Members (SERCAT 2 - 5)
Australian Air Force Cadets
APS employed in the Air Force Program
Closing date for Ballot
Nominations for attendance will close at 1700 hours on Friday 12 February 2021.
The ballot is accessible here: Ballot for Canberra Centenary Events (https://raaf.eventsair.com/air-force-centenary/ballot/Site/Register)
Nomination in and of itself does NOT guarantee you will be successful. Advice as to the success of your nomination will be provided by email by 1 March 2021. You will be required to RSVP by the 7th of March 2021 to secure your ticket.
Current serving and Former members unable to attend in person are encouraged to participate by viewing the live broadcast conducted by the ABC on base, at home, at their local RSL, or at their usual meeting places.
Planning is underway for the commemoration, across Australia, of the Royal Australian Air Force’s formation in March 1921 and further information, including updates to the timing of the live broadcast, may be obtained at the Air Force 2021 website: www.airforce.gov.au/100
FORMER AIR FORCE MEMBERS BALLOT
Air Force Centenary Commemorations in Canberra – Call for nominations and Ballot for Former Air Force Members
Commemorations in the national capital, Canberra, for the Air Force Centenary will be open to current and Former Air Force members with events ticketed to control numbers of attendees to meet the COVID requirements applicable in March, 2021. A separate ballot will be advertised and conducted for current serving Air Force members.
National events in Canberra open for nomination to attend include:
A Commemorative Service at the Air Force Memorial, ANZAC Parade, Canberra on March 30th 2021
A memorable flypast of current and former RAAF aircraft at Rond Terrace, Canberra, as part of the presentation of the “Queen’s Colour for the RAAF” ceremony on March 31st - which will be televised by the ABC and displayed at Ron Terrace
All Former Air Force members are invited to submit a nomination to attend one of these events. It is permissible to nominate to attend multiple events but if successful in the ballot you may only be selected to attend one event to ensure the widest possible attendance across the Air Force family.
COVID requirements regarding numbers of people at events will determine the number of participants and a ballot is being conducted in order to allow the broadest representation of current and Former Air Force members.
All participants will be responsible for their own travel, accommodation and related costs to attend events. It is recommended that travellers purchase travel insurance to cover cancellations and access restrictions that may apply because of COVID requirements.
Nominations for attendance close at 1700h Friday 5th February, 2021.
Please note that if you have already submitted an expression of interest to attend through the Air Force Association, there is no need to register again.
Nominate on line here: https://raaf.eventsair.com/air-force-centenary/veterans/Site/Register
Nomination in and of itself does NOT guarantee you will be successful. Successful nomination will be notified by email on the 1st of March 2021. You will be required to RSVP by the 7th of March 2021 to secure your ticket.
Current serving and Former members unable to attend in person are encouraged to participate by viewing the live broadcast conducted by the ABC, at home, on base, at their local RSL or at their usual meeting places.
Planning is underway for the commemoration, across Australia, of the Royal Australian Air Force’s formation in March 1921 and further information, including updates to the timing of the live broadcast, may be obtained at www.airforce.gov.au/100.
Regards
Bruce Chalmers FIML MProfComm
Squadron Leader
STRATCOMM AF2021
Air Force 2021 Branch | Air Force Headquarters
W: (02) 6128 7334 | M: 0429 696 029
Email: bruce.chalmers@defence.gov.au
F4-2-094 | 28 Scherger Dr | FAIRBAIRN, ACT, 2609