Friends Of The Odd Bods Association committee member, Jenny Hibbens, represented the Association at the recent RAAF Centenary celebrations in Canberra. She has been good enough to share her experience in this report.
RAAF 100 Celebrations in Canberra - 30th& 31st March 2021
Without a doubt – the RAAF 100 Year Anniversary Celebrations in Canberra was the most amazing event I have ever had the privilege to attend. Made more so as I was representing our wonderful Friends of the Odd Bods Association UK Inc.
For readers of our blog – you can see the full events on the ABC Channel 2 iView (https://iview.abc.net.au/show/air-force-100) – I would also highly recommend To The Stars: 100 Years Of The RAAF (https://iview.abc.net.au/show/to-the-stars-100-years-of-the-raaf) .
So I am not going to give a blow by blow description of the events. Rather I want to comment on my experience of the Anniversary Celebrations.
I drove to Canberra from Jervis Bay on the Tuesday. Road works delayed me, so I pulled up at a roadside rest stop along the Barton Highway to throw on the suit and medalsetc., and drove straight to the RAAF Memorial on Anzac Parade. Where to find a parking spot? Not a problem. When the workers at the road blocks saw my suit and medals I was waved through all the barriers and was able to park in the service road a few feet from the Memorial – with 10 minutes to spare!
With all the memorial services – the timing was impeccable. From the Opening Centenary Commemorative Ceremony on the Tuesday afternoon at the RAAF Memorial to the Flag Raising Ceremony in Blamey Square at 8 AM in true Canberra 6 C weatherto the Queens Colour Parade at Government House in glorious sunshine and blue skies - everything went off with precision perfection. The celebrations were two years in the planning and it showed. Chairs were all socially distanced. There were very few ‘civilians’ at any of the ceremonies – it was mainly Air Force members, past and present, so it was truly an honour and a privilege to be part of it representing our organisation. What was most noticeable to me was the courtesy and respect all Air Force personnel displayed toward those who were not in uniform. If someone looked lost or was on their own – an Air Force member in uniform was by their side asking if they could be of assistance – or simply stood by them and chatted and kept them company – no-one was left standing looking lost or alone.
Our Indigenous people and the custodians of the land, the Ngunnawal peoples, were acknowledged at each event. Uncle Michael Bell performed the welcome to Country and Uncle Harry Allie, BEM Indigenous Elder of the RAAF, also welcomed all who came to participate.
Air Marshall Mel Hupfeld executed a speech in the Ngunnawal language at each occasion which was truly inspiring. He stated that he had also gained a new understanding of the culture of the Ngunnawal people which he stated was the most rewarding thing about learning a little of the language.
The MC at the Queen’s Colour Parade, Peter Overton, performed a remarkable job of explaining every step of the Ceremony of the Queens Colour Parade and its meaning and symbolism.
One of the special guests was Mr John Coburn who turned 100 on the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the RAAF. John was a Topographer with the RAAF in WWII. Just before the Queen’s Colour Parade the Governor General of Australia presented John with his Australian Service Medal. At lunch John, along with Air Marshall Mel Hupfeld, cut the first of the Anniversary cakes with swords.
Of particular note to me, both as a woman and a civilian, was the enormous representation of women who were present in the RAAF at every ceremony in every field and aspect.
Lunch was served under large marquees on the rear lawns of Government House and hence would you believe we missed most of the fly past – which was held at the front of Government House and over Lake Burley Griffin – however by then my phone battery had died anyway.
Two young RAAF officers came and sat at the table where I was eating my lunch with an elderly retired RAAF gentleman and his French wife. Again, if they saw civilians on their own they made themselves known and kept us company. Later that evening that some young RAAF officer waited with me in the foyer of the National Convention Centre and walked me to my table for the commemoration Dinner before finding his own seat.Such courtesy.
Another thing that struck me was the sense of humour the RAAF has – “they are most certainly not a glum lot”. As well as God Save the Queen and The Australian National Anthem – Waltzing Matilda and Top Gun also featured in the music selections. The RAAF Birthday cake was wheeled out at the Centenary Dinner to the ear shattering strains of a lone screaming guitar! A swing band played throughout the proceedings of the dinner.
Quote of the Night: “I wore their blood” . . . female medic who served in Afghanistan
Speech of the night: Brendan Nelson
The Future - Announced by Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld: No longer will RAAF members be called RAAF Men and RAAF Women – they will henceforth be known as “RAAF Aviators”.
And as of 31st March 2021 the RAAF slogan will be “Then, Now, Always”.
I took every opportunity to talk about the Odd Bods and our organisation with whomever would listen. It was very apparent few people knew anything about our RAAF WWII being called the Odd Bods, or of our organisation. We do need to do more PR and education of who we are and what we do. We need to lift our profile wherever we can. It was a privilege and an honour to represent the Odd Bods Assoc. UK Inc. for this momentous occasion of the RAAF Centenary Celebrations.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
Then, Now, Always
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