Reunions & Events
After an event has passed, it remains posted until the following year, when new details will replace it. Scrolling through this page shows which events are usually held each year.
Rhodesian Light Infantry Veterans Association, 61st Anniversary. 29th January, 2022. Benoni, South Africa
11:00 a.m. at Bunker Reveille Moth Shell Hole.
All forces are welcome to join. From Midday there will be the Reading of the Commando Rolls of Honour, 'Last Post', Observation of Silence and 'Reveille'.
Music from Mr G's Disco. All drinks and refreshments are to be purchased from the Bunker Bar. Lunch can be brought but good food is available.
Zimbabwe Aid Fund Golf Day, 23rd April 2023. Maleny, Australia
Golf and Lunch at Maleny Golf Club, Maleny, Queensland
Reunion and raffle.
RLIRA Gala Dinner, 14 to 15th April 2023. Blackpool, UK
The Imperial Hotel, Blackpool, UK
Friday 14th April:
Evening prayer meeting
Saturday 15th April:
02:00 to 05:00 p.m. meet and great speakers John Padbury and Peter McAleese.
07:30 p.m. till late. Gala Dinner
Notify Martyn before 15th January 2023 of your intention to attend.
ANZAC day marches
Brisbane:
25th April.
08:30 - 09:30 Commemoration – Botanic Gardens near Cannon – 70 metres in from Corner Edward Street and Alice Street – Bunya walk. A ceremony will be conducted for all Rhodesian's who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
09:30 March. The meeting point is the junction/corner top of Charlotte Street (George St) near the Pancake Manor. Tony Rogers will be the Contingent Sgt Major ensuring standards are met as follows for the men:
White shirt and tie.
Black or Dark Navy Jacket / Blazer.
Black Longs.
Polished black shoes and head dress of the unit you were a member of.
Your uniform as was issued to you, well turned out with polished shoes and head gear.
Only full size medals issued to you, are to be worn on the left breast (no miniatures are acceptable).
Medals of deceased family may be worn on the right breast (again only full sized medals - no miniatures are acceptable)
Dark Glasses are not part of our kit issue and are not to be worn unless they are tinted normal sight correction lenses.
Descendants are allocated to another group on the corner Elizabeth Street into William Street. Please note appropriate dress, no photographs and family medals on your right breast side.
There will be a family BBQ/Braai in Orleigh Park West End after the March. We will be located near the West End City Cat terminal.
Otherwise, following the march, those in the city together with family have the option of meeting up at the Victory Hotel, corner Edward & Charlotte Streets.
Contact Clive Cooke of Rhodesian Veterans Association, Brisbane
Canberra: Contact Richard Johnson.
Melbourne: March, then family and friends welcome to join Lunch. Contact Allan Campbell. Send a PM to Margaret Campbell on Facebook to make contact. She is a member of Rhodesian Military group.
Perth: organised by the Rhodesian Services Association of WA.
Sydney: Rhodesians have marched at this event since 1980 thanks to the ongoing support and assistance of the NSW Returned and Services League.
Approval has been given to the Rhodesian Ex-Services Association through President, Ryk Dabrowski to march on 25th April 2024.
Visit the website by clicking here.
Meet at The Grand Hotel, corner Hunter and Hamilton Streets. Step off will be from Phillips Street near Hunter Street at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Click here to view a video of the march in 2023. Instal VPC if it doesn't open.
A new venue was used in 2023. Lunch afterwards was enjoyed at Hotel Harry "Harry's" 40-44 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 and a booking has been placed for 2024 again.
ANZAC Day, 25th April, New Zealand
Akaroa, Banks Peninsula (south of Christchurch): Contact Bryan Tichborne.
Carterton (Wairarapa): Contact Dave McIntosh. 
Hobsonville RSA, Auckland: Arrive at the RSL at 114 Hobsonville Road from 09:45 am. Assemble at the Hobsonville School for form up at 10:30 am to march back to the RSA. The main service follows and after it concludes the Rhodesian service will be held in the lower carpark. Contact RhSA Secretary, Chuck Osborne for more details.
Tauranga, Lion & Tusk museum.
Waikari, North Canterbury: Contact Geoff Weller.
Rhodesian Air Force Memorial Dedication, 7th May 2022
Meet and greet at Dickie Fritz, Edenvale at 10:30 a.m. to march on parade at 11:00 a.m..
Gwebi Reunion, Adelaide, South Australia, 11-12th July 2025
A Gwebi Reunion is being held to co-incide with the Lions Tour to Australia in July 2025. 
The proposed location is Adelaide as the fixture will be a Lions versus a combined invitation Australia/New Zealand team. Adelaide is midway between the east and west coast of Australia with direct flights to New Zealand. It is also a terrific city and surrounding area to visit with great vineyards, beaches and entertainment close by with reasonable and affordable accommodation.
Tickets to the game go on sale on 7 March 2024 so please hold the date and those that contact early will be part of a block booking.
A venue will be booked close to the city to host the reunion and transport will be organised to the game at the Adelaide Oval.
Contact Fred Lyon, Roger Manly or Mike van Blommestein for more information or go to the the Contact page on this website.
Rhodesian Air Force Re-union, UK, 15th July, 2023
Meet up at the National Memorial Arboretum in the restaurant area around 10:30.
Around 11:00 walk to the Rhodesian Air Force Memorial for a short service where to honour and remember those who have left us.
After the service, say 11:30 head back to the restaurant area to order drinks and lunch/snacks.
It’ll be around 12:30 by the time we’ve finished eating/drinking, and then it’s off to the
Royal British Legion club in Alrewas for drinks. There is a bar menu at the RBL and the drinks are less expensive than usual pubs.
BSAP Annual Memorial Service and Luncheon, 4th August, 2019, Staffs
11:00 a.m. at the National Memoriam Arboretum, Airewas, Staffs, UK. Mermorial service and address is followed by a buffet lunch.
Tickets for attendence payable in advance.
Rhodesian African Rifles Association Memorial, 20th August 2023.
The Service of Remembrance was held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. 
The colours were marched on and the Regimental Flag was raised.
The Commitment of Rememberance was followed by the Last Post, a Minute of Silence then Reveille.
Tributes to the Fallen were read by Major Sean von Stranz, the daughter of Major Mutangadura and the son of Sgt Hamandishe KIA 1979; after the Tribute to the RAR.
Wreaths were laid for RNR, RAR, Rhodesian Services, Rhodesian Air Force, JOC Rhodesia, families and others.
The service was closed with the playing of Sweet Banana, the colours retired and the congregation followed.
Addresses in the lounge were given by Pat Lawless SCR and Onias Hamandishe.
RLI UK 60th Anniversary, 9th October 2021
This event has been cancelled due to health and safety issues at the venue.
RV (Rendezvous), March, New Zealand
Rhodesian Services Association. 
Traditionally this was held in October over the Labour Day Weekend but the Rhodesian Services Association RV (Rendezvous) and AGM will be held at the The Lion and Tusk Museum, Unit 10, 14 Portside Drive, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand from Friday 6th March to Sunday.
The museum will open on Friday at 10:00a.m. and there will be a quiz at 05:00p.m. Pizza will be ordered.
On Saturday, assemble from 10am for a welcome at 11am which will include an address by the curator. Snacks and refreshment will be available. After 02:00p.m. the braai will be lit for boerewors rolls. There will be raffles and dress code is casual.
On Sunday, assemble at 10:00a.m. for 10:30a.m. start of the AGM which usually takes around 1 hour after which there will be the usual refreshments as well as bacon and egg rolls.
Email interest in attending to the Secretary of the association.
Remembrance Day, November.
Bedford, England:
The committee at the RAFA club have advised that there will be no 
march on Remembrance Sunday because of Covid restrictions.
As a result of this, RAFA are planning on having a service at the club, with drinks and food to follow as normal. They are wanting to know numbers that will be attending. If enough are, they will erect a Marquee out the back in the car park to accommodate everyone and maintain social distancing.
Cape Peninsula, South Africa: Methodist Church, 1 First Avenue, Fish Hoek. 12:30 p.m. for 1:00 p.m., Sunday, 4th November, 2018. Rememberance Day Service and refreshments will be served after the service.
Johannesburg, South Africa: Annual Rhodesian Forces Memorial Service. Dickie Fritz Garden of Remembrance, 115 Dickie Fritz Avenue off Elm Street, Dowerglen, Edenvale, Johannesburg, Gauteng South/Rand Area. Congregation to be seated by 10:35 a.m. and Parade to March on at 10:45 a.m. Braai facilities available. Burgers and drinks at MOTH Club. 13th November 2022.
Ontario, Canada: Sunday, 11th November 2018. Wreath laying at Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph in Victoria Park. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the north end of Centenniel Hall parking lot.
Tauranga, New Zealand: Remembrance Sunday, 14th November 2020, The Lion and Tusk Museum is open from 10 a.m. and Padre Peter Coventry will hold a service at 11am. Food and drinks available.
Warner Beach, South Africa: Sunday, 10th November 2019. MOTHS and Veterans form up at Buddy's Pub on Kingsway at 10:30 a.m. for the traditional march to the Mills Bomb Shellhole.
Waterloo, UK. The RAA hold their annual Remembrance Day Parade at 10:30 on 11th November 2018 at the Garden of Remembrance, outside Westminster Abbey. Afterwards, a luncheon is held at the London Novotel, Waterloo.
An article commerating the 50th UDI Anniversary which was written by Mark Dale can be viewed here.
Photographs of past reunions:
'Medal Etiquette' by Hugh Bomford.
Abbreviated from Rhodesian Services Association newsletter, April/May 2015.
Many of us never received our service medal(s) at a medal parade. Many of us probably only received our medals when we were no longer part of the Rhodesian Security Forces and so were not taught how to prepare or wear medals. So here are some points that I hope will assist you to better understand what is required and for you to pass on:
1. We term the pinned metal bar on which medals are mounted a ‘brooch bar’.
2. Officially sanctioned medals should be worn on the same bar. It is not a good look to see medals individually pinned on a jacket. However, in France there is a regulated number of medals that can be worn on each bar, but generally speaking all sanctioned awards and medals go on one bar which is called a ‘medal group’.
3. Sanctioned awards and medals are issued by the Crown, governments, and in a few cases medals awarded by sovereign recognised organisations such as the Royal Humane Society, St Johns and the Scout Movement, are also included.
4. Medals are worn on the recipient’s left breast.
5. Medals of a deceased immediate next of kin are worn on the right breast ‘in memorial’.
6. You may only wear medals in memorial if you are directly related; for example, medals that have belonged to a great - grandparent, grandparent, father or mother, brother or sister, uncle or aunt.
7. Only one set of medals should be worn in memorial. Wear your ancestor veteran’s medals with dignity and pride.
8. Do not wear medals that you are not entitled to. It is illegal and disrespectful.
9. The order of precedence in which medals are mounted is set by the country of residence. Order of precedence is a complex subject which is too detailed to cover adequately here.
10. There are two mounting styles – swing and court. Basically, swing mounted medals swing freely; court mounted medals are affixed to a backing board and require more ribbon.
11. When wearing medals present them in the best condition possible – you are on parade. Ask yourself: would your RSM have approved of dirty ribbons and tarnished medals? Would your deceased ancestor want his/her medals displayed in poor fashion?
12. Full size medals should be worn during daylight hours.
13. Miniature medals are designed to be worn after sundown, by both men and women, to make wearing them more practical and comfortable while in evening clothes. It is also acceptable to wear miniature medals in memorial where the weight of a full size group would be difficult for the wearer to manage and to avoid potential clothing damage.
14. Wearing replica medals is to be encouraged in order to protect originals from loss or damage. It is also recognised that many Rhodesians did not collect their service medals and also that a lot of medals have been lost to theft and passage of time. Replicas can be purchased from the Rhodesian Services Association here.
15. Wearing a Poppy with medals - the Poppy should always be worn on the left lapel of a jacket/coat,or directly above any medals that are worn on the left side of the chest only. The Poppy may also be worn behind the hat badge of military headdress, if worn.
16. Ribbon bars showing sections of ribbon of awarded medals should only be worn on uniform.
In recent years, much has been said in New Zealand and Australia as well as among the Rhodesian fraternity around the world, concerning the wearing of ‘unofficial medals’. Unofficial medals are those that do not have government authorization to be worn – these are often referred to as ‘vanity’ medals. They are designed to ‘represent’ military service where no medal was given or warranted. Unofficial medals have been around for a long time. As far as I know, in Rhodesia there were unofficial medals made at the end of the Matabele Rebellion, WWI, WWII and a Royal tour. About ten years ago an Independence Commemorative Medal” was produced in England and made available for anyone who wanted to purchase it. Subsequently another Rhodesian linked organisation has manufactured one to commerate ANZAC Day attendance with “bars” which can be awarded every five years. These vanity medals were seen in abundance on photos from recent ANZAC Day parades around Australia.
The growing practice of wearing vanity medals alongside official medals by Rhodesian veterans is causing an unhealthy level of public criticism. Aside from debates on social media, questions are now being asked of me by an Australia/New Zealand group that monitors military imposters in relation to Rhodesians in Australia whose photos are appearing in the public domain wearing a mix of vanity and official medals.
This is not healthy for us.
Typically, Rhodesians who served in the 1970’s have one or two service medals. The first is the Rhodesian General Service Medal (RGSM) which was initiated in 1969 and ‘awarded for service on operations undertaken for the purpose of combating terrorists or enemy incursions into Rhodesia’. The minimum required period of service for eligibility was 14 days. The second is the Zimbabwe Independence Medal (ZIM) which was initiated in 1980 and awarded to all forces in the country at the time of independence. People who were awarded medals for bravery, good conduct and/or long service would have been made aware of their award by letter from the commanding officer of their unit or, if they were civilians, from the Rhodesian Government.
We should be satisfied with what we were awarded. There is no board of appeal and no Rhodesian Government to change anything now. Our grandfathers typically got two or three medals for serving through WWI, so why should we feel we need to wear more medals?
This is the official word on vanity medals in New Zealand -
While it is not against the law to wear vanity medals, the New Zealand Government has issued a specific Protocol for New Zealanders wearing honours and awards that is expected to be followed:
Order of Wear, Orders, Decorations and Medals in New Zealand - dated 1st April 2008 and signed by the Governor General: Section 11 Part I – Awards issued by public and private organisations, other than those of the Order of St John and the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand, may not be worn, either with, below or on the right side, with official Orders, Decorations and Medals.
Section 11 Part II – Awards produced on a commercial basis may not be worn, either with, below or on the right side, with official Orders, Decorations and Medals. (Source – Medals Reunited New Zealand).
I ask you to stop wearing vanity medals alongside official medals. It is completely unnecessary.