This is a summary for use by the RAR Associations and other interested parties.
Mission: To provide assistance and guidance to the State, Territory and RAR BattalionAssociationsand to represent the interests and welfare of current and ex-serving members and their families to Government at all levels.
Formation: The RARA was formed in 1990 in Enoggera Barracks Queensland, from which the National Headquarters still operates.
Structure: The National RARA is an Incorporated Association with charitable status. Its members are the State and Territory RARAs where formed, and the 12 Battalion Associations which include those which are no longer on the Army Order of Battle. The National Headquarters is also the custodian for the National Memorial Walk located within Enoggera Barracks. While the RARA is a formally structured organisation it governs by consent.
National Memorial Walk: The National Memorial Walk consists of individual trees honouring each person who died while serving overseas with the Regiment. It also includes a Roll of Honour located in a Contemplation Building. It us maintained by local volunteers and the two Battalions which occupy Enoggera Barracks.
Management: There is a National President who is elected by the members for three – year terms, a Secretary, a Public Officer, a Web Manager and an IT support person. All are volunteers. Currently there are four Directors including two younger members, all of whom who are elected every three years.
The National Headquarters must maintain regular contact with the Head of Corps Infantry and the Colonel Commandant of the Regiment so that they are aware of the Advocacy issues, the major activities of the Association, and the value of their troops joining the Association. Part of the final package of those leaving should include the contact details of the Association in their home state.
Representation: The RARA is a founding member of the Ex – Service Organisations Round Table (ESORT) which has as its members all the major ESO’s and is chaired by DVA. It is the major national representative body to Government for serving and ex serving ADF personnel.
The RARA is also a founding member of the Australian Defence Services Organisation (ADSO), a non-Government body consisting of the majority of the Australian ESOs other than the RSL which exists to provide a non-government view of veterans’ issues and to advocate for improvements in their entitlements. ADSO provides a short list of the top Advocacy issues for taking to Government and National Members of Parliament.
Passage of Information: National Headquarters has the capacity to directly download relevant information to all member websites, including external media and keeps members up to date via this method. This includes the current list of Advocacy items for publicising.
State and Territory RARA: Where they are established,the State and Territory RAR Associations provide a link between the Battalion Associations and National Headquarters and assist Battalion Associations as required. They provide a link with State Governments, State RSLs and other ESOs. They provide camaraderie and commemorate significant events in the RAR Commemorative calendar; and where appropriate they are the custodians of the RAR Memorials in their home. They may enlist members from Battalions whose Associations are not active in their home state.
Battalion Associations: The Battalion Associations are the backbone of the RARA, as it is they who have the closest association with our veterans and their families, via their Membership, Websites, Facebook, Commemorative Services which they run or participate in as well as any other means which is available to them.
They must maintain close relationships with their Battalions, in particular the Commanding Officers and the RSM’s, so that they are aware of the Association’s Advocacy issues and that they may pass on their own issues.
It is essential that those leaving the Service are aware of their Association and what it can do for them. The range of assistance which the Battalion Associations can provide to veterans varies but it is wide. It is in the best interests of those leaving to join their parent Battalion Association as soon as they leave if it is active in their home state or the State Association if it is not active.
Additional Information. More detailed information and guidance for our Associations is contained in the National RARA Document entitled the Road Map which contains comprehensive tips on all aspects of operation.
