Our Memorabilia Sales Drive - Thursday and Friday 23 and 24th April

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors are welcome. 

As a self-funded not-for-profit organisation we pay our way raising revenue from bar sales, Foodland memorabilia sales, sausage sizzles at Mitre 10, and generous donations.

Many of those donations come from the much appreciated generosity of numbers of wineries and other commercial businesses in the Barossa, most of whom are facing increasing costs as we all are. 

Without all above, we could not operate. Occasional Federal, State and Local government grants do not cover our operating expenses, they are usually for capital projects eg, building a roof over our field gun or changing internal lighting from flourescent to LED. 

Our revenue enables us to run the two commemorative events annually ie, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, and includes supporting our fellow veterans and their supporters socially, and through advocacy as we meet the RSL Objects. We also make our Hut property available for organisations seeking training or meeting venues. 

See here for Statement of Purpose and Objects.

Private James MARTIN - Our Youngest ANZAC

The Hut will not be open on 24 APRIL for Happy Hour as we prepare for ANZAC Day 

Throughout our short history, we've had many heroes, some named and many others who served with anonymity. Most of us have no knowledge of Private James Martin.

Just a boy, with the fervour of a patriot and much older men. He was not the only youngster to enlist and end up in action during the first World War, but was the youngest.

As we near ANZAC Day, it's timely to remember James and the sacrifice he and his family made.

Private James Martin, 14 years old

In the editor's view, anyone who served in a combat role on our behalf is a hero. Here is a video about James and his short life. Stop the video if you haven't had time to read the text.

Private James Martin Youngest ANZAC

What to expect on ANZAC Day at Tanunda

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors are welcome. 

If you join us for ANZAC Day on 25 April 2026, and we hope you do, this is our program:

 

6:15am - the haunting sounds of RSL Tanunda’s Lone Piper, Alistair McCallum, commences RSL Tanunda’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Memorial Gardens, corner Murray and Bridge Streets Tanunda.

 

6:30am - the Dawn Service begins commemorating all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations, and to reflect on the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.

 

7:00am - the Dawn Service concludes with The Ode, followed by The Last Post and the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems as the morning sun rises and heralds in the dawn of a new day. Lutheran Homes Barossa’s Pastor Lutz will lead the service. Tanunda Town Band will provide musical accompaniment for the Tanunda Liedertafel and NZ Army veteran, Shelley Spencer will play The Last Post.

 

Immediately after the Dawn Service, the traditional Gunfire Breakfast is served at 'The Hut', RSL Tanunda's clubrooms located at the Tanunda Recreation Park. The menu includes egg and bacon rolls, barista coffee, a tot of rum courtesy of Tony Pasin MP, and juice for children.

 

10:45 - 11:00am - Veteran’s March. Veterans and others who wish to march gather in Basedow Road near the corner of Murray Street at 10:45am and step-off at 11:00am accompanied by Barossa Pipes and Drums. Marchers pass dignitaries located at the Tanunda rotunda down Bilyara Road, into the Tanunda Recreational Park ending at The Hut.

The salute is being taken by our most senior member, Colonel Evan Allanson (Ret), centenarian veteran, Esther Whitelum, and its Vietnam veteran Vice-President Patsy Biscoe AM.

 

Please join RSL Tanunda to commemorate this most important of days.

 

Lest we forget!

The Australian Defence Force Acquires Unmanned Drones

If you haven't visited us yet, you're missing out. Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors welcome; 

By: Bethany Alvaro

Defence Connect New drones have been introduced to artillery personnel at Puckapunyal, Victoria.

Two new uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) have been delivered to Aussie soldiers for testing as a part of the DEF 129 UAS project. 

The new drones, the SYPAQ CorvoX and Quantum Vector, offer a range of advanced features and capabilities as Australia continues to look to the use of drones for defensive capabilities.

 “UAS provides a wide range of utility to artillery and combined arms,” said Major Daniel Fleming from the School of Artillery. “The most significant would be in the ability to locate, identify and assist in the prosecution of targets. “Both the CorvoX and Vector can provide grid references and descriptions of the targets, allowing for personnel to search larger areas for targets from relative safety.”

The CorvoX drone features electro optical/infrared payload and thermal imaging, making it operable and efficient in dark, fog, and smoke environments.

“SYPAQ CorvoX is a small and robust system, which is quick to employ and delivers a good electro optical and infrared video feed,” MAJ Fleming said.

Quantum Vector offers a 2-in-1 fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing feature, and is effective in delivering intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance video in real time. “While a bit larger, the Vector 2-in-1 can also be rapidly deployed to fly for up to three hours and at a range of 15 kilometres. “Vector is a very user-friendly experience, which will easily replace Wasp and Puma systems.”

These new UAS are expected to be introduced into general service in the Australian Defence Force soon.

Japan’s Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Why not drop-in to our Hut after 5 pm most Fridays at Tanunda Recreational Park. Mix with our friendly members and have a refreshment. Everyone is welcome, you don't have to be a member or have a background in the military.

Recently editor Robin visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and watched a video of stories of survivors and those who told their stories shortly before their demise from radiation poisoning. Many of the latter people thought they had survived since they had not been injured during the explosion only to suffer illnesses shortly after.

 

A girls school nearby the drop zone resulted in the deaths of hundreds of those young girls, a few who survived long enough to tell their stories.

You can read stories from two young girls who were both 13 at the time in the link below or read their shortened stories in the images below.

This link will take you to a short video that relates theirs and other stories, a heartbreaking story about a young boy who had to cremate his deceased sister. He was interviewed in 2022.

Click to increase size

The dome above is one of very few buildings that survived total destruction and is a pivotal part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park that is spread across quite a large area and very beautiful. If you haven’t visited and ever get the chance to do so, please visit.

Robin admits to feeling very sad as he sat and watched the video and as always, was astonished by man’s inhumanity to man that still exists today.

Earlier readings about the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki revealed the decision the US Government took was that the total number of deaths caused by these bombings would have been fewer than the number incurred had the war continued. It must have been a tough decision for anyone to make and hopefully it will never be repeated.