Australia Day 2008

Australia Day 2008

The Battery takes a great deal of pride in its public profile of which the Australia Day Salute is inevitably the first on the calendar for any year.
The Battery called in its members early from the normal Brigade Stand Down break commencing rehearsals and preparation of the guns on the preceding Tuesday (22 Jan 08) and again putting on the polish on the morning of the Salute.
Guns were lined up at the southern edge of the Kings Park War Memorial area, patrons in that area of the Park were given ear protection and asked to remain behind a white chain link barrier until the Battery's Guns had completed their mission of the 18 gun salute.
The whole show went off without a hitch on a very hot day which was testimony to dedication of the Army Reserve soldiers of 7 Field Battery.
The BC, MAJ Steve Mathers, was very impressed by the performance of his Officers and Soldiers.
The parade was taken by the Battery GPO LT Nigel Kerr, whilst the guns were under the direct control of the Battery Guide, SGT Scott Parker.
The guns are moved into and out of position by "brute strength" due to the restrictions on driving Unimogs onto the grassed area. A distance of 75 metres per gun.

Salute Moves

"Stand down" time to move

One of the nineteen

Trails left the guns have to be moved by hand