10 July 2025
RAAF Base Amberley personnel celebrated the 85th anniversary of flying operations on-site by unveiling a plaque on June 17.
Senior ADF Officer – Amberley Wing Commander Tanya Evans unveiled the plaque detailing the base’s founding, construction and Indigenous history.
Wing Commander Evans described how Amberley rose from small beginnings to become the biggest RAAF base in Australia.
It is now home to Combat Support Group, five wing headquarters, five flying squadrons, 16 supporting units and systems programs offices, and two Army units.
“Throughout Amberley’s history there have been many units formed and reformed here, as well as others that have departed for other bases before returning here,” Wing Commander Evans said.
“This has seen many aircraft come and go, such as the Canberra bomber, Sioux helicopter, Phantoms and the F-111.
“The RAAF Base Amberley motto, ‘Bold and Faithful’, is displayed on the 85th anniversary plaque to reflect the ongoing courage and steadfastness in our duties and values that our aviators display every day, in service to our nation.”
The plaque was created in conjunction with former Warrant Officer George Hatchman, the 23 Squadron Association historian, to help preserve Amberley’s history and the memories of those who have served there.
In December 1938, 882 acres (353 hectares) of land in the Parish of Jeebropilly were gazetted for Defence purposes at Amberley.
Jeebropilly translates from the local Indigenous language as “Swamp of the Sugar Gliders”.
The Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul peoples are the traditional custodians of the land on which RAAF Base Amberley stands.
Members from the Yuggera Dancers group conducted a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at the unveiling.
