The purposes of the
Association are:
• to provide fellowship for members and ex-members of the Ballarat based Army Reserve Unit presently known as the 8th/7th Battalion The Royal Victoria Regiment
• to provide administration structure necessary for the holding of reunions and other activities which the committee of the association may consider necessary
• to publish and distribute to members an association newsletter at least once each year
• to carry out any other activities which would support the Army Reserve and in particular The 8th/7th Battalion The Royal Victoria Regiment or its successor unit or units
• to further the preservation of the History of The 8th/7th Battalion and its successors
• to encourage pupils at local schools and cadet units to become involved in the Unit's history and the Association's current activities
• to undertake welfare activities on behalf of members of the association
• to instil in members sensitivity and care for the well-being of each and every member of the Association as a whole.
Membership Fee $25 annually
Contact Secretary or Treasurer for Bank details.
Fee due by 30th September each year.
The 8/7 Battalion - 2 RVR Association gives out two awards annually to soldiers of 8/7 RVR.
Junior Leader of the Year Award:
This award recognizes a junior leader within the battalion who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and contributions.
Champion Soldier Award:
This award is given to a soldier who has excelled in their duties and consistently demonstrates strong qualities of a good soldier.
The awards are presented at the annual Ballarat Dinner.
We have Committee Meetings once a month which members are welcome to watch. Usually held on the second Tuesday of the month, 1pm at Alfredton Recreation Reserve, off Cuthberts Rd, Ballarat. Confirmation of each Meeting will be in the Newsletters and the Coming Events Page. Usually the minutes will be published in the newsletters.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on 19th October 2025. Check on the Coming Events Page for timings. Voting for Executive positions will be on this day.
Executive Committee
President: Dick Wilkie
_____
Vice President: Chris Liston
_____
Secretary & Facebook Page:
Jason County
_____
Treasurer & Welfare:
Barbara Birthisel
_____
Newsletter Editor:
Neil Leckie
_____
Committee Members 2024/25:
Greg Code
Bruce McKinnon
Ian Nunn
Les Taylor
Barry & Heather Harris
Robert Chatfield - Website Editor
Dee Belleville - Welfare Assistant
Bob Anderson - Welfare Assistant
Bob Hope
Congratulations to our 2025 Award Winners!
Last night our Committee attended the Soiree for our own 8th/7th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment - Australian Army and had the honour of presenting the following awards.
Below are the citations for the award winners from the RSM.
The 8th/7th Battalion-2 RVR Association Junior Leader Award.
8522787 CPL Laurence Gatt
I commend CPL Gatt for his tireless and exemplary performance in carrying out his responsibilities as acting Platoon Sergeant of the 8/7 RVR Signals Platoon. His selfless contribution to the generation and sustainment of the premier signals capability with the 2nd (Australian) Division directly exemplifies his commitment to service and achieving disproportionately impactful outcomes.
CPL Gatt’s leadership, time management and displayed technical knowledge remains of the highest order in overcoming assurance and maintenance problems associated with sustainment of a diverse, technical and complex Security Protected Asset equipment suite.
Repeatedly working under severe time constraints, CPL Gatt has applied himself extremely diligently to all tasks, ensuring the ongoing communications support to Company, Battalion and Brigade training and activities. CPL Gatt’s achievements are in keeping with the finest traditions of Army and the Australian Defence Force.
The 8th/7th Battalion-2 RVR Association Champion Soldier Award
8677196 PTE(P) Meena Soliman
I commend PTE Soliman for his tireless and exemplary efforts in training and mentoring of ab-initio personnel who are joining the Royal Victoria Regiment. As a Company Headquarters Private on a Compassionate Posting, PTE Soliman continues to go above and beyond the required roles and duties associated with his rank and position.
PTE Soliman continues to proactively train, mentor and facilitate junior members in proficiency attainment across a diverse suite of Army equipment and tactical skills.
PTE Soliman also demonstrates ongoing excellence in personal professional development through dedicating his limited time in undertaking tertiary studies above his daily workload in a Defence and security related field. PTE Soliman’s contributions are in keeping with the finest traditions of Army and the Australian Defence Force.
Text written by Jason County
Champion Soldier of the Year
2017 Pte Matthew Kishy
2018 Pte Benjamin Schmidt
2019 Pte Benjamin Smith
2020 Pte Jessica May Russell
2021 Pte Peng Wang
2022 Nil award
2023 Nil award
2024 Pte St Ares Gillardi
2025 Pte Meena Soliman
Junior Leader of the Year
2002 Cpl P Baird
2003 Cpl P Baird
2004 Cpl P Baird
2005 Cpl D Logan
2006 Cpl P Baird
2007 Cpl C Hayden
2008 Cpl D Crowe
2009 Cpl B Wilson
2010 Not listed
2011 Not listed
2012 Not listed
2013 Not listed
2014 Not listed
2015 Not listed
2016 Not listed
2017 Cpl Robert Trewartha
2018 L/Cpl Justin Ludeman
2019 Lt Nicholas Kitchen
2020 Cpl Dale Vistarini
2021 Cpl W. Paffrath
2022 Nil award
2023 Nil award
2024 L/Cpl Daniel Ryan
2025 Cpl Laurence Gatt
"Young Diggers" Assistance Dog Programs for Veterans
On November the 25th, Dick, Barry and Heather attended a dog training day held by the “Young Diggers” Charity Dogs group at Melton. Fourteen dogs and trainers/handlers were present, as well as professional dog trainers. and a BBQ was also held. It takes 3 years to train a dog. Dick met an ex-naval officer that has a dog that our Association co-sponsored with the Sebastapol RSL club. She has had the dog for four years and spoke of how the dog has helped her.
Dogs are provided for ex service personnel only. The second dog that we have sponsored need to be tracked down by us, the owner was not there on the day. The dogs are sourced for the group from breeders and the Lost Dogs Home. This visit has opened an avenue for more continuity of information from the group to us. There is also the possibility of a future excursion to visit the group with a BBQ.
