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.
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
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Vice President: Chris Liston
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Secretary & Facebook Page:
Jason County
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Treasurer & Welfare:
Barbara Birthisel
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Newsletter Editor:
Neil Leckie
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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
This week, OC C Coy, MAJ Robert Powell, RSM WO1 Matthew Vermey and Lance Corporal Daniel Ryan attended the 8/7 Battalion-2RVR Association's Annual 'Ballarat Dinner 2024', held at Sebastopol Bowling Club.
At the event, members of the 8/7 Battalion-2RVR Association presented LCPL Daniel Ryan with the Junior Leader of the Year Award, and PTE St Ares Gillardi with the Champion Soldier Award.
Both members have made significant contributions to growing 8/7 RVR's reconnaissance and sniper capability.
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
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
"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.
