Community
6 July, 2023
Patriots raise money for Afghan war memorial
PATRIOTS Australia Military Motorcycle Club members have completed their 10th annual ride to the Afghanistan Avenue of Honour on the Tablelands, raising thousands of dollars towards its upkeep.
About 100 members from Cairns, Townsville and the Tablelands rode together from the Patriots clubhouse at Holloways Beach via the Kuranda Range and Mareeba to the avenue at Yungaburra.
Cairns chapter president Dave “Robbo” Roberts said they were met by about 50 Friends of the Avenue, caravan park residents and other people.
“I gave a welcome and sergeant-in-arms Ray Rosendale gave the welcome to country,” he said.
“The avenue president Craig Reedman spoke about the history of the avenue, the navy chaplain (Nigel Porter) spoke, seven wreaths were laid, the last post was played by bugler Gary Turner and the padre blessed us all before we rode back to the clubhouse for drinks and raffles,” he said.
Mr Roberts estimated the club has raised more than $20,000 for the upkeep of the memorial.
He said the Patriots decided 10 years ago to contribute to the maintenance of the area including lighting and mowing costs because it was not funded by governments or councils.
“I think we have raised about $2500 this year,” Mr Roberts said.
“We hold the ride as close as possible to the date of the original opening (June 22, 2013),” he said.
“We do it to honour their service and sacrifice as it says at the base of the monument.”
The war memorial honours the 39 diggers who have been killed in Afghanistan.
More than 5000 people attended the opening, including then-Defence chief General David Hurley, former prime minister Julia Gillard and former opposition leader Tony Abbott.
The avenue is near the edge of Lake Tinaroo.
Private Ben Chuck, one of three commandos killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2010, was from Yungaburra.
His family tirelessly campaigned to raise the $300,000 needed to build the memorial, which many people say is a place of healing and closure.
