Our History
The earliest evidence of an Artillery Association in NSW dates back to the periods 1887 and 1891. However the details of this early Association have been lost in time.
Following World War 1, a group of officers established the Annual Gunner Dinner, which has continued down the years. The association existed during the inter-war period, however there are no records. The Gunner Dinner was suspended during the Second World War.
Towards the end of WW2 MAJGEN J Whitelaw commenced the formation of associations across Australia. On the 9 th May 1946, a group of officers under the Chairmanship of LTCOL J Manning moved to form an Association open to all those who served with Artillery. On the 31 st August 1948, a further meeting was convened, a Constitution adopted and Office Bearers elected to the Royal Australian Artillery Association NSW Branch.
The new Association reflected the immediate post-war years and its initial membership was composed of officers. With the expansion of the Army in the 1970’s and the changes in service and social conditions, the Constitution of the Association was amended in 1977, to widen membership qualifications to include all Gunners regardless of Rank.
In 1993 the existing association became the Royal Australian Artillery Association (NSW) Incorporated.
Since its inception the association has maintained a close relationship with the Royal Artillery Association in the United Kingdom.
Our Patrons
The Association is honoured to have the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC, QC, as its Patron.
| Previous Patrons | Period |
| LTGEN Sir Frank Berryman KCVO, CB, CBE, DSO | 1948 – 1981 |
| Sir Roden Cutler VC, AK, KCMG, KCVO, CBE | 1981 – 2002 |
| The Hon. Gordon Samuels AC, CVO, QC, Honorary President | 1996 – 2001 |
| Professor The Hon. Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO | 2001 – 2014 |
| His Excellency General The Hon. David Hurley AC, DSC (Ret’d) | 2014 – 2019 |
| Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC, QC | 2019 – Current |
Our Presidents
The current president of the association is LTCOL Alain Dunand.
| Presiding Chairmen of meetings preceding the formation of the Association: | Period |
| LTCOL J Manning | Inaugural Meeting 9 May 1946 |
| LTCOL CE Long | Provisional Committee 5 Aug 1948 |
| BRIG MB Keatinge | Provisional Committee 18 Aug 1948 |
| LTCOL AG Hanson | General Meeting 31 Aug 1948 |
| Presidents – RAA Association (NSW) | Period commencing |
| BRIG M Keatinge | 31 Aug 1948 |
| LTCOL C Ingate | 17 Nov 1949 |
| COL B Watchorn | 13 Sep 1951 |
| LTCOL J Pagan | 11 Sep 1953 |
| BRIG CE Chapman | 25 Aug 1954 |
| BRIG AG Hanson | 28 Aug 1958 |
| COL GYD Scarlett | 13 Jun 1961 |
| LTCOL RK Fullford | 11 Jun 1963 |
| LTCOL D Pennicook | From 13 Oct 1964 acted as President following the resignation of BRIG RK Fullford following his promotion and posting to Darwin. |
| BRIG JW O’Brien | 8 Jun 1965 |
| BRIG FB McAlister | 11 Jun 1968 |
| LT AW Quinn | 8 Jun 1971 |
| LTCOL F McAskill | 13 Jun 1972 |
| LTCOL LD McLaughlin | 10 Jun 1980 |
| CAPT WC Liddell | Acting President then elected from 8 Feb 1982 |
| MAJ LF Nix | 13 Jul 1983 |
| MAJ BFE Wilson | 13 Jun 1984 |
| BRIG WM Silverstone | 12 Jun 1985 |
| LTCOL GS Staziker | 6 Jul 1988 |
| MAJ LP Hindmarsh | Acting President from 8 Nov 1989 then elected from 18 Jul 1990 |
| Presidents – RAA Association (NSW) Inc | Period commencing |
| LTCOL KJ Broadhead | 21 Jul 1993 |
| LTCOL D Ireland | 21 Aug 1996 |
| MAJ R Corbett | 8 Feb 1998 |
| Mr B Lennie | 2000 |
| Mr P Easton | Acting President 2002 then elected from Oct 2002 |
| COL D Tait | Oct 2005 |
| LTCOL Schon G Condon | Oct 2008 |
| COL D Tait | Oct 2011 |
| LTCOL Alain Dunand | Oct 2012 |
| LTCOL Schon G Condon | Oct 2015 |
| LTCOL Alain Dunand | Oct 2018 |