2/8th Australian Infantry Battalion

22/04/2026

ANZAC DAY 2026 MARCH ARRANGEMENTS

6th Division 2/8th AIF Battalion Association

Anzac Day is rapidly approaching and it is a time we should not forget. It is a time to honour and recognize those who have served their country and a time remember.

I have noticed the attitude of the organisors has been changing and descendants are now being actively encouraged to participate in the commemoration activities. The number of marchers last year was terrific and up on previous years. For those planning to attend this year a reminder of your responsibilities to dress appropriately and the protocals required. Medals worn in honour of a deceased family member should be worn on the right and I encourage marchers to keep in step and their lines straight. Just a little thing that acknowledges the occasion! I consider it a privilege to participate as I am sure you all do!

There is no change to the meeting place this year. The 6th Division is to form up in Collins Street South-East. Look for the Battalion Banner! The kick off time is scheduled for 9.00 am so I recommend we should meet at lease 1/2 an hour prior as they usually start promptly. Natalie and Georgia have again committed to carry the banner.
Bruce Sellock, our President will again lead the Battalion.
After the march, we will meet at the 2/ 8th Memorial Tree on the western side of the Shrine to the right of the pathway leading to St Kilda Road. Anzac Day biscuits and a cuppa will be provided by my sister and her husband Margot and Michael Hennessy. They have negotiated sponsorship from their local Box Hill RSL which is terrific!

Last year we had a record number of descendants marching:-
Natalie and Will Bretherton, Georgia Gardiner, a large contingent representing Bob Slocombe, and an even larger group connected to Geoff and Marjorie Baldwin, Nick and Bruce Sellock, Sophie and Grace Jones (Who made the ANZAC Biscuits) David, Jeff, Noah, Claire and Mark Battye, Rachel Lamb and Phoebe Walker, Joan Barker, Bradley William Houghton, Douglas Ward, Bradley, Mia and Olivia Nolan, Richard Celm, Bob Thornton, Carol Smith, Alyson and Josh Stevens, Janet and Bob Wason, John and Jenni Wason Wason, Ann and Andrew Ashley, Aaron and April Body, Hayley Wason and Alex Lloyd, Heather, Enzo, Saskia and Winston Nolan, Wendy Wason and Kaylee Brebner. Apologies to those whose names I could not decipher.

Bruce Sellock (President) and Rowan Simpson (Secretary)

10/11/2025

23/04/2025

ANZAC DAY 2025 MARCH ARRANGEMENTS

6th Division 2/8th AIF Battalion Association

Anzac Day is upon us again, when it's time to remember the service and sacrifice of the fallen.

As descendants and friends of the 2/8th AIF Battalion, it is our privilege to recognise those who have served and to march in their honour.

Please note that the 6th Division is to form up in Collins Street South-East. Look for the battalion Banner!

The Step off time is scheduled for 9.00am, the RSL has requested that we be at the assembly place 1 hr prior, so around 8 am.

The start is half an hour earlier this year and given they usually start promptly, it is recommended you arrive early.

Natalie and Georgia have again committed to help out with the banner but we are looking for volunteers to help out with the guy ropes.

Bruce Selleck, our President will again lead the Battalion.

Looking forward to seeing you on Anzac Day. After the march, we will meet at the 2/ 8th Memorial Tree on the western side of the Shrine to the right of the pathway leading to St Kilda Road. Anzac Day biscuits and a cuppa will be provided care of Margot Hennessy.

Last year we had the following 29 descendants marching:-
Natalie and Will Bretherton, Georgia Gardiner, David, Jeff, Godfry, Claire and Mark Battye, Rachel Lamb, Madeline and Phoebe Walker, Marsali Slocombe, William Houghton, Douglas Ward, Bradley and Mia Nolan, Danielle Robertson, Don Geals, Bruce, Nicholas and Maddison Selleck and Rowan Simpson.

From Bruce:
Another year had passed, and it seems like yesterday I was at the Shrine on Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day before that.

I have been working on a new Membership Pin and Challenge coin for the Unit in the background. John from JR Medals has been a tremendous help with this. If you ever need anything in the medal or memorabilia world, please look up this veteran-owned and operated business. I’ve included pictures of the proposed items, and will post up an expression of interest to see if there is sufficient interest in purchasing these items.

The RSL has been quite active in ensuring the associations and units are well updated in step off times, dress code etc, I’ve even just received an email from the Chief Marshal of the march Mr. Jason Cooke, pointing out that rain is a possibility and to be dressed accordingly, here are the instructions that we’ve been provided.

As for dress and forming up, there are a few key points that we need to remember and be respectful of. Dress code is as normal, neat casual, football gear is not allowed, if you are to wear service medals of descendants, they are to be worn on your right-hand side (right breast), ONLY service medals awarded to yourself can be worn on the Left-hand Side (left breast).

No banners or portrait-pictures can be displayed in the formed-up march, you are most welcome to in-the-crowd display pictures if you wish.

Now that the formalities are said and done, I always reflect on what ANZAC Day means to us all. For some, it’s a day of reflection for those dear family members who have left this place but still march with us in our hearts and minds on this day and throughout the year.

For me, I also reflect on several things. Firstly, the friendships we’ve formed in representing our descendants, catching up, and enjoying time together. More recently, my time in 2023 in Greece, where I was fortunate to visit, walk amongst, and meet a few older locals who remembered the Australian soldiers in Vevi and Kelid. The genuine welcome extended to me was humbling. Furthermore, walking around the areas where these men fought and returned is a surreal experience.

Thank you all again for your efforts in remembering our descendants. I hope to see as many as possible on ANZAC Day.

Bruce Selleck (President) and Rowan Simpson (Secretary)

Nulli Secundus – 2/8th AIF 6th Division 19th Brigade

22/04/2025

Good evening everyone - I will post up the March details tomorrow morning for all.

Just a few notes - from the RSL

Dress code - casual - No Football Gear

Service medals of veterans must be worn on the Right Breast-

Only Military medals awarded to the individual can be worn on the left (over the heart)

Flags, banners (other than the unit banner and patch can be flown) and photographs - portraits etc are not allowed.

We are there to honor their service , with respect and also to the new veterans who have serviced our nation.

Thanks for your understanding and support, if you have any questions regarding the above please feel free to DM.

Bruce Selleck
President 2/8th AIF Battalion Assn.

16/04/2025

RSL Victoria would like to clarify misinformation on social media regarding the ANZAC Day March in Melbourne.

The start time of the march has not changed. It will start at 9am like it has for several years now.

The form up time has been brought forward to 8am (from 8:30am) at the request of Kindred Orgs and Unit Leaders to give the more than 10,000 expected participants more time to get organised in the correct slot for the march.

FULL STORY: https://rslvic.com.au/news/anzac-day-march-times-clarification/

11/11/2024

Today is remembrance Day, where we take a moment out of our busy lives; to remember those that went before us.

To those of the greatest generation that answered the call.

We owe so much to them, they gave there todays, their youth, for our today and tomorrows.

Take a moment to remember , Lest we forget.

Bruce Selleck
President 2/8th AIF

Rowan Simpson
Secretary

11/11/2024

07/05/2024

To all of you who came out for the ANZAC DAY March and Catchup, thank you. I want to express my particular gratitude to Rowan and his family for providing refreshments and making the day even more special.

Additionally, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge Natalie & Georgia for their 30+ years of unwavering commitment to the Association. There are many others who have helped us along the way, and we are grateful for each and every one of them. But more than anything, it is an honor to remember our family members who served in the 2/8th Australian Infantry Battalion.

Seeing so many familiar faces at the event was wonderful. I am considering organizing a mid-year meetup, possibly at the shrine around the remembrance of the 2/8th. I welcome feedback from everyone.

I have been asked several times about how people can obtain the Association pin. Some people are looking to replace their existing 1980's pins, while others are looking for a pin to pass down to future generations. To that end, I want to thank Doug Ward, a descendant member who is currently serving, for putting me in touch with John Roxburgh, a Veteran who owns a Military Regalia and Medals company JR Medals. Together, we are working on a new Membership Lapel Pin and challenge coin that we hope will be available to all soon.

Lastly, in August 2023, I had the privilege of visiting the Northern Greek Towns of Vevi and Kalid, these towns that were central to the battalion's Greek campaign. While there, I met an elderly grocery store owner who was a boy during WW2. He remembers the Australians being in the township of Vevi and became emotional as he shared how they fought for his town and country. It was a powerful reminder of the sacrifice made by so many.

In the next few weeks, I will share more details and pictures with you. Until then, thank you for your continued support of the Association.

Nilli Secundus - Second to None.

Bruce Selleck - President

24/04/2024

ANZAC DAY 2024 MARCH ARRANGEMENTS

6th Division 2/8th AIF Battalion Association

Anzac Day is upon us again when it time to remember the service and sacrifice of the fallen.

As descendants and friends of the 2/8th AIF Battalion it is our privilege to recognize those who have served and to march in their honour.

This year, the order of the march is Army, Navy then the Air Force. Please note that the 6th Division is to form up in Collins Street East - Centre. Look for the battalion Banner! The kick off time is scheduled for 9.00am. Given there are fewer marchers each year and the start times have been prompt, it is recommended that we meet at least 30 minutes prior to the advertised time say 8.30am.

Natalie and Georgia have again committed to help out with the banner but we are looking for volunteers to help out with the guy ropes.

Bruce Selleck our President will again lead the Battalion.

Looking forward to seeing you on Anzac Day. We will meet at the 2/ 8th Memorial Tree on the western side of the Shrine to the right of the pathway leading to St Kilda Road. Anzac Day biscuits and a cuppa will be provided.

Please ring Rowan on 0439389242 or send me an email [email protected] if you intend to come.

Rowan Simpson (Secretary)

Kind regards Bruce and Rowan