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.

The Association is honoured to have the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, 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

Hon Gordon Samuels AC, Honorary President

1996 - 2000

The current president of the association is LTCOL Schon Condon who was elected at the association's AGM in Oct 2008

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