Inaugural Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Commemorative Day Service

Commemorative Service at Kingscliff NSW

Between 2001 and 2021, Australian military personnel and civilian staff from various agencies served on Middle East operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On 11 July 2021, the Minister for Defence confirmed all Australian Defence Force personnel had departed Afghanistan, bringing our nation’s longest war to a close.

Tragically, 41 Australian lives were lost in Afghanistan and two lives were lost in Iraq, while many veterans returned with lasting physical and mental trauma. One of these members is the name sake for the park that houses the Kingscliff Cenotaph. Sapper Rowan Robinson lost his life on 6th June 2011, during an overnight operation to destroy a large cache of weapons discovered in northern Helmand province, Afghanistan.

This year, RSL NSW has established 11 July 2024 as the inaugural Middle East Area of Operation (MEAO) Commemorative Day. The commemoration allows the Australian community to reflect on and recognise the service and sacrifice of our Defence personnel and their families, including those who served in or supported operations in the MEAO.

Kingscliff RSL sub-Branch will be holding a service at Kingscliff Cenotaph, Rowan Robinson Park, at 11am, Thursday July 11th. We would love for the community to come along and support this newly established day of commemoration.