Leadership

Patron – His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM

His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM was educated at Perth Modern School before joining the Western Australia Police Force in 1976, going on to provide 46 years of service in Australian law enforcement. He served in country and metropolitan positions, criminal investigation, training and senior roles and was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2002 for distinguished service. 

After 10 years as Deputy Commissioner, he left WA for a national role in Canberra between 2014-2017 serving as CEO of the Australian Crime Commission and Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology. He was appointed Commissioner of the Western Australia Police Force in August 2017, serving until July 2022.

His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM was sworn in as the 34th Governor of Western Australia in July 2022 and made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2023 for eminent service to public administration, law enforcement, reconciliation and as Governor. 

His Grand-Uncle, Francis John Smith served with the 44th Battalion AIF during the Great War and died of wounds on the 2nd of October 1918 at the age of 36, shortly after the Breaching of the Hindenburg Line.

Director – Mr. Luca Muir Anderson

Mr. Luca Muir Anderson graduated from North Lake Senior Campus in 2023 and immediately enlisted into the Australian Army Reserves as an Armoured Vehicle Crewman. After completing his training at Wagga Wagga (NSW) and Puckapunyal (VIC), he was posted as a Trooper to the 10th Light Horse Regiment. He had previously been in the Australian Army Cadets for two years. Mr. Muir Anderson completed a brief half-year period of continuous full-time service in 2024. 

He has a keen interest in West Australian military history and started his first historical projects at the age of 14, notably completing the WAColonialMilitary.com website in 2022 and successfully founding this charity in early 2024. His Great-Grandfather, John Mckeon, served in the 44th Battalion AIF during the Great War and was gassed at the Battle of Hamel in July 1918.

Vice Director – Colonel (Retd) Michael Page RFD

Colonel (Retd) Michael Page RFD was educated at Wesley College before joining the Citizen Military Forces in 1981. He attended OCTU and was commissioned as a Rifle Platoon Commander in 1982 with the 16th Battalion, Royal Western Australia Regiment. He became the commanding officer of the Battalion in 2000. He had extensive training appointments including at the Australian Command and Staff College and received a Training Commander’s Commendation and the Reserve Forces Decoration. He was promoted to Colonel in 2007 and was made Honorary ADC to the Governor General of Australia. Other notable appointments included Assistant Commander of 13th Brigade and the Director of Studies – Army Reserve at the Australian Command and Staff College. His service concluded in 2013, after over 33 years of service.

In civilian life, Mr. Page established TACTICS, a war-gaming retail store in 1987. He has also completed a Bachelor of Arts (History) with Honours from UWA in 2014. He is currently the Vice President of the Highgate RSL Sub-Branch and acts on multiple committees related to the military community.

Secretary – Mr. Tilman Ahrens

Mr. Tilman Ahrens is in his final year of study at Pittwater House. He has been in the Australian Army Cadets for many years, acting as the Cadet Under Officer for his school’s band. He has just been accepted into the Australian Army Band Corps as a reservist, to commence at the end of 2025.

Treasurer – Major Brian D’Cunha

Major Brian D’Cunha was educated at Perth Modern School before joining the Citizen Military Forces in 1988. He attended OCTU and in 1989 was commissioned as the Radio Troop Commander with the 109th Signal Squadron in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. He became the Officer Commanding the unit in 2001. In 2000, he commanded the 13th Operational Search Company, 1st Operational Search Battalion at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He has had numerous staff roles including being posted to the Army Compliance Assurance Agency and HQ Special Operations Command in audit roles. He currently still serves in the Australian Army Reserves, with 37 years of service so far.

Mr. D’Cunha is an active member of the RSL and is also the Treasurer of the Naval Military and Air Forces Club. In civilian life, he worked with the Australian Public Service from 1977 to 2016, primarily in the ATO and Department of Finance. He has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from Curtin University. 

Committe Member – Major (Retd) Nigel Earnshaw

Major (Retd) Nigel Earnshaw served in the Australian Army for 24 years from 1991 to 2015 as a soldier and officer in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, mostly serving with the 1st and 2nd Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment, attaining the rank of Major. Mr. Earnshaw deployed on operations to East Timor (2), South Lebanon/ Syria/ Israel, Iraq and Afghanistan where he led infantry Platoons and Companies as well as international teams. 

Since retiring from full time service, Mr. Earnshaw has volunteered at the Australian War Memorial and has visited a large number of historic Australian battlefields around the world, searching for Australian soldiers who remain missing in action. He is currently the President of the Cottesloe RSL Sub-Branch, advises RSL WA on commemoration activities, is the Historian for the Perth Korean War Memorial Committee and sits on other Australian military history committees.

Committee Member – Mr. John Burridge MG

Mr. John Burridge MG commenced his National Service obligation in May 1968 and after recruit training was posted to the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He served overseas as a machine gunner in 11 Platoon in Vietnam with the 5th Battalion RAR from February 1969 to February 1970, during which time his Battalion fought in 18 operations and suffered 25 killed and 202 wounded. 

“On the 4th of April 1969, while on Operation Overlander, 11 Platoon came under heavy enemy machine gun and rocket fire from a bunker position at a range of 20 metres. Two members of Private Burridge’s section were killed and the Section Commander wounded. Private Burridge moved forward, on his own initiative, to a position 15 metres from the enemy and commenced engaging the bunkers. He maintained his position for over an hour and effectively prevented the enemy from moving to other bunkers on the flanks of the platoon. His actions drew most of the enemy rocket fire onto his position and as a result he was wounded in both legs. 

Despite his wounds and further enemy engagement of his position, Private Burridge continued to fire on the bunkers and restrict the effectiveness of the enemy fire until the remainder of the platoon could move to new positions. His courage and his complete disregard for his own safety were major factors in preventing further casualties to the platoon and his conduct was an inspiration to all.”

In 1999, Mr. Burridge was recognised for this action and awarded the Medal For Gallantry, Australia’s third highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. 

Since returning from the war, Mr. Burridge has been one of the most influential members of the militaria community in Australia, running John Burridge Military Antiques. He is extensively involved in the veteran community, memorial community, Legacy WA and is the Vice President of the Claremont RSL Sub-Branch.

Committee Member – Mr. Peter Shaw

Mr. Peter Shaw joined the Citizen Military Forces in 1965, having previously been a member of the Australian Cadet Corps for five years. He served with the 16th Battalion, Royal Western Australia Regiment from 1965-1970, attaining the rank of Corporal. He was selected for OCTU training but did not undertake the offer due to personal commitments.

Mr. Shaw has had a long time interest in military history, particularly British and Australian regimental histories. Key activities in this field include: 

-Military History Society of Australia (Fellow and at various times President and Secretary of the WA Branch)

-Army Museum of Western Australia (Honorary Life Member, volunteer and a representative on the inaugural committee)

-Co-author and editor of the 16th Battalion unit history.

-Membership in other organisations including the 16th Infantry Battalion Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia Association (President) and the Royal Western Australia Regiment Association (President & Vice President)

During his time with the Army Museum of Western Australia, Mr. Shaw played a key role in the research, acquisition and cataloguing of the unit colours in the museum. Mr. Shaw is currently the Vice President of the RWAR Association. In civilian life, Mr. Shaw worked with the WA State Government for 40 years, principally in mapping and land information. 

Chief Historian – Neville Browning OAM

Neville Browning OAM is one of Australia’s foremost Military Historians, specialising in Australia’s participation in World War 1. Mr. Browning has a keen interest in the local community, offering free services in displays and lectures on Western Australians on the Western Front in World War One. He has helped as a volunteer with the Army Museum of Western Australia and 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion Association.

Mr. Browning has been writing Australian Army unit histories for almost thirty years and has completed 10 (battalion-sized) unit histories (16th Bn, 20th Bn, 28th Bn, 31st Bn, 44th Bn, 48th Bn, 51st Bn, 52nd Bn, 2nd Pioneer Bn, 10th LHR) and is currently authoring his eleventh unit history. For his service to the preservation of Australian military history, Mr. Browning was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2018.

Advisor – Major (Retd) Peter Heeney

Major (Retd) Peter Heeney enlisted into the Australian Army in 1968 and served as a Private Infantryman in South Vietnam, 1970-71. He attained the rank of Warrant Officer Class One in 1986 and in 1988 he was commissioned as a Captain. In 1992, Mr. Heeney transferred to the Army Reserve and retired in 1996 with the rank of Major. 

Mr. Heeney is an active member of multiple volunteer organisations, especially Legacy, which he has been involved with since 1982 and is currently the Director of. He is also the Secretary of the Korean War Memorial Committee, Master of Ceremonies for Korean Armistice Day and Vietnam Veterans Day and was previously the State President of the Royal Australian Regiment Association WA.

Advisor – Mr. Bill Munro

Mr. Bill Munro enlisted into the Australian Army and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in the Vietnam War. He is actively involved with the RSL community in Western Australia being a Sub-Warden for the State War Memorial, Warden for the RSL Highgate Sub-Branch, and a previous sub-branch president and RSL executive.