Veterans Film Festival

Veterans Film Festival

The annual Veterans Film Festival presents films from around the world, which explore real or imagined stories about war

Canberra (November 2020)

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Veterans Film Festival News & Reviews

Interviews, Persian Film Festival, Veterans Film Festival / /
Past and Future: Persian Film Festival 2019

Past and Future: Persian Film Festival 2019

“We are proud that the 8th Persian Film Festival is paying a tribute to the ...
Bendigo Queer Film Festival, Geelong Pride Film Festival, Interviews, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Queer Screen - Mardi Gras Film Festival, Veterans Film Festival / /
‘Transmilitary' doc sets out to 'change hearts and minds'

‘Transmilitary’ doc sets out to ‘change hearts and minds’

Gabe Silverman and Fiona Dawson discuss the origins and impact of their powerful documentary, and ...
Reviews, Veterans Film Festival / /
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero

Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero

Moving and reliably engaging for all ages and those anywhere and everywhere who love dogs ...
Reviews, Veterans Film Festival / /
Journey's End

Journey’s End

War epics more often than not revolve around the key or decisive battles, the grand, ...
Bendigo Queer Film Festival, Geelong Pride Film Festival, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Queer Screen - Mardi Gras Film Festival, Reviews, Veterans Film Festival / /
Transmilitary

Transmilitary

Documentaries can recount, expound or explain so much – but it’s always better when they’re ...
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Four Victoria Cross for Australia medals were awarded during this operation to: Corporal Mark Donaldson VC; Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG; Corporal Daniel Keighran VC; and Tasmania’s own, the late Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG. Services were held Saturday (March 21) around the nation in all capital cities and Townsville to formally thank those who have served and sacrificed for us and for our sake. Premier Hon Will Hodgman formally passed on National and State thanks and gratitude for the sacrifice of CPL Baird
Tasmanian Cams Cause Ambassador Royce Crawn officially unveils the plaque to the Cpl Cameron Baird VC MG Room at the Burnie RSL with Cameron’s Father Doug Baird 2018.
THE Victoria Cross will be awarded posthumously to Australian commando Corporal Cameron Baird, killed in Afghanistan in June 2013, Tony Abbott has announced. The Prime Minister told parliament that Corporal Baird, of the Special Operations Task Group, was the 100th Australian recipient of the highest military honour for bravery in wartime. Killed by small arms fire during a battle with Afghan insurgents, he was the 40th - and last - Australian to die in Afghanistan and the fourth Australian VC from the conflict. “He repeatedly drew enemy fire away from his team members and charged enemy positions under heavy fire. His actions enabled the enemy to be neutralised and his team to be kept safe,” the Prime Minister said. “Corporal Baird’s actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force. He is an Australian hero.”
Townsville March 21, 2015 MORE than 6000 people lined The Strand to cheer on Townsville’s returned servicemen and women who marched as part of a national commemoration service marking the end of Operation Slipper, the longest war in Australia’s history.
Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (2nd Rotation) unofficial patch.
ADF citation: It is with deep regret the Australian Defence Force announces the death of Private Benjamin Ranaudo during operations in Afghanistan. Private Benjamin Ranaudo was killed by an anti-personnel explosive device in Afghanistan on 18 July, 2009. Private Ranaudo was a member of the Townsville-based 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. He was a member of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan and was killed while on operations north of Tarin Kot.
Memorial Service for Pte Ben Ranaudo and L/Cpl Matthew Hopkins – Jan 2010.
MRTF-2 on parade 14-2-2010.
Lt Col Andrew Hocking 29-1-2010.
For gallantry in action during close quarters combat in Afghanistan on Operation SLIPPER. Lance Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird was part of a Commando Company mission assigned for clearance and search of a Taliban stronghold in November 2007. During the initial phase of the clearance, Lance Corporal Baird's Platoon came under heavy fire and during the ensuing close-range fire-fight, a member of his team was mortally wounded. Displaying complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Baird led other members of his team forward under heavy fire from machine guns and assault rifles to recover the wounded team member back to a position of cover. He then re-entered the compound and continued to engage the enemy. Even though under constant fire, Lance Corporal Baird continually moved amongst his team members coordinating their fire, and throwing grenades to neutralise the enemy machine gun positions. Once the close quarter battle had been won, Lance Corporal Baird again led his team forward and began room-to-room clearance, where he was again engaged by several enemies. Lance Corporal Baird continued to lead the fight, killing several enemies and successfully completing the clearance. Throughout the action, Lance Corporal Baird displayed conspicuous gallantry, composure and superior leadership under fire. He was personally responsible for killing several enemy combatants during the clearance, ensuring the momentum of the assault was maintained, and undoubtedly preventing further members of his section from becoming casualties. His performance and his actions were of the highest order and were in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force. Victoria Cross for Australia Baird's medals, including his Victoria Cross for Australia, on display at the Australian War Memorial Doug and Kaye Baird and the Governor of Tasmania unveiling a memorial plinth in Burnie. Memorial plinth in Burnie. In February 2014, Baird was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia.[2] Baird was killed in operations in Afghanistan on 22 June 2013.[4] The citation for his Victoria Cross reads:[9] For the most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice at Ghawchak village, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, as a Commando Team Commander in Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER. On 22 June 2013, a commando platoon of the Special Operations Task Group, with partners from the Afghan National Security Forces, conducted a helicopter assault into Ghawchak village, Uruzgan province, in order to attack an insurgent network deep within enemy-held territory. Shortly after insertion, Corporal Baird’s team was engaged by small arms fire from several enemy positions. Corporal Baird quickly seized the initiative, leading his team to neutralise the positions, killing six enemy combatants and enabling the assault to continue. Soon afterwards, an adjacent Special Operations Task Group team came under heavy enemy fire, resulting in its commander being seriously wounded. Without hesitation, Corporal Baird led his team to provide support. En route, he and his team were engaged by rifle and machine gun fire from prepared enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Baird charged towards the enemy positions, supported by his team. On nearing the positions, he and his team were engaged by additional enemy on their flank. Instinctively, Corporal Baird neutralised the new threat with grenades and rifle fire, enabling his team to close with the prepared position. With the prepared position now isolated, Corporal Baird manoeuvred and was engaged by enemy machine gun fire, the bullets striking the ground around him. Displaying great valour, he drew the fire, moved to cover, and suppressed the enemy machine gun position. This action enabled his team to close on the entrance to the prepared position, thus regaining the initiative. On three separate occasions Corporal Baird charged an enemy-held building within the prepared compound. On the first occasion he charged the door to the building, followed by another team member. Despite being totally exposed and immediately engaged by enemy fire, Corporal Baird pushed forward while firing into the building. Now in the closest proximity to the enemy, he was forced to withdraw when his rifle ceased to function. On rectifying his rifle stoppage, and reallocating remaining ammunition within his team, Corporal Baird again advanced towards the door of the building, once more under heavy fire. He engaged the enemy through the door but was unable to suppress the position and took cover to reload. For a third time, Corporal Baird selflessly drew enemy fire away from his team and assaulted the doorway. Enemy fire was seen to strike the ground and compound walls around Corporal Baird, before visibility was obscured by dust and smoke. In this third attempt, the enemy was neutralised and the advantage was regained, but Corporal Baird was killed in the effort. Corporal Baird’s acts of valour and self-sacrifice regained the initiative and preserved the lives of his team members. His actions were of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.
The Commando - The Life and Death of Cameron Baird VC MG From his early life as an up-and coming AFL player to his tours of duty in Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan and his final battle in the dusty Ghawcha village in the Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan - the powerful biography of Cameron Baird, VC, MG, one of Australia's most decorated modern soldiers. On 22 June 2013, Corporal Cameron Baird was a 2nd Commando Regiment Special Forces soldier when he led his platoon into a known Taliban stronghold to back-up another Australian unit under heavy fire. In the prolonged firefight, Cameron was mortally wounded. In 2014, Cameron's bravery and courage under fire saw him posthumously awarded the 100th Victoria Cross, our highest award possible for bravery in the presence of the enemy. Cameron Baird died how he lived - at the front, giving it his all, without any indecision. He will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with in the 2nd Commando Regiment. THE COMMANDO reveals Cameron's life, from young boy and aspiring AFL player, who only missed out on being drafted because of injury, to exemplary soldier and leader. Cameron's story and that of 4RAR and 2nd Commando personifies the courage and character of the men and women who go to war and will show us the good man we have lost.
Corporal Cameron Baird, Victoria Cross of Australia. CPL Baird is the first Australian commando to be awarded a Victoria Cross and the first posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia. Corporal Baird is also the 100th Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross.
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