PHOTOS & INFO | AusUSA

Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration 2022

The Association’s 80th Anniversary of Battle of Coral Sea service held at the Australian American War Memorial Cenotaph, Newstead Park, Brisbane. Guests and service personnel attended the service to honour those who fought and those who died in the battle that saved Australia from invasion. The battle was fought in waters as close as 800 Kilometres off our Queensland coastline, from 4th to 8th May 1942.

On 27 July 2021, the Australian American Association, Brisbane President Mike Harris and Treasurer Teresa Pokoj attended the Korean War Commemoration held at the Korean War Memorial Shrine at Cascade Gardens, Broadbeach, Qld. The event was jointly organised by the Returned Services League Southport and the Korean Veterans Association Qld, with many veterans, Korean veterans and their family members attending. Mike laid a wreath on behalf of the AAA Brisbane Association.
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Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration 2021

The 79th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea was commemorated at a service held on 8th May 2021, at the Australian American War Memorial, Newstead Park. This colossal battle was the one that saved Australia from invasion and was fought in waters as close as 800 Kilometres off our Queensland coastline, between the 4th and 8th May 1942, by warships from the US and Australian Navies against those of the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was the first aircraft-carrier battle ever fought and, the first in which the opposing ships never sighted, nor fired directly upon, one another. This was because all of the attacks were carried out by aircraft - bombing and torpedoing; desperately trying to destroy each other's ships.

The Consul General of Japan Mr Kazunari Tanaka and his wife.joined the AAA President, Mike Harris in laying wreaths in remembrance of the sacrifice of all those who fought in this battle, and the ultimate sacrifice of those who died.

Above: Mike Harris and Teresa Pokoj attending the 79th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, with the Consul General of Japan Mr Kazunari Tanaka and his wife.

ANZAC Day April 2021

Mike and Teresa representing the Australian American Association as guests of the Governor seated at the VIP Saluting Dias for the ANZAC Day Parade held in Brisbane on 25th April 2021.

Superbowl February 2021

From left - Mike, Sally, Teresa, Alicia, Mike and Fr Bill enjoying the Super Bowl Game at the Defiant Duck Restaurant, Newstead

Australia Day 2021

Members of the AAA Board celebrated Australia Day.

Christmas Dinner - December 2020

Enjoying the Christmas celebrations and the food at the Polish Club with Australian American Association members and friends. The Reverend Bill Pearson told some Nautical Jokes at our Australian American Association Christmas Dinner at the Polish Club, although it turned out they were more Naughty than Nautical, but all in good fun. Bill is Chaplin of the Seafarers Society.

Remembrance Day 2020 - wreath laying

Thanksgiving Dinner - November 2020 at the Ship Inn

The Australian American Association - Brisbane hosted its annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Ship Inn at Southbank. It was a great effort by the committee to organise the event. The Guest Speaker was Bill Elliott, a Queensland born gentleman who is a 12th generation descendant of William Brewster, the religious leader of the Mayflower passengers who arrived in Massachusetts in 1620. A great evening was had by all.

Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II - August 2020

The Australian American Association - Brisbane, was invited to lay a wreath at the "End of World War II Commemoration" held at the ANZAC Shrine Brisbane City on 15/08/2020. Members of our AAA committee – Teresa Pokoj (Treasurer), Barry Thiess and Mike Harris (President) attended the commemoration. The event was also attended by our Association's Patron-the Governor of Queensland, the Queensland Premier and the Brisbane Lord Mayor. A number of World War 2 veterans attended, and the service was well represented by Australian Defence Force personnel, including a very impressive Honour-Guard made up of Army, Navy and Air Force men and women. The Australian Army Brass Band also played very well during the service.

There was a flyover during the service by a veteran "Spitfire" from World War 2. Our Patron the Governor, the Hon Paul de Jersey, mixed with the World War 2 veterans and other guests at the end of the service. Teresa, our Secretary, made a wreath from Jasmine vines and other flowers taken from her garden, which everyone at the service admired.