The Royal United Services Institute of New South Wales

 
135^th Birthday Celebrations

On 28 August 2023 the Royal United Service Institute of New South Wales celebrated its 135^th birthday. 135 years since the United Service Institution of New South Wales was established on 20 August 1888. The Institute's aim then as now was professional education for those who serve the nation in its defence force.

From initial meetings in the Oxford Hotel then at the corner of King and Phillip streets Sydney opposite St James' Church to its current prestige location in the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park South, Sydney; the institute has come a long way. The library is now recognised as the finest military collection in Australia; its journal United Service is highly respected and the embrace of new technology where monthly lectures by consummate professionals can now be viewed worldwide is world leading in the field. For those who make it happen, it is the comradeship fostered by an environment where former and serving Defence personnel can come together volunteering skills honed by life and study to foster the nation's security that makes RUSI worthwhile.

It was in such spirit that the birthday was commemorated.

At 1200 a few hardy souls including our vice president Commodore Michael Flynn Retd, past president Major General Paul Irving AM PSM RFD Retd and led by our president Professor Michael Hough AM RFD ED and supported by Waverley College Cadets made the pilgrimage to Waverly Cemetery overlooking the Pacific Ocean to pay tribute at the grave of our Founder Major-General John Richardson CB.

Photos: Michael Hough

Then at 1400, Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales hosted an afternoon tea for the Institute's volunteers at Government House as a thank you.

Her Excellency's Speech at the event can be downloaded HERE .

Photos: John Howells