By Ian Beeck | posted on October 19, 2019
RESPECTED military authority Dr Peter Brune will lead an oration for war hero Brigadier Arnold W Potts OBE in Kojonup later this month.
The Brigadier Arnold Potts Oration is an annual event organised by the Sixteen Battalions’ Foundation.
The Sixteen Battalions’ Foundation was formed by the 2/16th Infantry Battalion AIF Association to promote greater awareness, understanding and recognition of the service and achievements of the 16 Battalions in service to their country and communities during the Great War and World War II.
In the process of awareness and recognition, they endeavor to pass on the traditions of spirit and service to their country for young Australians.
They also have a Foundation that funds an annual scholarship where a selected Army Reserve soldier has a paid study tour of battle grounds and events relative to an earlier configuration of 16 Battalion.
From their experience, study and observations on the scholarship tour, that soldier is entrusted to prepare to address and share his experiences and findings to his peers with the present day Battalion and formal and informal presentations to groups and organisations.
The focus being particularly on younger Australians, in both military and general communities.
The oration is named after Brigadier Potts, one the most outstanding soldiers and leaders of the Battalion.
He also played a major part in the growth and character of the Kojonup and Great Southern regions with his input to those communities during his lifetime.
On the occasion of the 2019 oration, it was voted by the Foundation Committee to hold the oration this year for the first time outside of Perth, in Potts’ hometown.
Dr Brune will address the oration in Kojonup.
He has a distinguished record in the study and writing of Australian military history, coupled with an outstanding research record.
Dr Brune has a profound knowledge of the Papuan Campaign of World War II which includes the Kokoda Track and the connected battles on the northern shores of Papua. Five of his present books have had a Papuan Campaign focus.
The oration takes place on Saturday, October 26 starting with a memorial service at Apex Park at 11.30am followed by lunch in the Memorial Hall at 12.30pm.
Dr Brune will present the oration at 2pm.
Tickets are $55 and available from the Kodja Place and Kojonup Visitors Centre.
