SAWTELL RSL Sub-Branch’s 80th Anniversary fell on Saturday, 18 July, 2026 and the Sub-Branch will be commemorating the milestone event with a formal dinner at the Sawtell RSL Club on the evening of Saturday, 29 August.
The key speaker will be Douglas Lindsay Baird OAM, the father of the late Cameron Stewart Baird, VC, MG (07/06/1981 – 22/06/2013).
The Victoria Cross is Australia’s highest military bravery award and the Medal for Gallantry ranks second in the gallantry awards.
Doug Baird will bring items that have never been seen in public before, including Victoria Cross memorabilia and will also relate anecdotes of meetings with Queen Elizabeth II.
Corporal Baird joined the Australian Army in 2002 and was awarded the ‘most outstanding soldier’ at his passing out parade.
He was assigned to Special Forces and quickly rose through the ranks.
He undertook seven operational tours: to Timor-Leste once, Iraq twice and Afghanistan four times.
He was awarded the MG on his first tour in Afghanistan and the VC, posthumously, on his fourth and last tour of Afghanistan.
For years, Doug Baird has travelled across Australia sharing his son’s legacy with schools, veterans, sporting clubs and communities, ensuring the sacrifice, courage and service of our fallen are never forgotten.
Mr Baird was awarded the Order of Australia in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours for service to veterans and their families.
Martin Blandy, Secretary/Treasurer, Sawtell RSL Sub-Branch and former Commando, said, “When I rang Doug and asked him to attend, he didn’t hesitate for a nano-second, such is the calibre of the man and his willingness to assist veterans”.
Cam Baird was also an outstanding sportsman in his younger years.
He was an Australian discus champion and talented junior Australian Rules footballer who played with the Calder Cannons and one senior game for Geelong.
He followed in the footsteps of his father, who graced the football fields as a formidable player with the Carlton Football Club and played in two premiership sides in Tasmania.
Mr Blandy said, “Cam Baird served with distinction in the 2nd Commando Regiment and is one of only two Australians to have been awarded both the Victoria Cross and Medal for Gallantry.
“Tragically, he lost his life displaying the conspicuous gallantry, composure and superior leadership under fire, for which he was renowned”.
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for acts of bravery in wartime and was instituted in 1856 by Queen Victoria.
It recognises persons, who in the presence of the enemy, perform acts of the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring, or pre-eminent acts of valour or self-sacrifice, or display extreme devotion to duty.
By Andrew VIVIAN
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