The Kokoda Dinner

Committing the nation to war is the gravest decision its leaders can make. Have Australia's war leaders always made wise decisions? Australia has always fought as a junior partner in a coalition, either within the British Empire or as part of the US alliance. How should Australia's leaders manage these alliance arrangements? How should Australia's future war leaders prepare for the tasks ahead?" 

Join us to hear from one of Australia's leading authorities on this compelling subject, against the backdrop of uncertain times, and the 80th anniversary of one of the most momentous periods in Australia's recorded history. In so doing, we will reflect on the service of the many Members of this Club who played their part in these events.

GUEST SPEAKER: Professor David Horner will address the thrust of his new book, 'The War Game'.

Professor David Horner

David Horner is emeritus professor of Australian defence history in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University. Author or editor of some thirty-five books on military history, defence, and intelligence. He is the Official Historian of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). The first volume of the ASIO history, The Spy Catchers, was joint winner of the 2015 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for History. Professor Horner was born in South Australia and educated at Prince Alfred College and the Royal Military College Duntroon, from whence he graduated in 1969 as an infantry Officer. He later served a Tour of Duty in South Vietnam, with the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australia Regiment in 1971. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1991 to take up an academic position at the Australian National University.

New Guinea July - November 1942

"The Australians who served here in Papua New Guinea fought and died, not in the defence of the old world, but the new world. Their world. They died in defence of Australia and the civilisation and values which had grown up there. 

That is why it might be said that, for Australians, the battles in Papua New Guinea were the most important ever fought. They were fought in the most terrible circumstances. ……… 

When it seemed that Papua New Guinea would fall, when it seemed it would be another Singapore, another Rabaul, these troops gallantly held out and finally drove the enemy back to the sea. These were the heroic days of Australia's history.”

Prime Minister Paul Keating – Port Moresby, Anzac Day 1992

Time: 1900 for 1930

Price: $120.00 Members; $140.00 Non-members

Dress: Black Tie with Miniatures/Mess Dress

RSVP: By 5pm, Tuesday 15 November 2022

CANCELLATION POLICY: Bookings cancelled after the RSVP will incur a 50% charge of the ticket price.