Beenleigh Veterans & Ex- Services Association

12/06/2026

Today we remember the tragic peacetime accident, which 30 years ago, claimed the lives of 18 Australian Defence Force members in the service of their country.

We honour all who were directly and indirectly impacted by the Black Hawk crash in the High Range Training Area near Townsville.

Lest we forget.

12/06/2026

The 1996 Townsville Black Hawk helicopter crash remains Australia's worst peacetime military aviation disaster, resulting in the deaths of 18 Australian servicepeople and injuries to 12 others.

The Incident - On the evening of 12 June 1996 at approximately 6:30 PM, a formation of six Black Hawk helicopters from the 5th Aviation Regiment departed RAAF Townsville. They were conducting a night-time counter-terrorism training exercise known as Exercise Day Rotor 96 at the High Range Training Area near Townsville, Queensland. The intensive drill was designed to prepare the troops for hostage-recovery operations in the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics. During a multi-aircraft tactical approach to a landing zone, the lead helicopter unexpectedly veered to the right, clipping the tail rotor of a second aircraft.

Today, the fallen servicemen are permanently honored at the dedicated Townsville Black Hawk Memorial at the Palmetum Botanic Gardens, as well as the SASR memorial in Swanbourne, Western Australia.

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Great to see the Beenleigh Veterans back at Club Beenleigh today for our Diggers Day

07/06/2026

National Military Working Dog Day is an annual commemoration held on 7 June to honour the service, loyalty, and ultimate sacrifices of canine soldiers and their handlers.

06/06/2026

D-Day (6 June 1944)D-Day was the Allied amphibious invasion of Normandy, France, during World War II, codenamed Operation Overlord. It opened a major second front in Europe to liberate Western Europe from N**i control.Forces: Allied troops from the US, UK, Canada, and other nations.Scale: Largest amphibious invasion in history.Locations: Five assault beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.Outcome: Decisive Allied victory, leading to the liberation of Paris and the eventual defeat of Germany

05/06/2026

The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA) was proposed and formed in June 1916 by wounded veterans returning from World War I. It was established to look after the welfare of returning service personnel.