Alf Garland
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Brigadier Alfred Barrett "Alf" Garland AM (19 March 1932-2002) was an Australian military serviceman, and the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) National President from 1988-1993. [1] Garland had a distinguished military career, and attracted media attention by being outspoken on many controversial social issues, often antagonising the Keating government at the time.
Brigadier Garland's army career spanned 35 years. In 1965, he commanded the 1st Special Air Service squadron against Indonesian forces in Borneo. During the Vietnam War, he was second-in-command of the 7th Battalion RAR, and was appointed Australia's chief liaison officer to US forces.[1]
He was President of the ACT branch of the RSL, before becoming the RSL National President in 1988.[1]
Garland joined Bruce Ruxton in campaigning against the notion of Australia becoming a republic. The two sat next to each other at the constitutional convention on the issue, angering republican delegates by opposing them on almost every point.[1] In one attempt to filibuster debate, Garland recounted his family's loyalty to the British Crown beginning in medieval times. Garland also opposed the construction of the Japanese funded technology city known as the Multifunction Polis (MFP).[2]
He died at age 69, after a long battle with motor neurone disease.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e "Final salute to a loyal warrior", Melbourne: Herald Sun, 2002-03-12, p. 2. Retrieved on 2008-01-21.
- ^ Jupp, James [2007]. From White Australia to Woomera: The Story of Australian Immigration. Cambridge University Press, 107-219. ISBN 0521697891. Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
