ARMY chaplain Peter Devenish-Meares had the honour of blessing the King’s Colours during an historic ceremony at Brisbane’s Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.
The Brisbane-based 6th Battalion unfurled their new King’s and Regimental Colours during the regiment’s 58th birthday on June 6.
It is the first regiment to unfurl their new colours, and the ceremony was attended by hundreds of current and former members of the battalion, where the colours were uncased and paraded.
“It’s a privilege to be an army chaplain,” Deacon Devenish-Meares said of his unique pastoral and sacramental role that he has carried out for the last 16 years.
“It was a very poignant moment to carry out the blessing in front of soldiers at the Gallipoli Barracks and in the presence of Governor General, David Hurley.”
Blessing the Colours is an important act for troops, since traditionally the Colours are a rallying point even in the noise and confusion of battle.
Even if the commander was killed, hope was always present whilst the Colours remained intact.
Additional honours have been added to the 6RAR colours, including Iraq and East Timor, which are now displayed alongside honours such as Long Tan.
6RAR was joined by the Governor-General of Australia, General (Ret’d) David Hurley, and the Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart to mark the occasion.
“The colours represent the legacy of those who have gone before you,” General Hurley told soldiers and veterans during the ceremony,” he said.
“Your service comes with great responsibility; you are custodians of their legacy as you build your own story.”
Deacon Devenish-Meares is one of two Catholic army chaplains in Brisbane and also serves as a chaplain for Queensland Police.
His diaconate duties extend to chairing the board of St John Ambulance Queensland.
He spends several days a week at the Brisbane army headquarters, involved mainly in the pastoral care of soldiers and their families.
“It is often consoling the tired, grief stricken and the ill,” Deacon Devenish-Meares said, as well as conducting weddings and baptisms.
“I really try to connect soldiers to their local parish, so they really feel a part of a church community.”
