Our Purpose
The Chauvel Foundation is a not for profit ACNC Registered Australian Charity (A0095567J). Its purpose is to promote, support and inspire service to the community by building public awareness of the attributes, dedication and accomplishments of the Australian Light Horse and their greatest commander, General Sir Harry Chauvel.
Through three programs that bring this culturally significant heritage into public view, the Foundation will lead all Australians to building a stronger nation through community engagement and to recognise those who currently espouse the values and integrity that Sir Harry displayed throughout a life dedicated to public service.
Our Programmes
- The Light Horse Legend: Past & present
- The Sir Harry Chauvel Award
- The Sir Harry Chauvel Memorial Artwork
The Light Horse Legend: Past and Present
The Foundation’s online Light Horse Anthology enables people to share stories, search for information, and bring the legend to life. Contributors include family descendants, school students, currently-serving soldiers, and professional historians. Visit the Anthology at this link.
The Sir Harry Chauvel Award
The Foundation is considering a series of awards to recognise the qualities and efforts of General Sir Harry Chauvel: resilience; civilian and military leadership; arts; and the Indigenous contribution to Australian society.
The Sir Harry Chauvel Memorial Artwork
Renowned Melbourne sculptor Louis Laumen’s equestrian maquette of General Sir Harry Chauvel was unveiled in October 2017. Louis Laumen’s bronzed bust of Sir Harry was presented to the Shrine of Remembrance on 25 September 2018. The life-sized statue is planned for completion by 2025.
These three projects will serve to advance Sir Harry’s values and continuing relevance to our society. The Foundation does not seek to glorify war but rather to highlight the qualities of those who served and continued to serve their nations in peacetime. The Foundation’s commemorative program was launched on 11 November 2017 during the centenary commemoration of the Battle of Beersheba.
A new President for the Foundation
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Colonel Rob Shoebridge (Retd) as the new President of the Foundation. Colonel Shoebridge brings to the position a wealth of experience and a steadfast commitment to our goals. We are confident that under Rob’s guidance, the Foundation will continue to honour the memory and the ideals of General Sir Harry Chauvel, promoting the values of service and commitment to the community that were his hallmark.
As we turn a new page, we do so with grateful recognition of our immediate past President, Lieutenant Colonel Graeme Smith RFD. Graeme provided outstanding leadership and guidance in his founding role as President, and we thank him for his efforts.
We invite you to join us in welcoming Colonel Shoebridge as he embarks on this pivotal role.
Biographical Note
Rob graduated from RMC Duntroon to RAAC in 1973 as the Sword of Honour winner. He has seen regimental service in 1st Armoured Regiment, 4th Cavalry Regiment and 3 Royal Tank Regiment (the old West Germany). His training postings were at RMC, the School of Armour, Malaysian Armoured Forces Staff College in Kuala Lumpur and the Australian Command and Staff College. He has served in UNTSO in the Middle East and as the Defence Adviser, Singapore and Brunei.
Rob left the Army in March 2001 and worked for a number of years in the Defence Industry sector, followed by several years as a self-employed consultant. He continues to work full – time as the manager of a retirement village in Sydney.
He is married to Jill and they have three sons, two married (one in New York and one in Copenhagen) and three grandsons.
Rob is also the President of RAACA NSW
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Details of the new appointments in the Executive Committee are shown below
Executive Committee, The General Sir Harry Chauvel Memorial Foundation Inc. (A0095567J):
Colonel Rob Shoebridge – President
Mr James Maberley – Vice President
Colonel Mark Auchinleck – Secretary
Lieutentant Colonel John Boyce – Member
Dr Tony Stevens – Member
Dr Honor Auchinleck – Member
Copyright Information
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