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Marianne and Craig Spencer, George and Zola Petrou along with Brad Booth enjoying the evening.

Mark and Honor Auchinleck with George Petrou. Honor is the grandaughter General Sir Harry Chauvel, sharing some wonderful stories about her father and grandfather, who were friends of Sir Weary Dunlop and Banjo Patterson.

Clare, George and Natalie enjoying a pizza whilst on the job.

George and Zola along with the very cheeky Henri sneaking into the shot, always a crowd favourite at the shows.

The smartest man in Albury picking up some extra cash. A $185 banknote, exclusively issued for the duration of these events only.

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A portrait of Corporal Cameron Baird, VC, MG, has been unveiled at Camp Baird, Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East.

Serco Defence Contracts Director Logistics Andy Maclean presented the commissioned portrait to Commander Joint Task Force 633, Rear Admiral Mark Hill, during a Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11.

The painting is displayed in the ‘Sands’ recreation and meeting room.

“As one of only four recipients of Australia’s highest award for wartime bravery in Afghanistan, Corporal Baird has an iconic place, not just in the Australian Defence Force, but the whole of Australia,” Mr Maclean said.

“Serco had been considering for some time how to honour those who died in war, when the opportunity arose to purchase this painting from the Australian National Veterans Museum.

“As soon as we saw the painting by artist George Petrou, we immediately recognised how skillfully he had portrayed Cameron’s likeness and enduring spirit.”

Rear Admiral Hill said it was an honour to accept the painting and expressed his gratitude to Serco for its gift to the Australian Defence Force.

“The Sands is a significant place at Camp Baird because it’s where all deployed members receive their final briefing before flying to Afghanistan or Iraq,” Rear Admiral Hill said.

“So the painting of Corporal Baird will be a poignant reminder to all those going forward of the ultimate sacrifice Cameron and 42 other Australians made serving our country.”

Corporal Baird was killed in action during operations in Afghanistan on June 22, 2013.

His Victoria Cross citation reads: ‘For the most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice at Ghawchak Village, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, as a Commando Team Commander in Special Operations Task Group on Operation Slipper.’

It was great to see some younger guests attend our latest Sydney art show. Adele Brown and daughter Poppy told me about their very special moving connection to Saint Mary MacKillop.

Spiro Paule introducing and opening the first Sydney show.

Richard Garrett was our fifth recipient of our special $185 banknote.

Kymm Apostolides delivering his very powerful account of Sir Hubert Wilkins achievements.

Kymm Apostolides and George Petrou being interviewed on stage with Ross Coulthart.

For the second year in a row Sally Farr was our lucky door prize winner, some people have all the luck!

George proudly showing the audience the end result of the previous Victoria Cross Travelling Art show, the wonderful ‘Victoria Cross – Australia Remembers’ book.

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Surprise guests at the Dubbo show were Spiro Paule Findex CEO and Terry Paule Findex Chairman.

The most knowledgable person in the room being rewarded with a crisp new $185 banknote.

We had joint winners of the Sir Hubert Wilkins lucky door prize Deb and Carol, congrats ladies!

Tony Hill our wonderful guest speaker who presented the very moving story of Henri Tovell to the Dubbo audience, thank you Tony.

Susan Darby proudly displaying her lucky door prize a framed portrait print of Sir Hubert Wilkins at the very first ‘Twelve Great Australian Stories’ exhibition in Cairns.

Townsville exhibition from left, Troy Popham, Angela Einshut, George Petrou, Kymm Apostolidis and Jessica Bawden standing behind the Sir Hubert Wilkins display.

The Ian Turner/Cameron Baird painting that was purchased by David Le Pavoux on the right with George and Zed Petrou in Sydney at the 2nd Commando Charity Dinner in Sydney on the 13th of September. The painting now hangs at the 2nd Commando Recovery Centre at Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney.

Managing director of Serco Australia at the unveiling of the Cameron Baird portrait at ANVAM head office, Melbourne. The portrait will be sent to Camp Baird, Dubai, UAE. From left Clint Thomas, Doug Baird, Michael Madden and George Petrou on the 23rd of September 2019.

George Petrou is a well known Australian graphic designer who has turned his artistic talents to painting in recent years. His painting has evolved from a strong contemporary abstract style to restrained portrait painting with a splash of abstraction to free up the subject from total reality.

After previous exhibitions ‘The Lost Diggers of Vignacourt’ and ‘The Victoria Cross’, George Petrou has partnered with Findex to produce ‘Great Australian Stories’; an exhibition showcasing great known and unknown Australians and their stories, touring metropolitan and regional cities across Australia in 2019-20.

Corporal Stephen Temby, Michael Madden (author of ‘The Victoria Cross’ book) and George Petrou at Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin. Michael presented the story behind his book, ‘The Victoria Cross’. George unveiled the portrait of Reg Rattey VC that was purchased by the Australian Defence Force.