Ad Astra Aviator Podcasts

Gareth McCray OAM is an acknowledged orator for ADF commemorations.  Listen to his oratory addressing Remembrance Day 2026 and be reminded about and inspired by the great deeds of ADF veterans at war.

Gareth McCray OAM invites all of us to remember ANZAC Day 2026.

Dawn Service Radio Presentation - Gareth McCray OAM

Remembrance Day 2024 Oration by Gareth McCray OAM.

ANZAC Day 2024 Oratory - Gareth McCray OAM ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces became known as ANZACs. Anzac Day is a commemoration of the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April in 1915. Gareth provides a moving reminder of the sacrifices made by all Veterans over the years including WW1 and up to the present day.

Air Chief Marshal (retired) Mark Binskin AC is a highly decorated and respected senior executive and leader in the national security, defence and aerospace sectors. Most recently he was Chief of the Defence Force of Australia from 2014-2018, and earlier as Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2011-2014) and Chief of Air Force (2008-2011). He currently has appointments to Senior Positions with many Defence related Organisations As Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin successfully led the Australian Defence Force, comprising 80,000 permanent and reserve personnel, to significantly improve capabilities and responses to major global events and championed organisational change across areas of national security, culture, diversity and leadership performance. He oversaw the First Principles Review of Defence and delivered the successful implementation of the One Defence approach. Mark Binskin has provided specialist advice to the highest levels of governments, industry leaders and international stakeholders and his aerospace knowledge and expertise is extensive. He has over 3,500 hours in single seat fighter aircraft including the A4G Skyhawk, Mirage 3, F-16C and F/A-18 Hornet.  He continues to be active in general aviation, is a warbird owner and holds Commercial, Remote and Recreational Aviation Australia pilot licences. Mark has completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.  

Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz AM, CSC, DSM, Air Commander Australia, is responsible to the Chief of Air Force for effectively preparing air combat forces. Glen joined the Australian Air Force in 1987 and went on to complete pilot training in 1991. Following lead-in-fighter training, he transferred to Amberley for F-111C conversion and joined No 1 Squadron. In 1997, Glen instructed on the PC-9 advanced trainer and Macchi lead-in-fighter and then in 2001 returned to 1 Squadron where he undertook the inaugural F-111 Fighter Combat Instructor Course and was promoted into the position of Weapons and Reconnaissance Flight Commander. In 2003 he served in the Combined Air Operations Centre in support of Operations FALCONER, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. Glen later served as Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron, introducing the Super Hornet to Australian Service. Some very interesting postings followed as Director EA-18G Growler Transition, Commander Australian Air Task Group Middle East Region and command of No. 82 Wing at RAAF Base Amberley. On promotion to Air Vice Marshal in July 2020, Glen assumed very senior roles of First Assistant Director-General, Expeditionary and Transnational Intelligence Division, Senior Ranking Australian Defence Force Officer within the Australian Signals Directorate, Deputy Chief of Air Force and now Air Commander Australia.

23 January 1979!  I would be involved in a momentous day with a complete stranger, a compatriot aviator.  As with all momentous events, there was no inkling as to how the day would unfold.

Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz AM, CSC, DSM, Air Commander Australia, is responsible to the Chief of Air Force for effectively preparing air combat forces. Glen joined the Australian Air Force in 1987 and went on to complete pilot training in 1991. Following lead-in-fighter training, he transferred to Amberley for F-111C conversion and joined No 1 Squadron. In 1997, Glen instructed on the PC-9 advanced trainer and Macchi lead-in-fighter and then in 2001 returned to 1 Squadron where he undertook the inaugural F-111 Fighter Combat Instructor Course and was promoted into the position of Weapons and Reconnaissance Flight Commander. In 2003 he served in the Combined Air Operations Centre in support of Operations FALCONER, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. Glen later served as Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron, introducing the Super Hornet to Australian Service. Some very interesting postings followed as Director EA-18G Growler Transition, Commander Australian Air Task Group Middle East Region and command of No. 82 Wing at RAAF Base Amberley. On promotion to Air Vice Marshal in July 2020, Glen assumed very senior roles of First Assistant Director-General, Expeditionary and Transnational Intelligence Division, Senior Ranking Australian Defence Force Officer within the Australian Signals Directorate, Deputy Chief of Air Force and now Air Commander Australia.

Air Marshal Ray Funnell, AC is a retired senior commander of the Royal Australian Air Force. He served as Chief of the Air Staff from 1987 until 1992. A graduate of RAAF College, he began his career flying Sabre jet fighters in Australia and South East Asia in the 1950s and 1960s. From 1972 to 1975, he commanded No. 6 Squadron, during which time the General Dynamics F-111C swing-wing bomber entered Australian service. He held senior staff posts in the early 1980s. In 1986, he was promoted to Air Marshal and became the inaugural Vice Chief of the Defence Force. Appointed Chief of the Air Staff in July 1987, Ray was closely involved in the development and dissemination of air power doctrine. He retired from the RAAF in October 1992 following his term as Chief, and was founding Principal of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies from 1994 to 1998. Since then, he has served on various Federal Government committees on immigration and detention.