From those who are unable to attend – invited guests:

The Right Honourable Councillor Nicholas Reece, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne

[The Lord Mayor Nick Reece] [passes on] his best wishes for a successful event.

Mr Stirling Smith, Curator of Navy, Australian National Maritime Museum

I do wish you all the best with the rededication.

Mr John East, Serco Operations Manager, RSV Nuyina

The warm invites to attend this special ceremony have been very well received and appreciated. Unfortunately, the three of us invited will not be able to attend as Captain O’Doherty will be onboard for the V3 Mawson/Davis resupply, Captain Paul Clarke will be in a vessel simulator in Brisbane 18-20th Feb, and I will be travelling. Serco & the RSV Nuyina would really like to have representation at this ceremony, so could we please offer alternative attendees to both Captains…

Mr John Lines AM, Chair, The Mission to Seafarers

I wish ANARE every success going forward.

Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt, AO FASSA FAHA FAAL, Chair and DG, National Library of Australia Council

Dr Marie-Louise Ayres, FAHA, Director-General, National Library of Australia

… the Director-General and the Chair of the NLA Council … send their best wishes for the event and hope it is a great success.

Dr Rebecca Fleming, Senior Advisor in Curatorial and Collection Research, National Library of Australia

Captain John King Davis, CBE… was such a significant figure in Antarctic history this will no doubt be an important moment in the ANARE 75th anniversary year and for anyone interested in Antarctic history. … The creation of the grave monument is a poignant tribute by the ANARE Club to ensure Captain Davis’ life is commemorated, and though I can’t attend in person I will certainly take a moment here in Canberra to reflect on his remarkable life and contribution. All the best for the preparations for the dedication and the broader 75th Anniversary year commemorations.

Ms Jenny Bonser, current Davis Station Leader 2025/26

Thank you for the kind invitation, unfortunately most of us will still be on station at the time, but I have forwarded the invitation [to] an expeditioner who are departing early and may be able to attend on behalf of the current cohort, however it is scheduled for only a few days after he returns to Australia …

From those who are unable to attend – Club members:

Ms Paquita Boston, descendant of Mawson

Although not family, Captain Davis was god-father to my mother Jessica and best-man at Douglas and Paquita Mawson’s wedding. If you read my grandmother’s account of that wedding on pages 104 and 105 in Mawson of the Antarctic, you can see just how essential John King Davis was in their young lives. Also, see page 109, paragraph starting “Captain Davis came with us to most of the functions and was a great comfort to me with his Irish flattery …”  for a very complimentary piece on Davis from my grandmother. It was only later, during BANZARE, that Davis and Mawson disagreed, as Captain of the ship and Leader of the expedition headquartered on the ship. The disruption of their friendship was a great sadness to them both. Special greetings to members of the Davis Family.

Mr John Boyd W64

I did meet Capt Davis briefly. I was introduced to him in the Library at 568 in 1964, as I was preparing to go to Wilkes by our then librarian, Ida McMahon. … I trust it will be a memorable event. Regards all.

Mr Richard Willing OAM M57

…I regard JKD as one of Australia’s foremost Antarctic heroes whom I wished to celebrate… he was still appearing at Antarctic HQ [Collins St, Melbourne] when I was involved, and I knew him… I think I might be the oldest survivor who helped build Davis Station in January 1957, en route to Mawson Base and the IGY activities. My time in Antarctica was the high point of my life and I am left with many cherished memories. May I send my apologies for missing out, and greetings to fellow ANARE club members and guests. I will be with you in spirit.

From those who are attending – invited guest & Club member:

Ms Alison Hutchison, initiator of project

As you may appreciate, as just a member of the general public my connection to the ANARE Club is tenuous to say the least!  Even so, I have enormous gratitude to the club’s board and organisation, particularly Melanie, for having pursued the idea which I first raised in August 2023. I know that the process has been far from easy but it is very worthwhile.