🇦🇺 Article at a Glance: A Tribute Set in Sandstone
This special feature honours the unveiling of a sandstone memorial at Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, dedicated to Australia’s elite Commandos and Victoria Cross recipients. Spearheaded by veteran Allan Miles OAM and the Operation Pilgrimage Group, the memorial stands as a permanent tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who served between 1955 and 2000.
🔹 Key Highlights
The story behind Operation Pilgrimage and its founder, Allan Miles.
The legacy of Australia’s Commandos and their Victoria Cross recipients.
Gosford Quarries’ role in crafting this enduring sandstone tribute.
The importance of remembrance, legacy, and intergenerational connection.
Insights into the memorial’s journey – from concept to installation.
How sandstone reinforces our national identity through memorials.
🔹 Location: Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Mosman NSW
🔹 Material: Locally quarried Gosford Quarries sandstone
🔹 Installer: Aspire Stone Masonry
🔹 Occasion: Unveiled in the lead-up to ANZAC Day 2025
🔹 Purpose: Honour, remember, educate
Let this article inspire reflection, respect, and national pride as we remember those who served.
Image: Allan Miles and the 1 Commandos “The Green Berrets”
Honouring Service and Sacrifice: A Legacy Set in Stone
Carving a Legacy in Stone
ANZAC Day is more than a date on the calendar – it is a sacred moment of national reflection. It is a time to honour the courage, mateship, and sacrifice of those who served in war, peacekeeping, and humanitarian efforts. For many, it is a day of remembrance. However, for Allan Miles, a veteran and planning chairman of Operation Pilgrimage, remembrance is a lifelong mission.
Over the past 32 years, Allan has helped create 42 memorials worldwide, ensuring that those who fought for our freedom are never forgotten. His latest project – a sandstone memorial at Sydney Harbour Federation Trust in Mosman – honours Australia’s Commandos and Victoria Cross recipients, preserving their legacy for generations.
As a company deeply connected to Australia’s heritage, Gosford Quarries is proud to support this project, providing locally sourced sandstone to carve a lasting tribute to these extraordinary individuals.
Image: Allan Miles and George Sarkis, Managing Director, Gosford Quarries
The Spirit of Service: A Lifetime of Dedication
For Allan Miles, service didn’t end when he left the military – it transformed into a mission of preservation and recognition.
His journey began in 1959 when he joined the Australian Army. Over the years, he served in multiple corps, eventually transferring to the Commandos, one of the country’s most elite military units. From 1963 to 1976, he dedicated himself to specialised operations, serving alongside exceptional soldiers like Ray Simpson, VC, a veteran of three tours in Vietnam.
Allan understands that military service is not just about those in combat – it’s about every individual who walked through the gates to serve. Every role was critical, whether on the frontlines, in training, logistics, or communications. His work through Operation Pilgrimage ensures that all contributions are recognised – from the Victoria Cross recipients to the unsung heroes who supported operations behind the scenes.
Allan was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2019 for his service to Australian Military History. He is also a Recipient of the Repatriation Commissioner’s “Service to Veterans” Medallion 2024. He has also been a member of the Airborne & Special Forces Association (2009 – 2022) and National President (2009 – 2019).
Did You Know?
There are five Victoria Cross recipients from Australia’s Commando units, and their names carry immense respect not only here at home but in every place they have served worldwide.
Image: 1 Commando and Matt Anderson PSM, Director of the Australian War Memorial
Memorials That Speak: Honouring the Unseen and Unheard
A memorial is more than stone and metal – it is a physical representation of remembrance, gratitude, and honour.
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust memorial is particularly significant because it acknowledges all who served in the Commandos from 1955 to 2000. This includes officers, trainers, logisticians, and modern specialists – each playing a vital role in Australia’s military history.
The journey to erect this memorial was not easy. Allan spent ten years navigating government permits, heritage approvals, and bureaucracy – proving once again that the ANZAC Spirit is about perseverance and commitment.
This is not the first time Allan has fought to recognise the forgotten. Operation Pilgrimage’s memorials span the globe, each carrying a profound story:
- A forgotten Victoria Cross recipient in Africa, he was honoured decades after passing.
- A midshipmen’s memorial in Airlie Beach is dedicated to young officers lost at sea before they had the chance to serve.
- A living memorial – a young Timorese boy named Pedro, once injured and unable to afford treatment, now works as a veterinarian, thanks to Allan’s efforts.
Each project ensures that the stories of service and sacrifice are not lost to time.
Did You Know?
One of Allan’s projects saw 50,000 African porters (who carried ammunition and supplies in World War I) finally recognised for their contribution to the war effort after being forgotten for decades.
Image: Allan Miles, Project Chairman, Operation Pilgrimge
The Operation Pilgrimage Group (OPG)
The Operation Pilgrimage Group (OPG) is a dedicated assembly of former Australian Defence Force Special Forces veterans, founded in 1992 to honour Australia’s military history, recognise the sacrifices of servicemen and women, and preserve national heritage.
Over the past three decades, OPG has embarked on 41 significant expeditions, spanning Australia and beyond, retracing the steps of early explorers, commemorating significant wartime events, and ensuring that the legacy of courage, sacrifice, and mateship is never forgotten.
Among its many achievements, the group has:
✅ Placed four-time capsules (1992-2022) across Australia, documenting military history.
✅ Raised over $1 million for charities and medical research.
✅ Established international partnerships with governments, museums, and veteran associations.
✅ Achieved a Guinness World Record for the circumnavigation of Australia (2001).
✅ Organised historical exhibitions and memorial dedications worldwide.
✅ Received commendations from Australian and international leaders, including Prime Ministers, military officials, and veteran organisations.
Despite dwindling numbers due to age, OPG remains committed to preserving Australia’s military heritage. With its final project, “Our Final Pilgrimage” (2024), the group ensures its legacy of honour, remembrance, and service will continue inspiring future generations.
Image: Commandos Plinth Plaque Details
Image: Commandos Plinth Plaque Details
Gosford Quarries: Proudly Supporting Our Nation’s Legacy
As Australia’s leading sandstone supplier, Gosford Quarries has a long history of contributing to ANZAC memorials, historical restorations, and national landmarks.
Why Sandstone Matters in Remembrance
- Timeless and durable – Just like the stories it preserves.
- An iconic Australian material – Connecting our memorials to the land itself.
- A symbol of strength – Honouring the resilience of those who served.
Allan’s latest project, the Commandos Monument, is a testament to the power of persistence, respect, and national pride – values that align deeply with Gosford Quarries’ commitment to preserving history.
Through our donation of sandstone, we are honoured to support Operation Pilgrimage’s efforts to ensure that those who served are never forgotten.
Image: Allan Miles and Pauline, Marketing Manager, Gosford Quarries
Did You Know?
Many of Australia’s most famous war memorials, including the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, feature Australian sandstone, symbolising the endurance of the ANZAC Spirit.
Image: Installation of Commandos Plinth by Aspire Stone Masonry
Image: Installation of Commandos Plinth by Aspire Stone Masonry
Beyond the Stone: The ANZAC Spirit Lives On
The ANZAC Spirit is more than a commemoration of the past – it is the bloodline of every serviceperson and runs through the families and communities they leave behind.
Allan believes that remembrance must evolve. Too often, older veterans start conversations with “In my day…”, creating a divide between generations. Instead, he focuses on positive storytelling, educating young Australians about veterans’ lives beyond service.
His message is clear:
- The ANZAC Spirit is not just about war – it’s about the values of service, resilience, and sacrifice.
- Every veteran has a story that deserves to be told.
- Honouring those who served is not just about history – it’s about who we are as a nation today.
Memorials like the one at Sydney Harbour Federation Trust provide a place for future generations to learn, reflect, and be inspired.
As ANZAC Day approaches, let us:
✅ Reflect on the sacrifices made.
✅ Honour those who served and continue to serve.
✅ Ensure that future generations understand the depth of service and sacrifice.
This memorial is not just a structure – it’s a lasting tribute to those who gave everything for their country.