The Colours of Duntroon (Oil on Canvas)
The Royal Military College Duntroon was founded in 1911. This painting celebrates Duntroon’s 90th birthday. The image depicts the founding Commandant, Brigadier General Sir William Bridges, and his horse Sandy (reputedly the only horse to return to Australia in WWI) overlooking the main parade ground in Duntroon. The sky is lit by fireworks from Duntroon’s annual ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony. A Colour Party in winter uniform is flanked by cadets in summer uniform which reflects the two graduation ceremonies held each year.
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Our Duties Done (Oil on Canvas)
This painting commemorates our soldiers ultimate sacrifice at the altar of freedom for the past 100 years. The ghosts represent soldiers from the RAN, RAAF, Army & Nurses: also from the Boer War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Borneo, Malaya, Vietnam and the Middle East. The setting is in the Australian War Memorial where the names of the fallen are recorded. As a point of interest, the naval ghost is painted from a photo of Ian's uncle who served in the first HMAS Brisbane (DDG) crew, and Ian and his wife Sue modelled for the two ghosts in the foreground.
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Lest We Forget (Mixed Media)
This picture is a simple memorial to our soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms that we take for granted daily. The soldiers in the background represent those who have fallen from the present day all the way back to federation.
Press Here to read 'Lest We Forget' Ballad.
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Timor - Build Up to Peace (Pencil)
The artwork is a collage of images representing the peacekeeping mission to Timor. The main players in this historic drama are represented: Timorese militant civilians surrounded by Australian and New Zealand soldiers, Filipino Rangers and Gurkhas. HMAS Adelaide, ANZAC, Success, Tobruck, Jervis Bay, plus ASLAVS, APCs, Blackhawk and Hercules are all being overseen by the INTERFET Commander MAJGEN Cosgrove. Point of interest - Ian completed this image (between the duties of caring for his three children) while his wife was deployed in Timor for seven months.
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The Peacekeepers (Oil on Canvas)
The painting is a tribute to Australian Peacekeeping - 30 deployments dating from the first, Korea in 1948 until Timor in 2000. Images include: Korea (soldier, Mustang and Vickers crew), Cambodia (Ankor Wat and skulls), Africa (search & medical), Bougainville (HQ's and civilian), Timor (statue), Australian Federal Police, military vehicles (M113, truck, motorcycle), aircraft (Bougainville Huey, Blackhawk, Mustang, Hercules), medical and naval images. Point of interest - the central female soldier is Sue Coate, the artist’s wife, who was in the first Timor deployment with 1st Joint Signals Unit. The little girl is their daughter with a sun tan.
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13th Brigade (Watercolour)
This illustration was made purely for recruitment purposes. 13 Brigade wanted an image that showed the diversity of occupations in the military. This illustration was then turned into a recruitment poster and other various merchandising material.
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Stand Fast (Oil on Board)
The painting is a simple encouragement to serving soldiers. Point of interest - The soldier who modelled for this painting is incredibly fit and trains those other fit soldiers at the SAS. This soldier also took out the finals for the TV show - Gladiators.
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Fort Queenscliff - C&SC (Ink and Wash)
These two artworks were completed as a young soldier at my first posting in the late 80's. At that time, Fort Queenscliff hosted Command and Staff College.
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Robert "Bobby" Gibbes DSO DFC & Bar (Pencil)
Wing Commander Bobby Gibbes was one of Australia's air aces in WWII with ten kills plus two shared, five probables and sixteen damaged as well as other strafed on the ground. He served in the Western Desert with 3 Squadron in which he became company commander. He was twice shot down. He later commanded 80 Wing RAAF in the South West Pacific. The Aircraft depicted are a P-40 Kittyhawk and a Spitfire Mk. VIII with the nose art designed by Gibbes' mother. He went on to fly many more years in New Guinea.
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The Australian Drop Bear (Watercolour)
Though this artwork is not part of the military range, I thought its presence would put a smile on a few faces. I first learnt of the Drop Bear when I joined the military, and since that time have been guilty of spreading the legend to many a green face. The Drop Bear is one of the paintings that feature in Australian MythoCreatology - a project my wife and I have been working on for many years. To find out more - PRESS HERE.
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The Colours of Duntroon
By Ian Coate
To take the path of leadership is not an easy thing.
It takes more than academics and skills of managing.
You need a greater character that shines both clear and bright.
A beacon for men to follow, through times of fear and plight.
When you can show great self control with what you say and do.
You never malign and gossip or say a word untrue.
When you can face and overcome the failures of your past.
In times of great adversity, be strong, stand tall, hold fast.
When you know the stirrings of fear, but not give into fear.
Never thinking with emotion, through pressures staying clear.
When your wisdom is advancing from gathering all the facts.
When you're prompt to hear, slow to speak and mentally relaxed.
When you can firmly stand your ground by a right decision.
And not bow down to politics or uncontrolled ambition.
When you have got authority, still knowing you should learn.
That one must keep humility to be able to discern.
When you can admire people, but never imitate.
When you're comfortable with self and not give into hate.
When you're content and stabilised, wherever you may be.
When you're sensitive to others, though you may disagree.
When you can lead without bias and never out of spite.
Neither favouring or thwarting, but dealing fair and right.
Then you've learnt the officer's code and respect will follow soon.
For soldiers will see your honour and the Colours of Duntroon.
Stand fast our Aussie Diggers; we need you at the front.
Our freedoms demand maintenance, which you must bear the brunt.
We don’t always appreciate the freedoms that you’ve won.
We soon forget in peacetime the duties that you’ve done.
But do your job in spite of us; ignore our ignorance.
Defend us in our time of need with constant vigilance.
For without you there, to bar the pass, enemies will get through.
And on that day, we’ll wish we had, maintained support for you.
For Freedoms sake we've been to war, on duty's principal
Since Vietnam back to the Boer we've paid the price in full.
We've fought in countries far and near over land seas and sky.
For longer than a hundred years we've waved our friends goodbye.
We've done our bit, our duties done. It's time we had some leave.
Relax and have eternal fun is all we will achieve.
What a reunion it will be. So many mates to meet.
The finest Digger's jubilee united and complete.
So remember and pay homage, honour the price we paid.
Enjoy your freedom to old age is how we'll be repaid.
Yes - some of my prints are for sale. For further details please visit :
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Please Note: Watch out for fake prints on ebay. Some overseas sellers are claiming they have legitimate prints for sale and are selling them under license. If you are unsure if they are legit, ask the seller if the print is personally signed by the artist. If you are still in doubt, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns. |
"I believe military artists truly achieve something of worth if they can create an image that inspires the soldier who is simultaneously protecting that artist's freedom of creativity."
