Welcome to
The Sixth Battalion,
The Royal Australian Regiment
The 6 RAR Association INC aim is to ‘Perpetuate the camaraderie that was generated amongst us when we served’.
Stand To Newsletter
BLUE DOG
HISTORY OF BLUE DOG
In 1978 the next ‘Blue’ was given to 6 RAR during an exercise in Shoalwater Bay as somewhat of a joke given the Battalion did not have a mascot. A wretched old dog was obtained from the local pound by the 8/9 RAR
Padre at a cost of $1.50 and promptly named “Wart” by the troops. The dog was left as a surprise gift in the dug-in command post during a relief in place activity. The CO at the time, LTCOL M Harris, MC, kept the
animal and on return to barracks ordered the dog cleaned, wormed, and marched in as the Battalion’s mascot. In 1981 a new dog was brought into service with the Battalion PTE Saltwood Sharaz Jasmine (alias Blue).
There have been seven Australian Cattle dogs in the role of ‘Battalion Friend’ with only the last three being official mascots. SGT Ridgeleigh Blue III was born in May 2010, was with the Battalion from June 2010 – Nov 2019. On 29 November 2011 MA505 PTE Ridgeleigh Blue III was officially registered as the RAR Mascot. He retired on 27 November 2019, and PTE Ridgeleigh Blue IV, born June 2019, was marched in.
