2001 Australian Army — 100 Years of Service Postal Numismatic Cover PNC — First Day of Issue St Kilda Road Melbourne Vic

The Australian Army was formed on 1 March 1901 when the naval and military forces of each state were transferred to the control of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Major General Sir Edward 'Curly' Hutton was chosen to head the Commonwealth forces. The new Australian Army's first operational activity occurred in the Boer War and the first full-time force, the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), was formed in 1914 after the outbreak of World War 1.

Australia's first regular army, supplemented by the Citizen Military Force, was formed after World War I.

Today the Army's mission is "to serve the Nation by providing land forces to promote the security of Australia and protect its people and interests"
 

(2001-PNC-Army-Centenary)