Weekly News HMAS LEEUWIN 1963 FOR 2008-2009
Weekly News 27 December 2009
www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv2/HMAS-Leeuwin-1963.com/wwwroot/page9.htm
G'day All,
Happy New Year everybody. Who wants to make a commitment for 2010. Be at LEEUWIN for the unveiling of the Memorial to all JR's in July. Regiser now for the JR 50th reunion. We have 33 on the books now. What a way to make 2010 one to remember. The link is www.jrsreunion.org/
cheers
Ron
Weekly News 20 December 2009
www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv2/HMAS-Leeuwin-1963.com/wwwroot/page9.htm
G'day all,
Merry Christmas to All, have a safe, healthy and happy time, hope you are all in a position to share it with your families and friends.
cheers
Ron
This week:
Attached is a Fact Sheet from DVA for those intending to sell their family home and are in receipt of a Service Pension.
An offer from Des Honess for a book on the MELBOURNE Spithead deployment of 1977
An UPDATE ON MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBERS from Daryl Genich
SAFEGUARDING SAILORS AGAINST ASBESTOS
DVA ENEWS LETTER
SUBJECT MELBOURNE Spithead deployment of 1977
Hi Ron,
I have been handed the above book and as I paid off from the Andrew in 75 it does not bring any memories back to me so if you know of anyone that would like the book I would be most happy to pass it on.
Best regards,
Des Honess
PLEASE CONTACT ME AT rugbyron@bigpond.com
SUBJECT UPDATE ON MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Hi Ron,
You may wish to distribute the following link, for an update on the mobile phone numbers.
www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311873
Cheers
Darryl
UNCLASSIFIED
SUBJECT SAFEGUARDING SAILORS AGAINST ASBESTOS
Please pass on to those you think may be interested
SUBJECT DVA ENEWS LETTER
December 2009
Welcome to the latest issue of e-News, keeping you up-to-date with news from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
In this issue:
Christmas and New Year arrangements
New Repatriation Health Cards in 2010
Australian diggers laid to rest in PNG
Saluting Their Service grant recipients announced
Overseas memorial database goes live
New DVA mailing address
Upcoming anniversaries
Publications
Media releases
Christmas and New Year arrangements
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including all Veterans Affairs Network and Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) offices, will be closed from Friday, 25 December 2009 to Friday, 1 January 2010. All offices will reopen on Monday, 4 January 2010.
Under DVA’s after-hours arrangements, many key services will still be available during this period. For more information or to download a copy of the DVA Christmas arrangements poster visit the DVA website.
Please also note, DVA offices will be closed for Australia Day on Tuesday, 26 January 2010.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Repatriation Health Cards in 2010
DVA will be rolling out new and improved Repatriation Health Cards to all existing cardholders commencing in March 2010.
The new cards will have enhanced security features including magnetic strip data, micro printing and a DVA registered hologram making unauthorised reproduction more difficult.
Importantly, DVA clients who reside overseas will have their card eligibility reinstated and Gold and White cards will now be issued to all eligible clients living overseas.
For more information visit the DVA treatment cards website
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Australians diggers laid to rest in PNG
The remains of four Australians who fell during the Second World War were laid to rest at Bomana War Cemetery in PNG on 1 December.
The families of Lance Sergeant James Garrard Wheeler and Lieutenant Talbot Logan were present as the remains of their loved ones and two unknown Australian soldiers were buried with full military honours.
The soldiers’ remains were recovered from battlefields around Buna, Sanananda and Popondetta. An Army investigation team positively identified two sets of remains, and those unidentified have been buried under a headstone marked ”An Unknown Australian Soldier of the 1939-1945 War.” In place of the personal inscription placed by families on the headstones of identified burials, the headstones of unknown burials contain the inscription “Known Unto God”.
Images are available at www.defence.gov.au/media/download. For more information on Australian service in Papua New Guinea during the Second World War visit www.ww2australia.gov.au/beachheads/.
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Saluting Their Service grant recipients announced
Projects honouring Australia’s wartime heritage recently received $303,708 in funding approved by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, under the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative grants program.
The funding will go towards 110 projects helping communities across the nation honour and commemorate our wartime history.
For more information visit the DVA grants website online.
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Overseas memorial database goes live
Planning trips to Australian memorials while overseas, including the Australian War Memorial in London and the 1943 Kokoda Track Memorial, is now much easier with the help of a new online resource.
The Overseas Memorials Search memorials.dva.gov.au includes details and photographs of more than 110 official and privately constructed overseas memorials which honour Australian service across the globe.
The database will continue to grow as data is collected. Those who have information about the location or details of overseas memorials are invited to contact the Department’s Office of Australian War Graves at wargraves@dva.gov.au.
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New DVA mailing address
DVA is moving to a new standard mailing address across the nation. All mail sent to DVA can now be addressed to GPO Box 9998, IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY.
This change will ensure a more efficient and effective mailing system for all. Mail sent to old post office addresses will still arrive safely.
Separate post office box addresses for individual VAN and VVCS offices, the OAWG, RMA, VRB, DSHI and DSHL will remain unchanged. To access contact details for all DVA offices visit the DVA website.
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Upcoming Anniversaries
20 December – Last Australian troops depart Gallipoli
11 January – Declaration of cessation of Australian hostilities in Vietnam
28 January – Beginning of Sandakan Death Marches
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Publications
VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service newsletter – November 2009 (PDF 798 Kb)
Beyond the Call – stories from veterans and their families
DVA Annual Report 2008–09
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Media Releases
Department of Veterans' Affairs to continue as separate agency (VA101 PDF 48Kb)
DVA arrangements during Christmas and New Year (VA100 PDF 63 Kb)
$303,000 for projects to honour Australia's veterans (VA099 PDF 90 Kb)
Search online for overseas Australian memorials (VA098 PDF 48 Kb)
Joint media release - 2009 National History Challenge (VA097 PDF 37Kb)
$5000 grant helps restore historic POW artwork (VA096 PDF 44 Kb)
Weekly News 13 December 2009 Vol 2
www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv2/HMAS-Leeuwin-1963.com/wwwroot/page9.htm
G'day All,
This is the second edition for this week. Attached are:
An application for a 'Certificate of Appreciation' for conflicts from and including WW2;
Background Kit for service pensioners; and for Sydney siders,
the addresses for the new Combined Red LIght and Speed Cameras.
Additionally information is passed on in respect of mobile telephone numbers
PASS THIS ON TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN...
This is for Australian phone numbers
REMEMBER: Mobile Phone Numbers Go Public next month.
REMINDER all mobile phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls.
YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS
Below is a link where you can enter your phone numbers online to put an end to telemarketing calls. Don't just delete those calls otherwise you will find that you have been signed up for all sorts of extra services that you didn't want or know about. Like special chimes, music etc.
https://www.donotcall.gov.au/
G'day All,
This week there is 2 editions. This one contains the JR Memorial Newsletter Number 17 forwarded and compiled by Ken Dobbie and we have two of our comrades passing over the bar.
JR Memorial Newsletter Number 17 attached
Laurie Weat crossing the bar
Francis Maddox crossing the bar
SUBJECT LAURIE WEAT
TIS WITH MUCH SADNESS I INFORM YOU OF THE PASSING OF FELLOW VICTUALLER AND NICE GUY LAURIE WEAT.
LAURIES SHIP WAS FULLY STORED AND CROSSED THE BAR AT 1330 ARVO.
FOR THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND LAURIES SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 2PM NEXT WEDNESDAY AT 7/33 BORONIA RD WANTIRNA VICTORIA.
WOULD YOU PLEASE WEAR MEDALS AS SUE INFORMED ME LAURIE WANTED A NAVAL SERVICE.
FAREWELL MY FRIEND MAY YOUR STOREROOMS BE ALWAYS FULL OF GOODEEES.
Trevor
--
Rugby League//Tuffest and Greatest Game of ALL
Tuff Trev
BACH OF CDF
SUBJECT FRANCIS ALFRED MADDOX
It is with great sadness that I advise you of the passing of
Francis Alfred MADDOX ABQMG R63788
(aka Frank "Darky" Maddox).
Frank is survived by his wife, 3 children & 7 grandchildren.
Frank passed away peacefully tonight at 1900 hrs at
The Mayo Private Hospital at Taree.
Funeral services will be posted as soon as they are known.
May you always have gentle breezes & smooth seas wherever your spirit may roam.
Rest in Peace Shipmate
Chris Newton
Weekly News 6 December 2009
G'day All,
A busy week. There is a photo of all those who attended (negs Kev Uttley) Twin Towns on 21 Nov on the website www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv2/HMAS-Leeuwin-1963.com/wwwroot/page8.htm
Further to the newsletter SALT have promulgated a few emails on accommodation and a 2010 calendar. I am told the calendar comprises amongst other things a collage of photos of LEEUWIN JR's, us included. If you wish a copy or wish to know about SALT accommodation packages in WA for the JR Reunion please contact Sharon Johnson Ph 1300 797 577 AH Mob 0439 077941 Email: SALT@affordableholidays.com.au.
Ron Pope found accommodation in Perth for the function and he was real happy with. He used www.stayz.com.au
This week:
Senator Fielding's speech on Military Superannuation Pension Attachment
Background kit for service pensioners Attachment
Change to DVA cards
AUSTRALIAN VETERANS AND DEFENCE SERVICES COUNCIL
cheers
Ron
SUBJECT CHANGE TO DVA CARDS
Check out - Changes to DVA cards from the Department of Veterans' Affairs web site.
www.dva.gov.au/benefitsAndServices/health/health_cards/Pages/changes_march_2010.aspx
SUBJECT
AUSTRALIAN VETERANS AND DEFENCE SERVICES COUNCIL
3 DEC 09
SEEKS CASE STUDIES TO FURTHER DISPUTE WITH GOVERNMENT
The Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council Inc (AVADSC), a national organisation which represents its member ex-service organisations, provides a forum for consideration of and, where necessary, joint representations on repatriation and conditions of service matters of importance and concern to the Defence and veteran communities. For many years the erosion of the superannuation benefits to retired service personnel has been a major source of concern, particularly the method of indexation, which has resulted in a decline of living standards of retired service personnel. A number of government enquiries have occurred to which the RSL, DFWA and AVADSC have made submissions. However, nothing has been changed and no progress has been made to adjust the declining situation.
AVADSC, in its submissions, has argued, amongst other issues, the uniqueness of military service highlighting that those who join the Defence Force commit to conditions distinct from other employment. The submissions have also highlighted that the readiness of the Defence Force is, and always has been, a critical factor that allows this country to grow its international standing with all the economic, political and social benefits that go with it. The regular Defence Force is the force at immediate readiness to meet government commitments and is custodian of the integrity and quality of the capabilities and values that have made it possible for governments to commit the Defence Force in ways that have advanced Australia’s national objectives. Also members of the Defence Force experience conditions of the military lifestyle that disadvantage them when compared with civilian employment whether private sector or the Public Service.
This contribution to an Australian lifestyle enjoyed by the general community and the disadvantages of military service, recognised by government studies over many decades, set the Defence Force apart from all others in the community. In view of this uniqueness of military service, AVADSC has argued that the superannuation provisions of defence personnel should be segregated from those in civilian employment whether in the private sector or the Public Service.
However, despite the force of AVADSC and other submissions, nothing has been changed and the deterioration of the standard of living of retired service personnel continues to decline to the extent that many are now being forced to seek financial assistance from the safety net provided by social services. This is degrading to those who are forced to do this and is an inappropriate image of the outcome of Defence Force service. Hence, AVADSC and the other larger organisations of current and ex-military personnel have committed to continue the fight to achieve an improved standard of living of ex-military personnel. – all that is expected is that they will be able to live to a reasonable standard, not an unreasonable expectation of people who have served this country in its military services and one which places a true value on their worth.
To further its case with the Government, AVADSC is developing a portfolio of actual case studies without names but based on real people to demonstrate in each case the failure of retired pay to maintain quality of life standards. The information we are seeking is:
Rank on discharge;
Number of years’ service;
Age on discharge;
Retired pay on discharge;
Current retired pay under military superannuation;
Employment and superannuation history after discharge;
Employment and superannuation history of spouse;
Home ownership factors, ie, whether still paying a mortgage;
Sources of income other than superannuation and social welfare;
Annual rate of pay for same rank in Defence Force;
Access to social welfare.
Children still living at home.
Accordingly, it would be appreciated if your organisation could distribute this request for case studies amongst your members or constituencies and request their consideration of it. Any queries or responses to this letter should be sent to
Doug Roser
C/o AVADSC
PO Box Q314
QVB Post Office
SYDNEY NSW 1230
or to him at email dougroser@bigpond.com.
We are encouraged in the merit of our argument for recognition of the unique circumstances of military service by an article in the respected UK weekly, The Economist, which states that there is ‘an argument for giving some public-sector workers, such as the police or the armed forces, higher pay and benefits in the form of pensions’.
Ian Crawford
RADM RAN (RET’D)
National President
AUSTRALIAN VETERANS AND DEFENCE
SERVICES COUNCIL INCORPORATED
“ AVADSC”
Patron: Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
President: PO Box Q314
Rear Admiral Ian McL Crawford QVB Post Office
AO AM (Mil) RAN (Retd) SYDNEY NSW 1230
Secretary: Major Colin Doust JP (Ret’d) Tel: (02) 9393 2320
Fax: (02) 9267 9837
ABN: 55 565 676 688 E: avadsc@bigpond.com
website: avadsc.org.au 2nd December 2009
To All ESOs
By the attached communication we are seeking the participation of military superannuates in the presentation of case studies to government to demonstrate the hardship being experienced by individual because of the way retired pay is being indexed.
Government and government agencies seem to be impervious to the logic and the claim that military service is a unique condition that warrants special treatment for superannuation arrangements. People are hurting badly and it is not overstating the case to claim that the erosion of the value of retired pay when related to the lifestyle it could support on separation from the Defence Force is affecting the mental wellbeing of individuals and by extension their physical health.
So participation of representative cases is important and we ask the ESO leadership to encourage people to come forward. Of course names will not be included but we really need actual cases to highlight the situation of those who are trying to meet the costs of living to maintain a lifestyle, which over time has been eroded because retired pay has fallen behind the level of salaries in the community.
Yours sincerely
IAN McL CRAWFORD
Rear Admiral RAN (Ret’d)
National President
Weekly News 29 November 2009
G'day All,
Hope you are all travelling well and getting into some decent training for the Christmas festivities. Intend completing the details of the two functions held and promulgating next week.
I received an email which related to the latest Newsletter this week from the JR's reunion next July. One of the topics related to the seating plan for the dinner. They intend putting the year group on the same table. When you register you will be put on our table.
I included an article a couple of weeks ago on veterans benefits. It related to the US vets. Should read the stuff before I publish it, it has been taken off the website.
This week:
FESR Battle Honours
JR's reunion
cheers
Ron
SUBJECT BATTLE HONOURS
To all associations whose members saw service with the victorious FESR Force.
Today, Remembrance Day 2009, after many long years of making representations to Navy Office etc we have finally achieved our goal.
From today we have official recognition of our service with the FESR force 1955 - 1971 and have been awarded the Battle Honours Malaya and Malaysia and it feels bloody good.
On behalf of all the members of the FESR Navy Association I offer our congratulations to all other ships, squadrons, teams and associations who undoubtedly feel as good as we do tonight.
Sincerely yours
Les Bailey
National President
FESR Navy Association
03 9876 3592 (H)
Phone +61 3 9334 8347
Fax +61 3 9244 4926
Mobile +61 0411143443
SUBJECT JR'S REUNION NEWSLETTER
www.jrsreunion.org/NEWSLETTERS.html
Weekly News 22 November 2009
G'day all,
We had a good time at Tweed Heads as did the guys and gals at Geelong. More about those functions later.
This week:
DFRDB Pension indexation
END OF AN ERA RAN STEAM REUNION
BATTLE CLASS DESTROYER REUNION
HMAS MELBOURNE REUNION
cheers
Ron
SUBJECT DFRDB Indexation
G’day,
For wide dissemination.
According to Lindsay Tanner the Minister for Finance & Deregulation, the indexation of the military superannuates and pensioners WILL REMAIN THE CPI. This as you can read is the government’s stance. I’ve attached the original letter to show the below is not doctored. If the CPI is adequate then Lindsay Tanner must index his superannuation to the CPI. If the CPI is good enough for government civilians (which I would believe Lindsay Tanner would be one) and military people (who spill their blood for the government) then it should be good enough for our politicians.
The word hypocrisy is ringing so loudly my ears are aching.
I didn’t know age pensioners are paying different prices to DFRDB/MSBS disability pensioners.
I put up with double standards during my military career only to fight them in my disabled years. The letterhead pre-empts their names with Hon, but yet many aren’t in their position to look after those prepare to defend their country.
Also attached is some comments made by various MP’s when the PBLCI was introduced. I like most are sick of the BS and spin. One group lauds the PBLCI while Lindsay Tanner says it’s of no benefit.
The only reason the government accepts the recommendations of the Matthews report and will not adopt the PBLCI is COST!!
The opposition needs to do something about this. The ex-service community and ESO’s need to apply more pressure. Demand that Lindsay Tanner index his superannuation strictly to the oh so wonderful CPI. Come the next election vote for an independent. Fill federal parliament with independents. Things might not get done, but is anything getting down now. Veterans and ex-service pensioners are about to be hit with a carbon emissions trading scheme tax. Another blow to our hip pocket. And the Lib/National Coalition are aiding and abetting the government.
Yours sincerely
Ray Brown
National President
Injured Service Persons Association
(Peacetime Injuries)
(02) 9833 8485
www.ispa.asn.au
ispanational@bigpond.com
ISPA
PO Box 1164
St Marys
NSW 2760
We Served – We Gave – We Care
THE HON LINDSAY TANNER MP
Minister for Finance and Deregulation
Member for Melbourne
Mr Ray Brown
National President Injured Service Persons Association National
PO Box 1164
ST MARYS NSW 2760
Dear Mr Brown
Thank you for your letter of 9 September 2009 to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Hon Alan Griffin MP, regarding the review of the pension indexation arrangements in Australian Government civilian and military superannuation schemes that was conducted by Mr Trevor Matthews. Your letter was referred to me for my consideration as the Minister responsible for public sector superannuation.
I apologise for the delay in responding.
I acknowledge that the review findings by Mr Matthews and the Government response may have caused disappointment for some recipients of Australian Government civilian and military pensions.
Mr Matthews is an international leader in the global pensions and life insurance industry, an Australian citizen, past president of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, and currently a prominent actuary in the United Kingdom. As such he was eminently qualified to carry out an independent review of the pension indexation arrangements in the Australian Government civilian and military superannuation schemes.
I note your comments on the possible use of the Pension and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI) in relation to the indexation of Commonwealth superannuation pensions.
Mr Matthews did recommend consideration of the use of an alternative index for Australian Government civilian and military pensions, but only if a robust index becomes available which reflects the price inflation experience of superannuants better than the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The PBLCI focuses on the changes in the living costs of age pensioners, carers and disability support recipient households. As I have been advised, the Australian Bureau of Statistics derived the PBLCI by combining the age pensioner Analytical Living Cost Indexes (ALCI) and the other government transfer recipients ALCI.
Therefore, the PBLCI is not an index in relation to the living costs of superannuants. It has not been derived from the self-funded retiree ALCI, which was the index that Mr Matthews discussed in his report.
Mr Matthews also did not find that it is inequitable or unfair that civilian and military pensions are increased differently to the Age or Service pensions, as they are different benefits provided for different purposes.
The Government fully supports Mr Matthews' findings and recommendations, and has no plans to move away from the CPI for indexing the pensions of Commonwealth superannuants.
Thank you for taking the time to write on this issue.
Yours sincerely
(signed)
Lindsay Tanner
16 Nov 2009
SUBJECT END OF AN ERA RAN STEAM REUNION
“End of an Era” RAN Steam Reunion
Brisbane 22-25 April 2011
The End of an Era RAN Steam Reunion will be held in Brisbane from Friday 22 till Monday 25th April 2011. The Reunion is being organised by the Nirimba Queensland Sub Section of the Naval Association of Australia. The aim of the Reunion is to celebrate the significance of those men and women who served in the RAN during the steam ships era. We also remember the families and others involved in the RAN during that period and so the Reunion is intended to bring together a vast number of people from all walks of life and from all parts of the world. It is important to remember the diesel navy as well as the Fleet Air Arm, submariners and the many dockyard and associated civilian workers of the time.
Planning is well underway and a number of activities are being organised for the Reunion. Subject to confirmation, these include the following events:
Friday 22nd April
From 1400 - Registration
1800 - Meet & Greet includes beverages & finger food
Saturday 23rd April Leisure time with friends and families
Day trips to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and surrounding districts
Winery tours
River cruises
Golf
Lawn bowls
1930 - Reunion Dinner includes meal, beverages and entertainment
Sunday 24th April 1000 - Reunion B-B-Q and tour of the Queensland Maritime Museum.
Monday 25th April Anzac Day Services
1000 - Brisbane Anzac Day Parade
Naturally a great deal of planning goes into organising this Reunion and details are continually refined. To ensure delegates maximise their opportunities for accommodation and travel we suggest you begin preparations for the Reunion now.
Registration fees will be only marginally dearer than 2008, say $220.00.
Accommodation can be arranged now at 2009 prices by utilising the services of SALT Reunions who can be contacted at Salt Reunion Central, PO Box 445 Maroochydore Qld 4558 Australia, Phone 1300 797577, Fax Number (07) 5479 1673 or at salt.affordableholidays.com.au/salt/
Salt Reunions can connect you with caravan parks and budget accommodation if needed. You can also link up with others using Salt for accommodation arrangements.
Regardless, you do not have to use SALT Reunions for your accommodation, and are under no obligation to do so however, the Reunion Organisers use SALT Reunions exclusively.
Most Reunion venues and activities will not give a firm price until 2010 and therefore we cannot give final pricings until then. Prices will be marginally dearer than 2008.
To estimate your budget and to gauge tourism type fares see
www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/brisbane/
---------------------------------------
“End of an Era” RAN Steam Reunion
Brisbane 22-25 April 2011
Expression of Interest
Yes, I/We will be attending the 2011 Reunion in Brisbane
First name
Last name
Official number
Partner first name
Partner last name
Postal address
Post code
Tel.
Mob.
Email
Please forward a $50.00 EOI deposit (to be deducted from Registration) (Deposit refunded if you withdraw) payment in advance by Cheque or Money Order made out to – NAA Nirimba Qld
Mail to:
NAA Nirimba Qld
2011 Reunion
PO Box 5307
DAISY HILL QLD 3127
or e-Pay to
Heritage Building Society
Naval Association of Australia Nirimba Qld
638 070 9155228
Please include your name in the transaction
Further information may be obtained by contacting the Reunion Secretary:-
Dick Roebuck (07) 32091730 or 0402 986109 or r.roebuck@optusnet.com.au
To assist with our planning, please complete this form and return by email or post now. Final prices will be determined on estimated numbers as at
31 December 2009. You are under no obligation.
Office Use Only DB Deposit Date
SUBJECT BATTLE CLASS DESTROYER REUNION
RAN BATTLE CLASS SOCIAL CLUB
ANNUAL NATIONAL REUNION ‘Canberra 2010’
Open Invitation to all ex naval personnel & family
WHEN: October 21 – 24, 2010
WHERE: Canberra, ACT
VENUE: Rydges Lakeside Hotel, London Circuit, Canberra City
$140.00 per double including full buffet breakfast for two
COST: $60.00 per head for Registration & Saturday Dinner Dance
PROGRAM
Additional costs for events other than Saturday night dinner
Thursday 21st October: Meet and Greet with buffet meal at night
Friday 22nd October: Day Bus Trip
Saturday 23rd October: Free day - Dinner Dance at night
Sunday 24th October: Short Tour & Lunch
Farewell Drinks and finger food at night
For Further Information on Membership or Reunion:
Geoff (Wiggy) Bennett
7 Viola Crescent, Highett Vic 3190
Tel: (03) 9532 3672 Fax: (03) 9532 3672
Email: benhun@bigpond.net.au
Sponsored by RAN Battle Class Social Club
SUBJECT HMAS MELBOURNE REUNION
H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE REUNION 2010
The Reunion planning continues. The evening of Saturday 16/10/10 will be our main event in the way of a seated Dinner with Guest Speaker. Other optional activities are being organised for that weekend, which precedes Navy Week in the Shoalhaven Region.
Provisional Program
Friday Evening 15/10/10
1600: Registration, Meet & Greet. Venue to be decided
Saturday 16/10/10
0930: Registration, Escorted Bus Tours of H.M.A.S. Albatross and also visit the
F.A.A. Museum.
1700: Registration and Reunion Dinner at the Bomaderry R.S.L. Club
Sunday 17/10/10
1000: The F.A.A. Museum is organising a Public Day to co-inside with the reunion. It is
envisaged to present a static display of aircraft including the Historical Flight as
well as a collection of Vintage, Veteran and Classic Cars.
1200: BBQ Lunch at the White Ensign Club, next to the Museum, only accessible for
Reunion participants.
This provisional program is only an indication of the Associations intentions and subject to change. We are seeking the assistance of those residing in the Shoalhaven region that would be prepared to organise, on our behalf, Golf and Bowls days on either the Friday or Monday.
Early in 2010, with a confirmed program, we will be asking for “intentions of attending” the various activities. Once we have these numbers, a costing can be prepared before, asking you for a definite commitment.
Regards,
Dean Gedling
Vice President
P: (02)46261041 H.M.A.S. Melbourne Association
M: 0411015551 P.O. Box 4011
E: sicambre@optusnet.com.au Bradbury. N.S.W. 2560
Weekly News 15 November 2009
www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv2/HMAS-Leeuwin-1963.com/wwwroot/page9.htm
G'day All,
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Tweed Heads The finer details. We are meeting at 1200ish local time i.e. Eastern Standard Summer Time in the Champions Bar. There is a restaurant adjacent this room for those who wish to eat, like me. The number of attendees is steadily increasing. This should be our best attended get together of all time. Give your mate a call if he is not on the list, Everybody is welcome, they do not have to be a 63'r.
Currently Tom and Val Houldsworth, Darby and Frances Ashton, Schubes Schubert, Ken and Marilyn Fielding, Spook Cairns, Mick Gallagher, Derek and Marilyn Whyte, Scott and Kay Pascoe Lambert, Phil and Tracy Narramore, Bob Cavanagh, Lew and Jo Smith, Don Muller, Barry and Kaymarie Andrews, Ken Railton, John and Luba Miscamble, Rocky and Lin Frier, Phyllis and Tank Evans, Neil Duckworth, Mal Chatfield, Richard Lewin, Doug Wilson and myself are confirmed starters. Woody Woodward, Russ Loane, Kev 'Smouch' Smith and Skull Boden have to confirm their attendance. I have received apology emails from Wayne and Margaret Butterfield, Mal Ritche, Mike Hogan, Magoo Magnuson and John Hatchman who have indicate they cant make it.
Have not heard from Russ Dale on the Victorian function. Will let you know when that happens.
The mail for this week:
VETERANS BENEFITS
DDG's AND ALL THE ATTACHMENTS
HMAS ADELAIDE ARTIFICIAL REEF WEBSITE
Cheers
Ron
0410529797
SUBJECT VETERANS BENEFITS
ALL VETS SHOULD COPY THIS
Someone has gone to a lot of trouble. If this helps one person, then it was worthwhile... Pass on to all veterans!
Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied claim with the VA. Please pass this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won't tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions to ask so the right doors open for you -- and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best interests.
Appeals www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc
Board of Veteran's Appeals www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Commission www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Draft National Plan www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg5
Center for Minority Veterans www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
Center for Veterans Enterprise www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm
Center for Women Veterans www1.va.gov/womenvet/
Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html
Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html
Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6 /ch07.doc
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03 www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm
Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page www.va.gov/
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view
Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benef its/exams/index.htm
Due Process www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.doc
Dut y to Assist www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch01.doc
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/
Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf
Environmental Agents www1.va .gov/environagents/
Environmental Agents M10 www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID02
Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibi lity www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID15
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHandbook1303122304.DOC and www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID58
See also,
Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DepletedUraniumFAQSheet.doc
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOC
Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID 6
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005 www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf OR, www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.htm
Forms and Records Request www.va.gov/vaforms/
General Compensation Provisions www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/part ii_chapter11_subchaptervi_.html
Geriatrics and Extended Care www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/
Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm
Guide to Gulf War Veteran's Health www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/VHIgulfwar.pdf
Gulf War Subject Index www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7&template=main&letter=A
Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses Q&As www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/GWIllnessesQandAsIB1041.pdf
Hearings www.warms.vba.va.gov/admi n21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.doc
Homeless Veterans www1.va.gov/homeless/
HSR&D Home www.hsrd.research.va.gov/
Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/index.htm
Ionizing Radiation www1.va.gov/irad/
Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA www.vba.va.gov/EFIF/
M 10 for spouses and children h ttp://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID07
M10 Part III Change 1 www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID08
M21-1 Table of Contents www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1.html
Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_130.DOC
Mental Health Program Guidelin es www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID94
Ment al Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers www.mirecc.med.va.gov/
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
My Health e Vet www.myhealth.va.gov/
NASDVA.COM National Association of State Directors www.nasdva.com/
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.asp
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4%5F124a.doc
OMI (Office of Medical Inspector) www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/
Online VA Form 10-10EZ https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/
Parkinson's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/solicitations/docs/parkinsons.pdf and,
www1.va.gov/padrecc/
Peacetime Disability Compensation frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1131
Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteri_.html
and, www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapterii_.html
and, www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/tit le38/partii_chapter15_subchapteriii_.html
Persian Gulf Registry www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID03
This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005: www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID32
Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID06
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To Congress www1.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_War_Veterans'_Illnesses_Appendices.doc
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To Congress www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_war_2002/GulfWarRpt02.pdf
Phase I PGR www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID04
Phase II PGR www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID05
Policy Manual Index www.va.gov/publ/direc/eds/edsmps.htm
Power of Attorney www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch03.doc
Project 112 (Including Project SHAD) www1.va.gov/shad/
Prosthetics Eligibility www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID37
Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/
Public Health/SARS www.publichealth.va.gov/SARS/
Pu blications Manuals www1.va.gov/vhapublications/publications.cfm?Pub=4
Publications and Reports www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/pubs_individual.cfm?webpage=gulf_war.htm
Records Center and Vault Homepage www.aac.va.gov/vault/default.html
Records Center and Vault Site Map www.aac.va.gov/vault/sitemap.html
REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT'S RECORDS www.forms.va.gov/va/Internet/VARF/getformharness.asp?formName288-form.xft
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002 www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Minutes_April112002.doc
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/ReportandRecommendation s_2004.pdf
Research and Development www.appc1.va.gov/resdev/programs/all_programs.cfm
Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partiii_chapter35_.html
Title 38
Index
Parts 0-17
ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?sid=
1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&cr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl
Part 18
ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/ textidx?sid=
1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&cr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl
Title 38
Part 3 Adjudication
Subpart Aââ,¬"Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?cr&sid=
1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl
Title 38
Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief
(also Ã,§ 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here)
ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?cr&si d=
1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl
Title 38
PART 4--SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES
Subpart B--DISABILITY RATINGS
target=_blank>
ab7641afd195c84a49a2067dbbcf95c0&rgn=div6&view=text&node8:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno8
Title 38
Ã,§ 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the
individual. PART 4ââ,¬"SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES
Subpart Aââ,¬"General Policy in Rating ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?cr&sid=
1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node8:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno8
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims www.vetapp.gov/
VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) www.avapl.org/pub/PTSD%20Manual%20final%206.pdf
VA Fact Sheet www1.va.gov/opa/fact/gwfs.html
VA Health Care Eligibility www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.asp
VA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF) www.avapl.org/gaf/gaf.html
VA Life Insurance Handbook ââ,¬" Chapter 3 www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/GLIhandbook/glibookletch3.htm#310
VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans valoans.com/va_facts_limits.cfm
VA MS Research www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
VA National Hepatitis C Program www.hepatitis.va.gov/
VA Office of Research and Development www1.va.gov/resdev/
VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War www.va.gov/OAA/pocketcard/gulfwar.asp
VA WMD EMSHG www1.va.gov/emshg/
VA WRIISC-DC www.va.gov/WRIISC-DC/
VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address www.va.gov/oig/hotline/hotline3. htm
Vet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Service www.va.gov/rcs/Eligibility.htm
Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page www.vba.va.gov/
Veterans Legal and Benefits Information valaw.org/
VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals www1.va.gov/vhapublications/
VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives www1.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg
VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page http: //www.publichealth.va.gov/
VHI Guide to Gulf War Veteransââ,¬(tm) Health www1.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gulfwar/istudy/index.asp
Vocational Rehabilitation www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/
Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/InterSubsistencefy04.doc
VONAPP online vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
WARMS - 38 CFR Book C www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html
Wartime Di sability Compensation frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1110
War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New Jersey www.wri.med.va.gov/
Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site www.gibill.va.gov/
What VA Social Workers Do www1.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3
WRIISC Patient Eligibility www.illegion.org/va1.html
SUBJECT DDG MUSEUM
From: Ros & Wally McNamee [mailto:mcnamee@bigpond.net.au]
Sent: Thursday, 1 October 2009 7:28 PM
To: Ros & Wally McNamee
Subject: Adams Class Museum Events in Jacksonville Florida
Fellow DDG Crew Members,
Many of you know me some may not. For those who do not, I am the liaison between the Australian DDG community and the Adams Class Veterans Association (ACVA) adamsclassddgvets.org in the US. The ACVA have a goal to refurbish the Charles F Adams (first of Class) as a Naval Ship Museum in memory of all DDGs, USN, RAN and German Navy.
The ACVA are offering you an invite (invite and RSVP attached) to attend a Commemorative dinner to be held in November in Jacksonville Florida. This will be a great opportunity to get together with other DDG crew members and will help to raise funds for the Adams Class museum.
I have also attached a registration form for membership of the ACVA. We currently have only 20 Australian members and would like to see this number greatly increased. I know that some of you (approx 120) have registered interest for a reunion planned for 2012 to coincide with the opening of the Museum in Jacksonville but not all of those who have registered interest in the reunion have joined the ACVA. There is no cost to join so please fill out the Application and become a member of a worthwhile organisation dedicated to prolonging the memory of these fine warships.
I have also attached my last two reports of progress towards the museum.
Sorry to those who have already seen some of these reports and also to those who may be on two of my address lists and received more than one of these e mails.
Regards,
Wally McNamee LCDR RAN Retd
SUBJECT HMAS ADELAIDE ARTIFICAIL REEF
A new website was launched yesterday with information about the
HMAS Adelaide Artificial Reef.
The link is:
www.hmasadelaide.com
Weekly News 8 November 2009
www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv2/HMAS-Leeuwin-1963.com/wwwroot/page9.htm
G'day All,
Hope all is well with you and yours. Dont forget the Victorian function at Geelong scheduled for 1230 next Saturday, 14th November. Jesse James may be a starter also. This will be a great function attended by 63ers from three states.
Tweed Heads This is our quarterly get together. When we had our last meeting in Sydney we decided to have our next get together one, which may entice some of the Queenslanders to attend, ergo Twin Towns RSL.. You may be aware last July we went to Albury to meet with the Mexicans. That function was a great success, they now have their own quarterly functions. The format is simple, we are meeting around 1200ish on Saturday 21 November, say G'day or whatever, have a beer, a meal discuss a few issues and a chat. Come and go when you please. No dress rules, pin on a name tag if you wish. I will be contacting the twin towns this week to establish the venue in their establishment. will let you know when I have the details.
Currently Tom and Val Houldsworth, Darby and Frances Ashton, Schubes Schubert, Ken and Marilyn Fielding, Spook Cairns, Mick Gallagher, Derek and Marilyn Whyte, Scott and Kay Pascoe Lambert, Phil and Tracy Narramore, Bob Cavanagh, Lew and Jo Smith, Don Muller, Barry and Kaymarie Andrews, Ken Railton, John and Luba Miscamble, Rocky and Lin Frier, Phyllis and Tank Evans, Neil Duckworth, Doug Wilson and myself are confirmed starters. Russ Loane, Kev 'Smouch' Smith and Skull Boden have to confirm their attendance. I have received apology emails from Wayne and Margaret Butterfield, Mal Ritche, Mike Hogan, Magoo Magnuson and John Hatchman who have indicate they cant make it.
For those that intend going to the Memorial Service and reunion next year in July, I believe there is a limit of 1500 for the dinner. If you intend going to the dinner and havent registered, now is the time to commit.
This week we have:
FESR
TANKERMANS ASSOCIATION
FRANK MADDOX
HIGH COURT SCRA DECISION
Cheers
Ron
0410 529797
02 99711991
SUBJECT FESR
To all Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen that served in defence of Malaya and Malaysia with the combined Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) Force between 1948 – 1971.
The Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) Navy Association the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association of Australia (NMBVAA) and the Royal Australian Air Force Association (RAAFA) have been in discussions for some time concerning the establishment of a committee to investigate the practicality of our three associations forming a foundation to raise funds to construct a National Memorial to commemorate the service given by Australian Service personnel in defence of Malaya and Malaysia with the FESR Force between 1948 – 1971.
Discussions concerning the establishment of a committee resulted in general agreement that it was a worthwhile project for our joint organisations to undertake.
There were a number of obstacles which had to be overcome before we could proceed further, both of which related to the Navy.
They were the installation of streamers on the Naval Memorial in Canberra recognising our service plus the recording of our service on the Honour Boards of current ships which bear the same name as the ships on which we served.
Joe Linaker the FESR Navy Association Special Project Co-ordinator and former National President and I approached the problem on two fronts he took the Naval Memorial and I took the Ships Honour Boards and both of us, working with the Chief of Navy and the Naval Historical Section both of whom were most helpful, achieved, albeit still taking a number of years, ultimate success, subsequently it is suffice to say that after long and protracted struggles both of these obstacles were finally overcome in August and October 2008.
With these obstacles out of the way we were able to move forward and we are pleased to advise that an initial "setup" committee of three was established they being Joe Linaker and Les Bailey, FESR Navy Association and Ian Davenport, NMBVAA and we have been working on this project ever since to bring it to the stage it is today.
The first action of the setup committee was to have a meeting on 4 December 2008 with the National Capital Authority (NCA) in Canberra at which we presented our plans and how we would manage the project. Our joint presentation bore fruit the NCA have reserved a site for us on ANZAC Parade for our memorial. Commemoratively speaking there is no higher place in Australia. The committee has to report back to the NCA later this year to provide them with a progress report which, if we meet their requirements, they will authorise us moving to the next stage.
The committee had to formalise a number of issues within our respective associations which had to blend in with individual Association AGMs and the like, this has now occurred.
Since the 2009 National AGM of the FESR Navy Association of 29 May in Echuca and the formal appointment of Joe Linaker and Les Bailey as the FESR Navy Association representatives on the National Memorial Foundation the following has been achieved.
Investigations as to the requirements for Incorporation in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) have been initiated, subsequently a set of operating rules has been finalised.
The next action required was to get together a number of signatories for a bank account for the foundation.
It was decided that we would insist on three signatories for all cheques and or fund withdrawals, the three proposed were myself to represent the Naval membership, Reg. Poole, President, Victorian Division NMBVAA to represent the Army membership and Richard Orr, Treasurer, Victorian Division RAAFA to represent the Air Force membership. In addition to ensure against illness, death or unavailability a fourth signatory was nominated he being Mick George, Vice President, Victoria and Tasmania Division FESR Navy Association, Mick served in the Navy and followed up with a stint in the RAAF. John Best, Secretary, Victoria and Tasmania Division FESR Navy Association was nominated as the account manager. John is not a signatory of the account.
The next action was to get agreement from a joint meeting to set up the bank account which was to be titled the FESR War Memorial Fund.
At the August 4 AGM of the Victorian Division of the NMBVAA which was attended by myself & John Best of the FESR Navy Association and Richard Orr of the RAAFA I presented the attached proposal which gave all present an appreciation as to what we, as a foundation, were about and a clear indication as to where we were going.
All in attendance were pleased with the approach we had taken and the manner in which we intended to account for any funds raised. A number of questions were asked and all were answered to the entire satisfaction of all present.
During that meeting it was move that the three signatories, all being present, be authorised to establish the FESR War Memorial Fund with the Bendigo Bank.
On completion of the meeting Richard Orr and I went to the Bendigo Bank and established the account, we have since added Mick George as the fourth signatory.
During this period, while the bank account was being set up in Melbourne, Ian Davenport was arranging for incorporation action to be put in place in the ACT and in Queensland Joe Linaker received a response to his letter to the Chief of Navy in which the Admiral has agreed to be become the first patron of the FESR War Memorial Foundation.
Ian, Joe and I have since negotiated the incorporation requirements and decided on an establishment committee of 8 which consists of the following:
President Joe Linaker Navy
Vice President Les Bailey Navy Bank account signatory
Secretary Ian Davenport Army Public Officer
Treasurer John Best Navy Bank account manager
Committee Reg. Poole Army Bank account signatory
Richard Orr RAAF Bank account signatory
Don Hay Navy
Mick George Navy/RAAF Bank account signatory
As stated, this is an establishment committee and may be amended as other participants come onboard.
Incorporation papers have been submitted to the appropriate authority.
The bank account was formally opened on 14 August last.
In conjunction with opening our bank account I have registered our Foundation with the Richie’s – IGA Supermarket Chain Community Benefit program. This program operates in Southern QLD, NSW and VIC. I urge all members of our foundation, which means every FESR Veteran, with a Richie – IGA Supermarket Chain outlet in his town or suburb to register in the Community Benefit Program and record the FESR War Memorial Fund as your charity. This program donates 1% of all money spent in their stores across the country over $1000.00 to our fund. The sooner you register the sooner we start getting money into our account. You don’t have to spend a lot if a lot of us spend a little and it is all free.
As soon as we receive our incorporation number Joe will send out invitations to suitable high ranking service officers to join us in support of our quest as patrons or other roles as applicable.
We will then be approaching Deputy Prime Minister Gillard and Minister Griffin as well as members of the opposition requesting that they support our bid for the provision of taxation exemption for donations to our foundation.
This project is a Tri-Service arrangement the 3 associations that have come together to get it off the ground are just the beginning when we have our incorporation bedded down we will be writing to a wide range of ESO’s to invite them to come onboard and join with us on what we trust will be a most successful and gratifying exercise.
Individuals do not have to belong to any association they just have to have served and be in receipt of the Australian Service Medal with clasp FESR or the New Zealand equivalent.
This is a memorial to all that served and to this end it is paramount that we work together in complete harmony regardless of what branch of the armed forces we served in, what ship, what unit, what squadron or what state we live in it matters not, the fact that we served is what matters and under all circumstances we need to project a unity of purpose and a total willingness to achieve a common goal.
As a foundation we are up and running let us in total unity as brothers in arms ensure that we achieve our goal in the shortest possible time frame.
I refer you to the presentation that I gave to the AGM of the NMBVAA on 4 August last:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen you may be aware that Navy veterans of the FESR did not receive any entitlements for their service until 2001 some 40 odd years after the event.
Since 2001 we the members of the FESR Navy Association have installed memorials in every state of this great country of ours, most recently in Echuca.
We battled for years to get the names of those of our shipmates who were lost while on active service recorded on the Honour Rolls of the AWM in Canberra.
We battled for years to get our service recognized on the Naval Memorial in Canberra.
We battled for years to get our service recognized on the Honour Rolls of the ships on which we served.
We are still battling; two names are on the Honour Rolls of the AWM another five have yet to be given that honour.
We understand that the Governor General has signed the decree for the Naval Memorial and the respective Ships Honour Boards to be upgraded and thus, forever, record our service. We await the issue of a Defence Instruction authorising these amendments.
Having got all of these necessary requirements in place we are now at liberty to join with our Army and Air Force colleagues and achieve the ultimate goal, which is to construct our own National Memorial to commemorate our service on ANZAC Parade in Canberra because if we don’t nobody else will.
Thus far we have attended a meeting with the National Capital Authority in Canberra where we presented our case after which we were given the authority to proceed.
Since then we have formally brought together the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) Navy Association the National Malaya Borneo Veterans Association of Australia (NMBVAA) and the RAAF Association (RAAFA) as the associations to get a foundation established to get the project underway.
Over the next few months we will build on our foundation by including, where possible, every other association that has members who served in the FESR.
So far we have received authority to use the Defence Logo as part of our official foundation letterhead, we have also received authority from each of the specific association to use their logos on our letterhead they are the FESR Navy Association the NMBVAA and the RAAFA.
We have designed a letterhead and after extensive investigation named the Foundation, opened a fee free bank account with the Bendigo Bank, registered 4 signatories with the bank, one from the Navy one from the Army one from the Air Force and one from the Navy and Air Force and registered an account manager with the bank and acquired our first Patron Vice Admiral Russell Crane AM CSM. Chief of Navy.
We have devised a fund raising strategy which includes approaches to Naval Ships and establishments, Army units and squadrons and Air Force squadrons and bases, the Defence Industry, Government, Community Benefit Fund Raising cards, our families and us.
FESR WAR MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
FUND RAISING PROPOSALS
THE FIRST PROPOSAL IS FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO SERVED WITH THE FESR TO REGISTED WITH RICHIES - IGA SUPERMARKET CHAIN AND GET A FREE COMMUNITY BENEFIT CARD AND RECORD OUR FOUNDATION AS THE CHARITY YOU WISH TO SUPPORT. THE SYSTEM WITH THIS CARD IS THAT 1% OF EVER DOLLAR SPENT OVER $1000.00 RIGHT ACROSS EASTERN AUSTRALIA GOES TO OUR FOUNDATION. YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEND A LARGE AMOUNT JUST A LOT OF US SPEND A LITTLE AND IT ALL ADDS UP
THE SECOND PROPOSAL I WANT TO RUN PAST YOU IS TO GAUGE YOUR THOUGHTS REGARDING GIFTS THAT WE RECEIVE EACH YEAR.
HOW OFTEN DO WE GET ASKED, WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY, WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR FATHERS DAY, WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE LIKE AND IN MOST INSTANCES THE ANSWER IS I DON’T KNOW WHAT EVER YOU LIKE! AND WE END UP GETTING A BOTTLE OF WHISKY OR SOMETHING SIMILAR WHICH WE PROBABLY DON’T NEED.
I WOULD LIKE EACH OF YOU TO CONSIDER ASKING YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS TO CONSIDER (ON A ROTATIONAL BASIS) NOT BUYING YOU ANYTHING BUT TO MAKE A DONATION OF THE AMOUNT THEY WOULD NORMALLY SPEND ON YOU TO THE FESR WAR MEMORIAL FUND.
WHAT I AM SAYING IS IF YOU HAVE SAY 3 CHILDREN TWO BUY YOU A PRESENT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY AND ONE DONATES TO THE FOUNDATION THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE TO GET PRESENTS SAY FATHERS DAY A DIFFERENT ONE DONATES TO THE FOUNDATION AND THE OTHERS GIVE YOU A PRESENT AND SO ON FOR CHRISTMAS
IF ALL AUSTRALIANS THAT SERVED IN THE FESR FORCE THAT IS NAVY, ARMY AND AIR FORCE WERE TO GO ALONG WITH THIS PROPOSAL WE WOULD BE ABLE TO RAISE THE REQUIRED FUNDS IN A PRACTICAL TIME FRAME AND GET THE MEMORIAL BUILT BEFORE MANY OF US HAVE PASSED AWAY.
THIS WAY YOUR CHILDREN, IN THEIR OWN WAY, WOULD BE CONTRIBUTING TO A MEMORIAL WHICH WILL FOREVER PERPETUATE YOUR MEMORY AND THE MEMORY OF YOUR SERVICE. A MEMORIAL WHICH, IN EFFECT, WOULD BELONG TO THEM.
I HAVE CONTACTED HONOURS AND AWARDS AND THEY TELL ME THAT 10,000 PJM’S HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO AUSTRALIAN SERVICEMEN AND 3000 APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED INELIGABLE. THAT GIVES US A TOTAL OF 13,000 WHO SERVED WITH THE FESR; THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE WHO SERVED FROM 1948 TO 1957 SO THE ACTUAL NUMBER WILL BE EVEN LARGER
ALLOWING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY AND SOME NON PARTICIPANTS WE COULD HAVE AROUND 10,000 WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE, MULTIPLY THAT BY THE NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS AND SUDDENLY WE HAVE AN EXCITING NUMBER
THE ESTIMATED COST OF THIS PROPOSED MEMORIAL IS OF THE ORDER OF $3,000,000.00 THAT IS AROUND $300.00 FOR EACH FESR SERVICE MEMBER LESS WITH DONATIONS FROM INDUSTRY AND GRANTS FROM GOVERNMENT.
WITH 10,000 SERVICEMEN, IF JUST ONE MEMBER OF EACH OF THEIR FAMILIES CONTRIBUTED $50.00 FOR JUST ONE OF THESE COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS (BIRTHDAY, FATHERS DAY OR CHRISTMAS) WE WOULD HAVE ACCUMULATED $500.000.00 IN ONE YEAR - NOT A BAD BIRTHDAY PRESENT
IT GENERALLY TAKES AROUND 10 YEARS FOR PROJECTS SUCH AS THIS TO BE FINALIZED WE COULD DO IT IN LESS THAN 5 YEARS
EVEN FAMILY MEMBERS OF THOSE OF OUR BROTHERS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY MAY LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE IT WOULD CERTAINLY GIVE THEM A FEELING OF OWNERSHIP OF A MEMORIAL TO THEIR LOVED ONE.
IF YOU WANT IT TO HAPPEN YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presented to the AGM of the Victorian Division NMBVAA on 4 August 2009 with representatives of the RAAF Association and the FESR Navy Association in attendance by
Les Bailey
National President
FESR Navy Association
I would further urge all members of our joint associations to give serious consideration to our fund raising proposals and request our families to come onboard this Fathers Day and make their first contribution to our fund.
It is requested that all cheques, written out to the FESR War Memorial Fund, be mailed to our foundation account manager, John Best PO Box 2605, Dandenong Vic. 3173.
If anyone is sending a donation please include your address details for return of a receipt this is a requirement of the foundation prior to getting approval from the NCA to function.
I say to every Australian and Kiwi who served in the FESR come with us for the ride the party at the end will be fantastic.
Sincere regards
Les Bailey
Vice President FESR War Memorial Foundation
National President FESR Navy Association
24 August 2009
SUBJECT TANKERMANS ASSOCIATION
We are organising a General meeting of the Association to be held in
Tamworth for November 21st 2009 followed by a BBQ at the Presidents place at
60 Piper St, Tamworth so if you are interested in attending please contact
me with a definite answer.
It has been a long time since we have been able to hold a meeting either due
to commitments or family needs but we hope to revamp the Association and to
elect a new committee of either old committee members that wish to re stand
or some new ones.
As we are hoping to have a few people coming from far away places such as
Brisbane, Port Macquarie, Bega or Sydney for example these people who are
driving could possibly pick up others to save on expenses.
If you are interested in attending please let me know by Nov 10th so
planning can be accomplished with regards to booking accommodation.
If you do intend to participate please contact Bob Currin direct on 02
67661869 so he can arrange accommodation if needed or if like a lot of us
these days you have camping gear or tents you can pitch one in his back yard
if you wish.
We have to keep our Association alive either if it means attending the
Sydney Anzac Day march or a reunion somewhere and after the work we have
accomplished with regards the Beryllium saga and helping former shipmates
with information or claims we do not want to see the Association fold so
please join us for the meeting and BBQ. We hope to be able to hold the BBQ
and meeting on the Friday night and have a get together at the Tamworth
Diggers Club on the Saturday night which would give those people who need to
travel home for a Monday morning work schedule time enough to head home on
the Sunday morning or do the tourist thing and have a look around some great
country in the Peel Valley. For more information about the Tamworth area
please contact Bob direct.
I look forward to hearing from you by November 10th at the latest.
SUBJECT FRANK MADDOX
Gentlemen,
For those of you who served aboard HMAS Supply during the Mururoa Atomic test deployment you would remember Frank
Frank Maddox, ex QMG R63788, has been going through a very challenging time with his health over the past few years. A couple of years ago Frank had quite a severe stroke. He has been working very hard for a long time with his rehabilitation and has had a few stints in the Mayo Private Hospital in Taree. He was diagnosed last week with stomach cancer and was operated on this morning, Thursday, 5 November.
Unfortunately, the operation was not successful. The cancer had spread too far and was inoperable. Frank is in Manning Base Hospital (ICU) at the moment . After he has stabilised he will be moved to the Mayo Private Hospital in Taree until he is well enough to go home.
Frank and his wife Cherylenne will need a lot of support and friendship in the coming months through this difficult time. Their home phone number is 02 6550 2292. Their address is 48 Cusacks lane, Dyers Crossing NSW 2429. Their email address is scmaddox@gmail.com .
Any old ship mates out there who served with Frank - It would be really wonderful and uplifting for both Frank and Cherylenne if he were to receive messages of support.
Regards,
Bruce McNeill
SUBJECT HIGH COURT SCRA DECISION
High Court SCRA Decision
As many will know & for the benefit of those who don’t know, there has been a case recently by Slater & Gordon in which the High Court decision was that there be a difference in assessment for left & right medical condition of the knees IF it affects mobility i.e. “difficulty with Grades, Steps and Distance” which equals a 20% assessment and lump sum payment under table 9.5 of the Comcare Permanent Impairment Guide (SRCA).
There would be many people who have made claims over the years in which Table 9.5 was used and received reduced compensation payments because of the one payment for the two injuries. If you know someone who has made a claim previously or are one of those who are affected then you need them or yourself to be seeking a re-assessment of the condition and ask for a new decision.
The other thing you could do is submit your original decision asking that it be set aside and amended appropriately taking into account the Fellowes v MRCC (2009) HCA 38 (23 September 2009) decision of the High Court.
This means you get two separate payments i.e. 20% for EACH knee plus pain and suffering.
Given that Comcare has been conducting a review of the Permanent Impairment Guide, they may make amendments to reduce the payments of any reassessments in the future by making claims under any revised PIG retrospective.
ESO representatives should inform their pension claims officers. Not to do so is neglecting the ex-service people we try to assist.
Ken Witchard
witchweb@iinet.net.au
Weekly News 1 November 2009
www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv2/HMAS-Leeuwin-1963.com/wwwroot/page9.htm
G'day All,
Hope all is well with you and yours. Dont forget the Victorian function at Geelong scheduled for 1230 on Saturday 14 Nov ember. Add Glen Butler to the list of probables who might turn up, he expects to be in Victoria that weekend.
The numbers for Twin Towns are steadily growing. Currently Tom and Val Houldsworth, Darby and Francis Ashton, Schubes Schubert, Ken and Marilyn Fielding, Spook Cairns, Mick Gallagher, Derek and Marilyn Whyte, Scott and Kay Pascoe Lambert, Phil and Tracy Narramore, Bob Cavanagh, Don Muller, Ken Railton, John and Luba Miscamble, Rocky Frier and myself are confirmed starters. Russ Loane, Kev 'Smouch' Smith and Skull Boden have to confirm their attendance. I have received apology emails from Mal Ritche and John Hatchman who cant make it.
Have been forwarded the new version of 'Roll on me time', if you would like a copy, I can email it to you. I have been trying to put it on the website, however the technology is beating me.
For those that are going to the reunion next year. Do you want to sit in a 1963 group, we can arrange tables to sit us together. There are 32 currently on the list to attend. I expect we will discuss this at our functions this month. (Russ please take for action at Geelong) Please let me know.
If your name does not appear on this list and you intend turning up, please let me know. There may be somebody turning up who owes you a beer.
This week we have:
VIDEOS OF PERTH ON THE GUN LINE AND A SEATO EXERCISE
VENDETTA FUNCTION
cheers
Ron
SUBJECT VIDEOS OF PERTH ON THE GUN LINE AND A SEATO EXERCISE
Dear all
Just a quick 'heads up' to advise you that I've recently added some more historic video titles to out History web site which may be of interest to some of your associates.
The first is a short documentary concerning HMAS Perth in Vietnam entitled On the Gun Line. The second may be of interest to the men who served in the Strategic Reserve and who participated in SEATO Exercise Sea Devil. At the end of this video is a couple of other short period pieces which include other period pieces.
www.navy.gov.au/History
I hope you find these titles of interest
Best wishes
John
John Perryman, CSM
Senior Naval Historical Officer
Sea Power Centre - Australia
PO Box 7942
Department of Defence
Canberra BC,ACT 2600
SUBJECT VENDETTA FUNCTION
Weekly News 25 October 2009
www.mrsite.co.uk/usersitesv2/HMAS-Leeuwin-1963.com/wwwroot/page9.htm
G'day All,
Back from the RAN Rugby Union tour of UK and France. You have not heard the results, well we lost the lot. We had a good time, toured a newk sub, visited the RNAS Museum and other touristy things one does with a football team.
Does anybody remember Glen Butler, well you should he joined in January 63. He has found our website and posted his email address glenbutler47@gmail.com he is living in Adelaide. He has asked for those that remember him to contact him.
Talking about Adelaide, can anyone recommend a good advocate to take on DVA in Adelaide. One of our blokes would appreciate some advice. You can also let me know if you know one that isnt flash, I can pass that info on also.
For those attending the Twin Towns function on 21 Nov commencing 1200 ish and havent contacted me. Twin Towns have asked me to contact them and inform our numbers, they will then be able to suggest an appropriate meeting bar. Watch this space for venue details.
Ken Dobbie has produced Newsletter 15 and 16 in respect of the status of the LEEUWIN Memorial. The links are on our website. Allan Rogers has also produced a newsletter in respect of the details of the functions during the reunion. Website details www.jrsreunion.org/
John Nicholson has been blessed with a grand daughter the first girl, he has five grandsons, she has the handle of Tiffany Tingira Nicholson. The connection comes from John's son after seeing old photos of JRTE. Does anybody else have any children with names linked to our time in LEEUWIN?
This week:
Lawyers advice
Scuttling of the CANBERRA
Reunions
SUBJECT LAWYERS ADVICE
LAWYER'S ADVICE (NSW) - NO CHARGE (for a change)
A corporate LAWYER sent the following out to the employees in his company:
1. Next time you order cheques, have only your initials (instead of your first name) and surname put on them. If someone takes your cheque book, they will not know if you sign your cheques with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your cheques.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".
3. When you are writing cheques to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your cheque as it passes through all the cheque processing channels won't have access to it.
4. Place your work phone number on your cheques instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your Centrelink Number printed on your cheques. You can add it if it is necessary, but if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Run the contents of your wallet through a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each licence, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place (not your wallet). I also carry a photocopy of my passport when travelling either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
Unfortunately I, an attorney, have first-hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive monthly mobile phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Dell computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information on-line, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
3. But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)
Call the three national credit reporting organisations immediately to place a fraud alert on your Tax File Number your passport number and drivers lisence number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorise new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. This weekend someone handed it in. It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.
Now, here are some numbers which you might need to contact if your wallet etc has been stolen:
1. Visa Card Australia 1800 621 199 1800 621 199
2. Visa Card International 1800 450 346 1800 450 346
3. Lost Travellers' Cheques 1800 127 477 1800 127 477
4. MasterCard Australia (02) 9466 3700 (02) 9466 3700
5. MasterCard International 1800 120 113 1800 120 113
6. Bankcard Australia (02) 9281 6633 (02) 9281 6633
7. Medicare 132 011
8. Centrelink Fraud 137 230
9. Seniors Card 1300 364 758 1300 364 758
10. Passport 131 232
ANZ FREECALL 1800 033 844 1800 033 844
BankWest 131 718
Citibank 132 484
Tamworth Coles/Myer Source 2340 1300 306 397 1300 306 397
Commonwealth 132 221
CUSCAL- MyCard 1300 135 538 1300 135 538
GE Capital 1300 369 904 1300 369 904
Members Equity 1300 654 998 1300 654 998
National 132 265
St George 1800 028 208 1800 028 208
SydneyVirgin 2000 1800 080 000 1800 080 000
Westpac 1800 230 144 1800 230 144
Woolworths Ezy Banking 137 288
We pass on jokes & just about everything,
But if you pass this information on, it could really help someone
SUBJECT CANBERRA SCUTTLING
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Mc3s6l9M0
SUBJECT REUNIONS
1. Naval Engineering Reunion 2009 Canberra
All serving, retired and civilian members of the Naval Engineering
branches are cordially invited to attend the Naval Engineering Reunion 2009
which will be held on FRIDAY 13 November 2009
Venue:: Tuggeranong Valley Rugby Union & Amateur Sports Club,,
Ricardo Street,, Wanniasa,, ACT,, 2903
Time:: 1730 (5.30pm) to 0100 (late)
Cost: $35.00 per head (Includes drinks & finger food) if payment is made prior to the event. $40.00 per head if paying at the door
Bookings can be made by contacting one off the committee members listed below.
The preferred method off payment is EFT,, cheque or cash.
EFT Details -- BSB 802 397 -- Account 681137
Account Name – Naval Engineering Reunion
Important -- Please Enter Your Name in the comment or note section.
Cheques made payable to "Naval Engineering Reunion" and forwarded to:
Glenn Murch
25 Alison Ashby Cr
Banks ACT 2906
Payment is requested no later than Friday 06 November 2009
Contacts:
Glenn Murch Phone: (02) 62611675 wk
Email: glenn.murch@dfat.gov.au This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Neil Garvin Phone: 0423 025 114
Email: neil.garvin@ato.gov.au This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Alan Freemantle Phone: 0418 297 860
Email: alan.freemantle@npg.gov.au This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lyn Jensen Phone: (02) 6266 6931 wk
Email: lyn.jensen@defence.gov.au This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Garry Smee Phone: (02) 6201 7915 wk
Email: garry.smee@bigpond.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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2. The Ballina All Ships Reunion
for 2009 is the weekend of
20th to 22nd of November
The TARAKAN will be in harbour for the weekend
For further information contact
Merv Stevens at email address: Snake1@exemail.com.au
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3. Naval Vietnam Veterans & Associated Organisations.
HMAS SYDNEY Association.
Date: Tuesday 09th of February 2010
Time: 1100.
Venue: The Town Hall Hotel
29 Station St. Corner of Turton Street.
Waratah NSW 2298
(02) 4968 2607
Trains stop regularly at Waratah. Waratah is the nearest railway station.
It would be really nice if you could be there to have a yarn with your mates. If you can’t attend, that is okay, we hope to see you next time
The organisation is as strong as the commitment of the individual to participate.
Ring one mate and let him know the lunch is on, please?
Cost: $30.00. This covers lunch of steak, sausage, rissole, potato bake & salad plus eight schooners.
Dress code: A logoed shirt of the Association you support. (With supporting, smart casual apparel).
RSVP to Bill Myers 0401799520 or the hotel on 02 49682607
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4. HMAS Anzac/Tobruk Association
is planning a reunion in Tweed Heads
from 15th to 18th July 2010.
All old shipmates are invited to attend.
For further information contact
Graham Bermingham: 03.98776715
E-mail: bermingham1@bigpond.com
Weekly News 27 Sep 09
G'day All,
I have been checking my address book this week. Have found about 35% of the email addresses have slipped out of the weekly news distribution. How long these addressses have been omitted I do not know.
If you are interested, copies of each weekly news is on our web site.
Our next function is at Twin Towns RSL at Tweed Heads on 21 Nov 09. Please let me know if you intend to attend. It is just a get together. An opportunity to discuss where we are as an organisation and where we are going in the future. Starts around 1200 with lunch and concludes later that afternoon when the lies are told and the truth appears.
I will be away with the Navy Rugby Team in UK for the next three weeks. I will not be doing weekly news until I return.
This week:
Macca McKenzie has forwarded some more data on prostrate
VENDETTA Veterans Association
Scholarships and grants to veterans children in 2010
DVA ENews letter
SUBJECT PROSTRATE
G'Day Gents and ladies,I have taken the time to collate the information available on prostate cancer and its association with our service in Vietnam.
The only excuse I can give for not forwarding Rods thoughts, is that I did not have them.
I have taken the time to read the DVA publication (link at the bottom) and it is well constructed. Take your time to read it.
We all are aware that when DVA starts paying bills for an illness, then they are well aware of a possible link.
The attachments supplied are ones I have forwarded before, but now they are in word format.
Please pass the word around amongst your mates & guys that your also not so close to.
Eric (Macca) McKenzie
PO Box 5116
Dora Creek
NSW 2264
02 49156722
04 28899376
www.rancd-association.com
Dear Eric,
I must mildly rebuke you and ask for more prominence be given to the web site regarding the Prostate Information Book supplied by DVA. It was indeed hard to find amongst the other material in your September SASR Sitrep.. Please find enclosed an earlier covering letter sent out last week:
From: Rod Bain < mailto:roderickbain@gmail.com>
Subject: You and your Prostate.........more of the same but much better packaged, so to speak.
Morning all you ex-bullet proofs,
For the two hundredth time please distribute this to the troops on your extensive email lists. Ask them to read it and pass it on to their colleagues. If we cannot save the world, the odd mate wouldn’t be a half decent place to start be they ex-service or not.
This is the best publication EVER produced by DVA and deserves to rest in the network of every computer literate male. I do not care what the age or where or when he served; but some personnel eg. Viet. Vets have the greatest need for a cover to cover read. I mean NOW and not when they’re in the “it’s too late” home.
Regards
Rod
Dr Roderick Bain
RSL NSW State Vice President
VVFHS Consultative Forum Member
Tel 02-93808774
Mob. 0417604450
roderickbain@gmail.com
PROSTATE INFORMATION WEBSITE PUBLICATION DETAILS:
www.dva.gov.au/aboutDVA/publications/health/prostate/Documents/You_and_Your_Prostate2006_complete.pdf
Hi Eric,
Praise be to Allah or whomsoever you may follow that someone is at last listening in the Aust. Veteran world.
I’m getting very sick of the sound of my own voice on this prostate topic.
As your writer very wisely points out and I will put it even more bluntly. Any male who spent any time in Vietnam afloat or ashore between ‘62 and ‘72 must assume he has Prostate Cancer until he can prove otherwise. This means at a minimum one blood test and one physical examination of your prostate every two years. You are not the same as other men your age you have 2.3 greater chance of having the cancer and you have three (3) times the chance of dying from it if you do have it, than any non-Vietnam Vet..
Why? Because agent orange induced cancer is very nasty and very aggressive. If you are over sixty I would demand a biopsy as your writer did even if you are told by the GP or Urologist you do not need it. Unless they have a number of Veterans on their books they will treat you as an ordinary customer. You were exposed to agent orange every time you drank water from any where even on board HMAShips. There were other sources but the water alone is enough. So you must have at least one biopsy and then remain under review with blood tests forever.
DVA will fund only one variety of surgery currently but that can be sorted out if and when required. How am I so certain about all this? Well at age fifty six I parted company with my prostate being told I could wait and watch as an option after my biopsy results came back. No way Hose’
After surgery the pathology showed waiting was not an option for me at all as the cancer was well advanced but still contained. I could not have waited. Some years later, happily, all remains well.
So, the point being. The research work is in; the fact that it is an aggressive little devil is established. What to do? Educate all your mates and their partners to have them act and stay above the turf. Blood test, Physical examination, One biopsy, on going review. The last time I sent out a similar message like this I was accused of being alarmist. Better that than watching Rome burn when prevention is to hand. Just do it!!
Regards
Rod
Dr Roderick Bain (MO ex-RAN)
VVFHS Consultative Forum Member
RSL (NSW) State Vice President
Tel 02-93808774
Mob. 0417604450
SUBJECT VENDETTA VETERANS ASSOCIATION
SUBJECT SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS FOR VETERANS CHILDREN IN 2010
Scholarships & Grants being offered in 2010
Dear Administrator
We ask for your assistance with the distribution of an electronic copy of
our AVCAT flyer equal to one page sheet to promote Scholarships and Grants
in Tertiary Studies in 2010.
Our web page address is www.accsoft.com.au/~vvt
Our email address is vvt@accsoft.com.au
Yours sincerely
Mark Newell
Executive Officer
Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust
AUSTRALIAN VETERANS'
CHILDREN ASSISTANCE TRUST
Scholarships for Children of Veterans intending Tertiary Studies in 2010
In 2010 the Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) are
expecting to give financial assistance for up to 65 students under many
different scholarship schemes. All schemes help the selected children inneed of the Australian veteran community with the costs of tertiary
education. Applicants are considered for all schemes for which they are
eligible.
Applications open on 18 August 2009. To apply you must be:
a. Within the means test. That is eligible on assets and income grounds
for Youth Allowance benefits for full- time education.
b. Enrolled, or planning to enrol in a full-time course of tertiary
education in Australia by attendance at a
university, TAFE or college. The course must be of one or
more academic years length and at undergraduate level.
c. The child or grandchild of a person who has operational service with
the Australian Navy, Army or Air Force, or if not has three or more year's
continuous full-time service as a member of the Australian Defence Force.
d. Under the age of 25 when applying, unless exceptional circumstances
related to veteran's service exist.
The largest scheme is the Long Tan Bursary funded by the Australian
Government. There are 50 new bursaries each year. They are valued at $9,000
each which paid at $3,000 per year for three years. There are selection
number targets for each State and Territory. To apply you must be the child
of an Australian Vietnam Veteran, be resident in Australia, be entering any
year of tertiary study, having not previously received a Long Tan Bursary.
The other national schemes are the AVCAT Bursary, the two RSL Scholarships,
three Vietnam Veterans' Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Scholarship and the
Defence Force Welfare Association Scholarship. George Quinsey Scholarships
directly pay tuition fees for economics, commerce and accountancy studies.
There are also regional scholarships. In NSW, there are three from Brisbane
Water Legacy covering Gosford/Wyong NSW and two from the NSW TPI
Association. Some private donors offer two scholarships to resident NSW
applicants. In SA, the VVAA also offers a scholarship.
Schemes vary between $3,000 and $5,000 per year each. Some are restricted to
location of residence or studies Most require veteran service in Vietnam but
others are broader. Most schemes continue payments for later years of study.
All scholarship schemes but one pays monthly instalments. That scheme helps
with tuition costs for courses in commerce, economics and accountancy. One
scheme is for indigenous students doing substance abuse or related studies.
For this scheme there is no upper age limit nor a need to be related to a
veteran. In addition to the above there is one grant per year to assist an
handicapped eligible veteran's child or grandchild with special extra costs
of transition to tertiary studies or employment
To receive an application form register interest on 1800 620 361. Children
and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans should do so now, as should any others
who believe that they are eligible. If not sure, ask:
Applications close on 31 October each year.
AVCAT PO Box K978, Haymarket, NSW 1240
FAX: 02 9281 9164, Email: vvt@accsoft.com.au Web:
www.accsoft.com.au/~vvt
Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust Limited
ACN 008 609 032 / ABN 50 008 609 032
\\vprom\04MayVTS09AVCATAd June 2009
Mark Newell
Executive Officer
Telephone: (02) 9281 7077
Facsimile: (02) 9281 9164
email: vvt@accsoft.com.au
SUBJECT DVA ENEWS LETTER
September 2009
Welcome to the latest issue of e-News, keeping you up-to-date with news from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. If you are having problems viewing this email, please view the online version at www.dva.gov.au
In this issue:
Pension Reforms
70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War
Veterans’ Health Week a success
Practice Managers’ Circular out now
Vietnam Veterans’ Health Study on track
Timor-Leste Family Study
Upcoming anniversaries
Publications
Media releases
Pension Reforms
More than 320,000 Veterans’ Affairs income support pensioners will be better off this month after changes under the Australian Government’s Secure and Sustainable Pension Reform package came into effect on 20 September.
All Veterans’ Affairs pensioners will receive a letter explaining how the changes affect them. DVA has also set up a special Pension Reform hotline, 1300 307 901, for those who still have questions after reading their letter.
For more information on the Pension Reforms visit the Pension Reform website.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War
Minister Griffin represented Australia at ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War. The historic ceremony in Gdansk, Poland, brought together former allies and enemies, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to mark the day Germany invaded Poland.
Minister Griffin also laid a wreath at the graves of three Australians commemorated at the Malbork Commonwealth War Cemetery in Poland. Two of these men, Private Frank Curtis and Private Wilbur Trainor, died violently at the hands of guards as prisoners of war, while Sergeant Norman Smith died during a bombing raid on Danzig (Gdansk).
For information on Australia’s involvement in the Second World War visit ww2australia.gov.au For information on Australia’s war dead visit the Office of Australian War Graves website or, for burial locations of Commonwealth war dead from the two World Wars, visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.
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Veterans’ Health Week a success
Thousands of veterans and their families took part in Veterans’ Health Week, 24-30 August. Laughter workshops in Victoria, family fun days in Darwin, walking groups in Tasmania, health expos across NSW and Adelaide and even belly dancing in Perth were just some of the events on offer. The fun week had a serious purpose encouraging veterans to include physical activity as part of their regular routine for stronger, healthier and happier lives.
DVA would like to thank the ex-service community for their support in organising more than 100 activities across the country. DVA has a range of health initiatives available to the veteran community including the Heart Health program, Day Clubs, At-Ease and the Men’s Health Peer Education program.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Practice Managers’ Circular out now
Veterans’ Affairs produces regular newsletters for health providers that care for veterans. These outline latest care strategies, updates to arrangements in caring for veterans, fee schedules, and much more.
The latest is the September issue of Practice Managers’ Circular for medical and allied health clinics. It includes what to expect from the health provider areas on the new DVA website; valuable information on the Streamlined Paperless Information Medical & Allied Health Online Claiming – set to benefit many practices, as well as an update on the latest in the series of The Veterans’ Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Service (Veterans’ MATES) modules.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vietnam Veterans’ Health Study on track
Recruitment targets for key participant groups in the Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study have been met and the first stages of research are underway. Participants are still encouraged to register. For more information on the Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study or to register visit www.dva.gov.au/vvfs or freecall 1800 502 302.
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Timor-Leste Family Study
In the lead up to the 10th anniversary of the INTERFET deployment, Minister for Veterans' Affairs Alan Griffin announced the Timor-Leste Family Study, the next stage of DVA’s Family Study Program examining the health effects of more recent service on families, had begun.
The Australian Government has committed $2 million over three years to the Timor-Leste Family Study which will build on the information gained from the current health study of personnel deployed to East Timor being undertaken by the Department of Defence under their Defence Health Surveillance Program.
Read more about the Study online.
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Upcoming Anniversaries
65th anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf - 23 to 26 October 1944
92nd anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba - 31 October 1917
Publications
Vetaffairs June/July edition out now
VVCS National Newsletter Edition 4 - July 2009 (PDF, 1.24 Mb)
Media Releases
New rates boost veteran pensions (VA084 PDF 69Kb)
New Study to research families of Timor Veterans (VA083 PDF 45Kb)
Peacekeepers' contribution honoured today (VA082 PDF 44Kb)
More suicide prevention workshops for veteran community (VA081 PDF 47Kb)
$1.2m for veteran health and wellbeing projects (VA080)
Remember when Australia faced its gravest threat (VA078)
Cheers
Ron
Weekly News 20 September 2009
G'day All,
The attachment is the minutes of the meeting held in Melbourne on 9 Sep. For the Southern states blokes, you may be interested in attending the next function in Geelong.
I have taken over the role of looking after the Navy Rugby Heritage collection. Have a trophy 'Vickeridge Cup' was a LEEUWIN based award which was presented to the notable player of the term, in December 63 it was issued to Topman Overton and in July 64 the cup was presented to Jim Harris. Onya Jim. A bit of history worth knowing.
This week:
An email from Nick Bryant - catching up and the history of the Vietnam conflict
a website address from DVA re prostrate
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda & Nick Bryant
To: Ron Giveen
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 2:01 PM
Subject: Vietnam all you ever need to know
Hi Ron
I do not often correspond with you but this is an exception. The website below is the ultimate history of the Vietnam conflict, includes everything. Have a peruse and see what you think. Also could you forward to me the website address with all the details of the July 2010 commemorative get together. While in Noosa recently called up Checkers Aldridge, had a good chat and he got Terry Rogers of Tewantin and I together, first time for 45 years.
BZ for all your good work
Nick B R93976
www-static.cc.gatech.edu/fac/Thomas.Pilsch/Vietnam.html
SUBJECT PROSTRATE
www.dva.gov.au/aboutDVA/publications/health/prostate/Documents/You_and_Your_Prostate2006_complete.pdf
Cheers
Ron
Weekly News 13 Sep 09
G'day All,
Hope you had a good week. The attachement above is in respect of Service Pension Increase. It surprises me no end that some of us do not know what a service pension is. It has nothing to do with DFRDB. Please check to see whether you are entitled. If you have a 50% disability pension you become entitled to the gold card.
Russ Dale and his Victorian counterparts met last week. The minutes of the meeting will be promulgated next week. They are going to have their next function in Geelong on a Saturday in November. Should be great. The CANBERRA may still be there prior to its scuttling. Will include the minutes of this function next week.
Ken has pushed out another newsletter it will be hyperlinked during the week as will theSALT offers of accommodation for the July 2010 function.
Articles below:
Australian Cabinet for sale Joke
HMAS CANBERRA PREPARATIONS FOR SCUTTLING
Have a good week
cheers
Ron
SUBJECT AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURED CABINET FOR SALE
Cabinet for Sale - details below
DISPLAY CABINET, one of the most elegant and functional display cabinets currently on the market.
Features
o Fine timber details
o 4 leadlight options
o 4 side access doors (there is maximum frontal display)
o Adjustable shelves are extra deep to accommodate large items
o Halogen down lights
o Mirror back with glass shelves provide max illumination of collectables from top to bottom.
To give indication of size of the Cabinet it previously held the following:
o Rugby League World Cup
o Rugby Union World Cup
o International Rules Trophy
o Tri Nations Trophy
o Super-12 Trophy
o Trans-Tasman Touch Football Trophy
o Davis Cup
o Hockey World Championship Trophy
o Bledisloe Cup
o Ashes urn.
All these trophies are now overseas and the Cabinet is excess to requirements.
To make an offer call R Stuart, R Ponting, S Mortlock or P. Fitzsimons who once commented
"The Australian Cabinet is groaning under the weight of all the trophies!"
They can be contacted on: 1800-LOST-THE-LOT
SUBJECT HMAS CANBERRA - PREPARATIONS FOR SCUTTLING
I got this you tube heads up from Lee Webster. If you are interested in seeing a warship gutted so it is safe to dive on, have a shufti.
I found it interesting.
Eric (Macca) McKenzie
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix_pPyWilK8
Weekly News 6 Sep 09
G'day All,
Happy Fathers Day.
Four of us attended Dawn Cairns funeral service on Wednesday, Mick Gallagher, Mike Hogan, Mike Shephard and myself and then the wake at the Sailing Club. Cancer has no favourites.
There is an article in this Weekly News re prostrate cancer forwarded by Macca McKenzie from NSW CD's, worth the read.
This week
Prostrate Cancer
HMAS QUIBERON REUNION
VUNG TAU FERRY-LINK
HISTORIC RAN VIDEOS
VICTORIAN VLSA REUNION
COCKATOO ISLAND
SUBJECT PROSTRATE CANCER
G'Day gents & Ladies,
The prostate is a mans problem but the problem wont be adequately addressed untill the woman in a blokes life tells him to do something about it.
From evidence supplied & collated in this one e mail if you dont follow the recommendations supplied then the qualification attached to you as a minimum is "mug".
Isnt it great, you make the sixty year old mark like my brother in law Raymond Campbell Foord did last week and joy o joy, a date with the urologist because you served in Vietnam.
Russ Crawford is another one I feel for, no one can find the posting note that sent him in harms way in Vietnam, but I bet the urologist wont have any problem finding his prostate.
John McGregorex Army water transport supplied the explanation on the operation of the prostate.
I wont be waiting until I am sixty, to far away to be mentally comfortable.
I have not put any jokes at the end to lighten your day, I just request you pass the word around.
Eric (Macca) McKenzie
NSW Secretary
RAN CD Association
PO Box 5116
Dora Creek
NSW 2264
02 49156722
04 28899376
www.rancd-association.com
From: Rod Bain
To:
CC: Eric Paul McKenzie ,
X-hotkey.net.au-MailScanner-From: roderickbain@gmail.com
X-hotkey.net.au-MailScanner-To: divermac@hotkey.net.au
X-Spam-Status: No
Dear Scott,
After spraying 21Million gallons of herbicide over the South Vietnam countryside 1962-71 I think it not an unreasonable assumption, ‘though probably not a very scientific one, that all personnel who served in Vietnam be they afloat or ashore have been exposed to sufficient dioxin of one form or another as a result of drinking contaminated water that we can believe that the males will all have prostate cancer until proved otherwise. To my mind that proof requires a negative biopsy. Too many of us have had early cancers at a youngish age (middle fifties) with normal range PSAs and negative digital examinations.
This has moved well beyond the anecdotal stage to the point where the figures I quote are that you are 2.3 times more likely to have it than your civilian counterpart who never went to Vietnam and should you have it then it will be 3 (three) times more aggressive than your civilian counterpart who has it.
There is now so much US Military Medical literature on the topic that the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs accepts any Prostate Cancer pension claim put in by a Vietnam Vet as service related that there is no argument placed in the way of the claim except to prove you were actually there for a minimal period of time. Should you require further departmental confirmation speak to Paul Murdoch at the Repatriation Medical Authority at paul.murdoch@rma.gov.au
Hope the above has been of some assistance.
Regards
Rod
Dr Roderick Bain MBBS FRCA FANZCA
VVFHS Consultative Forum Member
RSL (NSW) State Vice President
Tel 02-93808774
Mob. 0417604450
Hi Eric,
Praise be to Allah or whomsoever you may follow that someone is at last listening in the Aust. Veteran world.
I’m getting very sick of the sound of my own voice on this prostate topic.
As your writer very wisely points out and I will put it even more bluntly. Any male who spent any time in Vietnam afloat or ashore between ‘62 and ‘72 must assume he has Prostate Cancer until he can prove otherwise. This means at a minimum one blood test and one physical examination of your prostate every two years. You are not the same as other men your age you have 2.3 greater chance of having the cancer and you have three (3) times the chance of dying from it if you do have it, than any non-Vietnam Vet..
Why? Because agent orange induced cancer is very nasty and very aggressive. If you are over sixty I would demand a biopsy as your writer did even if you are told by the GP or Urologist you do not need it. Unless they have a number of Veterans on their books they will treat you as an ordinary customer. You were exposed to agent orange every time you drank water from any where even on board HMAShips. There were other sources but the water alone is enough. So you must have at least one biopsy and then remain under review with blood tests forever.
DVA will fund only one variety of surgery currently but that can be sorted out if and when required. How am I so certain about all this? Well at age fifty six I parted company with my prostate being told I could wait and watch as an option after my biopsy results came back. No way Hose’
After surgery the pathology showed waiting was not an option for me at all as the cancer was well advanced but still contained. I could not have waited. Some years later, happily, all remains well.
So, the point being. The research work is in; the fact that it is an aggressive little devil is established. What to do? Educate all your mates and their partners to have them act and stay above the turf. Blood test, Physical examination, One biopsy, on going review. The last time I sent out a similar message like this I was accused of being alarmist. Better that than watching Rome burn when prevention is to hand. Just do it!!
Regards
Rod
Dr Roderick Bain (MO ex-RAN)
VVFHS Consultative Forum Member
RSL (NSW) State Vice President
Tel 02-93808774
Mob. 0417604450
PROSTATE CANCER and AGENT ORANGE.........the last word
Dear Reader,
The article below is the largest and most accurate study to date and I believe will be the final word on the topic of prostate cancer in service personnel and their exposure to agent orange.
There should be no Vietnam Vet who goes untested in this country by the end of this year. Of the 58,000 or so who participated in that war, the number carrying cancerous prostates will be several thousand and they must be found and treated as there is no reason why they should die from that complaint if treated in time. Their deaths will be through shear neglect on our part or on their own; so it is imperative that no blame be laid at our door through a failure to notify those personnel so exposed.
If some Veterans out there are sick of hearing about this matter and they have done nothing.....tough!
This information is so hot off the press it has not yet appeared in official medical journals but will do so in the 15th September, ‘08 edition of CANCER. May I commend this article to you for publication as I believe it is the definitive study in this matter and imperative that our veteran population hears this news once again.
Many Pension Officers around the country will be aware DVA has already accepted the link between the cancer and herbicidal exposure. What many do not appreciate is that this was done on statistical results, generously weighted in the veterans’ favour by the assessing panel. This new research now fully supports what was formerly only a high index of suspicion, regarding the connection between disease and herbicide.
So my advice to every male who was in Vietnam, afloat or ashore, for whatever duration of time, go and have your LMO check your Prostate and seek a Prostate Specific Antigen blood test at the same time. This will need to be done for the remainder of your life at two yearly intervals or as professionally advised. No buts just do it!
Regards,
Rod.
Dr Roderick Bain MBBS FRCA FANZCA
RSL NSW State Vice President (Southern Country)
Tel 02-93808774
Mob. 0417604450
PS. The term metastatic disease means that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate into bone, lung, liver. The prognosis in these cases is less than ideal; so we need to catch it earlier than this stage of development.
Exposure to Agent Orange linked to prostate cancer in
Vietnam veterans
Public release date: 5-Aug-2008
Contact: Karen Finney
karen.finney@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
REFERENCE: University of California Davis
Health
System
SACRAMENTO, Calif.)( UC Davis Cancer Centre physicians today released
results of research showing that Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent
Orange have greatly increased risks of prostate cancer and even greater
risks of getting the most aggressive form of the disease as compared to
those who were not exposed.
The findings, which appear online now and will be published in the September
15 issue of the journal Cancer, are the first to link the herbicide with this form of
cancer. The research is also the first to utilize a large population of men in their
60s and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to screen for the disease.
"While others have linked Agent Orange to cancers such as soft-tissue sarcomas,
Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, there is limited evidence so far
associating it with prostate cancer," said Karim Chamie, lead author of the study
and resident physician with the UC Davis Department of Urology and the VA
Northern California Health Care System. "Here we report on the largest study to
date of Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange and the incidence of
prostate cancer."
Chamie also said that, unlike previous studies that were either too small or
conducted on men who were too young, patients in the current study were
entering their prime years for developing prostate cancer. There was also the
added advantage that it was conducted entirely during the era of PSA screening,
providing a powerful tool for early diagnosis and tracking of prostate cancer.
More than 13,000 Vietnam veterans enrolled in the VA Northern California
Health Care System were stratified into two groups exposed or not exposed to
Agent Orange between 1962 and 1971. Based on medical evaluations conducted
between 1998 and 2006, the study revealed that twice as many men exposed to
Agent Orange were identified with prostate cancer. In addition, Agent Orange exposed
men were diagnosed two-and-a-half years younger and were nearly
four times more likely to present with metastatic disease. Other prostate cancer
risk factors race, body-mass index and smoking were not statistically
different between the two groups.
"Our country's veterans deserve the best possible health care, and this study
clearly confirms that Agent Orange exposure during service in Vietnam is
associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer later in life," said Ralph de Vere
White, UC Davis Cancer Centre director and a study co-author. "Just as those with
a family history of prostate cancer or who are of African-American heritage are
screened more frequently, so too should men with Agent Orange exposure be
given priority consideration for all the screening and diagnostic tools we have at
our disposal in the hopes of early detection and treatment of this disease."
Now a banned chemical, Agent Orange is a combination of two synthetic
compounds known to be contaminated with the dioxin tetrachlorodibenzo-paradioxin
(TCDD) during the manufacturing process. Named for the colour of the
barrel in which it was stored, Agent Orange was one of many broad-leaf
defoliants used in Vietnam to destroy dense forests in order to better visualize
enemy activity.
It is estimated that more than 20 million gallons of the chemicals, also known as
"rainbow herbicides," were sprayed between 1962 and 1971, contaminating
both ground cover and ground troops. Most of the rainbow herbicide used
during this time was Agent Orange. In 1997, the International Agency for
Research on Cancer reclassified TCDD as a group 1 carcinogen, a classification
that includes arsenic, asbestos and gamma radiation.
The study was funded by the UC Davis Cancer Centre. In addition to Chamie and
De Vere White, study authors were Bryan Volpp, associate chief of staff, clinical
informatics, VA Northern California Health Care System; Dennis Lee and Joonha
Ok, UC Davis resident physicians with the Department of Urology; and Lars Ellison
who, at the time the study was conducted, was an assistant professor with UC Davis
and chief of urology with the VA Northern California Health Care System. Ellison is
now affiliated with the Penobscot Bay Medical Centre in Maine and a major in the
U.S. Army Reserve currently serving active duty in Iraq. A copy of the study can be
requested by emailing
Amy Molnar at amolnar@wiley.com.
Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy and the second leading
cause of cancer death in American men. It is estimated that there will be about
186,320 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2008 and about
28,660 men will die of the disease this year.
Designated by the National Cancer Institute, UC Davis Cancer Centre is leading the
way in identifying the molecular pathogenesis of carcinoma of the prostate,
enhancing therapeutic response and identifying chemoprevention. For more
information;
Visit: www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/cancer.
SUBJECT HMAS QUIBERON REUNION
A reunion to celebrate the
50th anniversary
of the commissioning of the
anti-submarine frigate
HMAS QUIBERON (FO3)
will be held in Hobart from
9th to 11th October 2009.
All past crew members are cordially invited to attend
For further details, please contact
Derek Tite - derek.tite@bigpond.com
Phone (03) 6425 7051
SUBJECT VUNG TAU FERRY
Hi All
A bit of info that may be of interest. The Good ole HMAS Sydney. Http://www.navy.gov.au/The_Vung_Tau_Ferry
My old ship 1971-73
Combat Scribes
JEFF WAKE
SUBJECT HISTORIC RAN VIDEOS
I thought you might be interested to learn that we have recently posted some additional historic videos on the Sea Power Centre - Australia, Naval History web site. Among them are titles which include short videos on the Vung Tau Ferry, early naval training at Cerberus and Creswell. They can be found on the following we page under Videos.
www.navy.gov.au/History
Best wishes
John Perryman, CSM
Senior Naval Historical Officer
Sea Power Centre - Australia
PO Box 7942
Department of Defence
Canberra BC,ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6127 6509
Fax: (02) 6127 6519
SUBJECT VICTORIAN VLSA REUNION
The Victorian Branch of the
HMAS SYDNEY & VIETNAM
LOGISTICAL SUPPORT VETERAN`S ASSOCIATION
are celebrating their
25th ANNIVERSARY
with a national reunion of all former
Vietnam Logistical support sailors in 2010
WHEN? ANZAC DAY LONG WEEKEND 23 - 26 April 2010
WHERE? MELBOURNE.
For all details please contact Victorian Association Secretary
David (Speed) Dwyer
EMAIL: davidgdwyer@hotmail.com
POSTAL: SECRETARY H.M.A.S. SYDNEY & VLSVA VIC
PO BOX 645
HEATHMONT VIC 3135
PHONE: 03.9729.6874
SUBJECT COCKATOO ISLAND
www.cockatooisland.gov.au
BYO Picnic lunch or buy at the café.
Visitor code
Please enjoy your visit to this special place. You are invited to wander freely around the island, discover its hidden places, picnic on the grass and enjoy spectacular city views.
For the comfort and safety of everyone on the island, please follow the Island Etiquette:
* Beer and Wine can be purchased on the Island and Visitors are requested to bring water and soft drink only
* A Picnic lunch is recommended for day visitors as overnight visitors are given first priority when using BBQs
* no smoking in buildings
* do not bring animals onto the island (except guide dogs)
* mooring private vessels is not permitted
* do not enter construction areas
* camp only in the designated campground
* for safety reasons, do not swim, fish or golf
Visit www.cockatooisland.gov.au
Note that whilst BBQ facilities are available, campers have priority.
cheers
Ron
G'day All,
Hope all are well.
Sad news for Spook Cairns losing his dear wife Dawn. Funeral is next Wednesday.
Does anybody know anything about a 'tunnel' which JR's used to escape the confines of LEEUWIN in our day. Ken Dobbies wishes to do a dit on it. If you have anything to add on the topic please let either him or me know. I will forward to him.
The function at the Twin Town RSL on the 21 November seems to be gathering momentum. The format will be meet at 1200 for lunch and then have a little meeting (we do have things to discuss as a group) then tell lies to you want to go home. For those that havent already, please let me know if you do intend to attend.
This is an article which may interest all the DFRDB recipients.
DFWA Response to SCANDALOUS SUPERANNUATION INDEXATION Outcome
cheers
Ron
G'day All,
Had a busy week.
Five of us met at Martin Place on Tuesday, Tiny Graves, Mike Sheppard, Mike Hogan, Mick Gallagher and myself. There is a photo in the photos page on the web site.
Ken Dobbie has produced another JR Memoiral Newsletter, it is at the attachment.
You will be aware our next function is due to be held at the Twin Towns RSL on 21 Nov this year. As explained earlier, the purpose of this was to see the interest of the South Queenslanders in catching up' To date I have only received one confirmed starter. Rocky Frier. Those that intend to attend could you please let me know.
Colin (Springer) Mundt has found us. Send him an email, his email address is colin_mundt@hotmail.com
The Victorians have organised a luncheon at Young & Jacksons Hotel at 12 Noon on Wednesday 9th September 2009.
Does anybody know where Dave Rhook is. He appears to have left Banora Pt NSW. Please let me know if you have any contact details for him.
Received this email from Stevan Coll.
Thanks for the update Ron. Much appreciated. I recall Gary Hardman well. WE were in the same intake and lived in the same 'donga' at Leeuwin. I just never thought we would both end up as Coxswains one day!
On another note: you may recall there is currently a book on sale called 'The War Within'(Murdoch) by an ex-Vietnam Vet(Army) called Don Tate. He hails from Albion Park Rail, near Wollongong. Anyway, being an avid reader, I bought his book a couple of months ago from Angus and Robertson ($30.00). What a marvelous read - right from the heart. In this book Don lays himself bare and describes his life, from childhood in Q'ld, school abuse, combat service in Vietnam, culminating in his being machine-gunned and invalided out of the Army to years of surgery, after-care and recuperation. He also describes his ongoing battle for recognition of his Unit and the potential controversy surrounding some alleged atrocities committed by Australian soldiers in that conflict.
Coincidentally, Don and his wife Carole came to WA recently as part of a speaking tour to promote his book. He spoke at a Public Library near my home and while I could not attend, my wife did and she got Don to autograph my book. He also provided a DVD for me to view some of his self-filmed images from the Vietnam conflict. These images have been provided to the Australian War memorial. Through a coincidence, Dona and his wife were staying at a motel near my home, in Rockingham WA and he rang us. As a result my wife and I had dinner with Don and his wife last night at a little beach-side restaurant overlooking Cockburn Sound and the HMAS STIRLING Naval Base. What an interesting man to talk to - Carole, his wife, is a fine woman too and the both of them are a real nice couple. Suffice to say, after talking to him, my perceived 'hard times' at sea pale into insignificance alongside what he, and other soldiers of his era, went through. A good night all round.
Don is speaking at several venues around WA this week and will be heading back to his Albion Park rail home at the end of the week. I plan to correspond with him and keep in touch. In the meantime, could I ask you to spread the word about his book and his ongoing battle for recognition of his Unit. The book is a bloody good read and by buying this book we are supporting the efforts of a fellow veteran. His email address is iwarvet_69@yahoo.com warvet_69@yahoo.com - drop him a line if you wish.
Thats all Folks
cheers
Ron
Weekly News 16 August 2009
G'day All,
Viet Nam vets day next Tuesday 18 August. You would have received Mick Gallagher's email. Service starts at 1100 at Martin Place.
Mike Hogan forwarded some photos of Gary Hardman's dedication ceremony. They will be posted on the website under dedications. Thanks Mike.
Mal Ritchie went to the VAMPIRE reunion - He has put something together about the event. Thanks Mal:
Commencing on Friday 19th June birthday celebrations were held for the 50th anniversary of the commissioning of HMAS VAMPIRE currently a permanent fixture of the Australial National Museum in Sydney. The program was as follows;
Friday.......Black Tie Dinner at ANMM which I did not attend (only thing I missed).
Saturday....All day symposium (ANMM) where several previous Commanding Officers and civilians who worked on the building of the ship spoke. This was followed by a "Beat the Retreat" (RAN Band) which was in turn followed by a casual reception.
Sunday was simply a family's day complete with a birthday cake and the RAN Band.
Monday was a harbour cruise
Tuesday was an official birthday lunch at the ANMM put on by the HMAS VAMPIRE Association.
Wednesday onwards was recovery mode.
It was great to catch up with a lot of old friends especially ex JR's as a large number of our intake posted to Vamps direct from Leeuwin as you know. Among those there were "Larry" Kent, Roger Collins and of course Mick Gallagher who was busy taking photos for Navy News. Although Skull Bowden couldn't make due to his health Roger and I rang him from the ship to say g'day. Also there was Max Simpson (ex LSPTI) who was the LH of one of the JR"s messes and Lew Horsfield who was a LWTR in the ship's office. Anyway I am sure a good time was had by all with lots of stories (true of course) told and much liquid refreshment consumed, with all leaving saying see you at the 60th.
Regards
Mal Ritchie
ex JR January 1963 intake (6th)
HMAS LEEUWIN - VIDEO
Have received a link to a video about JR training in LEEUWIN vide compliments of Ken Dobbie's research- good stuff :
G'day Gents, we have received advice from John Perryman who is a historian with the Navy in Canberra (John is also an ex JR) and he has located a film on life at Leeuwin. This has been digitised and can be accessed on the following link at the navy's web site. The film runs for about 10 minutes and is of very high quality and gives a clear insight into Leeuwin at that time, you might even recognise a few faces. I have approached the reunion group with the view that the film be placed on the reunion web site or at least provide a link from there to the navy web site to access the film. I am sure you will all appreciate John Perryman's efforts in making this available.
: www.navy.gov.au/Looking_At_Leeuwin
Cheers
Ken Dobbie
JR Memorial Committee
REFERENCE MEDALS
If you have lost some medals or think you could be further entitled
Click on the website below and apply for any medals which you may be entitled to and have not yet received.
www.defence.gov.au/medals/
www.lostmedalsaustralia.com/
REFERENCE HMAS VENDETTA FUNCTION
The Vendetta Veterans' Association
(Qld Division)
The next luncheon/meeting of the Association
will be held on
Sunday - 30th August, 2009
at the home of
Rob and Daphne Farraway
15-17 Maleeh Avenue, Thagoona
commencing at 11.00am
Cost - only $5.00 per person
BYO drinks and chairs
ALL WELCOME
For catering purposes please
RSVP before 25.8.09
Phone: 07.3288.1702 or 0428.881.702
or send an email to:
MKRAUSE@bigpond.net.au
Don't forget to wear your name badge
Annual Christmas Picnic - 1st December 2009
REFERENCE ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES FOR 50TH JR REUNION IN PERTH
There is a link on the SALT Page on our website
Cheers
Ron
Weekly News 9 August 2009
G'day All,
Lots of ads this week. Dont forget about Viet Nam vets day on 18 August. As advised during the week Checkers is pretty crook and would appreciate a call.
Ken Dobbie has published Newsletter No 13 for the memorial. There is a link on our website.
Cheers
Ron
HMAS CANBERRA Sinking Ball Attachment
TS TYALGUM 50th Anniversary Presentation Ball and Reunion
VENDETTA VETERANS ASSOCIATION
MORESBY REUNION
CHINA FLEET CLUB
SUBJECT TS TYALGUM
Training Ship Tyalgum
Australian Navy Cadets
50th Anniversary Presentation Ball & Reunion
19th September 2009
Calling all cadets, former cadets, staff, former staff, families and friends We will celebrate the first 50 years of our Cadet Unit.
Please join us on this date, meet up with old friends.
This is to be a formal function and price is $65.00 per person.
We are having a BBQ at the Unit on the day (Sunday) after the Ball So let us know if you are interested in attending, for catering purposes. For some of you it could be the last opportunity to spend some time in the Unit and stroll down memory lane.
Looking forward to seeing everyone. It is getting exciting now as the plans all come together. For further information please contact the following;
Email Sandad48@gmail.com
Phone 0755734427
Mobile 0412 294406
SUBJECT VENDETTA

The Vendetta Veterans' Association
(Qld Division)
The next luncheon/meeting of the Association will be held on
Sunday - 30th August, 2009 at the home of
Rob and Daphne Farraway
15-17 Maleeh Avenue, Thagoona
commencing at 11.00am
Cost - only $5.00 per person
BYO drinks and chairs
ALL WELCOME
For catering purposes please
RSVP before 25.8.09
Phone: 07.3288.1702 or 0428.881.702
or send an email to:
MKRAUSE@bigpond.net.au
SUBJECT CHINA FLEET CLUB
CHINA FLEET CLUB MEMORIBILIA
POSSIBLY YOUR ONLY CHANCE TO OBTAIN THIS HISTORIC TALKING POINT
NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN!!
Orders taken till the end of AUGUST
Despatching Prior to mid September
HELP ME GET THE WORD OUT
Please pass this on to your ex Navy friends.. I am sure they would appreciate the opportunity to have one
APPROX 18cm X 40CM
HOW MUCH JOHN?
$20.00 Each
includes postage to anywhere in Australia.
all purchases can be made by contacting John Hegarty (Ex LDA) at Crown merchandising.
Crown Merchandising Services
PO BOX 5028
Alphington,
Victoria, Australia 3078
Phone +61 3 9434 5300
Email: john@crownmerchandising.com.au
www.crownmerchandising.com.au
You can also use John's TOLL FREE NUMBER 1800-259500
HMAS Anzac/Tobruk Association
is planning a reunion in Tweed Heads from 15th to 18th July 2010.
All old shipmates are invited to attend.
For further information contact
Graham Bermingham - 03.9877.6715
E-mail: bermingham1@bigpond.com
Weekly News 2 August 2009
G'day All,
Back from holiday. Hope all is well.
Gary Hardman's dedication service has been held. Spook Cairns, Mike Hogan and Magoo Magnuson attended, Mick Gallagher sent his apologies as he was in Thailand. Spook Cairns reported Gary's family were very appreciative of the assistance we provided and the ceremony was a success.
A big welcome to Ron Mitchell who has found us. Ron sent the following email:
Hi Ron,
My name is Ron Mitchell and I was a member of the 6th intake at HMAS Leeuwin 1963. I have been surfing the net and by accident stumbled on to the web site. I have spent the last 4 hours reading all the information and newsletters and having a real tour down memory lane. I live in Townsville Qld and work for Qld Health as a Dental Technician. I retired from the Navy in 1983 and moved to Central then North Qld, consequently the contact I have had with ex service mates has been very few and far between. I would dearly love to have contact with past 6th intake mates so would be extremely grateful if you could make a note of this contact in your next newsletter. My wife, Evelyn and I have today started planning for attendance at the reunion in Perth next year. I look forward to hearing from you in the future
Regards
Ron Mitchell
Email : Ronald.mitchell@bigpond.com
The following articles are interesting reading and from emails I have received, the first from Bob Cavanagh, this is on the consumption of asparagus and the effect it has on preventing or limiting cancer the other reflects four functions your mobile phone has, you may not be aware of.
REFERENCE ASPARAGUS
Asparagus & Cancer...worth a read
This is too late for my Terry.....but perhaps it is not to late for the ones that you love as much as I loved my son.
Wanda K.
I am asking you to read this article to the end.
My Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style asparagus that she pureed and she took 4 tablespoons in the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day. She did this for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage 3 lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week. Her oncologist said she does not need to see him for 3 months.
THE ARTICLE:
Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer.He gave me a photocopied copy of an article, entitled, `Asparagus for cancer' printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979.
I will share it here, just as it was shared with me:'I am a
biochemist,and have specialized in the relation of diet to health for over 50 years..Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer.
Since then, I have worked with him on his project. We have accumulated a number of favorable case histories.
Here are a few examples:
Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated.
Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise.
Case No. 2, a successful businessman 68 years old who
suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After years of
medical treatments, including radiation without improvement,
he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.
Case No. 3, a man who had lung cancer.. On March 5th 1971, he was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared.. He is back at his regular business routine.
Case No. 4, a woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by asking specialist as advanced.....
Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported
that the asparagus therapy also cure her kidney disease, which started in
1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was
receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.
I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of materia
medica', edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones.
We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records. I am therefore
appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather
a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical
skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy.
For the treatment,asparagus should be cooked before using, and
therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh. I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.
Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons
twice daily, morning and evening.
Patients usually show some improvement in from 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested
dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts
can do no harm and may be needed in some cases.
As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that`what cures
can prevent'. Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals.
We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste with
breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups..
The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements
in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these
improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink...
As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of
cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones,which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth.
For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that
I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and in acting as a general body tonic.
In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good.
It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that
asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and
antioxidants.
Please spread the news! The most unselfish act one
can ever do is to forward all the kindness one has received!
REFERENCE MOBILE PHONES
FOUR THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER
KNEW YOUR MOBILE PHONE COULD
DO
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:
FIRST
Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialled even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.
SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car? Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good
reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone.
Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the
doors (or the trunk).
Editor's
Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a
mobile phone!'
THIRD
Hidden Battery Power Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your mobile will restart
with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50%
increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your mobile next time.
FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone? To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people
stealing mobile phones.
Also -ATM PIN Number Reversal - Good to Know
If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the police by entering your PIN # in reverse. For example, if your pin number is 1234, then you would put in 4321. The ATM system recognizes that your PIN number is backwards from the ATM card you placed in the machine. The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to the location. This information was recently broadcast on CTV by Crime Stoppers however
it is seldom used because people just don't know about it.
Please pass this along to everyone.
Weekly News 29 June 2009
G'day All,
Quite a lot this week. Hope you enjoy.
I am off to Europe for 5 weeks tomorrow, be back on 1 August. Our middle daughter's wedding in Germany next Saturday.
cheers
Ron
DVA POLICY ROBOTICE PROSTRACTECTOMY Attachment.
FORMER HMAS CANBERRA CREW MEMBERS
RICK AND LEA AVEY'S TRAVEL
HMAS VENDETTA FUNCTION
DVA ENEWS
SUBJECT DVA POLICY ROBOTICE PROSTRACTECTOMY
Please find attached an article from DVA on the Robotic Prostatectomy. My latest discussion with Peter Holz was last Friday and it is the general consensus that all Veterans must be made aware of the fact that if they require a Prostatectomy and they wish to have the Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy your Doctor / Surgeon must submit significant clinical evidence that the Robotic system is needed for what ever reason.
This information MUST get out to Veterans via All news letters from All walks of life not just our own. Please pass on this information where you can so it can be published far and wide.
Regards
Rod Burgess
Secretary VVAA Box Hill Sub-Branch
SUBJECT FORMER HMAS CANBERRA CREW MEMBERS
To all former HMAS Canberra Crew members
Apologies as I still do not have a firm date of the scuttling, the latest information indicates the ship will be scuttled Mid August 2009, this makes it a little difficult to plan the Reunion, however a event will be organised.
I have teamed up with a old shipmate Brian Brennan who will be helping to organise the events in Geelong, which will probably take place at the Naval Association, I am sure it will be Second to None.
Stuart Holm is also assisting with the organisation of Charter vessels to view the scuttling of the ship.
When a date is finalised for the scuttling a Schedule of events will be promulgated, In the short term please email your expressions of interest in attending the Reunion - Scuttling to caroleew79@dodo.com.au
For further information please go to www.hmascanberra.com or www.hmascanberra.com.au
Please forward this email to any former HMAS Canberra Crew members who may be interested in the Scuttling – Reunion.
Yours Aye,
Lee Bickies Webster
0431546527
SUBJECT RICK AND LEA AVEY'S TRAVEL
Hi Folks
I have created a blog page for those who might be interested, showing where we are and what we’re doing. Check it out and keep up-to-date! Make comments and let us know what you think!
www.travelingozaveys.blogspot.com/
Lots of love
Lea & Rick Avey
Phone: 0419 219 794 (Rick)
Phone: 0419 957 227 (Lea)
SUBJECT HMAS VENDETTA FUNCTION
The Vendetta Veterans' Association
(Qld Division)
The next luncheon/meeting of the Association
will be held on
Sunday - 6th September 2009
at the home of
Rob and Daphne Farraway
15-17 Maleeh Avenue, Thagoona
commencing at 11.00am
Cost - only $5.00 per person
BYO drinks and chairs
ALL WELCOME
For catering purposes please
RSVP before 1.9.09
Phone: 0428.881.702 or 0417.700.531
or send an email to:
MKRAUSE@bigpond.net.au
SUBJECT DVA ENEWS
e-News
June 2009
Welcome to the latest issue of e-News, keeping you up-to-date with news from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
In this issue:
New DVA website live
New Australian War Memorial London website
Single claim form trial begins
Repatriation Medical Authority website
Reconciliation Week
Grants – When and how to?
Media releases
Upcoming anniversaries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New DVA website live
The Department of Veterans' Affairs has completely overhauled its website to put the users at the centre of the new design. The functionality, structure, navigation, headings and look and feel have all been updated.
With logical groupings based around simple headings like 'eligibility and claims', 'serving members' and 'commemorations and war graves', the new site should make finding the right information quicker and easier for all users. It has also taken a great leap forward in meeting government standards for usability and accessibility.
The re-design was developed using focus group testing, research of user needs, and user feedback. The improvements have been welcomed by test participants. DVA welcomes feedback on the new site from the veteran and service provider communities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Australian War Memorial London website
The Australian War Memorial London website has been refreshed with a new multimedia interface. An interactive map allows visitors to the site to move around the globe to find out more about the battles and campaigns that Australians fought in the World Wars, or to find where their town name is among the 23,844 listed on the wall of the memorial in Hyde Park London. The same website is on the newly installed touch screens at the Wellington Arch near the memorial.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single claim form trial begins
DVA is trialling a new claim process in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane to enable those seeking compensation and benefits available under more than one of the three Acts administered by DVA to lodge only one claim form, cutting down the unnecessary paperwork for veterans. This is one of several initiatives designed to lessen the burden on ex-serving members to access support and entitlements.
For more information: media release
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repatriation Medical Authority website
The Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) is a statutory authority independent of the DVA, responsible to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. The RMA determines ‘Statements of Principles’ in respect of particular kinds of injuries, diseases or death, based on sound medical-scientific evidence and specifies all of the factors which can connect the injuries, diseases or death with the circumstances of service in Australia’s military forces.
When the RMA is considering a new SOP, or reviewing an existing SOP, it publically notifies its intention to undertake an investigation. Eligible persons and organisations may lodge submissions and information for the RMA to consider as part of these investigations.
The RMA website has all current (and revoked) SOPs and information on current investigations. The RMA’s own news service provides email advice of all updates placed on the RMA website.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation Week
The service and sacrifice of Indigenous servicemen and women was recognised during Reconciliation week, 27 May to 3 June. Commemorative services were held around the country, including in Sydney, where the Minister laid a wreath and gave the commemorative address.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grants – when and how to?
DVA’s grant programs support the veteran and ex-service community in several ways. Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Grants provide funding for ex-service organisations. Veteran and Community Grants support programs focused on veteran health and well-being with funding rounds held three times a year and applicants are encouraged to contact their state office before submitting an application. Saluting their Service Commemorative Grants support ex-service and community organisations, local government authorities, museums and schools with a range of commemorative, educational and public awareness activities. Applications are considered year-round and announced approximately every two months. Finally, organisations can also access funding to restore and preserve unofficial military and battle memorials overseas, through the Overseas Privately-Constructed Memorial Restoration Program.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media Releases
F-111 Deseal-Reseal report tabled in Parliament (VA054 PDF 54Kb)
Bursaries awarded to five West Australian tertiary students (VA053 PDF 46Kb)
Grant to honour Australian service on the Kokoda Track (VA052 PDF 40Kb)
Joint Media Release - LGC Forensics wins Fromelles DNA contract (PDF 21Kb)
Life after war exhibition opens at the Shrine (VA050 PDF 65Kb)
Australian victory at Binh Ba remembered 40 years on (VA049 PDF 33Kb)
Bursaries awarded to eighteen Queensland tertiary students (VA048 PDF 70Kb)
Work starts on new war cemetery at Fromelles (VA047 PDF 62Kb)
The last of a generation, Private John Ross – We will remember him (VA046 PDF 64Kb)
$190,000 for projects to honour Australia's veterans (VA045 PDF 122Kb)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Anniversaries
28 June, 1919 - Treaty of Versailles signed
1 July, 1916 - First day of the battle of the Somme
1 July, 1942 - Sinking of the Montevideo Maru
4 July, 1918 - Battle of Hamel, France
6 July, 1943 - Darwin bombed
19 July, 1916 - Battle of Fromelles
Weekly News 21 June 2009l
G'day All,
Hope you are all well and travelling safely. Another JR Memorial Project Newsletter from Ken Dobbie this week, the history of the Australian flag which is mandatory reading and a few other interesting items. Will be a Newsletter out later in the week in respect of Fridays function at the Rockers.
Have a good week.
cheers
Ron
This week:
JR Memorial Project Newsletter No 12 Attachment
History of the Australian Flag
LCDR Max Sheane Passing over the Bar A very famous sailor passes away
Injured service persons associatrion raffle
SUBJECT HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN FLAG
Surprisingly it was not until 1953 that our flag was officially proclaimed the Australian National Flag.
With Federation and the joining of all Australians under the Commonwealth of Australia, there came a real need for a flag to unite the peoples of the six colonies.
In 1901, a world wide competition was held to find two new flags: one suitable for official and naval purposes, and another suitable for the Merchant Navy Service. The Commonwealth, "The Review of Reviews", (a newspaper of the day), and the Havelock Tobacco Company forwarded prize money totaling 200. The response to the competition was excellent.
Over 30,000 flag designs were presented for display in the Exhibition Building in Melbourne in September, 1901. From the 30,000 entries the choice was narrowed to five. It was decided that the five would share the prize money. The winners were Mrs. A. Dorrington of Perth, Mr. I. Evans of Melbourne, Mr. L. Hawkins of Sydney, Mr. E. J. Nuttall of Melbourne and Mr. W. Stevens of Auckland.
A flag embodying the five winning designs was proudly flown in the Exhibition Building in Melbourne on the day that the Prime Minister, Mr. E. Barton, announced the winners. The flag was very like the flag that became the Australian National Flag 52 years later.
In the upper hoist was the Union Jack, made up of the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick. Beneath the Union Jack was a large six pointed star representing the six states and in the fly of the flag, five stars symbolizing the Southern Cross.
The Union Jack reflected our heritage, the large six pointed star indicated the unity of the six States within the Commonwealth of Australia and the Southern Cross reflected Australia's place in the universe. A flag showing our history, our unity and our independent position.
In 1903, King Edward approved designs for the flag of Australia and the flag of the Merchant Navy. They became known as the Commonwealth Blue Ensign and the Commonwealth Red Ensign.
In 1908 the six pointed star became a seven pointed star, the seventh point added to represent current and future Territories of the Commonwealth. The new seven pointed star conformed with the star in the Crest of the Coat of Arms.
In the early years of the Commonwealth, the flying of the ensigns was not encouraged, but a new body of thought developed through Prime Minister Menzies in 1941 and was supported by Prime Minister Chifley in 1947. The flying of the Commonwealth Blue Ensign was encouraged on shore provided it was flown in a manner befitting the national emblem of our country.
In 1951, the Australian Government recommended that King George VI approve the Commonwealth Blue Ensign as the National Flag. At this stage there was still no official recognition for the ensign as our National Flag.
King George gave his approval and in 1953 the Flags Act proclaimed the Australian Blue Ensign as our national flag and the Australian Red Ensign as the correct colours for Australian registered merchant ships.
We properly call these flags the Australian National Flag and the Australian Red Ensign.
The Royal Australian Navy has as its official ensign the Australian White Ensign, and the Royal Australian Air Force has as its official ensign the Ensign of the Royal Australian Air Force. The official flag of the Australian Army is the Australian National Flag.
DESCRIPTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG
The Australian
National Flag
The Australian
Red Ensign
The flag that Flags 2000 is so proud to manufacture is red, white and blue with the Union Jack in the upper hoist, a large seven pointed star directly below the centre of the Union Jack in the lower hoist and five white stars representing the Southern Cross in the fly of the flag.
The large star in the lower hoist represents the States and Territories with a point for each State and a joint point for the Territories.
Four of the stars of the Southern Cross, Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta have seven points on the flag to uniform the design and for aesthetic appeal. Epsilon, the fifth star, is represented by a five pointed star because it is not as bright as the others in the constellation.
The length of the flag is always twice the width of the flag. For example, a flag 1800mm (or 6 feet) long is always 900mm (or 3 feet) wide. 1800mm x 900mm flags are recognized as the most popular size, suitable for standard flagpoles, 6-8 metres high (18-24 feet).
The Australian Red Ensign, the flag for merchant vessels registered in Australia, is predominantly red. In all other respects it is the same as the Australian National Flag.
PARTS OF THE FLAG
PROCEDURE FOR THE DISPLAY OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG
The Australian National Flag must be accorded the dignity required by a national symbol and as such, correct procedure should be followed.
We note a few points that may assist in the flying of the flag, and following these, an illustrated guide to help citizens, clubs, large organizations and companies correctly and effectively display the flag.
The flag should be flown aloft and free, with all parts of the flag able to be seen readily.
It should be raised quickly and lowered slowly and ceremonially.
It should be well illuminated if it is to be flown at night.
It should be flown on all Commonwealth Government buildings during working hours.
It is encouraged that companies and private citizens also fly the Australian National Flag.
When the Australian National Flag is flown with flags of other sovereign nations, it should be of the same size and fly at the same height as all other flags.
If more than one flag is flown, each flag should fly on a separate flagpole with the Australian National Flag taking the place of honour.
The Australian National Flag should be the first flag raised and the last flag lowered, unless the number of flags and attendants allows them to be raised and lowered together.
When the Australian National Flag is flown alone in front of an establishment where there are two flagpoles, it should be flown on the flagpole on the left as one faces the flag.
If there are more than two flagpoles, it should be flown in the centre, or as near to the centre as possible.
This is so whether the flagpoles are positioned in the grounds or on top of buildings.
When the Australian National Flag is flown with flags of other sovereign nations, the Australian National Flag takes the prime position.
If it is flown with one other flag of a sovereign nation, the Australian National Flag should be on the left as one faces the flags.
If the total number of flags is even, the Australian National Flag should be flown on the left as one faces the flags in front of an establishment.
If the total number of flags flown is odd, the Australian National Flag should be flown in the centre.
If the flagpoles are arranged in a semi-circle, the Australian National Flag should fly in the centre of those of other sovereign nations.
If the flagpoles are arranged in a complete circle, the Australian National Flag should fly opposite the entrance of the building, the arena or other structure responsible for the display.
If there are two Australian National Flags available, one should be flown at either end of those of other sovereign nations.
If the Australian National Flag is flown with flags that are other than those of sovereign nations, it should fly on the left as one faces the flagpoles. For example, it could be flying with State flags, pennants, flags representing clubs and so on. If there are two Australian National Flags available they should fly at either end of the other flags, each on its own separate flagpole.
In a procession, the Australian National Flag should always take the lead, or have the prime position.
If carried in a line as shown above, the Australian National Flag should be carried at either end.
If there is only one flag available, then the Australian National Flag should be carried in the centre if the total number of flags is odd. If the total number of flags is even, it should be carried by the marches on the left as one faces the marchers.
If the Australian National Flag is to be displayed on a wall, the upper hoist of the flag should be on the left as one faces the flag, no matter whether the flag is suspended horizontally or vertically.
If the Australian National Flag is to be displayed on a horizontal rope across a street, it should face north in an east-west street, and east in a north-south street. The flag will thus be on the left of one facing east or south respectively.
If it is desired that the Australian National Flag cover a casket or a coffin, the upper hoist should be draped over the left shoulder of the deceased. The flag should be taken from the casket before burial or cremation.
IMPROPER USE OR DISPLAY OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG
The Australian National Flag should not be permitted to lie upon the ground.
It should be correctly fastened so that it will not: fall on the ground.
It should not be used to hide spaces that may exist between the floor and the lower level of a desk, dais or platform.
The Australian National Flag should not be employed as a cover for statues or monuments.
It should not be used as a cover for a plaque or such at an unveiling ceremony.
It should not be used as a cover for tables or chairs.
The Australian National Flag should not be defaced by any object or badge attached or superimposed on it.
It should not be flown together with the Australian Red Ensign.
DAYS WE COMMEMORATE IN AUSTRALIA
The following days are annually commemorated throughout Australia and on these occasions the Australian National Flag may be flown on any additional flagpoles on public buildings, by organizations and by private citizens.
However, if the days of national commemoration fall regularly on public holidays, the flying of the Australian National Flag may be restricted to principal government buildings and post offices.
JANUARY 1 We celebrate the anniversary of the Commonwealth of Australia.
JANUARY 26 We celebrate Australia Day.
Note that Australia Day presently associates with the nearest Monday to provide a public holiday. On this I public holiday, we also celebrate Australia Day and ceremonially display the flag once again.
MARCH We celebrate Commonwealth Day on the second Monday in March.
APRIL 25 We remember the Anzacs on this day, Anzac Day. Note that flags are flown at half mast until noon, then raised to fly at the top of the mast for the remainder of the day.
MAY 9 In Canberra we celebrate the inauguration of that city as Australia's seat of Government.
JUNE We celebrate the official birthday of the reigning Queen or King. The public holiday for this occasion is held on the second Monday in June, except in Western Australia where it is held in October.
JULY During July, we celebrate NAIDOC week for a nominated week. (NAIDOC: National Aboriginal and Islanders' Day Observance Committee.) If possible, Australian Aboriginal flags and Torres Strait Islander flags may be flown on poles near the Australian National Flag during this week. However, these flags should not replace the Australian National Flag. If there is only one additional flagpole, local bodies should determine which flag to fly with the Australian National Flag.
SEPTEMBER 3 Australian National Flag Day. We commemorate the day on which the Australian National Flag was first flown.
OCTOBER 24 We observe United Nations Day. On this day, the United Nations flag takes the prime position. If a United Nations flag is available, it should be flown. If there are two flagpoles, the United Nations flag will have the prime position, the Australian National Flag taking the secondary position.
NOVEMBER 11 Remembrance Day. We remember the times of war and the
losses incurred. Note that flags should be flown at the top of the mast from 8.00am until 10.30am, at half mast from 10.30am until 11.02am after the two minutes of silence and again at the top of the mast from 11.02am for the remainder of the day.
There are further days that occur during the year which are of significance to the nation and Australians are informed of these by Government as they occur.
THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG AT HALF MAST
The responsible Government Minister directs that the Australian National Flag be flown at half mast as a sign that the country is in mourning.
To achieve the half mast position, the flag should be raised to the top of the flagpole, then in a continuing movement, lowered slowly to half mast. It is important that the flag appears to be at half mast and not to have fallen away from the top of the flagpole. This will generally be attained when the top of the flag is one third of the total length of the flagpole from the top.
Before lowering the flag for the day, it should be raised once again to the top of the flagpole and then lowered slowly to the ground.
If a period of mourning is desired by local authorities in particular municipalities or towns, it is correct for the Australian National Flag to be flown at half mast on the building within which the deceased is lying in state. It should be raised when the deceased is no longer lying in state.
THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG AS A SIGNAL OF DISTRESS
When a flag is flown upside down it acts as a distress signal. Unless genuinely wishing to signal distress, The Australian National Flag should never be flown upside down.
TO FOLD AND STORE THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG
1. Start like this (see below). 2. Fold lengthwise bottomside to topside once and then once again.
3. Bring the ends together. 4. Now concertina by folding backwards and forwards towards the hoist edge. 5. Keep flag bundled folding backwards by winding the halyard around and under itself.
DISPOSING OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG
When a flag becomes dilapidated and is no longer in a suitable condition for use, it should be destroyed in a dignified way. In the past this was generally by burning, but today, with many flags made from polyester, burning can produce toxic fumes. It is considered acceptable to cut the flag into small pieces until it is unrecognizable.
SUBJECT VALE LCDR MAX SHEAN DSO AND BAR RANR RTD
UNCLASSIFIED - FROM CN
SUBJ: VALE LCDR MAX SHEAN DSO AND BAR RANR RTD
1. IT IS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF SADNESS THAT I ADVISE NAVY OF THE
RECENT PASSING OF LCDR MAX SHEAN DSO AND BAR RAN RTD IN WESTERN
AUSTRALIA. LCDR SHEAN WAS A REMARKABLE NAVY VETERAN AND QUOTE AN
AUSTRALIAN SUBMARINE HERO UNQUOTE WHO SERVED OUR NATION WITH
DISTINCTION DURING WWII AND REMAINED PART OF THE SUBMARINE COMMUNITY
AND NAVY FAMILY UNTIL THE END.
2. LCDR SHEAN'S LIFE WAS CHARACTERISED BY BOTH GREAT DISTINCTION IN
HIS SERVICE AND GREAT HUMILITY. IN1940, AT THE AGE OF 22, HE JOINED
THE RANVR, SERVING 15 MONTHS IN HMS BLUEBELL ON THE GIBRALTA-UK
CONVOY RUN, BEFORE VOLUNTEERING FOR QUOTE SPECIAL UNSPECIFIED DUTIES
UNQUOTE. THIS WAS MIDGET SUBMARINE SERVICE. LCDR SHEAN WAS FIRST
ASSIGNED AS DIVER TO X9 FOR A COVERT RAID ON THE GERMAN BATTLESHIP
TIRPITZ, BUT HIS CRAFT WAS LOST UNDER TOW TO THE AREA OF OPERATIONS.
HE WAS PRESENTED WITH HIS FIRST DSO FOLLOWING A SORTIE TO BERGIN
HARBOUR, NORWAY, AS CO X24 AND THE BAR TO THE DSO WHEN HE CUT THE
UNDERSEA COMMUNICATIONS CABLE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE OFF THE
MEKONG DELTA AS CO XE4 IN 1944. FOR HIS PACIFIC EXPLOITS, HE ALSO
RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR FROM THE UNITED STATES.
3. LCDR SHEAN CONTINUED TO SERVE AUSTRALIA IN THE NAVAL RESERVE UNTIL
1956 AS AN ENGINEER AND SEAMAN OFFICER, AND WORKED FOR THE PEOPLE OF
WESTERN AUSTRALIA THROUGH THE WA STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION UNTIL
1978. AS AN OFFSHORE SAILOR HE WON THE PARMELIA YACHT RACE FROM THE
UK TO FREMANTLE SOLO IN 1979, SHOWING THE SAME DARING AND COURAGE
THAT CHARACTERISED HIS WAR SERVICE.
4. A REGULAR GUEST OF HONOUR AT HMAS STIRLING, LCDR SHEAN CONTINUED
TO SUPPORT LEGACY AND THE SUBMARINE COMMUNITY UNTIL HE WAS
HOSPITALISED ONLY A FEW MONTHS AGO. LCDR MAX SHEAN WAS THE
QUINTESSENTIAL NAVAL OFFICER- DETERMINED, FOCUSSED, COURAGEOUS AND
DEDICATED. HE HAD A METICULOUS MIND AND PLANNED IN DETAIL BEFORE
ACTING DECISIVELY, ACHIEVING EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS IN ALMOST
EVERYTHING HE DID. BUT THOSE THINGS WERE NEVER FOR HIMSELF PERSONALLY
, THEY WERE FOR HIS COUNTRY, HIS NAVY AND HIS FAMILY.
5. A REMARKABLE MAN WHO WAS PROUD TO BE A NAVY MAN AND WE ARE PROUD
TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH HIM. LCDR MAX SHEAN WILL BE REMEMBERED.
6. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE ADVISED SEPARATELY.
SUBJECT INJURED SERVICE PERSONS ASSOCIATION RAFFLE
G’day,
The Injured Service Persons Association is holding a raffle to raise funds for a memorial in Canberra. The link to the Association and prize is:
www.ispa.asn.au/raffle.html
Cheers
Ray Brown
Weekly News 14 June 2009
G'day All,
This Friday at Rockers is the day and venue of our next function. 1200ish, love to see you there.
The main agenda item is the next reunion, i.e where and when?
Been a quite week from all our contacts. Only one notice this week, however, it is an important one.
See you Friday.
Cheers
Ron
SUBJECT VETERANS ADVISORY AND THERAPEUTIC EDUCATION SERVICES (MATES)
The Veterans’ Medicines Advisory and Therapeutic Education Services, better known as Veterans’ MATES, aims to improve the health of veterans by providing information to veterans and their health professionals. Four times a year, information and advice on a topic important for veteran health is summarised in the form of a brochure for veterans and a therapeutic brief for their doctors. While the veteran brochure is mailed only to veterans who have the relevant medical condition and the therapeutic brief only to their doctors, the materials are also put up on the Veterans’ MATES website so that they are available in electronic form to anyone who needs them.
Following on from the success of Veterans’ MATES, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has now set up a dedicated web address for this program at www.veteransmates.net.au <>www.veteransmates.net.au> . Access is also available by linking to the new site from the DVA website www.dva.gov.au/health/veteransmates <>www.dva.gov.au/health/veteransmates> . The new site provides great improvements in navigation, layout and ease of reading. There will also be a new secure service so that veterans and their doctors can use the internet rather than the post to receive Veterans’ MATES information
Weekly News 7 June 09
G'day All,
Hope all is well on the home front, we are enjoying sunny Yamba this weekend. Our get together is Friday 19 June at Rockers commencing 1200 ish. Please let me know if you intend attending the function at Rockers. Early advice indicates we may get some new faces.
I was looking on the website recently for the 50th reunion next July at Fremantle. I noticed we have a few starters. We were going to have our reunion next year over the Melbourne Cup weekend at Mildura. however, that is not now going to occur. If you plan to go to a reunion next year consider the 50th reunion as a priority. There is talk that in takes will march with banners. If that is the case it would be good to get oujr numbers up for the occassion. Anyway I will be there with bells.
This week:
MELBOURNE reunion
Scholarships for children in 2010 Attachment
SUBJECT HMAS MELBOURNE REUNION 2010 - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
H.M.A.S. Melbourne Reunion
The H.M.A.S. Melbourne Association is contemplating a reunion in 2010. Nowra N.S.W. will most probably be the location, during a weekend in September or October next year. We are looking for expressions of interest from anyone who served or had an association with any H.M.A.S. Melbourne.
If you, or anyone you know that may be interested, please contact me at sicambre@optusnet.com.au or Dean Gedling c/o H.M.A.S. Melbourne Association, P.O. Box 4011 Bradbury. N.S.W. 2560
Dean Gedling
Vice President
H.M.A.S. Melbourne Association
Weekly News 31 May 2009
G'day All,
Quite a lot this week. I am happy to say we have been having a few hits on the 'visitors page' of our website. It turns out we had Paul Lucken in the 'Last Post', well he is alive and well in Perth. ( I know this is the second time). Colin Melon is looking for Alan Craig McManus who was in the 7th intake and also the Topman DO (Chris Robson) when we were at LEEUWIN added a note.
To answer the query on email addresses. Could you please specify if you wish me to alter your email address on the 'members page' when you forward in a change of address. Otherwise I only amend my data base which is not for publication.
There are still many of our intake who we have not located. If you know one of our blokes and he is not receiving our mail, please let me know.
If anyone would like to support the Navy Rugby Team (RANRU) going to UK later this year to compete in the Commonwealth Navy Cup against the RN, RNZN and the SAN. RANRU has a flash spray jacket they are purchasing through SALT with RAN Rugby emblazzoned on it. The cost is $80. If you want one let me know and I will onforward your email to the RANRU rep and he will be in direct contact with you.
Plenty of service related mail this week.
cheers
Ron
DVA Budget 2009 attached
Ships photos framed website
Who knows Terry George - article from the Herald Sun
Force 2030
Sick Bay -Rick Mansfield
Lost Soul - Trevor Prior
Veteran health and well being projects - worth a look
Lost Soul - Lee Horton
SUBJECT DVA BUDGET 2009
See attachment
SUBJECT SHIPS PHOTOS FRAMED - WEBSITE
Hi Ron --- just got this site off an ex Brisbane blokes wife -- I saw the framed photo on their wall and asked if it was a one of --- the list they've got is pretty impressive -- check it out --- kev u
www.exclusivememories.com.au/
SUBJECT TERRY GEORGE
Air rage accused Lieutenant-Commander Terrance Albert George pleads guilty
Article from:
Ian McPhedran and David Murray
May 23, 2009 12:00am
A 57-YEAR-old navy officer who was arrested and charged with assault at Heathrow airport has tonight pleaded guilty in a London court.
Lieutenant-Commander Terrance Albert George, who was on a pre-retirement junket to assist with a "lateral recruitment drive", faces early discharge for bringing the navy into disrepute.
George, a married father of two from Queanbeyan, pleaded guilty and said a combination of alcohol and arthritis medication had caused him to lose control.
A court heard he was restrained on the flight for close to 10 hours after lashing out at attendants and passengers, with pilots so disturbed by the incident they considered diverting to a closer airport.
Prosecutor Syreta Maharaj told the court that during the flight George had started "exhibiting strange behaviour'' to a woman passenger sitting beside him.
He had slumped over in his seat, mumbled about "s..t'' on the floor of the plane, then made an unwanted advance to the woman.
"He leaned towards her kissing his fingers and tried to put them on her face,'' Ms Maharaj said.
When an off-duty attendant was moved beside him, George swore at the man and punched him in the leg.
In further bizarre behaviour, he tried to put the other man's shoes on instead of his own. A cabin crew member who intervened was punched in the face.
"At one point there was some discussion about diverting the flight because of his behaviour,'' Ms Maharaj said.
"The decision was made to continue with the flight.''
George admitted to police that he had consumed three whiskeys and was feeling all right, but then started hallucinating about the plane being hijacked.
His duty solicitor said the events were wholly out of character and "arose due to a loss of control brought about by a reaction with alcohol and arthritis medication''.
"He faces the possibility of being dismissed from the Navy,'' the solicitor said.
George had been travelling to London for a recruitment drive and his duties were to include briefing the Australian High Commission in London.
Commander Mark Crocker offered a character reference, telling the court that George was a dedicated family man and the onboard actions were "totally out of character''.
Magistrate Robert De Salla said the offences were made more serious "as they took place in an airplane in a confined space witnessed by many passengers''.
The magistrate said he was unable to sentence George because the available penalties were insufficient, ordering the Australian to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 19 June.
Outside court a remorseful George, who is on bail, said he was sorry for his behaviour.
SUBJECT FORCE 2030
The publication "Force 2030 - Your Guide to the 2009 Defence White Paper" is available for downloading as a PDF at Defence 2030
The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP
Minister for Defence
SUBJECT SICK BAY - RICK MANSFIELD
Rick Mansfield: ex ORD RP (R107288) – Served Vietnam Logistic Support HMAS DERWENT 1971
I regret to report that our shipmate Rick Mansfield (Member of NAA - Rooty Hill Chapter and Rooty Hill RSL Sub Branch), is in palliative care at Mt. Druitt Hospital with terminal cancer. For those who can get to visit him, it would be appreciated. We pray that Rick is comfortable and that his suffering is negligible. Our thoughts also go out to Rick’s wife and family.
Regards,
Peter Hamrol (President: Rooty Hill Naval Association and Junior Vice President Rooty Hill RSL Sub Branch
Subject Lost soul - Trevor Prior
If you are able to assist with the following please contact
Neville (Zeke) Wulff direct at email address: nwulff@odysseygroup.com.au
Bill do you have any contacts for ex POME Trevor Prior I have been trying to find him since 1980 his discharge should have been late June 1969.
Thanks, Zeke Wulff
Senior Consultant Odyssey Group
e mail nwulff@odysseygroup.com.au
Phone: 02 94863866
SUBJECT VETERAN HEALTH AND WELL BEING PROJECTS
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Mailing List
VA040a Monday, 25 May 2009
$1.5M FOR VETERAN HEALTH AND WELLBEING PROJECTS
Encouraging veterans, war widows, widowers and their families to become involved in local health and wellbeing activities, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today announced more than $1.5 million in funding to support 103 initiatives across Australia.
Mr Griffin said the total funding allocation of $1,518,040 would benefit some 46,000 veterans, war widows and widowers as well as their families and demonstrates the Australian Government’s support to organisations dedicated to caring for the veteran community.
“Veteran & Community Grants provide funding to local and community organisations to support their role in ensuring the veteran community have access to social and healthy activities,” Mr Griffin said.
“Today’s funding will help support a range of initiatives including health, nutrition and exercise sessions.
“Veteran & Community Grants also help fund local initiatives that improve access to community care services and encourage social interaction through Day Clubs, Men’s Sheds and social excursions.
“It is important that the veteran community have access to a range of programs that teach them skills to help them remain independent and active, particularly for the elderly living by themselves.”
Mr Griffin said hundreds of local and community organisations benefit from Australian Government funding each year.
Mr Griffin encouraged local and community organisations interested in applying for funding to visit www.dva.gov.au/health/grants or contact their nearest DVA office on 133 254 (for metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers).
Media inquiries: Sasha Nimmo 0437 863 109
Editor’s note: A list of grant recipients is attached.
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 011 046.
To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email subscribe at minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
Veteran and Community Grants Tasmanian recipients—$97,777
Benefiting more than 3100 veterans
· The Tasmanian Division of the Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive $62,181 to help replace a leaking roof at the association’s centre in Hobart.
· The Glenorchy RSL Sub-branch will receive $19,697 to help repair the ceiling and flooring at the sub-branch.
· The Tasmanian Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia will receive $3080 to help fund a series of bus trips for veterans to help reduce social isolation.
· The Scottsdale RSL Sub-branch will receive $3360 to help purchase a computer and printer to produce a newsletter, and a public address system for use at sub-branch functions.
· Launceston RSL Women’s Auxiliary will receive $2520 to purchase hip chairs to help with the comfort and safety of members.
· Lilydale RSL Sub-branch will receive $1760 to help purchase a portable public address system for use at sub-branch functions.
· The Tasmanian Division of the Fleet Air Arm Association will receive $2066 to help purchase a computer, printer, camera, internet connection and computer software to produce the division’s newsletter.
· The Midlands Sub-branch of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association of Australia will receive $3113 to help purchase a computer, printer and camera to produce the sub-branch newsletter.
Veteran and Community Grants Victorian recipients—$710,031
Benefiting more than 9600 veterans
· Colac Legacy will receive $30,000 to help purchase a bus for social and healthy lifestyle activities for members.
· The Springvale Remembrance and Community Vegetable Garden Committee will receive $88,118 to help establish a community garden in Springvale.
· Frankston RSL Sub-branch will receive $20,289 to help purchase computer equipment and internet connection for the use of its members.
· Hastings RSL Sub-branch will receive $53,803 to help upgrade the clubroom kitchen, purchase an audio visual system and public address system.
· Mildura Bowls Club will receive $49,827 to help install overhead lighting at the bowling greens.
· Terang RSL Sub-branch will receive $38,376 to help replace floor coverings at the club, purchase air conditioning systems and two refrigerators.
· Bendigo District RSL Sub-branch will receive $22,868 to help purchase tools and equipment for the Recreation, Skills and Leisure Centre (Men’s Shed).
· Drumcondra Bowling Club will receive $10,000 to help purchase a shade structure for sun protection for players.
· The Royal Australian Air Force Engineers Officers’ Association will receive $8994 to help purchase computer equipment to produce the association newsletter, and develop a website.
· Heywood and District Memorial Hospital will receive $34,709 to help purchase a community bus for a range of community activities for veterans.
· The Ex-Women’s Royal Australian Navy Association will receive $1400 to help fund a series of bus trips for members; and $2000 to help purchase a computer and printer to produce the association newsletter.
· The Sale RSL and Community Sub-branch will receive $1250 to help purchase a computer to produce the sub-branch newsletter.
· Traralgon RSL Sub-branch will receive $37,670 to help purchase tables and chairs to support social and healthy lifestyle activities at the sub-branch.
· Sandringham Bowls Club will receive $8130 to help purchase a barbeque, shade shelter, porch and furniture to support healthy lifestyle activities for veterans and their families.
· Montmorency RSL Sub-branch will receive $4670 to help purchase a computer and camera to produce the sub-branch newsletter.
· The Box Hill Legacy War Widows Club will receive $1657 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· The Ringwood Branch of the War Widows and Widowed Mothers’ Association will receive $7560 to help fund a series of bus trips to expand the association’s social and healthy lifestyle activities.
· West Gippsland Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia will receive $4367 to help purchase tools, building and safety equipment to expand maintenance services to veterans.
· Golden Begonia Day Club will receive $4852 to help purchase computer equipment and a camera to produce the club newsletter, and fund a series of bus trips for members.
· Mirboo North Bowling Club will receive $50,000 to help upgrade the kitchen facilities at the club.
· Castlemaine RSL Sub-branch will receive $11,641 to help upgrade the clubrooms with new floor coverings and curtains and install hand basins and automatic taps.
· Coburg War Widows and Widowed Mothers’ Association will receive $1910 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· Meeniyan Bowling Club will receive $17,432 to help purchase a dishwasher and install a shade area.
· The Victorian Division of the Australian Water Transport Association, Australian Imperial Force, will receive $1361 to help purchase a computer and printer to produce the association newsletter.
· Croydon Legacy Widows’ Club will receive $6746 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· Korumburra RSL Sub-branch will receive $15,800 to help replace the clubroom roof.
· Woodend RSL Sub-branch will receive $23,204 to help upgrade the kitchen facilities at the club.
· Bentleigh RSL Sub-branch will receive $15,043 to help purchase four computers, internet connection and a printer to establish an internet café for members.
· Leongatha RSL Sub-branch will receive $8010 to help purchase library shelves to expand lifestyle activities for members.
· The Mildura and District Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Social and Welfare Club will receive $3630 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· Fish Creek Bowls Club will receive $40,000 to help purchase and install a synthetic bowling green.
· Wedderburn-Korong Vale RSL Sub-branch will receive $36,982 to help upgrade the clubroom, install disabled access, repair roofing and flooring.
· Poppet Head Day Club will receive $3179 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· Mirboo North RSL Sub-branch will receive $20,482 to help upgrade kitchen facilities and install an air conditioning system.
· Rokewood and District RSL Sub-branch will receive $21,970 to help replace the roof of the clubrooms and purchase portable amenities.
· Epping RSL Sub-branch will receive $2101 to help purchase a computer, printer and camera to produce the sub-branch newsletter.
Veteran and Community Grants West Australian recipients—$20,414
Benefiting some 1000 veterans
· The West Australian Division of the Australian Flying Corp and Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive $7808 to help purchase a wood lathe for the association’s Cambrai Village Hobby Workshop.
· Kwinana RSL Sub-branch will receive $2417 to help purchase tables and chairs for the sub-branch.
· The Australian Ex-Services Atomic Survivors Association will receive $3740 to help purchase a computer and printer to produce the association’s newsletter.
· The City of Rockingham RSL Sub-branch will receive $6449 to help purchase and install a dishwasher at the sub-branch.
Veteran and Community Grants South Australian recipients—$227,493 Benefiting more than 6700 veterans
· The South Australian RSL Branch will receive $8993 to help purchase a computer, projector and projection screen for presentations at the club.
· The Legacy Club of Adelaide will receive $52,800 to help fund a series of bus trips for Legacy clubs throughout South Australia to help reduce social isolation for older members.
· The South Australian Branch of the Royal Australian Regiment Association will receive $36,891 to help upgrade the kitchen facilities at the association including electrical work, plumbing and purchase of whitegoods.
· The South Australian Division of the Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive $12,686 to help purchase kitchen appliances, crockery and audio visual equipment for the Combined Mess at the Drill Hall at Torrens Parade Ground.
· Edithburgh RSL and Bowling Club will receive $42,939 to help upgrade the kitchen facilities and replace floor coverings at the clubhouse.
· Brighton RSL Sub-branch will receive $5005 to help purchase folding tables for the sub-branch meals program.
· The South Australian Mounted Rifles Association will receive $6103 to help update the audio visual system for the Association’s social and healthy lifestyle activities.
· The South Australian Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Federation will receive $8934 to provide a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· Willunga and District RSL Sub-branch will receive $26,369 to help upgrade outdoor facilities at the club including installing a pergola, barbeque and better access to disabled amenities.
· Two Wells RSL Sub-branch will receive $9898 to help purchase kitchen appliances and an entertainment system for the sub-branch.
· Barker Day Club will receive $3070 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· Tailem Bend RSL Sub-branch will receive $6149 to help purchase a projector, projection screen and public address system for use at sub-branch functions.
· The RSL and Combined Services Club will receive $7656 to help repair the kitchen ceiling and replace carpet at the Jamestown RSL.
Veteran and Community Grants Queensland recipients—$101,479
Benefiting more than 8300 veterans
· Hervey Bay RSL Sub-branch will receive $4112 to help purchase a photocopier to produce the sub-branch newsletter.
· Toowoomba RSL Sub-branch will receive $13,920 to help fund an activity co-ordinator to implement new activities for members; and $9248 to purchase a digital photocopier to produce the sub-branch newsletter.
· Maleny RSL Sub-branch will receive $3540 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· Kawana Waters Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive $2000 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· The Queensland RSL Bowls Association, Downs/Granite Belt Zone, will receive $7733 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
· Caboolture Business Enterprise Centre Association will receive $37,620 to help fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for local veterans.
· The Sunshine Coast Branch of the Naval Association of Australia will receive $2090 to help purchase a photocopier to produce the branch newsletter.
· The Western District RSL Branch will receive $11,009 to help purchase a photocopier to produce the branch newsletter.
· The Sunshine Coast Centre of the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women Association will receive $2144 to help purchase a computer and printer to produce a newsletter.
· The Veterans’ Health and Recreation Club of the Gold Coast will receive $2718 to help hire a bus for a ten-day trip to Rockhampton.
· The Edge Hill Cairns West RSL Sub-branch will receive $3365 to help purchase a public address system for use at sub-branch functions.
· Herbert River Laurel Club will receive $1980 to fund a series of bus trips to help reduce social isolation for members.
Veteran and Community Grants New South Wales recipients—$360,846 Benefiting more than 17,400 veterans
· Toronto RSL Sub-branch will receive $44,778 to help establish a social, welfare and education centre at the sub-branch.
· Laurieton RSL Sub-branch will receive $13,288 to fund a series of bus trips to encourage social interaction amongst members.
· The 53rd Composite AA Regimental Association will receive $6128 to help purchase a computer and audio visual equipment to produce an association magazine and enhance presentations at functions and meetings.
· Cardiff RSL Sub-branch will receive $5828 to help purchase a computer, camera and office desk to produce the sub-branch newsletter.
· The Queanbeyan and Canberra Sub-branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia will receive $1280 to help purchase a computer to produce the association newsletter.
· The Sydney Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Motor Cycle Club will receive $19,194 to help purchase tools and equipment, and receive training in mechanics and occupational health and safety, to enhance club programs.
· Healthy Balance in Revesby will receive $13,829 to help prepare a series of seminars on nutrition and physical activity for local veterans.
· The Legacy Club of Armidale will receive $4628 to help purchase an entertainment system to provide movie screenings for members.
· City of Albury RSL Sub-branch will receive $8800 to help construct an outdoor barbeque area, expanding the sub-branch’s social and healthy lifestyle activities.
· Parkes Men’s Shed will receive $24,554 to help install a rainwater tank and amenities, purchase tools and equipment and fund a series of day trips to other Men’s Sheds in the region.
· The Ryde City and Districts Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia National Council will receive $6575 to help purchase a portable marquee and public address system to enhance sub-branch activities.
· The South West Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia will receive $7425 to help fund a series of bus trips to military museums for members; and $4775 to purchase portable equipment for the sub-branch’s social and healthy lifestyle activities.
· Sussex Inlet Men’s Shed will receive $11,064 to help purchase workshop machinery, tools, computer equipment and a whiteboard.
· Leeton Shire Council will receive $35,075 to help purchase tools and safety equipment to enhance the Leeton Shire Men’s Shed.
· Snowy River RSL Sub-branch will receive $1124 to help purchase a public address system to enhance sub-branch activities.
· South Grafton RSL Sub-branch will receive $4524 to help purchase a computer and printer to produce a monthly newsletter.
· Deniliquin Men’s Shed will receive $8974 to help purchase workshop machinery and tools to enhance the Shed’s activities.
· The HMAS Shoalhaven Association will receive $2493 to help purchase a computer and printer to produce the association newsletter.
· The Macular Degeneration Foundation will receive $41,008 to help enhance information sessions on macular degeneration in the veteran community.
· The Integrated Service People’s Association of Australia will receive $1133 to help purchase a refrigerator, air-conditioner and kettle for the craft room; and $2788 to purchase and install a rainwater tank at the Association’s clubhouse.
· The South Coast Writers’ Centre will receive $19,700 to help fund a series of creative writing workshops for Vietnam veterans and their families.
· The South West Slopes Sub-branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia will receive $4412 to help purchase a computer, printer to produce the sub-branch newsletter, and a public address system for use at functions.
· Lake Cargelligo and District Men’s Shed will receive $17,963 to help purchase tools and equipment to expand the Men’s Shed program.
· Malua Bay Bowling and Recreation Club will receive $10,916 to help purchase a bain marie and coffee machine to support the club’s health and well-being activities for members.
· The NSW Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia will receive $10,500 to help purchase sound equipment to enhance activities in the veteran community.
· Sydney Legacy, on behalf of Blue Mountains Legacy, will receive $28,090 to help purchase and install a new kitchen, appliances and entertainment system to enhance lifestyle activities for the local veteran community.
SUBJECT LOST SOUL - LEE HORTON
If you are able to assist with the following request please contact
Kev Connolly at email address: casey@skymesh.com.au
Would you or any of your contacts know the whereabouts of R.L.Horton (Lee Horton) who joined in '61 as a JR, was a UC. Old mates are trying to catch up, any info would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Kev Connolly.
Weekly News 24 May 2009
G'day All,
Had a great time in Canberra for the Rugby Interservice. Unfortunately Army belted us on Wednesday. There was a reunion for the 1969 Dempster Cup between DDG's and ALBATROSS (Butch Cousins and I attended as spectators) on the Tuesday night and a further reunion for all past Dempster Cup players on Wednesday (Schubes, Butch and myself). Both reunions were well attended, sidesteps and swerves werent the only topic.
A further reminder about our function at the Rockers on Friday 19th at 1200. Also a note for your diary on Vietnam Veterans Day.
Hope you have a good week.
cheers
Ron
SUBJECT Vietnam Veterans’ Day - Tuesday 18th August 2009
SUBJECT DVA NEWS
May 2009
Welcome to the latest issue of e-News, keeping you up-to-date with news from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
In this issue:
2009-10 Budget Measures for veteran community
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Review – submissions open
Increased funding for mental health support in-service and post-service
Australians far and wide join together to mark Anzac Day
Top scientist appointed to Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study
Low cost internet connection fees
DVA graduate program
Victorian Story Writing and Art Competition – entries now open
Upcoming events and anniversaries
New publications
Media releases
Budget Measures for veteran community
The 2009-10 Federal Budget has been handed down, containing several measures impacting on the veteran community. This includes implementing the Government’s response to the Harmer review on pensions, funding for the Government’s response to the Dunt report and a new Interpretive Trail on the Western Front.
MIlitary Rehabilitation and Compensation Review – submissions open
A review of military rehabilitation and compensation arrangements is currently taking submissions. The Review will examine the operation to date of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA); the legislative schemes that govern military compensation prior to the MRCA and identify any anomalies that exist; the level of medical and financial care provided to Defence personnel injured during peacetime service; consider the suitability of access to military compensation schemes for members of the Australian Federal Police who have been deployed overseas; and consider the implications of an ADF compassionate payment scheme for non-dependents.
More information is available on the review website.
Increased funding for mental health support in-service and post-service
In responding to the Independent Study into Suicide in the Ex-Service Community, and the Review of Mental Health Care in the ADF and Transition through Discharge, the Government announced an additional $93 million over four years to deliver stronger mental health programs targeting the veteran community and reform mental health support in the ADF.
For more information on the Suicide study visit the DVA website. For more information on the ADF and Transition report visit the Defence website.
Australians far and wide join together to mark Anzac Day
As Anzac Day was observed all over the country on 25 April, Australians overseas also made a special effort to commemorate this important day. Despite the financial crisis more than 7500 people attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Gallipoli and 3000 attended the Western Front Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux along with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin.
Minister Griffin also announced the launch of a new interactive display at the Australian War Memorial in London; the design for the planned cemetery at Fromelles; an agreement between Flanders and the Australian Government to preserve shared war history and $10 million for the Western Front Interpretive Trail.
Top scientist appointed to Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, recently announced the appointment of Independent Scientific Adviser Professor Brian Rodgers to advise on the Australia’s first study into the long term effects of war service.
More information on Professor Rodgers or the Vietnam Veterans Family Study is available on the Family Study website.
Low cost internet connection fees
Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD) Australia together with internet provider ISPOnet have negotiated a partnership to provide aged, veterans and people with disabilities throughout Australia with access to a low cost Internet service.
This enables people who possess a Disability Service Pension, Aged Pension or DVA Entitlement Card to go online at a reduced cost of $6.60 per month. More information is available on the DVA website.
DVA graduate program
Applications for the 2010 Department of Veterans’ Affairs Graduate program are now open. Applicants are accepted from most academic disciplines. DVA graduates reflect a range of backgrounds, study areas, qualifications, ages, work and life experiences and come from across Australia.
Applications close Sunday, 24 May 2009. More information on how to become a DVA graduate is available on the DVA website
Victorian Story Writing and Art Competition – entries now open
An opportunity for veterans to get together to share stories of mateship whilst expressing their creativity, the 2009 Story Writing and Art Competition is open to Victorian veterans.
The competition combines story writing, art, craft and photography. This year there’s a special writing category commemorating the various roles undertaken by women during wartime entitled ‘Women and War’.
Entries close on 31 July. For more information visit the DVA website, e-mail Swac@dva.gov.au or telephone 1300 132 515.
upcoming events and anniversaries
26 May – Attack on Fire Support Base Coral (Vietnam)
30-31 May – Japanese submarines invade Sydney Harbour
6 June – Battle of Binh Ba
New publications
Beyond the Call – A book of stories from veterans and their families about their personal mental health journey. Launched recently by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin, the book will assist health professionals and the veteran community to better understand the impact of mental health. For a free copy email at-ease@dva.gov.au or call 1800 026 185.
Men’s Health Peer Education magazine - March 2009 – The latest edition of the Men’s Heath Peer Education program magazine is now available for download on the DVA website
Media Releases
Bursaries awarded to ten Victorian tertiary students (VA039 PDF 69Kb)
New commemorative projects unveiled at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital (VA038 PDF 66Kb)
Joint media release - HMAS Sydney II declared a national memorial (PDF 40Kb)
Tribute to animals in war unveiled at War Memorial (VA037 PDF 61Kb)
New Deputy Head of Department of Veterans' Affairs appointed (PDF63Kb)
Australian War Memorial Council reappointments (VA034 PDF 68Kb)
Veterans' Affairs Pensioners benefit in Rudd Government Budget (PDF 42Kb)
Easier claim process being trialled (PDF 33Kb)
$9.4 million to implement Suicide Study recommendations (PDF 62Kb)
Joint release - Release of the Dunt Report into 'Mental health care in the ADF and transition through discharge' (PDF 33Kb)
Joint media release - Medallions for Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels (PDF 51Kb)
Weekly News 17 May 09
G'day All,
Am in Canberra for the Rugby Interservice. Navy beat RAAF yesterday 28-14, Navy plays Army on Wednesday at 1500 at Vikings Park. Met Schubes there.
Not a lot this week.
Cheers
Ron
Cheap accommodation on the Gold Coast - follow the website
DVA Claims system
SUBJECT CHEAP ACCOMMODATION ON THE GOLD COAST
www.spahs.com.au/
SUBJECT DVA CLAIM PROCESS BEING TRIALLED
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Mailing List
Monday, 11 May 2009
EASIER CLAIM PROCESS BEING TRIALLED
An easier process for veterans and ex-service personnel to claim compensation and benefits is a step closer with a new trial commencing this month, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, said today.
Mr Griffin said a new single claim process will make accessing compensation more straightforward for those veterans and ex-service personnel who may have entitlements under more than one Act administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
“Depending on their service, veterans and ex-service personnel may be entitled to benefits under three different Acts – the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004,” Mr Griffin said.
“To date, veterans wanting to claim under more than one Act needed to submit a separate claim form for each Act.
“The new process being trialled will see veterans lodge one single claim form for compensation and benefits available under any of these three Acts, cutting down the unnecessary paperwork for veterans.”
Mr Griffin said understanding which legislation relates to their claims can be confusing for veterans and ex-service personnel.
“The introduction of a single claim form will help reduce this confusion and is an important step forward in improving the overall claim process for veterans,” he said.
The new process will be trialled over the next two months in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, working with specific veteran advocacy centres located in these states.
“My Department is working closely with ex-service organisations and members of the veteran community to ensure the new process is effective in helping veterans access their rightful entitlements and easing the claims process. If successful, the single claim process will be expanded as soon as possible,” Mr Griffin said.
This trial complements other initiatives designed to improve the transition for members leaving service, particularly those who have to deal with multiple agencies.
Media inquiries: Sasha Nimmo 0437 863 109
Weekly News 10 May 09
G'day All,
Happy Mothers Day to all your wifes/partners. Hope you all have had a good day.
The website indicates our next major reunion is to be held in Mildura in October/November 2010 (three months after the all JR Reunion in Fremantle). We are currently in the process of rethinking and rescheduling this reunion. Please watch this space.
We will be having our next function in Sydney at the Rockers on Friday 19 June at 1200. The Victorian group of our mob will be meeting at Young and Jacksons on Wednesday 9 September at 1200. All those who wish to attend the functions in Sydney or Melbourne could you please let me or Russ know respectively at least a week prior to the event. A copy of the minutes of the most recent meeting from Young and Jacksons are:
Victorian Resident Ex HMAS Leeuwin 1963 JR’s Get together
On Wednesday 18 March 2009
Four of the 1963 HMAS Leewin Ex JR’s and three partners had a brief meeting and lunch at Young and Jacksons.
Those who managed to make it were:-
David Lowe & Linda
John Grenfell & Carol
Karl Slotboom
Russel Dale & Joy
Apologies from:
Norm Friebe
John Gray
Hector Hart
Max Borthwick
Though numbers were down, Norm and Hector had planned to attend but had to pull out at the last minute.
The meeting and lunch together was a good opportunity to catch up with old ship mates and their partners, to spin waries, show photos, share contact details, etc.
Dave Lowe (A RSL Welfare Officer now at Chelsea RSL) gave us a brief message on applying for entitlements while you’re fit enough to do so as you could be missing out on entitlements and it is a lot harder on your Widow and those assisting her to unnecessarily start from scratch.
If you think you might have an entitlement and you don’t know where to start Dave would be pleased to take your call.
Our next meeting will be a lunch at Young and Jacksons Hotel, at 1200 noon on Wednesday 9th September 2009.
Russel Dale
0428559001
Email; russdale@bigpond.net.au
205/86 Church St
Grovedale 3216
This week
Bob Moule - passing over the bar
HMAS MELBOURNE reunion
GST exemption for motor cars / parts from disabled veterans
cheers
Ron
SUBJECT BOB MOULE
It is with sadness that I advise the passing of Lieutenant Commander Robert (Bob) M. Moule - 42003. He went to Vietnam on Hobart (March to September 1967) and Torrens (February to March 1972). Bob was in the first intake of apprentices to attend HMAS Nirimba.
Bob suddenly passed away peacefully at home at Kuranda Qld this morning.
He is survived by his wife Kaye and his two daughters.
Funeral arrangements are to be advised.
>
>
SUBJECT H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE Reunion
>
> The H.M.A.S. Melbourne Association is contemplating a reunion in 2010. Nowra
> N.S.W. will most probably be the location, during a weekend in September or
> October next year. We are looking for expressions of interest from anyone
> who served or had an association with any H.M.A.S. Melbourne.
> If you, or anyone you know that may be interested, please contact me at
> sicambre@optusnet.com.au or Dean Gedling c/o H.M.A.S. Melbourne
> Association, P.O. Box 4011 Bradbury. N.S.W. 2560
> Dean Gedling
> Vice President
> H.M.A.S. Melbourne Association
>
SUBJECT GST ON MOTOR VEHICLES/PARTS for Disabled Veterans
Passed on by the 'Info Post'.
GST exemption for motor cars / parts from disabled veterans
I have had several enquiries recently regarding GST exemption for motor cars / parts from disabled veterans.
Some have complained that the form is not readily available on the DVA website. The reason give for this by DVA is that it is not one of their forms but it is a form generated by the Australian Tax Office.
The form can be found on the ATO website.
For convenience, the form is attached to this email.
Please give this email wide distribution.
Ray Payne OAM
Veteranweb Network
Weekly News 3 May 09
G'day all,
Greg Henderson-Smith has been in contact. He has been pretty crook the last couple of years but is anticipating better times ahead. Kev Uttely has forwarded some photos of LEEUWIN plus early trips up top and a photo of his Dad with a LEEUWIN tally band when he served there in WW2. Does anybody know where Dick Evans is and there is a little known fact reproduced just for your info. The Gawnes are house sitting in Bowral for a few months, they sent the following email
cheers
Ron
Hi All,
I have got my laptop up and working at last, I dont have a lot of service out here at High Range, Mittaqgong, but at least I can send/recieve emails now.
We are doing a few house sit over the next few months, mostly on the Southern Highlands of NSW. Our house sit at the moment is at High Range, about 20 klms from Mittagong on the Wombeyan Caves road. The house was built in 1830. It is on 2 acres of land and we have two Alpaccas and the garden to look after. The climate is a bit of a shock, coming from Hervey bay at 28 deg to Mittagong with a top of 6 deg yesterday and 8 deg today is a wee bit hard to handle, but the wood stove that I have to cook on warms up the kitchen and dining room, they have oil filled heaters in some of the other rooms, no electric blankets, but all is good. I had to bring my own axe with me to chop the wood. It's like going back 50 years in time, being back on the farm where I grew up, I declared that I would never have to live like that again and here I am doing the same things that my mum did, like cleaning the ashes out of the stove before you light it, making sure that there is wood chopped and dry, and kindling in for the morning to light the stove.
Other than the house being extremely dusty, I dont think that it has been dusted since it was built, it is very peaceful, no close neighbours, except for a few cows, we have friends from Shepparton here at the moment, so have heaps of catching up to do. These friends met us in Paris 2 years ago and spent a month in Spain with us, so we have a lot to talk about.
The landline number here is 0248 785383, we will be here till June 11th, then we go into Bowral for 3 weeks. .talk to you soon,
cheers,
Rob
SUBJECT DICK EVANS
If you are able to help locate Dick please contact
Cliff Timmins at email address: joy@iig.com.au
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Can you please help me find an old school & scout mate. His name is
Richard (Dick )Gordon Evans R57450.
I last saw Dick (Vendetta ) two days before the Vendetta & Voyager left for its last last trip up to the far east in 1963.
I have heard that Dick did 2 trips on the Hobart to Vietnam. He was then was on the Sydney to Vietnam. Through the grape vine I heard that he went to Marybough to pick up one of the first patrol boats & from there and then nothing.
Warm regards
Cliff Timmins - R58187 A little known fact...
The first testicular guard was used in cricket in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974.
It took 100 years for men to realize that the brain is also important
Weekly News 26 April 2009
G'day All,
Hope you all had a memorable ANZAC Day. I spent mine in Atherton. There are some of our members up on the Tablelands but I havent seen any yet.
Tug Wilson would like any of his mates to contact him. His email address is:
james_wilson1@optusnet.com.au I
There have been a few photos from last weekends dedication inserted in the 'dedications' page on the website. Additionally a further poem has been inserted.
I am off to Karumba which is in the Gulf Of Carpentaria for a week's fishing with my brothers, so will be off the air during that time.
cheers
Ron
This week we have:
VETERAN'S AFFAIRS INFORMATION KIT
HMAS HOBART REUNION
RAN BATTLE CLASS SOCIAL CLUB
ANNUAL REUNION ‘COOLANGATTA 2009'
MILITARY COMPENSATION
NEW WEBSITE
SUBJECT VETERAN'S AFFAIRS INFORMATION KIT
Veteran's Affairs Information Kit, from Alan Griffin's electorate office...
for those interested
www.griffinmp.com/documents/Veterans_Affairs_KitMarch09.pdf
SUBJECT HOBART REUNION
A NATIONAL REUNION OF
HMAS HOBART
Members will be held in Bundaberg
14th - 18th OCTOBER 2009.
ALL WELCOME.
For further details and registration,
contact Dick Harrison on (07) 4159 4515
or send an e-mail to: dick.coralcoast@bigpond.com
SUBJECT RAN BATTLE CLASS SOCIAL CLUB
RAN BATTLE CLASS SOCIAL CLUB
ANNUAL REUNION ‘COOLANGATTA 2009'
An open invitation to all ex sailors
REGISTRATION: $50.00 PER PERSON - includes dinner Saturday night
VENUE: GREENMOUNT BEACH RESORT - Eden Avenue, Coolangatta Qld 4225
DATES: 10TH TO 13TH SEPTEMBER 2009
Send to Geoff (Wiggy) Bennett - 7 Viola Crescent, Highett Vic 3190
Tel/Fax: 03 9532 3672 Email: benhun@bigpond.net.au
SUBJECT MILITARY COMPENSATION REVIEW
www.dva.gov.au/pensions/milcompreview/
Military compensation review
Veterans' Affairs Minister Alan Griffin said the review aimed to ensure appropriate support was delivered to Australia's veterans and ex-service personnel.
"This review is a significant step towards addressing long-standing issues with military compensation, including disparities and perceived inequities between systems and difficulties encountered by those transitioning out of the services or making claims," Mr Griffin said.
"We have already moved to address some of these issues, but this review is critical in identifying solutions for wider problems."
Mr Griffin said the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 - intended to incorporate the best elements of the two earlier systems - had not been examined since its creation.
The review will: consider legislative and policy issues identified by stakeholders, including the level of benefits payable for death and serious injury; examine past performance and report on factors impacting performance; recommend legislative and policy changes to the MRCA and improvements to claims administration and service delivery; and examine the level of medical and financial care for peacetime injuries.
"The review will make recommendations around any legislative and administrative changes that may be needed," Mr Griffin said. "We want to make sure that the arrangements we have for rehabilitation, compensation and support are appropriate for the nature of modern service."
Details of the review's terms of reference are available here.
SUBJECT NEW WEB SITE
Dear friends and veterans/ ex servicemen/women,
I have constructed a new website relating exclusively to Australian Military information.I must admit I have included a paper on pharmaceuticals by Sheldon Maher, a subject I feel very strongly about.
I have tried to assemble papers on the problems we face. Hopefully this will enable all to understand the arguments put up by various individuals and ESOs and provide a proper understanding for individuals who may wish to make individual submissions. Of course these mainly differ from the Governments. My name appears as the author of the papers, but plainly this is not so. This is a thing in the programme that I cannot eliminate. I will work to nominate the real author as I have done for Sheldon's document. I have tried to keep the site simple with the able assistance of my son.
I hope you like it, and if you do you might consider this letter on to your contacts. I would ask that ESOs consider passing it on to any affiliated associations, if you feel the site is of use.I hope the former National Servicemen in my addressees will also pass this letter on to your 'Regular' contacts.
I have not finished uploading documents, this being a continuing process for a while. The URL is given below:
www.militarysuperannuation.for-our.info
Warm regards, and hope you are enjoying a pleasant Easter break,
John Graham
Weekly News 19 April 2009
G'day All,
We had the dedication ceremony today for Mumbles and Gary Devlin. All Gary's living relations bar one who is in the States attended the ceremony. Mike Hogan and Phil Narramore spoke on his behalf, with Phil donating the money to pay for the dedication plaque. Mumbles wife Gail and daughter Jakelin were in Queensland representing NSW in Dragon Boating. Gail has indicated she intends to visit the Chapel. Magoo spoke on behalf of Mumbles and paid for the dedication plaque. The three speakers did themselves proud.
A mistake on the service programme indicated Gary died in 1986 aged 77. Mike Hogan was looking for him under the pews. Julie, his wife reckons he is still around and arranged the typo.
Apologies were given for Schubes who is in the Middle East working and Derby Munroe who was a shipmate of both Gary and Mumbles.
Besides Mike, Phil and Magoo, other 63er's who attended were Brissles Lassau, Spook Cairns, Mick Gallagher and myself. Mick as you know has recently had a hip replacement. He is recovering rapidly, is no longer using crutches but is using a cane. Photos of the event will be included in the Dedications page of the website when Mick and Mike forward their photos.
SUBJECT TWITCH HAWKINS
Kev Uttley sent the following email containing the attached photo
Hi Ron --- we were represented at Twitch's funeral -- see attached photo -- yours truly plus Ken (Smoo) Smith, ex PO Bill Pearce (Derwent and Brisbane) and Bill? Crouch --- photo taken at Gaythorne RSL where the family had a wake -- the old Padre did an excellent job, told us all a few stories about Twitch we didn't know and what a great bloke he was even more than we already knew -- Ken Smith also did a great job as main speaker and also filled us in on a few good yarns -- Twitch would have been pretty happy with the event and no doubt would have enjoyed the few beers with us at the RSL afterwards if he hadn't been booked prior to catch up with a few others in Heavens Ex Sailors Mess. --- kev
SUBJECT TANK EVANS TRAVELLING THE GREAT SOUTH LAND
Tank Evans has forwarded the following email on his travels:
G'day Folks,
Well Phyllis and I are on another journey exploring our great country. We have been on the road for over 3 weeks already and have so far only travelled in so called civilised and populated areas. Still, we have had an interesting and enjoyable time. Although it's disappointing that Phyllis is not so keen at caravaning as I am. She does of course enjoy the happy hour(s) involved later in the day. Myself, I am overdosing on caffiene via Pepsi Max, have to look after the figure of course. I feel left out sometimes now being a non drinker for over 2 years (sob). Buy I still seem to loud and crude without the grog still.
We left Bellmere and headed inland down towards Echuca on the Murray via Goondiwinda and to stay at Dubbo with Dolly and Lil Gray and forgot they were in F 1 J 1 on holidays. We do however hope to meet up with them on our trip along the way at somewhere yet to be determined. So got to Echuca earlier and met up with an ex sparker Kerry Heffernan and his wife Margaret. They shot my diet to bits with great food and company.
Then went down to Melbourne for a few days to catch up with Family, Our son and wife, Hywel and Nadine and visited Aunties and cousins who also destroyed my diet which is only temporary whilst on this trip by the look of things. We had not been to Melbourne for over 17 years so a lot of changes especially in the road system. It was fantastic to catch up with the families again.
We then returned to Echuca and met up with our travelling partners for the next 3-4 months Derek and Marilyn Whyte, whom I joined up with in '63. They are great company and have a sense of humour to match the best. They then took us on to Robinvale on the Murray where they grew up and met some of the family who were marvellous and very friendly to us. They also showed us around the area and also visited a vineyard and saw the workings of picking and packing the grapes and they gave us a box of red crimson seedless grapes to go away with. We ate and shared them before we crossed the fruit fly borders too.
From there went to Mildura for a couple of days once again only a couple of metres away from the banks of the Murray at the 'van park. Beautiful area and we had a nice relaxing time during the days and an invigorating time during happy hour ( or sundowners).
From there we stayed at Wellington and Normanville prior to arriving at Moana Beach about 40 kms south of Adelaide to stay 6 days over the Easter period. Here we met up with Bob Stupple and his wife Pat.Derek will have his vehicle serviced and get new tyres here and I hope to get the 'van rear vision camera fixed and the indicators on the van have also been disrupted by lack of LED lights.
We move on then to visit the Fleurieu Peninsular and then head up north to Woomera and Roxby downs before travelling the Oodnadatta track and on to Ayers Rock. This of course will be the subject of my next travelogue.
We trust everybody is in good health and would love to hear from any of you.
Best regards
Gareth (Tank) and Phyllis
PS Annette & Peter got your travelogue this morning from UK Keep enjoying yourself and love to Alicia and wish her a Happy 30th
(this has been copied to the web site in the 'travel stories'.
SUBJECT JIM BUSH'S PHOTOS - NOSTALAGIA
Jim Bush forwarded the following email
Hi Rugby
I was going through some old photos and came across 2 photos that were taken on the Vung Tau Ferry ( Sydney) during one of my trips to Vietnam. I can’t remember which trip it was but it would have been between 1965 – 1966 or 1969 – 1970.
They were taken on the F’Castle of Sydney whilst anchored in Vung Tau when a couple of the local dancing girls were brought onboard to put on a show for the troops. The first photo shows the girls doing a traditional dance in traditional dress and the second photo shows the girls doing a Go-Go dance in western sixties dress.
I thought I would share these with you and you may wish to put them on the web site for others to reminisce.
Cheers
Jim
The photos have been inserted in 'photos' on the website. Those were the days.
SUBJECT NAVY POEM
And another poem to go on the same page
Let There Be No Moaning at the Bar
Old sailors sit
And chew the fat
About things that used to be,
Of the things they've seen'
The places they've been,
When they ventured out to sea.
They remembered friends
From long ago,
The times they had back then,
The money they spent,
The beer they drank,
In their days as sailing men.
Their lives are lived
In the days gone by
With the thoughts that forever last.
Of the bell bottom blues,
Round white hats,
And good times in their past.
They recall long nights
With the moon so bright
Far out into the lonely sea.
The thoughts they had
As youthful lads,
When their lives were wild and free.
They know so well
How their hearts would swell
When the flag fluttered proud and free.
The underway pennant
Such a beautiful sight
As they plowed through an angry sea.
They talked of the scran
the chefs would make
And the shrill of the bosuns pipe.
How salt spray would fall
Like sparks from hell
When a storm struck in the night.
They remember old shipmates
Already gone
Who forever hold a spot in their heart,
When sailors were bold,
And friendships would hold,
Until death ripped them apart.
They speak of nights
Spent in bawdy houses
On many foreign shore,
Of the beer they'd down
As gathering around,
Telling jokes with a busty whore.
Their sailing days
Are gone away,
Never again will they cross the brow.
They have no regrets,
They know they are blessed,
For honoring the sacred vow.
Their numbers grow less
With each passing day
As the final muster begins,
There's nothing to lose,
All have paid their dues,
And they'll sail with shipmates again.
I've heard them say
Before getting underway
That there's still some sailing to do,
They'll say with a grin that their ship has come in,
And the Good Lord is commanding the crew.
Have a good week
cheers
Ron
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly News 12 April 09
Graham B Dunn lives down the road from Bills place in Toogoolawah and has been there for Bill during his illness with Mesothelioma and recently the onset of bone cancer
From: Grahame B. Dunn
(Sound on, Please)
Bill served for twenty years in the Royal Australian Navy, and served in Viet Nam.
While in the Navy, Bill came in daily contact with Asbestos. Years later, he was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer. You could say that Bill gave his life for his (our) country, way of life, and freedoms, like so many before him. That makes him a 'Hero', to me.
He wasn’t a ‘Great’ man, but he was a ‘Good’ man who thought more about others and what he could do for them before he thought of himself. Australia would benefit from having more men like him.
“R.I.P.” Bill.
Grahame Dunn
G'day All,
As you can see Twitch was buried this week. I am not aware whether we had any represenatatives at his funeral, however I am aware there were a lot of people thinking of him on the day. Fair seas Mate. I will include the above in our RIP page.
Next Sunday we will be at the dedication for Mumbles and Gary Devlin. Please respond by PM tomorrow if you wish to access GI to attend the service.
This week:
Mick Gallagher's message,
Lost Soul Christopher Coleman
Lost Soul John Rosewarne
New forum for Veterans
Telstra Sucks
SUBJECT MICK GALLAGHER
Aye there.
'Hip Op' Mick is finally back home at my computer after a successful left hip operation at the Mater Hospital at North Sydney/Crows Nest.
It was covered by DVA as they recognized it was a result of worn cartilages/discs in my lower back injury that made me favour one side/leg. Favouring our left leg was always a problem with us gunnery jacks as we marched around with our left foot leading, and of cause taking all those one steps forward to volunteer. Ha!
The worn cartilages/discs in my lower back was caused by all the jarred running in London Runners, ammunitioning, storing ship, hoisting boats etc that we did when our young bodies were still growing up doing a man's labouring job.
For those that can make it, see you at the dedications for Mumbles Aldenhoven and Gary Devlin scheduled for 1400 this coming Sun 19 April 2009. Please Ron know if you intend to attend and require car passes.
For the record my mobile is 0418 112 675, not 0418118675.
Mick Gallagher. 9 Northview Place Mount Colah (near Hornsby),Sydney, NSW 2079
SUBJECT CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN
If you are able to assist with the following please contact
Samantha Cheetham at email address: s_kennedy-smith@hotmail.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hi there,
I found your email address while doing a HMAS Nirimba search looking for an apprentice who went onto the Moresby after passing out from Nirimba in the late 1980's.
Would you know how I would be able to find a particular person?
I am searching for Christopher Coleman MTP Coleman born 1/04/1970,we were very good friends while he was at Nirimba, he and a couple of other apprentices were sponsored out by my parents on weekends.
I lost touch with him once he went to Perth and I would love to make contact with him again or people who new him,I appreciate your time in reading my email even though it has nothing to do with your pending reunion.
Please contact Samantha via this email if you can help or know where I can obtain this very important information.
Many Thanks
Samantha
SUBJECT JOHN ROSEWARNE
If you are able to help with the following please contact
Anthony at email address: Xetw3@aol.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hi,
On behalf of my father, Vince Rush (LRO R52809), I am hoping to locate "John Rosewarne" who joined in 1958. They served on the Vendetta together and Vince is quite keen to catch up if at all possible. If anyone is able to assist it will be greatly appreciated.
Any replies may be sent to Xetw3@aol.com
Cheers
Anthony
SUBJECT NEW FORUM FOR VETERANS
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Mailing List
VA020 Thursday, 9 April 2009
NEW FORUMS FOR VETERANS
A new structure for the veteran and ex-service community to consult on Government operations and decisions affecting them was announced by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today.
A high-level strategic forum will be established to address issues of strategic importance to the ex-service and defence communities including providing advice on policy development and service delivery issues affecting the veteran community.
This forum, the Ex-Service Organisation (ESO) Round Table, will comprise senior leaders of the ESO community and will act as the main forum for dialogue with the Repatriation and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commissions and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In conjunction with the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council (PMAC), this will ensure veterans will continue to have input directly to the Minister and through the Minister, the Prime Minister.
The new ESO Round Table will be supported by four smaller forums that focus on specific policy areas:
· The Operational Working Party – to focus on service delivery performance and issues.
· The National Health, Aged and Community Care Forum – to advise on current and future health and aged care needs of veterans and war widow/ers.
· The Current and Former Members of the ADF Emerging Issues Forum – to provide a mechanism for consultation about issues affecting younger and recently discharged members and their families.
· The National Mental Health Forum – to enable broad consultation on mental health policy and issues, including raising awareness of mental health and the provision of early intervention and treatment programs.
The new structure follows a review of the formal consultative arrangements between the veteran community, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, the Repatriation Commission and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
Each forum will operate with a defined work agenda, formal terms of reference and operational protocols aimed at providing robust outcomes. A representative from the PMAC will be invited to join each forum, ensuring continuity and consistency of advice provided to the Government and DVA.
These forums will be supplemented by State Consultative Forums of ESOs, chaired by the local Deputy Commissioner of DVA.
The Secretary of DVA will soon be writing to ESOs seeking nominations for the forums. Members will be selected from these nominations by the Secretary, or the Deputy Commissioner in the case of the State forums, in consultation with the Minister.
The National Advisory Committee on operations and services of the VVCS will continue to operate as a separate committee. The new Chairperson will be Dr Tony Austin AM. He will be joined by two new members: Professor Malcolm Battersby and Mr Bob Elworthy.
New arrangements should be operational from mid year.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, said the review was conducted to ensure the consultative mechanisms were as focused, effective and efficient as possible.
“During the numerous stakeholder meetings I conducted before setting up the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council, many took the opportunity to highlight problems with the long standing consultative committee arrangements. It was made clear to me that the arrangements warranted review to ensure they met the needs of the veteran community,” Mr Griffin said.
“That review has highlighted the need to refocus the consultative structure. With the PMAC, these forums will provide a firm basis for ongoing consultation with the ex service community, ensuring both strategic and operational level issues are addressed. I am confident the forums will help us to improve services for veterans and the veteran community.“
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109
SUBJECT Telstra sucks
Tell all your family/ friends/ business acquaintances - in fact tell everybody about this!
For all Australian respondents... Telstra Phone book
Hi everyone,
For anyone contemplating using the Sensis directory service number, 1234, DON'T!
Sensis, as you may or may not know, is a subsidiary of Telstra.
The 1234 number is replacing the Telstra 12456 directory assistance number, but this time with outrageous costs attached: 40c to call the number, then 4c A SECOND!
By law, Telstra have to provide a FREE directory assistance number,
because they are still majority owned by the government.
They choose however not to pass this number on to the public..
What's the free number?
1223
USE IT!
Thumbs down to Telstra for finding a way to 'charge', for a service that is supposed to be provided for free.
Of course, feel free to forward this on…
Ben Hardwick
Lawyer
Commercial Litigation Department
Slater & Gordon
GPO Box 4864VV
Melbourne, Vic, 3001
Phone: 03 9602 8684
Facsimile: 03 9602 8640
Weekly News 5 April 09
It is with sadness that I advise of the passing of EMWR Arthur William "Twitch" Hawkins - R94034 from mesothelioma this morning.
Funeral details will be forwarded later.
G'day All,
The message above was received from Bill Krause on 3 April. Another bloody good bloke leaves us. What a loss. I will forward funeral details as they come to hand. The dedications for Mumbles Aldenhoven and Gary Devlin are still scheduled for 1400 on 19 April. Please let the Command Chaplain or me know if you intend to attend. GI Security has to be informed of your name and car registration number.
This week:
MORESBY REUNION
PARRAMATTA Ships Company 71 - were you in this photo? The attachment
cheers
Ron
REFERENCE MORESBY REUNION
A NATIONAL REUNION OF CREWMEMBERS
HMAS Moresby
will be held in Canberra
from
26th - 27th September 2009.
ALL WELCOME.
For further details and registration,
contact
Junior Watt on (02) 66868324 or 0428286405
or send an e-mail to:jakknco@bigpond.net.au
Weekly News 29 March 2009