,Those who would like to hear from Fellow ADG's.
Alan Atherton...........02-66875920
Paul Tuck....................02-49911964
Mick Brodie................ 02-99404340
Paul Pannowitz...........02-49500306
Bushy Bill Trevethan..02-68290177
Trevor Nye...................07 41256279
Mr Ian (Shortie), Lee
I believe Shortie is back home ?
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ANZAC reunion Newcastle 2004
Day 1 Monday 19th,
Arrival and book in at Mayfield R.S.L. sub-branch, drinks in main club that night at own expense.
Day 2 Tuesday 20th,
Left to own resources to re-acquaint the ex-pats with the greater sights of Newcastle ,eg. a quiet beer or three at the Brewery on the harbor foreshore over looking the water .
Day 3 Wednesday 21st,
RAAF Williamtown--- tour of the base (to be confirmed ) ,Fighter World and Bar -B -Q out the back .
Day 4 Thursday 22nd,
Drive to the vineyards for a day amidst the wines.
Day 5 Friday 23rd,
At the moment nothing planned for the daylight hours but dinner and drinks at the Mayfield RSL club at night .
Day 6 Saturday 24th,
Picnic lunch on the harbor foreshore position to be confirmed .
Day 7 Sunday 25th ANZAC day,
Dawn service ,the choice left to the individual (a) Mayfield RSL
(b) Newcastle -Nobby's Beach
(new venue)
Main march in Newcastle starts approx. 9.00am ,finishes 11.ooam , back to Mayfield RSL for the afternoons entertainment.
Generally the day after ANZAC day most head off home but if there any who want to stay a few days longer other points of interest can be suggested .
This is only a proposed itinerary subject to confirmation and if I get the go ahead to start ,I will form a committee and add to or leave as is .
Accommodation is been looked into at Mayfield and I am quite confident that I can arrange affordable rooms if we can get numbers.
Panno.
Footnote; At this stage the above is only a proposal and feedback would be greatly appreciated, I believe we are still waiting on offical the nod from up top but i can see no reason why this should not be forecoming and this allows plenty of time to make arrangements and stash aside the pennies for this great get together.
All correspondence can be sent via myself and i,ll forward on as needed, looking forward to seeing plenty of old faces in 2004.
The Pom and Panno.
Having read the Christmas edition of "The Blue Beret" I feel that I must respond to the scurrilous and malicious words of one "Pommy" Bob Cornwell.
The Pomster has accused me of being, and I cite the article as published in "The Re-Dedication of the Vietnam memorial, Canberra,5th October 2002 ", a mongrel. A mongrel indeed. This is coming from a person who calls himself Pommy and yet he was born in Greta, NSW…….I ask you, casual reader, could these ravings be the work of a sane man? I defend myself by asking you: If I said to you at eleven o'clock on a moonless night while you were driving a car at 160kph backwards over the bridge, "There's the Lake!"…would you look?…Yes, that's right Pommy did!…..unfortunately he looked at the floor of the car for a reason known only to himself.
All I can say is that was a good thing that I was wearing brown corduroy trousers. Braz hasn't lost the tic under his right eye yet and we are careful not to make any sudden sounds in his presence. He now moans, incessantly and won't sleep without a nubile 20 year old blonde, brunette or plaid haired nymph to keep him calm. He was perfectly well before that night.
I also feel that is my duty to rebut the rumours that myself or any of the others mentioned in the offending article snore, fart or scratch the nether regions of their bodies while snuggled up in their aptly named farters.
Actually I can't rebut any of this as the cacophony of sound that came out of that room was of titanic proportions although to be fair to all of our fine upstanding (except Pommy of course)ADG gentlemen, the majority of the noise was coming from the army type that was allowed to bunk in with us…..Pommy did do a lot a fast and furious scratching though! One strange thing is the fact that he called out to God as he finished scratching….. That is an area I think I will avoid.
Aside from these little incidents a great time was had on the weekend and a special thanks to John King for organising the weekend for us and making it the enjoyable experience that it was.
Yours Faithfully
Peter J. Beckwith
peterjb@optusnet.com.au
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Attached is a the first wave, in a series of pictures from Squadron Leader Timmy Hurford, taken at the dedication of his ADG (Rifle), Flight Facility at RAAF Pearce on October 11th and is included for your perusal. To those of the Western Front - Do we look that antiquated? To those to the East of the sandpit - How many can you pick?
More to follow
Regards
Gilli
Caption Reads. The officer commanding 1 Airfield Defence Squadron’s interest in our heritage and involvement of the Association in dedicating his 3 ADG (Rifle), Flight facility at RAAF Pearce on Friday, October 11th was certainly appreciated.
Personal invites and a covering letter brought Perth’s Rolly Brazier, Rob Lyon, Ian Boughton and Peter Bartholomewsz; Mick Bergin, Ray Finn, DJ Gallagher, Stan Hull, Hank Hurkins, Al Lamb, Mick McPhail, Blue McKinnon, Bub Mitchell, Tony Moore, Wiz Nelson, Jimmy Richards, Donald George Washinton Smithers, Pete Wattie, Barry Wanstall and Al Wray to name a few. Blue Hayes from Corrigin and the Bird-dog from the wilds of Australind. Apologies from our National Exec’s Tex and Jim, Terry Gill who was ill, Cowboy Hill, working and Mr Shortie Lee, in Bali-Hi were tended well in advance.
Reunions commenced in the car park and continued until announcer Marty Lawrence bid us welcome and opened proceedings. Father chose to arrive fashionably late. Master of Ceremonies WGCDR Sheldon Kimber, Officer Commanding 1 Airfield Defence Wing, continued the welcome and spoke of the new flight’s role within the Wing and the importance he placed on his reserve squadrons. The official party comprised: Keeper of the ADGie Purse Group Captain Bob Coopes, WGCDR Kimber, SQNLDR Tony O’Leary commanding 1 Airfield Defence Squadron, Mrs Ainslie Bennett and Charles Cugley.
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Author:
Blue Munro
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Date Posted: 08:09:40 12/26/02 Thu
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Researching Presidential Unit Citations awarded to Australians. Note with interest 2 Sqn RAAF vets wearing the "Blue Swimming Pool" (PUC), Could someone kindly either provide a link or post the citation?
Thanks for your request Blue I'll endevour to satisfy your needs as i'm sure i have a copy of it here.
The Pom.
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Subject: Great B-2 shot
Bobbi Garcia who shot a fabulous photo of the B-2 high speed, low
level,shedding condensation when she was flying chase on a recent
mission. Her shot was awarded 1st place in Aviation Week & Space
Technology's Military Category and will appear in the magazine on 23
Dec 02
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VA170 Tuesday 24 December 2002
REMEMBERING OPERATION SOLACE 10 YEARS ON
Australia's commitment to peace operations around the world should be
remembered today, the 10th anniversary of the deployment of Australian
Defence Force members to Somalia for Operation Solace, the Minister for
Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Danna
Vale, said today.
"On 24 December 1992, A Company, 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian
Regiment left Townsville on HMAS Jervis Bay bound for Somalia, as part of
the first Australian battalion group deployed operationally since the
Vietnam War," Minister Vale said.
"Operation Solace, with involvement from all three armed services, saw
Australian forces earn praise for their work in restoring law and order to
troubled areas in Somalia and in bringing humanitarian aid to the Somalian
people.
"The ADF members who served with such distinction should be remembered at a
time when their comrades continue to serve overseas in the cause of peace."
The peace effort in Somalia began in April 1992, when the United Nations
established an operation to monitor a ceasefire in the country's civil war,
while protecting UN personnel and humanitarian efforts. Troops sent to
Somalia included a 30-strong Australian movement control unit deployed in
October 1992.
When the situation deteriorated and famine worsened, the UN Security Council
authorised the creation of a Unified Task Force led by United States forces.
The Australian deployment, code-named Operation Solace, committed troops
from 1RAR, bolstered by members of 2nd/4th Battalion and a range of
supporting units.
"The Royal Australian Navy carried troops and supplies aboard HMAS Jervis
Bay and Tobruk, while the RAAF flew in advance parties and conducted regular
missions to resupply and reinforce the Australian units," Minister Vale
said.
"The 1RAR Battalion Group was deployed in the Baidoa Humanitarian Relief
Sector in south-western Somalia from January to May 1993, patrolling local
townships and escorting food and humanitarian aid convoys.
"In five months of deployment, 1RAR escorted more than 400 convoys,
delivering more than 8000 tonnes of grain to villagers in the region.
"One Australian, Lance Corporal Shannon McAliney of 1RAR, lost his life
after being accidentally shot while on patrol. He is commemorated on the
Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial, alongside more than 102,000
Australian men and women who have paid their ultimate price for their
service to the nation."
Australians received a number of decorations in Somalia, including two
Distinguished Service Crosses, a Distinguished Service Medal, 18
commendations and one US Legion of Merit.
"These Australians served with distinction in Somalia, in keeping with our
modern operational commitment to help bring peace to other nations. It is
fitting that we should remember their service on today's 10th anniversary,"
the Minister said.
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VA165 Friday 13 December 2002
WISHING VETERANS A SAFE AND HEALTHY CHRISTMAS
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, today wished Australia's
veterans and their families the best for Christmas, encouraging all members
of the veteran community to enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season.
"This is a time to celebrate the good things in our lives and for most of us
that means good food and drink with family and friends," Minister Vale said.
"For veterans, as for all members of the community, it is important for them
to enjoy themselves, but not to overdo it. A commonsense attitude to eating
and drinking will make for a more enjoyable Christmas.
"For many veterans who use different medications, it is also important to
make sure that their medicines will mix safely with those Christmas drinks."
Minister Vale said that while Christmas should be a happy time, it could
also be distressing for some people.
"When families are brought together for the holiday period, it's not
uncommon for family tensions to surface. It can also be a difficult and
lonely time for those who have lost a partner, or whose children have grown
up and moved away. Perhaps a friend who may lonely could be asked to share a
Christmas meal or a Christmas drink over the festive season.
"The Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service will continue to offer 24-hour
crisis counselling during Christmas and New Year through its after hours
Veterans Line.
"I encourage those who find the holiday season difficult to make use of the
support available," the Minister said.
VVCS services are available to veterans of all conflicts and their families,
including members of peacekeeping missions.
The VVCS crisis counselling toll free numbers are:
1800 011 046 Qld, ACT, Vic, Tas, SA, NT and WA
1800 043 503 NSW
1800 019 332 North Qld
Department of Veterans' Affairs offices will be closed from Christmas Day,
re-opening on Thursday 2 January 2003. However, Veterans' Affairs Network
offices in State capitals will be open on 30 and 31 December for urgent
inquiries, telephone 133 254.
Defence Service Homes Insurance is contactable throughout the Christmas-New
Year period on the following after hours emergency numbers.
1300 552 662 NSW and ACT
0412 439 587 Vic
1300 552 662 Qld and NT
1800 801 945 Tas, SA and WA
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VA166 Friday 13 December 2002
TURKISH SOLDIER'S REMAINS TO BE RETURNED TO GALLIPOLI
The Federal Government will assist the Turkish Embassy in returning the
remains of a World War I Turkish soldier for burial at Gallipoli, the
Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, announced today.
The skull of the unidentified soldier is to be handed back to the Turkish
people. After being given to police earlier this year an inquiry was held by
the Victorian State Coroner.
After considering forensic and anecdotal evidence, the State Coroner last
month found that the remains were those of a Turkish soldier who met his
death in 1915, during the course of combat between Turkish and Allied Forces
on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
"The Turkish Ambassador has advised of his Government's wish that the
remains be returned to Gallipoli, where they can be buried in a Turkish war
cemetery," Minister Vale said.
"The Australian Government has offered to arrange for the repatriation of
the remains in line with international regulations for the transport of
human remains.
"As part of the Anzac Day services, a wreath will be laid on this Turkish
grave on behalf of the Australian people."
It is not known when the remains were removed from Gallipoli or by whom.
"In the decades since World War I, Australia and Turkey have built a firm
friendship, founded upon the mutual respect developed between the opposing
forces on Gallipoli.
"The remains of the Anzacs buried on the Gallipoli peninsula are treated
with the deepest respect by the Turkish people.
"The Australian Government intends to see that the remains of this Turkish
soldier are accorded the same reverence in being finally returned to Turkish
soil," Minister Vale said.
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