Sick or not,Those who would like to hear from Fellow ADGies.
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
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hi there i dont know if you are aware there has been a re-org re rocks on the net
http://groups.msn.com/RAFRegiment/ raf regiment club on msn
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rafregimentclub/ raf regiment club on yahoo...this club has "ahem" mature rocks
lots of historical photos re raf regiment in black and white
hope this is of interest to you
steve rooney
http://www.raunch-raf-regt.20m.com
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VA105 Monday 19 August
2002
VETERANS' REVIEW SUBMISSIONS CLOSE AT END OF AUGUST
Interested ex-service organisations veterans and members of the public have
until the end of the month to make submissions to the independent committee
reviewing veterans' entitlements.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said the committee chaired
by the Hon John Clarke QC will finish accepting submissions on Friday 30
August.
"The Review of Veterans' Entitlements has received overwhelming support,
with close to 3000 submissions received from the veteran community and other
interested organisations and individuals," Minister Vale said.
"Although the official closing date for submissions passed in April, the
strong interest in the Review prompted a decision by the committee to
continue accepting submissions while it conducted community consultation,
including public meetings around the country.
"The committee is due to present its recommendations by mid-November and
will have to stop taking submissions at the end of the month in order to
turn its attention to finalising its report."
Under its terms of reference, the committee is considering perceived
anomalies in eligibility for access to veterans' benefits and qualifying
service that have been raised by raised by groups including some World War
II veterans, members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan,
Australian participants in British atomic testing in Australia and
Australian service personnel engaged in counter terrorist and special
recovery training.
The committee is also considering the appropriateness of current veteran
disability benefits and the extent to which the medical, social and
vocational rehabilitation needs of compensation recipients are being met.
Information about the Review are available on the Internet at
www.veteransreview.gov.au
Submissions can be sent to:
The Hon John Clarke QC
Committee Chair
Review of Veterans' Entitlements
PO Box 9563
DEAKIN ACT 2600.
The Minister said the Government would consider the committee's
recommendations as part of the process for the 2003 Federal Budget.
VA106 Tuesday 20 August 2002
SALUTING THEIR SERVICE
The Federal Government's new commemorations program - Saluting Their Service
- brought a new focus to the commitment that all Australians have to honour
and remember the sacrifice of the country's veterans, the Minister for
Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said today.
Launching the program at Parliament House in Canberra, Minister Vale said
Australians had shown a renewed commitment to honouring their wartime
heritage.
"We have thankfully left behind the days when it seemed that events such as
Anzac Day had lost their relevance to the community," Minister Vale said.
"Saluting Their Service has recognised this fundamental shift in attitudes
and aims to build strong partnerships with the community to enhance this
growing trend towards the commemoration of the service of our defence forces
in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
"Through Saluting Their Service, the Federal Government aims to assist
schools, teachers and students to better understand and discover the meaning
of our wartime heritage," the Minister said.
The new program will take advantage of technology through innovative
websites and will support high-profile community events to reach new
audiences across the country and around the globe.
Saluting Their Service will continue the Federal Government's Certificates
of Appreciation - including two new certificates honouring those who have
served during the Gulf War and those who have contributed to Australia's
peacekeeping operations.
Minister Vale said the new commemorations program provided opportunities for
groups at all levels of the community to become involved in commemorating
the contribution of local people.
"Saluting Their Service aims to make sure that all Australians, from the
heart of our cities to remote communities, have a focus for the
commemoration of local people and all of those who have served our nation,"
she said.
"For many communities this focus is their local war memorial. While this
Government has been active in supporting the refurbishment of local
memorials, there are many more that need to be preserved.
"Saluting Their Service offers funding to restore and upgrade these
memorials, or to build new memorials where none exists.
"The program also provides grants to support a range of activities, from
preserving and displaying our wartime memorabilia to encouraging younger
generations to interact with veterans and learn more about their
experiences.
"I encourage the community to take advantage of the numerous opportunities
available through Saluting Their Service to remember and honour the
sacrifice of our servicemen and women," the Minister said.
VA107 Tuesday 20 August
2002
LONDON MEMORIAL TO OPEN FOR 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF WWI ARMISTICE
A major new Australian War Memorial in London will be completed in time for
Remembrance Day 2003 commemorations, to mark the 85th anniversary of the end
of World War I, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said today.
The memorial, to be built at Hyde Park Corner, will commemorate the service
and sacrifice of those Australians who served as allies alongside Britain in
two world wars and will become an important focus for future Anzac Day
services in London.
Minister Vale said the opening had been rescheduled from April 2003 in order
to allow a re-tendering of the project arising from unforeseen contractual
difficulties.
"Work already has been undertaken to date by an Australian design team.
While their design has been approved in principle by the London authorities,
the evolutionary nature of the current design and the challenge of
construction in London has led to complex working arrangements and
contractual difficulties in completing the memorial.
"The Office of Australian War Graves has accordingly decided to retender
for the design and construction of the memorial.
"While the design team's concepts cannot be used, the broader scoping work
and discussions with London authorities have provided a solid foundation for
the successful completion of the memorial and the Government would like to
thank the design team for the high quality of their design contributions,"
Minister Vale said.
The Minister said the memorial would still include significant water and
lighting effects, a requirement of the London authorities in approving any
design.
"While the final effect will be a striking representation of our alliance in
times of war, it will also provide a fitting place where people can reflect
on the sacrifice of those Australians and Britons who fought and died in the
defence of the ideals our nations cherish.
"Work is proceeding on the project and the Commonwealth is committed to
delivering a memorial that will be a source of pride to Australians in
Britain as they gather to mark significant commemorative occasions," she
said.
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Friday 16 August 2002
VIETNAM VETERANS DAY - SUNDAY 18 AUGUST
Our Vietnam veterans are encouraged to celebrate their rightful place in
Australia's wartime history on Vietnam Veterans Day, Sunday 18 August.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said Vietnam Veterans Day
was an opportunity for all Australians to pay tribute to those young
Australians who served with distinction in Vietnam, especially the 520
Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"Those Australians who served in Vietnam did so with pride and
professionalism in a very important and challenging time in our social and
military history," Minister Vale said.
"I urge all Australians to turn out on Sunday for services marking Vietnam
Veterans Day, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
"Sunday is a day for all Australians to say to our Vietnam veterans; "Thank
You", and "We Salute You".
"I particularly encourage Vietnam veterans to take this opportunity to
gather in honour of their service and that of their fallen mates."
The Minister said as part of its commitment to commemorating Australia's
service in Vietnam the Federal Government was supporting a major reunion in
October to mark the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Australian
Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra.
"In 1992, thousands of Vietnam veterans assembled in Canberra to attend the
dedication of this memorial. Many others, for a variety of reasons, were
unable to attend," Minister Vale said.
"The Vietnam veteran community is coming together from 5-7 October to
remember that historic occasion, and the Government already has announced
funding of $50,000 towards the costs of the re-dedication service and
associated events.
The anniversary weekend will feature an early morning parade on Saturday 5
October at the Australian War Memorial and a march past down Anzac Parade
followed by the rededication service at the Australian Vietnam Forces
National Memorial.
Other activities planned for the weekend include unit reunions and an
ecumenical church service on Sunday 6 October at the Changi Chapel Duntroon.
More information about the 10th anniversary re-dedication is available from
the VVAA at www.vvaa.org.au
www.vvfagranville.org.au
These photo's from Bob Redway's collection shows many of the Adgies from Phan-Rang involved in a three section sweep of the surrounding area, taking in the town of An Hoa. 1969
