,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
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VA144 Tuesday 12 November 2002
REPATRIATION DEPUTY PRESIDENT, WAR GRAVES DIRECTOR REAPPOINTED
The Federal Government has reappointed the Deputy President of the
Repatriation Commission, Ian Campbell, and the Director of the Office of
Australian War Graves, Air Vice Marshal Gary Beck AO (Ret'd) for a further
term, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, announced today.
Minister Vale said the new terms for the two senior positions in the
Veterans' Affairs portfolio would run for three years from January 2003.
"Since joining the Repatriation Commission in 1999, Ian Campbell has
demonstrated strong leadership skills and a capacity to manage significant
change in the repatriation system," the Minister said.
"In particular Mr Campbell has overseen the development and introduction of
major initiatives in the delivery of coordinated and holistic health care
services to the veteran community, including the establishment of the
Veterans' Home Care program.
"Mr Campbell is well-regarded by the veteran community and I look forward to
him continuing his excellent work with the Commission."
The Repatriation Commission is responsible under the Veterans' Entitlements
Act 1986 for the granting of veterans' pensions and other benefits,
providing health care services and advising the Minister on the operation of
the repatriation system. The Commission works in concert with the
Department of Veterans' Affairs, which provides necessary staff to carry out
the Commission's functions.
Minister Vale said Air Vice Marshal Beck would now enter his third term at
the head of the Office of Australian War Graves, which maintains war
cemeteries and individual war graves in Australia and the region, provides
and maintains national memorials overseas and commemorates eligible veterans
whose deaths are related to their war service.
"Since his initial appointment in 1998, Gary Beck has overseen the
completion of an unprecedented number of official overseas memorials, in
response to the increasing public interest in our military history.
"His reappointment will enable him to continue his critical role in the
development of the new Australian War Memorial in London, a major project
which is expected to be completed in time for Remembrance Day 2003, the 85th
anniversary of the end of World War I.
"Both Mr Campbell and Air Vice Marshal Beck have worked tirelessly on behalf
of our veterans and I am delighted that they will continue to serve
Australia's veteran community," Minister Vale said.
Had quite a bit to do with some of you blokes while I was the Bks Plumber with 1OSU Apr 70 - 71, ie Al Wray, who was down from 2 Sqn, a couple no longer with us and a couple I still see, Ken Ewen & Ray Appleford. Wasn't Joe Zammit-Ross
a Bait Layer. If it's the same one I remember, he was at Pearce when I was there in 68-70. He had a brother with 9Sqn, who was a Surface Finisher.
Thanks for your entry in our guest book for 2 Sqn Peter, kinda hope it allows you the opportunity to catch up with a few of your old mates.
The POM.
National Remembrance Day Commemorative Address
Australian War Memorial
Monday 11 November 2002
Today we come together to remember.
We remember those who died in all the wars, all the conflicts and all the
peace operations within the first one hundred years of our nationhood.
For Australians have always kept faith with the memory of our fellows who
have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us.
This Memorial, an institution unique in the world, is a testimony to our
determination to acknowledge the terrible cost our citizens have been
prepared to offer for our freedom, our liberty, our great Australian way of
life.
The 1914 - 18 War was our first test as a nation.
Some 330,000 Australian volunteers set off to foreign fields in Turkey, the
Middle East, France and Belgium, and to serve on the oceans of the world.
Their resolve, and the manner in which the Australians fought, forged a
nation with iron and blood.
These young men and women took their place firmly amongst the great nations
of the world on some of history's oldest battle fields.
They entered Damascus. They entered Jerusalem. They attacked the Dardenelles
and they defended Amiens and Ypres.
But the cost was high. One in five of those Australians - 60,000 - did not
come home.
That war cut down the flower of a generation. It inflicted unparalleled
grief upon tens of thousands of Australian families for two generations.
Those who survived returned with values and attitudes that arguably were the
great force in shaping the development of our nation.
Australia's experience in the Great War defined us a people - a people who,
from henceforth, would set a very high store in the values held aloft by our
forefathers.
Here, values like courage, endurance, sacrifice and mateship, are spoken
softly and with reverence, for words such as these are heavy with meaning
and purpose to the Australian ear.
We emerged from the Great War proud of our role and with growing confidence
in our place in the international family of nations.
The veteran Digger and the Anzac spirit were accorded a place of honour and
delight in each Australian heart and Anzac Day became a treasured national
day.
Australians entered World War II wanting to uphold the deeds of the previous
generation.
Again our young men and women went overseas to serve in Europe, North
Africa, the Middle East, in South East Asia, and in the air and on the high
seas.
1942 and the war came to our doorstep.
For the first time in our brief history, we were fighting for our very own
lives upon our very own shores.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of our darkest hour: the Fall of
Singapore; the bombing of Darwin; the submarine attacks on Sydney and
Newcastle; the sinking of our valiant ships, like the HMAS Sydney, Yarra and
Armidale; the loss of thousands of Australian sailors, soldiers, airmen and
nurses in the prisoner of war camps.
But this year also marks the 60th anniversary of the victorious defence of
Australia, where that generation showed the world they took their lineage
directly from the Anzacs.
The Battle of Milne Bay where the Australians, taking the brunt of the
assault, inflicted the first land defeat against the Japanese.
The Kokoda Track, where the Australians finally halted the Japanese within
sight of the lights of Port Moresby.
The hard-won battles for the beach heads at Buna, Gona and Sanananda, on the
north coast of Papua New Guinea, where the Australians and the Allied forces
faced an entrenched Japanese foe, with no place left to go.
In this 60th anniversary year, major new memorials have been dedicated in
Papua New Guinea to those Australian heroes, at Isurava on the Kokoda Track,
at Milne Bay and at Popondetta.
Like this magnificent building here behind us these new memorials will stand
as timeless sentinels to the courage, endurance, sacrifice and mateship of
those laughing Aussie boys who gave their lives for the rest of us.
As memorials go, they are a significant, tangible commitment to remembrance.
But the true spirit of remembrance is found only in the hearts and minds of
the Australian people.
As we gather here today, this ceremony of remembrance is being reverently
repeated countless times across our wide brown land, in the shrines of our
capital cities and at simple cenotaphs in small country towns.
Nor is this ceremony confined by our shores.
Around the world, Australians will stand today. Alone or alongside friends
and Allies, they will stand and they will pause to remember.
And I have no doubt whatsoever that this day carries deep meaning and
purpose for the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who are
currently serving "over there" in the War on Terror, and we remember them in
our prayers and ask for their safe return home.
Nor could we let this day pass without a special thought for those
peace-loving, happy Australians who were tragically killed or wounded in the
hateful terrorist attack in Bali last month.
Their loss and suffering reminds us all that war does not touch only those
wearing a uniform in the service of our nation.
I know all our fellow Australians will warmly hold them in our hearts and
prayers as we remember all Australia's sons and daughters this Remembrance
Day 2002.
We must never forget.
=====================================
Many thanks to Spider for forwarding these pic's of his course i apologise for not knowing all the details especially the names of these fine ADG's.
The personal collection of
Ah the pain of training, sorts the" Men" from the boys.
Hmm blisters and Meat ants great combination.
Fine body of ADG's the members of 3-2001, congratulations gentlemen on becoming part of a great fellowship.
The Pom.
Hi Pom, how are you going? Would you do me a favour and resend that page of jokes you had a couple of weeks ago about the warnings on alcohol bottles. I meant to print it but by the time I got around to it It had gone. Keep up the good work with the webpage, it is something I look forward to every week. Regards, Alan Lamb.
Well sorry Alan,
The old jokepage is deleted as soon as i reload a new page so i cannot help with that one maybe some other kind soul copyied it and might forward such to you.
The Pom.
VA141 Friday 8 November 2002
A MINUTE'S SILENCE TO REMEMBER THE FALLEN
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, today urged all Australians
to observe one minute's silence at 11am on Monday 11 November, to remember
and honour those who have given their lives in the defence of Australia.
Minister Vale said Remembrance Day in 2002 was particularly an opportunity
to remember the sacrifice of the Australian servicemen and women who lost
their lives in 1942, the first year of the war in the Pacific during World
War II.
"This is the 60th anniversary of some of the greatest set-backs of our
wartime history, including the Fall of Singapore, air raids and submarine
attacks on our own shores, the sinking of Australian warships including HMAS
Perth, Yarra, Vampire, Canberra, Voyager and Armidale and the loss of
thousands of Australians to the ordeal of the prisoner of war camps.
"We also mark some of our hardest fought and most significant victories in
the defence of Australia - the Battles of the Coral Sea and Bismarck Sea,
the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, the Battle of Milne Bay and the fierce
fighting for the Japanese beachheads at Buna, Gona and Sanananda.
"This year we have dedicated major new memorials in Papua New Guinea to mark
the 60th anniversary of these battles, important reminders of the courage
and dedication of those who served there.
"Nevertheless, the true spirit of remembrance is found only in the hearts
and minds of the people, and I hope that all Australians will take the
opportunity on Remembrance Day to pause and honour the sacrifice of our
servicemen and women in all wars, conflicts and peace operations," the
Minister said.
Minister Vale said while Remembrance Day was a time to think of those who
had given their lives in past wars and conflicts, she expected the thoughts
of many Australians also would be very much on the present.
"I am sure that many minds will be turned to those who were killed or
wounded in the terrorist attack in Bali last month.
"I would ask that Australians also give some thought to the members of the
Australian Defence Force who will mark this Remembrance Day in foreign
lands, serving in the War on Terror," she said.
Minister Vale will deliver the commemorative address at the National
Remembrance Day service at the Australian War Memorial on 11 November.
=====================================
VA140 Wednesday 6 November 2002
NOMINAL ROLL AN ENDURING TRIBUTE TO WWII VETERANS
An innovative website commemorating the service of Australians in World War
II was launched today by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister
Assisting the Minister for Defence, Danna Vale.
Minister Vale said the World War II Nominal Roll would make available to
people all over the world information about almost one million men and women
who served in Australia's armed forces and merchant navy from 1939-45.
"The nominal roll draws on the service records of Australians who enlisted
during the war to provide a valuable snapshot of our country's wartime
history during this period," Minister Vale said.
"The website includes a search engine capable of searching the massive
database by name, service number, honours received, place of birth, place of
enlistment or town/suburb on enlistment."
Minister Vale said the nominal roll would be an important tool for
Australians searching for information on the wartime service of family
members.
"Generations of Australians will now be able to easily access information on
the wartime service of family members during World War II," Minister Vale
said.
"The nominal roll will also be a valuable resource for researchers here and
all over the world who are looking for information on this period of our
military history."
The World War II Nominal Roll is part of the Federal Government's Saluting
Their Service program, which commemorates the service and sacrifice of
Australian veterans from the turn of last century to the members of today's
Australian Defence Force.
"Saluting Their Service aims to ensure that all Australians are aware of and
appropriately acknowledge those who, with distinction and honour, dutifully
stepped up to defend our homeland with their very lives," Minister Vale
said.
"There are a range of initiatives under the program, including support for
community commemorative events, resource materials for the education of
young Australians, and measures to preserve wartime memorabilia.
"In the lead up to Remembrance Day on Monday 11 November, it is especially
important that Australians take a moment to reflect on the courage and the
sacrifices made by generations of their countrymen and women in wars and
conflicts spanning more than a century.
"The Nominal Roll will assist the community to always remember the important
service of Australians at war," she said.
The Nominal Roll launch coincided with the start of the RSL's Poppy Week,
when all Australians are encouraged to purchase and wear a poppy in memory
of Australian servicemen and women who have died in war.
The World War II Nominal Roll can be found at www.ww2roll.gov.au
Artist Robert Boynes reflects on the redesign of the National Air Force Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra. Photo by CPL Darren Hilder, 1JPAU(P)
PORTRAYING a visual history of the Air Force may seem a daunting task for anyone, but a Canberra-based artist has risen to the challenge.
Robert Boynes, one of Australia’s foremost artists and currently Senior Lecturer and Head of Painting at the Australian National University was awarded the artist’s commission for redevelopment of the National Air Force Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra.
The ceremonial parade to dedicate the redeveloped memorial will be held on Friday, November 1.
The Roulettes will give an acrobatic demonstration at 1.30pm. The dedication parade, hosted by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston, will start at 2pm.
The original monument was unveiled in 1973.
It features three large aerofoil shaped stainless steel pillars rising to a height of 3m. The base is the shape of a wing.
The new memorial is divided into three pieces, complementing the original design by Inge King, and is intended to symbolise not only the spirit of the Air Force but also the service to Australia and the sacrifice made by tens of thousands of Air Force men and women since its formation in 1921.
“An attempt to distil the history of the Air Force was a tall order. I wanted to make sure the linear history of the service held together while covering every major theatre of conflict,” Mr Boyne said.
“I saw my role in this project as a facilitator of the history of the Air Force and to document its achievements.”
After extensive research involving thousands of images and assistance from computer technician Peter Jordan, the project was brought to life over a period of 12 months with the design process taking four-and-a-half months to complete.
“I’m pleased with the way the memorial has come together. It relies on varying amounts of light to bring out its different aspects and will keep people coming back to look at it again and again,” Mr Boyne said.
The ceremony and unveiling will be attended by dignitaries including Governor-General Dr Peter Hollingworth and Prime Minister John Howard.
The ceremony will include a flypast of an F/A-18, F-111, Iroquois, Harvard, Winjeel, Sea King, Sea Hawk, DC-3, Neptune, Spitfire, Meteor, Canberra, Vampire, Wirraway and Mustang aircraft.
Although Mr Boynes would love to be part of the flyover, he considers his attendance on the ground just as important.
Other works by the artist are on display at Parliament House Canberra, the Australian War Memorial and major Australian art galleries.