,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
c/- Hollywood Private (Repatriation), Hospital
Monash Avenue
NEDLANDS WA 6009
======================================
Hi Pom
This site is amazing, compared to when I last saw it some years ago. I
congratulate you.
When next you update the above lists could you please include my details:
1 OSU 25.9.1967 - 19.2.1968
9 Sqn 19.2.1968 - 25.9.1968
Cheers
Robert (Bob) Beveridge (5 Course)
A113080
Mate all has been added
The Pom.
IT WAS a double celebration at RAAF Base Pearce recently as No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron marked two events.
The opening of refurbished facilities for the squadron’s No. 3 Rifle Flight also coincided with the 60th anniversary of the formation of the squadron.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston opened the refurbishments.
The facilities will be the new home of the Air Defence Guards in Western Australia.
The opening marked the end of a project which began two years ago and was designed to deliver working accommodation for the 1AFDS Rifle Flights in Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
“The opening of these facilities marks a milestone in the history of 1AFDS,” Commanding Officer Squadron Leader Tony O’Leary said.
About 60 former members of the Air Defence Guards, including World War II veteran Flight Sergeant Charles Cugley (ret’d), were on hand to mark the occasion.
During the formal proceedings, AIRMSHL Houston and Ainslie Bennett, the widow of “the father of the modern day Air Defence Guards” Wing Commander Gordon Bennett, officially opened the Gordon Bennett Conference Room.
The room provides conference and training facilities but is also an appropriate home to historical photographs and memorabilia.
Air Force members will receive a pay increase on December 5 when the first rise under the new ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA) lands in bank accounts.
The pay rise will be backdated to November 7, when the WRA came into effect.
This increase of 3 per cent applies to the salaries of ADF members of Group Captain equivalent and below and to the salary-related allowances of all ADF members.
A second pay rise of 3 per cent under the WRA will be implemented from July 3, 2003.
Martin Kennedy, Assistant Director Industrial Policy with the Directorate of Salary and Allowances, said the WRA would finish on May 6, 2004.
“The last arrangement was for three years, where this one is about 18 months,” he said. “This shorter period allows us to review things more quickly if general strategic circumstances or the wider economic environment change in that time.”
The timing of the WRA has also been brought into closer alignment with the Defence Employees Certified Agreement (DECA), which applies to Defence civilians.
“The two arrangements are similar at a basic level but the systems then branch out and we deal with each group differently,” Mr Kennedy said.
The ADF system allows flexibility during the time of any arrangement and can cater separately for the special nature of ADF service.
The Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) is able to rule on a range of salary-related allowance and pay category reviews in between arrangements.
Under the DECA, all salary and allowance matters must be covered by the agreement.
Mr Kennedy said development work on the WRA began last year, followed by consultation with the ADF and interested bodies, proposals, papers and decisions about policy directions.
“Once we have some firm proposals approved, we can write a consultation draft, which we then present and call for comments,” he said.
Direct consultation took place from the end of August, with more than 4000 people attending presentations around the country.
“During this period we sought the reaction of ADF members and any comments about the nature or thrust of the arrangement,” Mr Kennedy said.
Following this consultation, the case was presented to the DFRT on November 1.
Consultation during the next WRA will be extended, following feedback from ADF members during the drafting of this arrangement.
“Included in the WRA is a public and formal commitment to begin development and initial member consultation no less than six months before the end of this arrangement,” Mr Kennedy said.
“It’s a useful line in the sand for us and should make it easier to prioritise our efforts when we’re trying to get things finalised.
“The development and consultation processes will now occur side by side, so that member input is part of the process from the word go.”
More information is available from the directorate Internet site at www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dsa
Arffa’s view – Page 18.
Hi Pom,
Sorry I haven't written before this but you know how time runs away and besides that I am by nature a lazy bugger, I have changed my email to the following, bpetith@optusnet.com.au. I sort of feel as though I keep in touch by visiting the website each day, I hope everyone is well and your world is treating you the way you would like.
Take care, regards. Barry.
VA149 Embargoed to 0001 hours Saturday 23 November 2002
NEW NETWORK TO SUPPORT WIMMERA VETERANS
Veterans and war widows in the Wimmera now have local access to advice and
information about their entitlements, with the launch of the new Wimmera
Veterans' Support Network.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, officially launched the
network in an address to ex-service and community representatives at the
Horsham RSL.
"This is a joint effort between ex-service organisations, the Federal
Government and 10 Community Enterprise Centres located in the Wimmera, to
deliver more effective services to the region's veterans," Minister Vale
said.
"It means that veterans and war widows throughout Wimmera will have
information and advice about their entitlements within easy reach."
Minister Vale said the network had grown from a cooperative effort between
the Federal Government's Veterans' Affairs Network office at Ballarat and
local ex-service organisations to look at establishing a veteran support
centre in the Wimmera.
The network utilises the existing Community Enterprise Centres to provide
for exservice pension officers to offer advice and advocacy services to
local veterans.
The Wimmera Veterans' Support Network will operate through Community
Enterprise Centres in Horsham, Dimboola, Donald, Edenhope, Hopetoun, Kaniva,
Minyip, Nhill, Rainbow and Warracknabeal.
Veterans and war widows will be able to access information on Veterans'
Affairs entitlements five days a week, or make an appointment for the one
day each week when a pension officer will be available.
"About one-third of veterans and war widows live in regional Australia and
the Federal Government has made it a priority to ensure they have the same
access to services as those living in the city," Minister Vale said.
"This project is a major step in meeting the needs of the Wimmera veteran
community and I am delighted to see it officially open for business."
Media Contact: Rachael Thompson (02) 6277 7820 or 0417 265 289
Editors' Note: The Minister for Veterans' Affairs will officially launch
the Wimmera Veterans' Support Network at 4pm, Saturday 23 November 2002, at
the Horsham RSL, 36 McLaughlan Street, Horsham.
====================================
VA148 Embargoed until 2200 hours Friday 22 November 2002
BEDS DOUBLE IN MORTLAKE AGED CARE HOSTEL
Mortlake veterans will benefit from the opening of an 18-room extension and
fire safety upgrade at Abbeyfield House.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said the Federal Government
had committed $294,000 to assist with the extension and upgrade of the aged
care hostel.
"Abbeyfield House fulfils an important need within the local community,
providing vital aged care services for veterans and other residents,"
Minister Vale said.
"The Government has recognised the importance of the hostel, allocating two
Veteran & Community Grants to help fund this extension and upgrade."
"The extension provides 15 new low care places, effectively doubling the
numbers of places available to older members of the community.
"The grants have also assisted in an important upgrade of fire safety
measures with the installation of fire sprinklers."
Minister Vale said the funding provided for the Abbeyfield House extension
was part of the Federal Government's commitment to addressing the increasing
need for aged care services in the veteran community.
"In the next 10 years, the number of veterans and war widows needing aged
care services is expected to increase by 80 per cent," she said.
"Facilities such as Abbeyfield House are paramount in helping to provide for
this growing need.
"The shape of this country has been determined by our veterans. We owe it to
them to ensure they receive proper care and consideration in their twilight
years.
"By providing funding to centres such as Abbeyfield House, we are ensuring
that veterans have access to health and other care services they need as
they grow older," the Minister said.
Minister Vale also congratulated the Mortlake community and Abbeyfield House
staff and residents who raised in excess of $500,000 for the extension.
Touring the facility with Terry Mulder, Member for Polwarth, and John
Vogels, Member for Warrnambool, Minister Vale praised the interest and hard
work of her State colleagues in bringing to the attention of the Federal
Government local veterans' issues.
"Both Terry and John have consistently kept me informed of developments in
South Western Victoria and are hard working advocates for those who have
served in the defence of Australia."
Media Contact: Rachael Thompson (02) 6277 7820 or 0417 265 289
Editors Note: Minister Vale will open the Abbeyfield House extension at
30 Shaw St, Mortlake at 10:45am on Saturday 23 November 2002.
====================================
VA147 Thursday 21 November 2002
ROKEBY PRIMARY STATE WINNER IN ANZAC DAY AWARDS
Rokeby Primary School has been named the Tasmanian winner of a national
competition that encourages schools to actively commemorate Anzac Day and
Australia's wartime heritage, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna
Vale, announced today.
Liberal Senator for Tasmania, Paul Calvert, congratulated the students at
Rokeby for winning the State prize of the Anzac Day Schools' Activities
Awards, saying it reflected their outstanding effort to understand and
commemorate Anzac Day.
Minister Vale said the awards were funded under the Federal Government's
Saluting Their Service commemorations program and run by the History
Teachers' Association of Australia.
"The Anzac Day Schools' Activities Awards are part of the Government's
commitment to encourage young Australians to better understand and discover
the meaning of our wartime heritage," the Minister said.
"Our servicemen and women have made an unforgettable contribution to this
country. Educating young people about the importance of commemorating that
service is the key to ensuring that the courage and sacrifice of these
Australians is remembered for generations to come.
"This is the second year that the competition has been run and the standard
of entries was extremely high," the Minister said.
Senator Calvert said the students from class 5/6 at Rokeby Primary School
undertook a range of Anzac Day classroom activities and performed a play on
the history of Anzac Day.
"The students studied poetry such as Look into your Heart, The Box and The
Universal Soldier and undertook research in the library and on the internet
on Australia's involvement in wars and conflicts and local veterans.
"The activities culminated in the performance of a play on Australia's
involvement at Gallipoli in front of other classes, their parents and
members of the RSL," he said.
As a State winner, the students will receive $500 for their school and a
winner's plaque.
The national award was won by Mundingburra State School in Queensland.
Other State and Territory winners were:
NSW: Sutton Public School VIC: Berwick South
Secondary College
SA: Stansbury Primary School NT: Braitling
Primary School
WA: East Carnarvon Primary School ACT: Canberra High School
Media Contacts:
Vincent Taskunas (Senator Calvert) (02) 6277 3300 OR 0438 436 236
Rachael Thompson (Minister Vale) (02) 6277 7820 or 0417 265 289
News Editors/Chiefs of Staff please note: Senator Calvert will present the
Anzac Day Schools Activities Award to Rokeby Primary School, at a special
presentation at 10.20am on Friday 22 November 2002.
====================================
VA146 Saturday 16
November 2002
RICE PADDIES AND ROCKET FIRE: SHARING VIETNAM VETERAN EXPERIENCES
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, has congratulated a group of
Darwin Vietnam veterans who turned their counselling sessions into a book
aimed at helping the wider community to better understand the experiences of
those who served in Vietnam.
Minister Vale today attended the launch of Rice Paddies and Rocket Fire,
written by veterans Robert Brennan, Garry Casey, Jack Pegg, Denis Newsham
and Barry Ryan.
"It's now 30 years since Vietnam, but many of our Vietnam veterans face a
continuing personal battle as they cope with the impact of their wartime
service," Minister Vale said.
"To take those experiences and turn them into a positive act of sharing with
the community is truly courageous and these men should be congratulated for
being willing to tell their stories.
"The Federal Government strongly supports Vietnam veterans, particularly
through the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service, and I am pleased to note
that the VVCS played a role in putting these veterans' experiences on paper
for the benefit of the rest of the community."
Rice Paddies and Rocket Fire grew from a VVCS group project that encouraged
Darwin Vietnam veterans to meet regularly to talk about their post-war
experiences and the impact of the war on their lives. With funding from the
VVCS, the five veterans worked with local journalist Kerry Sharp to write
down and publish their stories.
Minister Vale said while the book project had a quiet beginning, it was an
important addition to Australia's collection of writings about the Vietnam
War.
"Using their own funds, the veterans have published 98 copies of Rice
Paddies and Rocket Fire," she said.
"Australia is still coming to a full understanding of the pressures faced by
our Vietnam veterans and books like this can only help the Vietnam veteran
community and all Australians in dealing with those issues."
Media contact: Rachael Thompson (02) 6277 7820 or 0417 265 289
====================================
Note: Apologies to all subscribers for the lateness of this release due to
technical error
VA145 Friday 15 November 2002
DIGGER'S DIARIES BRING FAMILY'S WARTIME PAST TO LIFE
The World War I diaries of an Australian soldier today were returned to his
family after being found accidentally by a Brisbane man.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said the diaries were
written in 1917, 1918 and 1919 and chronicle the wartime experiences of
Leslie Dunstan.
"Leslie Dunstan was an Australian digger who dedicated many years of his
life to defending the freedom and democracy that we hold so dear," Minister
Vale said.
"He enlisted the day before the Australian forces landed at Gallipoli, 24
April 1915, and served on the Western Front for more than two and a half
years, returning home when the war ended.
"To have his diaries returned is a priceless gift for Mr Dunstan's family."
Minister Vale said the diaries were discovered by East Brisbane resident
Shane Sakzewski, who stumbled upon them when he was moving house.
"While he was packing, he accidentally smashed a vase and the three diaries
fell out," she said.
"It was a mishap that turned out to be a lucky find for Mr Dunstan's family.
"Mr Sakzewski did the right thing by contacting the Department of Veterans'
Affairs to alert them of the diaries' existence.
"The Department went to great lengths to attempt to track down Mr Dunstan's
family, including his three daughters and any grandchildren.
"Staff from the Department were able to get in contact with two of Mr
Dunstan's grandchildren, John Atherton and Elizabeth Allomes of Miva. With
the help of DVA, they were able to meet Mr Sakzewski and have their
grandfather's diaries returned," the Minister said.
Minister Vale said the family was overjoyed at the discovery of the diaries,
as they still have in their possession Mr Dunstan's diaries from 1914, 1915
and 1916.
"These diaries are a precious part of our wartime heritage, as well as a
valuable family treasure for Mr Dunstan's relatives," Minister Vale said.
"Their discovery is an important reminder that we must all work to preserve
these wartime relics so that future generations can acknowledge and
appreciate the sacrifice of Australians at war," she said.
=====================================
Father Thomas held a Xmas get together at his home in Forrestfield (Perth) on Saturday 23 November.
Attached are a couple of pic of a few old faces enjoying a BBQ / Drinks and a chin wag.
Regards
Mick Bergin
All the best to the West for a Merry Xmas and a happy and properous new year, Fellas, looks as if the boys are starting a little early in the liquid department.
Further to our conversation on Ian (read: Shortie), Lee receiving a get well card from the Association, I include Shortie's hospital address below:
Mr Ian (Shortie), Lee
c/- Hollywood Private (Repatriation), Hospital
Monash Avenue
NEDLANDS WA 6009
Our Net Meister is included for info, in order that he might post a note on site, featuring the above and Tex also, for obvious reasons.
Regards
Gilli
Well fellas a little note or card to show Shorty Lee that we have'nt forgotten him might be a nice guesture as i hear Shorty's been a bit crook.
The Pom
Someone else's look at Phan-Rang
Here's one that was passed on from US ARMY Helicopter Crew Chief
Everything I ever needed to know about life I learned as a Helicopter Crewman in Vietnam
NEVER FORGET
1. Once you are in the fight, it is way too late to wonder if this is a good idea;
2. Helicopters are cool;
3. It is a fact that Helicopter tail rotors are instinctively drawn toward trees, stumps, rocks etc. While it may be possible to ward off this natural event some of the time, it cannot, despite the best efforts of the crew, always be prevented. It's just what they do.
4. NEVER get into a fight without more ammunition than the other guy;
5. The engine RPM, and the rotor RPM, must both be kept in the GREEN. Failure to heed this commandment can affect the morale of the crew;
6. A billfold in your hip pocket can numb your leg and be a real pain in the ass;
7. Cover your buddy so that he can be around to cover you;
8. Letters from home are not always great;
9. The madness of war can extract a heavy toll. Please have correct chonge;
10. Share everything. Even the pound cake;
11. decisions made by someone over your head will seldom be in your best interest;
12. The terms "Protective Armour" and "Helicopter" are mutually exclusive;
13. The further away you are from your friends, the less likely it is that they can help you when you really need them the most;
14. Sometimes, being good and lucky was still not enough. There is always payback;
15. "Chicken Plates" are not something you order in a restaurant;
16. If everything is as clear as a bell, and everything is going exactly as planned, you're about to be surprised;
17. The BSR (Bang, Stare, Read) Theory states that the louder the sudden bang in the helicopter, the quicker your eyes will be drawn to the gauges;
18. The longer you stare at the gauges, the less time it takes them to move from green to red;
19. It does too get cold in Vietnam;
20. No matter what you do, the bullet with your name on it will get you. So too can the ones addressed "To whom it may concern";
21. Gravity: It may not be fair, but it is the law;
22. If the rear echelon troops are really happy, the front line troops probably don't have what they need;
23. If you are wearing body armour, the incoming will probably miss that part;
24. It hurts less to die with a uniform on than to die in a hospital bed;
25. Happiness is a belt-fed weapon (Amen);
26. If something hasn't broken on your helicopter it's about to;
27. Eat when you can. Sleep when you can. Visit the head when you can. The next opportunity may not come around for a very long time. If ever;
28. Combat pay is a flawed concept;
29. Air superiority is NOT a luxury;
30. Having all your body parts intact and functioning at the end of the day beats the alternative;
31. If you're allergic to lead it is best to avoid a war zone;
32. It is a bad thing to run out of airspeed, altitude and ideas all at the same time;
33. Nothing is as useless as altitude above you and runway behind you;
34. While the rest of the crew may be in the same predicament, it's almost always the pilot's job to arrive at the crash site first;
35. When you shoot your gun, clean it the first chance you get;
36. Loud, sudden noises in a helicopter WILL get your undivided attention;
37. Hot garrison chow is better than hot C-Rations, which, in turn is better than cold C-Rations, which is better than no food at all. All of these, however, are preferable to cold rice balls (given to you by guards) even if they do have the little pieces of fish in them;
38. WHAT is more important than WHY;
39. Boxes of cookies from home must be shared;
40. Girlfriends are fair game. Wives are not;
41. Everybody's a hero on the ground in the club after the fourth drink;
42. There is no such thing as a small fire-fight;
43. A free-fire zone has nothing to do with economics;
44. The further you fly into the mountains, the louder the strange noises become;
45. Medals are okay, but having your body and all your friends in one piece at the end of the day is better;
46. The only medal you really want to be awrded is the Longevity Medal;
47. Being shot hurts;
48. Thousands of Vietnam veterans earned medals for bravery every day. A few were even awarded;
49. Running out of pedal, fore and aft cyclic, or collective are all bad ideas. Any combination of these can be deadly;
50. Nomes is NOT fireproof;
51. There is only one rule in war. When you win, you get to make up rules;
52. Living and dying can both hurt a lot;
53. WWhile a Super Bomb could be considered one of the four essential building blocks of life, powdered eggs cannot (agree);
54. C-4 can make a dull day fun;
55. Cocoa powder is neither;
56. There is no such thing as a fair fight, only ones where you win or lose;
57. If you win the battle you are entitled to the spoils. If you lose you don't care;
58. Nobody cares what you did testerday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing NOW to solve our problem;
59. If you have extre, share it quickly;
60. Always make sure someone has a P-38;
61. A sucking chest wound may be God's way of telling you it's time to go home;
62. Prayer may not help...but it can't hurt;
63. Fling is better than walking. Walking is better than running. Running is better than crawling. All of these however, are better than extraction by a Med-Evac, even if this is technically a form of flying;
64. If everyone does not come home none of the rest of us can ever fully come home either;
65. Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the media, for they will steal your HONOUR;
66. A grunt is the true reason for existence of the helicopter. Every helicopter flying in Vietnam had one real purpose: To help the grunt. It is unfortunate that many helicopters never had the opportunity to fulfil their one true mission in life simply because someone forgot this fact;
67. "You have the right to remain silent: is always EXCELLENT advice
Like the book says, we may be through with the past but the past is not through with us".
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you.
Regards,
Vic Smith
======================================