Blue Beret Issue30 February 2004                                                                            Page 1 From the President As the new, "caretaker" National President Elect, a foundation Association member, number one Association membership ticket holder and with 21 years as a proud ADGIE, when it comes to the Airfield Defence Family, I wear my heart on my sleeve. So I am moved to share some of "My thoughts and feelings with you all. "the Old and Bold, the Young and Brave, your Families and Loved ones". On behalf of you all I cannot express enough, my appreciation and thanks to Tex Bryson and Bruce Smith, our outgoing President and Vice President for their unselfish, untiring, loyalty and dedication over many years in representing our unique and very special Airfield Defence Association. I would not have accepted the National Presidency unless our National Secretary/Treasurer, Jim Gable, had not agreed to serve on in these all important roles. To Jim many, many thanks for years of ongoing service in sometimes thankless positions. Glen Hombsch always deserves our appreciation for his past and future ongoing advisory role to the executive. Tex Bryson has also agreed to act as our liaison officer with RAAF Base Amberley personnel. Our new Vice-President is Ron (slick) Tait, and I am extremely proud to work with the team of Tait, Gable, and the new Committee when elected and all positions are ratified. I will use my position to ensure all the Blue Beret Family is represented proudly, honourably and to the best of my ability, including those still serving. The Executive Committee has my unwavering support and we welcome constructive criticism, but unfounded and unwarranted personal attacks I will treat as personal. Commencing with this issue, the Blue Beret will now be edited by a 3 man Sub-Committee, one being a reserve. This Sub-Committee is answerable to the Executive and their names and details can be found in the minutes of the recent General Meeting. The reunion in Newcastle during ANZAC week 2004 is a well planned event. To all those who organised and will attend, I know you all will have a top time. The Executive will be represented by the Vice-President "slick", with Geoff Phillips volunteering to be custodian. of our other banner, Thanks mates. Jim and I will remain and participate in the Brisbane march with our remaining and serving members who will support us in the march, doing us proud. My thoughts are also with the Families of our departed proud wearers of the Blue Beret, including those Members on the sick list. On reflection, we as Airfield Defenders who, along with Aircrew ADGIES, in our service spent lengthy periods away from our loved ones, at times don't or didn't fully appreciate their unconditional support. So to my wife Helen, thanks mate, for your continuing encouragement in my endeavours within the Airfield Defence Family and years of Advocacy work. Please be reminded to renew your membership or join your Association. Hope you all have a prosperous 2004. Yours Proudly Merv "RIPRIP" Reid

The Blue Beret OfficIal Journal of the Airfield Defence Association Australia INC. Patron, AIR MARSHALL S.D. EVANS AS DSO AFC RAAF RETD Reg Address 5 Jeffrey St Capalaba QLD 4157 Ph/Fax 07 3245 7174..............Email ; jgable@bigpond.net.au Web site http//au.oocities.com/ozflea20/adg1.html FEBRUARY......2004

National President......................................Merv Reid National Vice President.............................Ron Tait National Secretary / Treasurer..................Jim Gable Committee Member...................................TBA Committee Member...................................TBA Executive Advisor.......................................Glen Hombsch Blue Beret Editors......................................Ron Tait / Ski Cichowski / Tony Marinac Association Webmaster............................Bob (Pommy) Cornwell

Edition 30

Page 2. THE ASSOCIATION By Tex Bryson By now most of our members will know that the ADG association has been facing a real crisis. I thought I would start by outlining a brief history of the association, which will give you all a better appreciation of the situation and perhaps a better understanding. We all know that the association was originally formed by Mick Hayes and Merv Reid, when they got together at the '87 welcome home parade in Sydney. This 'club' was financed by members paying in $5.00 per year. The 'committee' was Tubby Burgess and I think Bob Coopes was also involved. In 1989, with the help of Cliff and Geoff Phillips, Ken McLeod and a couple of others, we formulated a plan to form a Queensland Branch of the ADG ' association and apply to the ANZAC Parade committee to march as ADG's in our right. A reunion was arranged and over 100 turned up. Our plans were put to the members who agreed with the proposal, we formed a caretaker committee, became incorporated, had our banner made, and on 25 April 1991 the Queensland Branch of the ADG Association marched with an escort of 2AFDS. We approached Tubby and put forward a suggestion that the HQ of the Association be transferred to Queensland as we were now in a position to better administer the organisation with a strong committee and a.huge majority of our members agreeing with the plan. In 1992 the Airfield Defence Association Australia Inc. was formed. In the time since, we have seen numerous reunions here in Brisbane, not only for ADG's but Family days and Christmas get togethers with the annual raffles as well. Many of our members contributed enormously for these activities to get off the ground. Boomer Soanes, kelly Dukes, Hawkeye Davis, Ron Tait, Grace Phillips gave of their time and donations to keep the cost down as the association increased it's much needed income. As the years went on the family days, Christmas get togethers and simular functions saw a steady decline in attendances to the point where the association was losing money through the purchases of food and venue bookings that were not used. After long and serious thought, the committee decided to suspend all social arrangements except for ANZAC Day. The newsletters were to continue. To date, the ADG Blue Beret has produced three copies per year in March/April, July/August and November/December without missing one edition until 2003. The Newsletters cost us three cartons of beer to produce and we send out 400 copies each time. I am the only contact with our producer and this year when I was unavailable through illness, the Newsletters were sadly missed. Our membership is categorised in three listings. Financial Members, Life and Honorary Members and Non Financial Members. For 12 years all members have been receiving a newsletter (between 350 - 400) The cost of postage is always around $290.00 depending on the thickness and weight of the newsletter. $870.00 per year including

Page 3 the purchase of 1200 envelopes per year Currently we have less than 100 Financial Members, contributing an average of $1,025.00 per year. When added to the one-off payments from our 35 Members for Life, this amount does not quite make up the Association's annual budget. Many of our non-financial members simply forget to send in their annual subs, but many more just don't bother. Maybe its time for a rethink. As far as achievements go, to date we have: ·found jobs for a number of members; ·made small non-interest bearing loans to a small number of members; ·assisted and supported the families and next of kin of our departed mates (even it was just understanding and availability); ·taken up the fight for such things as the UBON Medal, RAAF Ground Combat Badge, the on-going battle for the recommended Military Medal to be granted to the late ken Lovell and the more recent attack on our pensions by the Federal Government; ·made a number of submissions to the recent Commonwealth Inquiry into Veterans' Entitlements; ·been instrumental in the Granting of the 'Freedom of the City of Brisbane' to 2AFDS; ·become affiliated with the RAF Regiment Association; ·sought out and obtained the stories and memories of our WW2l ADG brothers; ·resurrected and corrected our forgotten history, at the same time maintaining our contact with the current serving ADGs, cementing our future; ·regularly attended graduation parades for Basic ADGs; ·donated Memorial and Achievement Trophies for our Ground Defence Officers, 2AFDS Riflemen and Reserve Ground Defence members; ·become a repository for books, papers, photographs and other memorabilia donated by our distinguished members; ·assisted members with Veterans Affairs claims, and ·drafted and published newsletters three times a year. Although we have only four members on the committee, we could not do all the above without the time and effort of other non-committee members who work behind the scenes. First and foremost, Alan 'Gilli' Giltrap and his team for their research into our history, but most of all for his ability to keep all in the West in touch with each other as well as build a magnificent relationship with the serving members. Spike Dainer and Noel Neilson for their continued assistance with RAAF liaison and welfare requirements when needed. Guy Burton (OC ADW) and Jeff Peterson (CO3AFDS) for their understanding and assistance with serving member functions. Geoff Phillips, Ken McLeod, Ron Tait and the late Ken Lovell for their 'behind the scenes' support when needed.

Page 4 Sammy Sampson for his stance against the powers that be for recognition of the forgotten Ubon members, (of all those who spoke out, it should be noted that it was mostly that facts voiced by Sammy that were noted and printed). Men, Reid, Ken Thackeray, Barry Fletcher, Mick Djula and Mick Sheean (to name but a few) who give up their time to assist with veterans' claims to DVA. Finally our wives, Kathryn, Vivian and Gloria, who have taken calls and listened to problems in our absence, God! what would we do without them. For 13 years we have functioned, however, since 23 April 2003, our Executive Committee has been severely depleted. Our National Secretary (Jim) has been in and out of Hospital with recurring back problems, as well as a bone marrow disease and other health issues, and I have been battling recurring melanoma surgery, with more due in February 2004. To this end the Association Executive Committee has not been actively involved in anything including the publication of our newsletters, answering mail, returning calls etc.  For this we must apologise to those who were not aware of our situation, however, I'm sure you would all agree that health is the most important thing. Where we stand now is that Jim's continued poor health and the constant criticism of him by a small minority of our members caused him to submit his resignation as National Secretary, with effect September 2003. Our Vice President, Bruce Smith is taking advantage of the property boom and is selling his 'gold mine' in the inner city of Brisbane to move to greener pastures. Bruce has notified me of his intention to resign from the committee with effect December 2003. Personally, my health has been progressively getting worse and I am unable to continue with the workload that I have had in the past. I therefore called a General Meeting of members on the 14 December 2003, with the aim of encouraging you, or someone you have confidence in, to stand for one of the Office-Bearer positions on the Executive Commiffee of the Association. I have resigned from the Cadets and I stood down at this General Meeting. I will not be standing again for the position of National President as I feel that I cannot continue in the position without performing the duties required of me. With the resignations of the other committee members, I certainly would not be able to do it on my own. The good news is that the General Meeting was able to resolve many of our immediate problems by electing a "caretaker" National Committee, who will serve until the next AGM and hopefully to take your Association into the future. The Minutes of that meeting are inside - please take the time to read them and to see what is occurring. Yours in Comradeship TEX BRYSON NATIONAL PRESIDENT

Page 5 Minutes of a Special General Meeting of the Airfield Defence Association Australia Inc Convened 10.00 am Sunday 14 December 2003 Venue 105 Villiers St New Farm QLD 1.ATTENDANCE, APOLOGIES, ANNOUNCEMENTS Present:Tex Bryson, (Chairman) Merv Reid Bruce Smith / Ron Tait Jim Gable / Fred Brown Glen Hombsch / Jim Simons Sammy Sampson / Bruce Brown Tony Marinac / Geoff Phillips Henry Cichowski / Rex Milner Apologies: ken Carswell, Spike Dainer, Danny Kaye,' Ken Lovell, Les Luckman, China Mahoney, Jim Manser, ken McLeod, David Moles, Don Smithers, ken Thackeray, Kevin Thompson, Bruce Warnock. Proxies:The Acting Secretary confirmed that 7 correctly completed proxy forms had been lodged prior to the commencement of the meeting. Quorum:The Acting Secretary confirmed that a quorum was present in accordance with Rule 24(1) of the Rules of the Association. 2.MINUTES The Chairman advised that as this was a Special General Meeting and not an Annual General Meeting, the adoption of the Minutes of the previous AGM was not required, however copies had been provided for the information of those present. 3.PRESIDENT'S REPORT Tex Bryson read a prepared statement outlining the reason for the meeting, which was principally to appoint a caretaker committee to administer the Association until the next AGM could be held. It was pointed out that due to a combination of his own illness, the submission of the Secretary's resignation for reasons which were outlined but not detailed and the impending move by the Vice President from Brisbane to Bribie island, the Association was currently in limbo and required the appointment of a number of members in a caretaker capacity to ensure that the Association did not fold. It was particularly noted that while Jim Gable had resigned as Secretary, he had not resigned as Treasurer and was happy to continue in that role. A general history of the Association and its achievements was provided and members were advised that the Association had been in existence for too long and had achieved too much to go under riow. It was therefore necessary for the members to appoint a new Committee, consisting of a President, Vice President and Secretary to ensure that the Association was able to carry on Page 6 until the next AGM when a permanent Committee could be elected. Tex pointed out that the po!icy of the Association for the past 12 years had been to treat all ADGs as members, whether they were financial or not. This meant that everyone on the mailing list received a newsletter three times a year regardless of whether they had paid their annual fees and this had caused what some members believed was an unnecessary cost to the Association's members. On present figures, there were approximately 330 members on the mailing list, of whom only approximately 75 were financial. This meant a major shortfall in the annual budget, which many members felt was unfair on those who paid their fees on time. Tex then paid tribute to the outgoing Committee members and their wives for their dedication and support and also to those non-committee members who were always there when help was needed. He then handed over to Jim Gable who outlined the need for a strong committee to take over the reins and steer the Association into the future. 4.FINANCIAL REPORT A complete financial statement, outlining the Association's income and expenditure since the 2002 AGM was distributed to all members and it was pointed out that finances were rock solid, but would not continue to be so if the drain on funds used to service non financial members continued. It was also pointed out that if the worst happened and the Association was forced to disband, the Associations Incorporation Act made it illegal to distribute those funds back to the members and required that they be donated to another organisation with similar aims arid ideals. He pointed out that he for one was not prepared to see that happen after all the work which had gone into building them up over a twelve year period, nor was he prepared to see them slowly drained away supporting members who had rarely been financial during the life of the Association. On that basis, he undertook to continue the running of the Association by himself if there were no volunteers or nominations for the Committee, as long as that was acceptable to the membership. A general discussion then took place, with several members expressing their appreciation to the committee and their support for the continuance of the Association no matter what. 5.THE BLUE BERET lex Bryson referred to earlier debate regarding the Blue Beret and outlined the current process and costs for having the Newsletter printed. Discussion then took place regarding the future of the Newsletter, given that the current printer was retiring and the existing process would no longer be available. Tex pointed out that the cost of commercial printing at the volume presently required was extremely high and could not be sustained by the Association at Page 7 its present income level. It was understood that the CO of 23 SQN had offered the Squadron's facilities for copying, however it was agreed that whilst this was generous and welcome, it was ultimately a short term solution. Jim Gable undertook to approach Con Sciacca who was his local federal member and also a former Minister for Veterans' Affairs, to enquire about using the facilities in the electoral office for printing etc. Glen Hombsch and Jim Simons also offered the use of copying and printing equipment within their own offices, subject to the Association providing the copy paper needed for each issue. Ron Tait and Merv Reid advised that grants were available from DVA to exservice Associations to provide office equipment and facilities. It was agreed that this might be a suitable solution to the problem and Ron Tait undertook to discuss the possibilities with the DVA representative as soon as possible and report back to members. Glen Hombsch, afler acknowledging the contribution of the present Committee and providing an overview of his own role as a 'back room boy", suggested that the cost of the Blue Beret might be reduced by only producing one issue per year, just prior to ANZAC Day, with the balance of issues being distributed by email on a regular basis. He also express some disappointment at the lack of interest shown by serving members in the Association and the newsletter but expressed the view that there was no valid reason why the Association should have to fold - there were very few similar organisations with $10,000.00 in the bank. Tex Bryson and Jim Simons jointly commented that there could be no denying that what we have as an Association is rare and that no other known organisation enjoyed a similar level of camaraderie. It was felt that no matter what happened within the structure of the Committee, that would continue. It was generally agreed that Glen's proposal had some merit, particularly regarding the need for a concerted effort to regain unfinancial members and to limit future issues of the Blue Beret to financial members only. 6.STATUS OF THE COMMITTEE Bruce Smith said that he agreed with everything that had been said so far, and whilst he did not want to see the Association die, he was no longer able to continue in his present role. Tex Bryson then advised that the time had come to address the question of the Association's future and the make up of the Committee. It was essential for the members to appoint a caretaker committee consisting of at least a President, Vice President and Secretary, but not a Treasurer or Executive Advisor, both of whom had agreed to remain in their positions until the next AGM. Glen Hombsch confirmed that the Association's Constitution allows the Committee to appoint casual replacements to any vacancy until the next AGM. Page 8 Jim Gable repeated his earlier undertaking that given the support shown to him by the majorit.y of members and despite his ongoing health problems, he would be happy to continue in his present position as Secretary/Treasurer as long as he was needed, provided that the responsibility for producing the Blue Beret could be eased. 7...APPOINTMENT OF CARETAKER COMMITTEE President Moved Ron Tait, seconded Henry Cichowski, that Merv Reid be appointed as the Caretaker President until the next AGM.                                                                                           CARRIED Vice President Moved Fred Brown, seconded Sammy Sampson, that Ron Tait be appointed as caretaker Vice President until the next AGM.                                                                                  CARRIED Secretary Glen Hombsch noted that although the resignation of Jim Gable as National Secretary had been received, it had not yet been considered by the Committee. As the time allowed under the Constitution for such consideration had now lapsed, it was deemed that the resignation had also lapsed and accordingly, he moved that Jim Gable remain as National Secretary until the next AGM, pending his formal acceptance, which was offered and accepted. Seconded Geoff Phillips.                                                                                                  CARRIED Blue Beret Sub-Committee Ron Tait moved, seconded Jim Simons, that nominations be sought for at least two members to form a special sub-committee reporting to the Secretary, for the purpose of compiling and producing the newsletter on a regular basis.                                                                   CARRIED After brief debate, nominations were received from Ron Tait and Henry Cichowski, with Tony Marinac as reserve, to form the sub-committee as detailed. Moved Sammy Sampson, seconded Tex Bryson that the nbminees be appointed accordingly.                           CARRIED Committee Members Agreed that the filling of the Committee men~ber positions be held over until the AGM. The Secretary suggested that this take place either in late February or early March 2004, as although the Association'sfinancial records were up to date, they would need to be formally audited before an AGM could take place. This timing would allow the auditor to carry out the necessary procedures and also allow the Office of Fair Trading to be advised of the reason for the delay in holding the AGM. After congratulating the members of the new Committee and the membership for their overwhelming support for the Association, Tex Bryson then vacated the chair in favour of the incoming President, Merv Reid. Page 9 8.LIFE MEMBERSHIP Merv Reid noted that although there had been an overwhelming level of gratitude and support for the members of the outgoing committee, he believed that a more permanent recognition of their services was necessary. He noted that Tex Bryson had been made a Life Member of the Association many years earlier for his efforts in support of the Association and he therefore proposed that Bruce Smith and Jim Gable be made Life Members for the same reason. The proposal was moved by Ron Tait, seconded Merv Reid and carried unanimously. 9.GENERAL BUSINESS Unfinancial Members Additional discussion took place regarding the cost to the Association of unfinancial members. As a result, it was moved Sammy Sampson, seconded Tex Bryson that all non financial members cease to receive' correspondence or services from the Association, subject to a final letter advising of the change in policy.                                                                                                                CARRIED Tex Bryson advised that he was in the process of preparing an issue of the Blue Beret and an article giving details of the resolution would be incorporated into the newsletter. State sub-branches Henry Cichowski queried the possibility of setting up branches or chapters of the Association in each State. It was pointed out that the Association had originally worked along those lines when it had first began to operate, however over the years, the involvement of the various state committees diminished to the point where the centralised approach of management had been welcomed by those in other states. Glen Hombsch suggested that the incoming Committee should consider and examine the existing membership arrangements and report back to the members Within a reasonable time frame. RAF RegimentAssociation Glen Hombsch advised that he had visited London some two years ago and had attended the Beating of the Retreat by the RAF Regiment at the Tower of London. During his visit he had met a number of members of the RAF Regiment Association, particularly a Mr and Mrs Burrell, who had expressed a wish to visit Australia and especially RAAF Amberley. Mr Burrell (now deceased) had presented Glen with a RAF Regiment Association wall plaque for the Association and Glen now sought the views of the membership regarding the presentation of an Association plaque to Mrs Burrell1 who was planning to travel to Australia in February 2004. Moved Tex Bryson, seconded Ron Tait that a plaque be presented as requested,                                                                                                                           CARRIED Membership Structure Page 10 Ron Tait asked the Secretary if details of the number of members in each State could be provided from the Association's records. Jim Gable tabled a chart which showed that at the present time, the national membership distribution was: NSW 59                 TAS 9                   NT 4 ACT 19                  SA 25                   OLD 171 VIC  21                  WA 18                 OVERSEA S5 For a total number of members on the mailing list of 331. Of that 331, a total of 298 were ADGs or Ground Defence Officers and only 99 of those 331 members were currently financial. Ground Combat Badge Merv Reid referred to previous unsuccessful efforts by the Association for the introduction of a RAAF Ground Combat Badge similar to the Army's Infantry Combat Badge. He acknowledged that the responses from the federal government and the Chief of the Air Force had been a severe setback, however he advised that it was his intention to continue to lobby for the introduction of the badge, hopefully with the strong support of a number of RAAF units, which had indicated that they would like to talk further on the subject at a convenient time. Newcastle Reunion Geoff Phillips requested permission to take the extra Association banner which was currently held by the Airfield Defence Wing to Newcastle for the reunion's ANZAC Day March. It was understood that the matter had already been discussed between the OC Airfield Defence Wing and Peter Beckwith. Members advised that they had no objections to the request. 10.CLOSURE With no further business for discussion, the Chairman thanked those present for their interest, support and attendance and declared the meeting closed at 12.00 noon.

THE LAST WORD Readers of this edition of the Blue Beret will have noticed by now that there has been good news as well as bad news over the past few months. The good news is that the Association has weathered a minor setback and is now stronger than ever - more to the point, the "Blue Beret" is now back on deck after an unavoidable break in publication. The bad news has been that we have lost so many of our good friends recently that most of us are still trying to come to terms with their passing. Alan Giltrap, Spike Dainer and Tex Bryson have all done a magnificent job in their tributes, and for those who never met our absent friends, the word pictures will give you a great insight into their make up. Lest we forget. Sadly, we also ldst another member of our family some little while ago, when Ian (Skull) Devantier's treasured daughter Hailey died suddenly in Western Australia. Skull has asked me particularly to express his deep appreciation to all the ADG farnily for your thoughts, prayers and support for him and Judy after their ordeal. On a brighter note, friends of Ken McLeod will be pleased to know that he has amazed his doctors and returned home from hospital barely a week after major heart surgery. Can't keep a good man down. As you will have read at the front of the book, we have a new committee which will remain in place until the next AGM, hopefully in late February or early March. Keep watching for flirther details on that. In the meantirne, we have made some fairly important decisions about future issues of the Blue Beret. For more information, go back to the minutes of the December 2003 Special General Meeting, which can be found further towards the front of this issue. The bottom line guys is that the Association can't continue to indefmitely support those members who, for whatever reason, choose not to pay their annual membership fees. Once the new Committee is elected at the AGM, I'm fairly confident that we will be seeing a much greater emphasis on that particular matter, so if you're not sure whether or not your subs are up to date, now might be a good time to check. Before closing, I want to pay tribute to two men who have played a major role in putting this Association where it is today - Tex Bryson and Bruce Smith, with their "never say die" attitudes, are owed a tremendous debt for their efforts over the years on behalf of all of us. Unfortunately it is time for them to move on, and we offer them our sincere thanks for a job well done. The incoming committee has the same approach to the Association and will confidently lead us all into the future - welcome aboard. Finally, don't forget the ADG reunion in Newcastle this April. The Organising Committee down there have done a tremendous job with a difficuit task and shouid be rightly proud of their efforts on your behalf, so give them all your support. Enjoy! Jim Gable NATIONAL SECRETARY/TREASURER

Apologies for not including the tributes to our fallen comrades as they are covered inside the printed copy of our magazine. This copy of the Associations Magazine is to bring all our members up to date with current happenings with the Association's Committee. The Pom.