The Electronc Blue Beret Week 52 Merry Xmas Fellas

AMBERLEY based members of Airfield Defence Wing (AFDW) have been awarded the Ipswich Amberley Support Group (IASG) annual trophy.

The community award was established in 1995 to recognise the contributions that RAAF Base Amberley personnel make to the social, economic and cultural life of Ipswich and surrounding district.

Up until last year the award was only presented to individual members, so AFDW consisting of Headquarters Airfield Defence Wing, No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron and No. 3 Airfield Defence Squadron is only the second Amberley-based unit to receive the prestigious award. This year the award also recognises contributions made to the ADF as well as the local community.

Over the past year more than 120 AFDW members have been deployed to the Middle East, Solomons and East Timor in operational command and support positions. Back home the Wing has provided force preparation support to many units in weapons, NBCD and ground combat training and has participated in all major exercises, including Crocodile, Desert Predator and Scorpion Sting.

Despite a busy schedule, the Wing has continued its strong community association, providing training support and displays to Air Force cadets, supporting open base events, participating in the local work experience program and supporting fundraising events for charities such as the Kim Walters Choices Program, Pink Ribbon Day, Daffodil Day and Legacy.

Wing Commander Guy Burton, Officer Commanding AFDW, said the award was an excellent way for the Wing to finish off a long and arduous year.

Considering the operational tempo, the amount of people deploying overseas and the amount of additional support activities, the Wings ability to remain engaged closely with charities, demonstrations and other activities in the local community is phenomenal, he said. The members are that busy theyre usually dead on their feet by the weekend if they even get a weekend off so their ability to continue doing what they do is a testament not just to their professional commitment but to the wider community.

The IASG annual awards night was held in Ipswich on November 19.

The other finalists were Combat Support Unit Amberley and No. 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, which received the award in 2002.

VA118 Friday 19 December, 2003

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL DIRECTOR RE-APPOINTED

Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, today announced
Major General Steve Gower AO has been re-appointed as the Director of the
Australian War Memorial for a further three years.

"Under Steve Gower's direction the Australian War Memorial
has flourished, and firmly entrenched its reputation as one of Australia's
premier museums," Mrs Vale said.

"In recent years the Memorial reaffirmed its unique standing
in the Australian community and has the distinction of being named
Australia's Major Tourist Attraction for three consecutive years, earning
the institution a place in the Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.

"Steve has overseen the refurbishment of over 60 per cent of
the Memorial's galleries. These include the Second World War and
Orientation galleries and a redeveloped Aircraft Hall featuring the
exhibition Air Power in the Pacific 1941 - 1943.

"The refurbishment has also included the first extension to
the Memorial in 30 years, Anzac Hall - an Australian Government Centenary of
Federation Project.

"Two weeks ago the fully restored Lancaster G for George was
returned to display as the centrepiece of an unparalleled sound and light
presentation that has captured the hearts and minds of the nation."

Other developments have included the creation of a sculpture
garden and a travelling exhibition program that is taking the unique
Memorial collection to communities across Australia.

Mrs Vale said Steve Gower was initially appointed to the
position for a five-year term in 1996 and re-appointed for a further
three-years in 2001. His new term as Director will run until February 2007.

"Steve Gower has been very active in the museum sector,
having been Chair of the Council of Australian Museum Directors (CAMD) for
the last three years and on the Museum Management Board of the International
Council of Museums (ICOM)," Mrs Vale said.

"I congratulate Steve on his re-appointment and look forward
to him continuing his good work at this very special national institution."

Media Contact: Claire Bannon (02) 6277 7820 or 0423 781 896

Well fellas the pom was catchin up on a bit of lite reading this morning of the Vet Affairs magazine wondering how the hell i was going to contact all the ex-adgies of years gone by, when i noticed an ad placed on behalf of a young
Eric Carpenter who was a RAAF Guard in 1943 anyway read his ad.

Eric Carpenter, 4/13 San Domingo Cl, Safety Bay WA 6169, (08) 9691 2800,
Seeks RAAF Guards who completed No 6 Guards Course at Shepparton, Vic
in 1943, in particular the boy who was posted to Richmond with Eric

Now being the good webmaster i'm supposed to be i rang Eric in reponce to this ad and he informed me that he will be attending our reunion in Newcastle in 2004 as he will over here in the east for two weeks.
Now what more could a Pom ask for here's my chance coming to be allowed the opportunity to have some early history delivered to my door so to speak, Eric has offered to do an article on his experiances as a RAAF Guard and would offer some photo's of himself and some of the mates.
Now the rest of this story i'm going to leave to young Eric to tell, and in doing so will offer some more info on our roots as an Airfield Defence Guard pre 1966.

Thanks Eric i look forward to shakin your hand at the 2004 Reunion

A married couple was in a terrible accident where the woman's face was severely burned. The doctor told the husband that they couldn't graft any
skin from her body because she was too skinny. So the husband offered to
donate some of his own skin. However, the only skin on his body that the doctor felt was suitable would have to come from his buttocks.
The husband and wife agreed that they would tell no one about where the skin
came from, and requested that the doctor also honour their secret. After all, this was a very delicate matter.
After the surgery was completed, everyone was astounded at the woman's new
beauty. She looked more beautiful than she ever had before! All her friends
and relatives just went on and on about her youthful beauty!
One day, she was alone with her husband, and she was overcome with emotion
at his sacrifice. She said, "Dear, I just want to thank you for everything
you did for me. There is no way I could ever repay you."
"My darling," he replied, "think nothing of it. I get all the thanks I need every time I see your mother kiss you on the cheek."

Allan, Ian, Jeff, Ken and Bob,

Just wanted to wish all of you (and your families) a very Mery Christmas and a Happy New Year. The rumours are true, I am now officially an old fart and retired from the RAAF (PAF anyway) with effect 16 Sep 03. I did however apply to join the Active Reserve. That has been approved and I will do some work as a Reservist until I get totally p^%$*&d off with it. I've also recently had to move out of the married quarter and am currently renting a place for about 6 months until we can get one built. Have put down a deposit for a house and land package in Brassall about hyalf a kilometre from my daughters High School. She is in Year 12 next year and I did not want to move away and interrupt her schooling for that year. here's hoping that allof you are well and that Santa is looking after you this year.

Regards,
Vic

PROOF THAT THE WORLD IS NUTS!

In Lebanon, men are legally allowed to have sex with animals, but the animals must be female. Having sexual relations with a male animal is punishable by death.

(Like THAT makes sense.)

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In Bahrain, a male doctor may legally examine a woman's genitals, but is prohibited from looking directly at them during the examination. He may only see their reflection in a mirror.

(Do they look different reversed?)

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Muslims are banned from looking at the genitals of a corpse. This also applies to undertakers; the sex organs of the deceased must be covered with a brick or piece of wood at all times.

(A brick??)

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The penalty for masturbation in Indonesia is decapitation. (Much worse than "going blind!")

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There are men in Guam whose full-time job is to travel the countryside and deflower young virgins, who pay them for the privilege of having sex for the first time...Reason: under Guam law, it is expressly forbidden for virgins to marry.

(Let's just think for a minute; is there any job anywhere else in the world that even comes close to this?)

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In Hong Kong, a betrayed wife is legally allowed to kill her adulterous husband, but may only do so with her bare hands. The husband's lover, on the other
hand, may be killed in any manner desired.

(Ah! Justice!)

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Topless saleswomen are legal in Liverpool, England - but only in tropical fish stores.

(But of course!)

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In Cali, Colombia, a woman may only have sex with her husband, and the first time this happens, her mother must be in the room to witness the act.

(Makes one shudder at the thought.)

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In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, it is illegal for a man to have sex with a woman and her daughter at the same time.

(I presume this was a big enough problem that they had to pass this law?)

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In Maryland, it is illegal to sell condoms from vending machines with one exception: prophylactics may be dispensed from a vending machine only "in places where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises."

(Is this a great country or what? Not as great as Guam!)

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Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.

(Who volunteers for this stuff?)

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Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure.

(Is that why Flipper was always smiling?)

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The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.

(Hummm....I won't touch THAT one!)

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The ant can lift 50 times its own weight, can pull 30 times its own weight and always falls over on its right side when intoxicated.

(From drinking little bottles of...? -- did the govt. pay for this research??)

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Butterflies taste with their feet. (Ah, geez)

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An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain.

(I know some people like that.)

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Starfish don't have brains.

(I know some people like that! too)

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And, the best for last..... Turtles can breathe through their butts.

(Do you think they have bad breath?)