REGISTERED ADDRESS: 5 JEFFREY STREET CAPALABA QLD 4157

adgies@adgblueberet.org PHONE: 07 3245 7174 www.adgblueberet.org

THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

RE-FORMING OF THE ADG MUSTERING WILL BE WITH US IN 2016.

PLANS ARE ALREADY BEING MADE FOR A MAJOR REUNION TO

CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE IN OUR HISTORY BUT WE NEED

YOUR HELP.

SEE INSIDE FOR DETAILS.

NATIONAL PRESIDENT ..……………….…….………...….. MERV REID

NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT………………….…..….……. HENRY CICHOWSKI

NATIONAL SECRETARY/TREASURER …….……...…....... JIM GABLE

EXECUTIVE ADVISOR …..………………….………......….. GLEN HOMBSCH

COMMITTEE MEMBERS .………………………….……...…. SPIKE DAINER

BOB HOLT

MICK SHEEAN

Vic smith

BLUE BERET EDITOR .…………………….……….......…. JIM GABLE

ASSOCIATION wEBMASTER ………………………………. TONY PAHL

NEwSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO: ……….….……….... adgies@adgblueberet.org

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

This work is copyright and is published solely for the information of members of the Airfield Defence Association Australia Inc. Apart from any

use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without

the express permission of the Airfield Defence Association Australia Inc, 5 Jeffrey Street Capalaba 4157 Queensland Australia, 4157.

DISCLAIMER

Airfield Defence Association Australia Inc

takes no responsibility for any errors omissions or inaccuracies contained in this journal.

does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered directly or indirectly from the use of information contained in this journal.

Does not warrant that articles or opinions published in this journal are necessarily the opinions held by the Airfield Defence Association

Australia Inc.

AUGUST 2014: ISSUE 58

THE BLUE BERET OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE

AIRFIELD DEFENCE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA INC.

PATRON: AIR MARSHAL S.D. EVANS AC DSO AFC RAAF RET’D

REGISTERED OFFICE: 5 JEFFREY STREET CAPALABA QUEENSLAND 4157 AUSTRALIA

? WHERE TO NEXT ?

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Please read this report in conjunction with my report to the 2014 AGM, which was well

attended. There was some robust discussion, with decisions being made to keep our Association

financially stable, non-profit and most of all, cost-effective for our members.

Future changes include an increase to $25.00 for the annual membership fee and an increase to

$500.00 for the Membership for Life fee, both to take effect from 1st April 2015. These

increases will generate the extra income which we need to continue to run the Association in

the light of increasing costs. Other methods to raise funds: maybe we could do an Adgie Thing

nude calendar with our Combat Badge pinned to the bare chest, or form a male strip group.

An Assistant Secretary position has been introduced and the current Executive Advisor position

will end after the next AGM. Our Constitution has been amended accordingly and we thank

Spike Dainer for taking up the new role and Glen Hombsch for his years of selfless dedication.

ANZAC Day this year was down on attendance in Brisbane due to a combination of public

holidays and the hot weather. Our latest veterans in their berets were once again the standout

crowd-pleasers during the march, but the highlight was Geoff Phillips, who in spite of illness,

finished the entire march thanks to determination, guts and pride. Why? It’s an Adgie thing.

Thanks to Simon Sauer for joining us and to the Banner and Escort parties of LACs Pennisi,

Devine, Swadling, and Dumars on the Banner party and LACs Harrison, Mconie, Rigby and

Gluyas as Escorts.

Adam and his staff at the Boundary did us proud. We were joined by some 120 of the young

and brave, their parents and even a few “billy lids”. The “non-Adgies” in the new SECFOR

Squadrons were also accepted, enjoyed themselves and will be back. Thanks also to Henry

Cichowski, Vic Smith and Max Haling, who once again worked hard at the door all day.

We attended the pre-Grad breakfast at Amberley in July to talk to and present the 17 Basic

Course graduates with their Welcome Certificates. The parade was high standard as usual and

included the Chaplain’s blessing of the Berets before the presentation. Very moving. Thanks

to SGT Andrew Coy SNCO Initial Employment Training for his hospitality.

The completion of the Ground Defence Memorial has now again become a priority, so that we

can finalise the dedication ASAP. One of the plaques to be mounted on the Memorial will list

the names of those who have died whilst serving. Elsewhere in this newsletter and on our web

site is a request for information about those ADGs who died in Australia during their service.

If you have any information that will help make a list of those members it will be very helpful.

We are also in the process of setting up a Facebook page for Association members thanks to

the efforts of Vic Smith, and the same request will eventually go up on that page as well.

Please fill in the 2016 Reunion survey in this issue and return it to Spike Dainer. Spike’s address

is included on the survey form.

Also, keep in mind the 30th Anniversary of the formation of our Association in 2017. Again,

where would you like it to be held? Have a think about that too.

I hope that this report finds those on the sick list on the mend. May your recovery be swift.

Yours proudly

Merv Reid.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 2

FIRST GLIMPSE INSIDE WW1 SUBMARINE WRECK IN TURKEY

More than 99 years after she fell in battle in the First World War, a project to record, preserve

and tell the story of the Australian submarine HMAS AE2, lying at the bottom of Turkey’s Sea

of Marmara, is now underway. “The AE2 is one of the last untouched Gallipoli battlefield sites

and, with the dedication of a team of Australian submariners, scientists from the Defence

Science and Technology Organisation and US Remotely Operated Vehicle designers,

SeaBotix, she will be protected and preserved where she fell for many years to come,” Minister

for Veterans’ Affairs Senator Ronaldson said.

Project ‘Silent ANZAC’ is a joint Australian and Turkish initiative, led by a team from the AE2

Commemorative Foundation (AE2CF) and Submarine Institute of Australia. The team

comprises 16 Australians, 19 Turks and 2 Americans including scientists, divers, academics,

maritime archaeologists, film makers, submariners and historians all working together.The

Defence Science and Technology Organisation has developed new and novel solutions to

support the current expedition, including a high-definition camera and sophisticated lighting

system. It has also installed a protection system around the wreck to control corrosion and a

marker buoy to protect it from shipping traffic, anchors and fishing nets,

The roving camera used to inspect the wreck has captured the entire length of the submarine;

her forward and aft hydroplanes, rudder and tops of her propellers. The submarine interior is

in amazingly good condition, original paint, signalman's sand shoes (plimsolls) still stowed in

the flag locker in the conning tower along with the flags and what we believe was the battle

ensign used by Lieutenant Commander, Henry ‘Dacre’ Stoker, DSO, 99 years ago. The Turkish

Government will ensure ongoing maintenance of the buoy laid over AE2 – to protect her from

further damage – acknowledging the importance of preserving this shared piece of Turkey and

Australia’s maritime military heritage.

One of the most significant discoveries of the exercise was a portable Wireless Telegraph pole

and antenna wire, the existence of which had long been the subject of discussion of military

historians. It is most likely that it was this telegraph which transmitted the message to Army

headquarters that AE2 had torpedoed an Ottoman gunboat at Çanakkale.

The AE2 entered the Dardanelles at 2:30 am on the morning of 25 April 1915. After torpedoing

the Ottoman gunboat Peykisevket, the AE2 negotiated through the Narrows, pursued by surface

vessels and passing through the perilous minefield she entered the Sea of Marmara on 26 April.

The AE2 was the first Allied warship to make it through the Narrows.

AE2’s mission was to “run amok” and torpedo transports bringing Ottoman reinforcements to

the Gallipoli battlefields. On 30 April 2015 AE2 was attacked by an Ottoman torpedo boat

Sultanhisar, hit by gunfire and scuttled by her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander

Stoker. All AE2’s crew were rescued by the crew of the Sultanhisar as the submarine slid

silently to the sea floor. The Silent ANZAC project is an initiative of the Anzac Centenary

Program 2014-2018, funded by the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs

in partnership with the Turkish Government Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Turkish

Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Footage of the AE2 is available for download at

https://vimeo.com/99636438 password: Stoker. Selected images are available on the

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/dvaaus. A factsheet on

available at www.dva.gov.au/media or visit www.ae2.org.au for more information.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 3

2016 50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION

We’re making a big deal of this because it’s a big deal.

2016 is only 16 months away and we want to hold a super-special event to mark the fiftieth

anniversary of the re-forming of the ADG mustering.

Those members who were part of the first four courses in 1966 probably have vivid memories

of those early days. Those members who weren’t will also have vivid memories and we respect

that – but the “first four” are the pioneers. The ones who has to beg, borrow, steal or even buy

the most basic gear because even the RAAF didn’t take them seriously.

Anyone who has recently seen the 21st Century ADGs in action will have seen how far we’ve

come since then thanks to the groundwork of those original courses way back then.

So, as well as celebrating fifty years, we also want to celebrate their impact on those who

followed. We have already got their views on where we should hold this next reunion, but the

last AGM decided that we also needed the input of the rest of our members.

In this issue you will find a Survey Form which we would like you to fill in and return to us as

soon as you can. The organisation of this event will be huge and we want to do it right, which

is why we’re looking for feedback at this early stage.

All we ask is that you send back your completed form so that we can work out where the

majority of people want the reunion to be held. Please make sure that you put a number in

every box so that we can do our sums properly and make this work.

If you know of any former ADGs or GRDEFOs who are not Association members, feel free to

let them know about our plans – we would welcome their input as well. Naturally this also

applies to serving members, everyone gets a say.

At worst, it will cost you 70 cents for a stamp, but we are happy to get the form back via email

if you wish – for digital readers, just copy it to your desktop, print it out, fill it in and then scan

it as a pdf and attach it to your email. Simples!

Once we have all the forms back, we can work out what the majority of our members want and

go from there. This is your reunion and what you say goes.

NEW ASSOCIATION PHONE SYSTEM

Thanks to the rudeness of many businesses in this electronic age, the Association has been

flooded with unsolicited faxes over the past couple of years, trying to sell us everything from

vitamins and bottled water to marquees, flags and world tours.

This is not only wasteful of our limited resources, but also means that we have to spend time

logging on to the internet to have our number removed from whatever lists these vultures have

us on. We could use that time and those resources much better than that.

Because of this, we have installed a new phone system that no longer includes a fax facility. If

you have previously contacted the Association by fax, it will no longer work, but the telephone

number and email contact remain the same. We apologise for any inconvenience this may

cause.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 4

100 YEARS SINCE AUSTRALIA’S FIRST SHOT IN THE WAR WAS FIRED

One hundred years on from what was believed to be the ‘first shot’ fired by British Empire

forces during the First World War, the community gathered at Fort Nepean on 5th August to

remember this momentous event in Australian history.

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Centenary of ANZAC, Senator the Hon. Michael

Ronaldson, joined the Governor of Victoria, local Federal Member for Flinders, the Hon. Greg

Hunt MP and the Portsea and Mornington Peninsula community to pay tribute to the men who

fired the shot, and remember the heady circumstances which lead to the event on 5 August

1914.

“Lieutenant C Morris, received orders to stop the German steamer, SS Pfalz, from leaving Port

Phillip Bay. A 100 pound, six inch round from gun emplacement six was fired in accordance

with his orders to ‘stop her’,” Senator Ronaldson said

“The shot came after the Pfalz ignored the demand that she ‘heave to’ instead of continuing

her plan to sail out of Port Phillip Heads. The shot reinforced the demand from Australian

authorities and, as a second round was loaded and after a scuffle on the bridge between the

pilot and the ship’s captain, the Pfalz was surrendered and she returned to Portsea.”

“The shot was heard in Melbourne’s southern suburbs and around Port Phillip Bay as the

gunners at Fort Nepean won a small and mercifully bloodless victory. Lieutenant Morris

sought and received confirmation for what must have seemed an unusual order and fulfilled his

duty, as generations of Australian servicemen and women have done since ” Senator Ronaldson

said.

“On 5 August 1914 no one could imagine the horrors that the war held in store, and Australians

might be surprised that what is claimed to have been the first shot fired by British Empire forces

came from a gun emplacement on the southern tip of the Australian mainland,” Senator

Ronaldson said.

Descendants of Fort Nepean’s gunners, along with other military dignitaries and members of

the public, laid wreaths and took part in a special commemorative service today at Point Nepean

National Parks.

“I am pleased that the Commonwealth Government was able to provide $10,000 to support this

event through the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Programme. I commend and thank the

community and local MP Greg Hunt for their passionate support for this project.

“As a single shot sounded today to commemorate this historic occasion, we as a nation are

reminded of Australia’s first action in a war that cast a long shadow over the twentieth century.

As we enter the Anzac Centenary period, events such as this will allow Australians to remember

the service and sacrifice of all those who have served our country, not only during the First

World war, but over the100 years since,” Senator Ronaldson said.

For information on the Anzac Centenary Programme please visit the Anzac Centenary Website

www.anzaccentenary.gov.au and the Anzac Centenary Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/anzaccentenary. To get involved in the conversation use

#AnzacCentenary.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 5

PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE 2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Good morning and welcome to your 2014 annual general meeting.

Thank you for taking the time to be with us today, particularly those who have travelled some

distance to join us. I hope you and your loved ones are all enjoying good health – at our age

the best we can be!

Whilst on the subject of health, our secretary/treasurer Jim has some ongoing health issues and

will need long term treatment. I am pleased for myself, the committee and the association that

he has agreed to soldier on, with the able help of spike Dainer as our assistant secretary.

What have we achieved since the 2013 AGM?

The first stage of the ground defence memorial at Amberley has been completed with the

official dedication to take place once the roll of honour name plaques have been mounted;

The official approval and issue of our own design for the air force ground combat badge, which

was long overdue. This badge distinguishes us from the rest – we have always humbly known

that – including those who did not meet the eligibility standards for whatever reason and

through no fault of their own;

The near completion of our history in both print and dvd format, thanks to glen Hombsch;

The very successful reunion in Adelaide last march with some 90 people attending;

The relocation of our historical display to be permanently housed at the Amberley aviation

heritage museum, thanks in no small part to the efforts of spike Dainer, Vic smith and many

others;

Our executive advisor glen Hombsch has informed us that he will not be standing for that

position at the 2015AGM’s election of office bearers and in honour of his 24 years of

continuous selfless service, we will be “retiring his jersey” so to speak, with the position of

executive advisor to be dissolved at that time. A motion to that effect will be proposed during

the meeting today for your acceptance and approval.

We will also be recommending that a new committee position of assistant secretary be created,

as we desperately need dedicated workers to lighten the load.

Glen will be relocating to Tasmania and has volunteered to be our liaison on the apple isle. I

know you will join with me in wishing glen and Chris all the very best. Glen, what a stalwart

of the association you have been!

Some recent social media reports have suggested that the venue for the 2016 reunion,

celebrating 50 years since the re-forming of the mustering, has already been decided. That is

definitely not so – at the Adelaide reunion it was agreed that the members of numbers 1, 2, 3

and 4 courses should be given the honour of deciding the venue and we are still waiting for

their final survey responses.

I would also ask that any member who has a venue preference to give us your input.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 6

October 2017 sees another milestone in the proud history of our association, the 30th

anniversary of its original formation. Please have a think about how we should celebrate this

historic occasion.

The advocacy and welfare team have now been together for some 14 years here at Greenslopes

private hospital and i owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the job they do in representing our

veteran community.

Most importantly, as the audited financial statements will show, your association is in a very

strong financial position, thanks to the oversight of your executive committee and careful

management by our treasurer.

Our patron Air Marshal David Evans has asked me to convey his best wishes to all our

association family, with the reassurance that he is ready to represent us again at the highest

levels, whenever necessary.

On your behalf and personally i thank your committee and their families for their ongoing

solidarity, dedication, loyalty and mateship, in the true tradition of the ADG.

This is your AGM, so please get involved, but please also stick to the printed agenda so that

we miss nothing important.

After the meeting, please stay and have a nibble, a brew and a chat. We will be holding an

executive committee meeting and you are welcome to join us if you wish.

I request that this report be published in the next issue of the blue beret newsletter.

Merv Reid, national president. 22 June 2014.

SOMETHING TO DO TO KEEP THOSE "AGEING" GREY CELLS ACTIVE

1. Johnny's mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was

named May. ...What was the third child's name?

2. There is a man at the butcher shop, he is 178 cm tall and he wears size 13 sneakers....What

does he weigh?

3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

4. How much dirt is there in a hole that measures 60 cm by 90 cm by 120 cm?

5. What word in the English Language ...is always spelled incorrectly?

6. In South Australia, you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not?

7. What was the Prime Minister’s Name in 1975?

8. If you were running a race, and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you

be in now?

9. Which is correct to say: "The yolk of the egg are white" or "The yolk of the egg is white"?

10. If a farmer has 5 haystacks in one field and 4 haystacks in the other field, how many

haystacks would he have if he combined them all in another field?

ANSWERS ON PAGE 24

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 7

MINUTES OF THE 2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE AIRFIELD DEFENCE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA INC. (UNCONFIRMED and UNEDITED)

Convened: 10.00 a.m. Sunday 22 June 2014

Venue: RSL-SED Advocacy, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Greenslopes QLD.

ATTENDANCE, APOLOGIES, ANNOUNCEMENTS

Present:

Apologies:

Quorum: The Secretary confirmed that a quorum was present in accordance with Rule

24(1) of the Rules of the Association.

Notices: The Secretary confirmed that notices announcing the date for the Annual

General Meeting had been posted to members on 5th May 2012.

Welcome: The Chairman welcomed all present, particularly those who had travelled long

distances to take part in this meeting

MINUTES

The Minutes of the AGM held on 23 June 2013 were confirmed as a true and correct record

of proceedings on the motion of Alan Ross, seconded Tony Marinac. CARRIED

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Merv Reid presented his annual report and requested that it be printed in the Blue Beret.

The President’s report highlighted the achievements of the Association over the past year with

particular mention of the Air Force Combat Badge, the History of the Mustering, the successful

Adelaide reunion, the Ground Defence Monument and the re-location of the former Historical

Collection to the Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre. He praised the hard work by individual

members in achieving those milestones. Reference was also made to the 2016 (50th

Anniversary) Reunion and the process of deciding on a suitable venue.

There was still much to be done to complete the Agenda which had been adopted over the past

four AGMs but the end result was now much closer.

Thanks were expressed to the Association’s Executive Advisor, who was in the process of

moving to Tasmania within the next year and to Patron Air Marshal David Evans, as well as

Spike Dainer for his work on the monument and the re-location of the historical collection and

Fred Brown Jim Gable Geoff Phillips

Tex Bryson Peter Gear Merv Reid

Henryk Cichowski Bob Holt Alan Ross

Spike Dainer Graham Maher Mick Sheean

Luke Donnelly Tony Marinac Vic Smith

Ian Fraser Barry Olive

Ray Appleford Doug Gale Clive Nelson Trevor Passmore

Bob Beveridge John Gibson Nicky Nye Jack Rudd

JBH Brown Bob Golley Jazza O’Gorman Viv Russell

Jim Brown Peter Harrold Anthony Pahl Shirley Sampson

John Cameron Gary Henderson Ben Kuchel Gavin Sharp

Sean Carwardine Glen Hombsch Ron Kunde Terry Smith

John Cash Jack Kenna Marty Lawrence James Walker

Phil Crisp Stewart Kerr Ian List Tassie Walters

Charles Cugley Wayne Ferguson Rob Lyon Bruce Warnock

Alan Dare Kevin Fleming Les Lyons John Watson

David Dern Roy Florence Nigel Marshall Peter Wattie

Ian Devantier Harry Fridd David Moles Alan White

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 8

to individual members of the Executive Committee for their dedication. A brief outline of

coming events was also provided. Moved Merv Reid, seconded Mick Sheean that the

President’s Report be adopted. CARRIED

TREASURER'S REPORT

Jim Gable presented the Treasurer’s Report for the 2013-2014 Financial Year and tabled the

Auditor’s Report for the period. The Auditor’s report indicated a small surplus for the year.

Moved Jim Gable, Seconded Peter Gear that the Financial Report be adopted. CARRIED

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

Jim Gable referred to the excellent service from Brian Axelsen as the Association’s Auditor.

Brian had now retired, with the firm’s principal now Mr John Dixon. It was noted that there

had been an increase in the audit fee to $500.00, which was a significant amount for the

Association. Members again confirmed their wishes that the financial affairs be subject to an

annual audit and Ian Fraser expressed the view that as a CPA himself, the auditing fee was

more than acceptable. It was moved Jim Gable, seconded Henryk Cichowski that John J

Dixon CPA be appointed as the Auditor for 2014-2015. CARRIED

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP FOR LIFE

One application for Membership for Life had been received from Joe Piers. The Application

was within the criteria for the class of Membership and was accepted unanimously.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP

The Secretary advised that the Committee after due deliberation, had resolved to nominate the

Association Patron Air Marshal David Evans for Life Membership with immediate effect,

subject to his acceptance. The nomination was approved by acclamation.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Contact with younger members Merv Reid referred to previous discussions at several levels on this issue and acknowledged

that the most effective way to attract the interest of younger members was via Social Media.

Jim Gable commented that after discussions at Committee level he had investigated setting up

a corporate Facebook account but fund the entire process to be very confusing. Vic Smith and

Ian Fraser both indicated that they had Facebook accounts and a large number of former and

serving ADGs were shown as being members.

After further discussion Vic Smith undertook to set up a Facebook account for the Association

and to act as moderator and this was gratefully accepted.

Increases to General Membership and Member for Life fees

Further to previous discussions, the Treasurer formally raised the issue of fee increases,

particularly in the area of Member for Life and General Membership. It was noted that there

had been no General Membership fee increase for seven years, despite rising operational costs

and the Member for Life fee of $250.00 was no longer a realistic figure. Following further

discussion it was moved Mick Sheean seconded Vic Smith that the General Membership fee

be increased from $20.00 per year to $25.00 per year with effect from 1 April 2015. The motion

was CARRIED unanimously.

Further moved Henryk Cichowski, seconded Mick Sheean that the Member for Life fee,

currently $250.00, be increased to $500.00 with effect from 1 April 2015. The motion was

CARRIED unanimously. The Treasurer undertook to ensure that members were advised of

the increases in a timely manner.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 9

Motion to Dissolve the Executive Advisor position

Spike Dainer referred to the Notice of Special Resolution previously distributed, together with

comments in the President’s report concerning the imminent retirement of Glen Hombsch and

the future of the Executive Advisor position following Glen’s departure.

It was acknowledged that during the early years of the Association’s formation, the position

was invaluable to Committee members “feeling their way”, and Glen’s contribution has been

of huge help to the Association since the very beginning. It was stressed that the motion was

in no way a reflection on Glen or his role and that he was leaving of his own accord, however

given the current relationship with senior serving members and the wider administrative and

business expertise of the membership in general, the benefits of maintaining the position after

his departure were now uncertain.

With no obvious prospects of a replacement at that time, it was proposed that the role of

Executive Advisor be dissolved and removed from the Association’s Rules with effect from

the date of the next annual general meeting.

It was therefore moved Spike Dainer seconded Tex Bryson that the position of Executive

Advisor be dissolved and any reference to the position be removed from the Association Rules

with effect from the date of the next Annual General Meeting. The motion was discussed in

detail and CARRIED without dissent.

New “Assistant Secretary” Position

Merv Reid referred to the workload and other issues concerning the Secretary and proposed

that a new position of “assistant Secretary” be created to ease that workload and maintain the

efficiency of the current administration. It was noted that the current Rules of the Association,

specifically Rule 11 (2) which states in part “… The Executive Committee may create other

positions as considered necessary for the effective functioning of the Association.

Appointees to such positions will exercise voting rights as bestowed on Executive

Committee Members.” It was further proposed that Spike Dainer should be appointed to that

position with immediate effect. A motion in accordance with the proposals was moved Jim

Gable seconded Geoff Phillips and CARRIED without dissent.

Alterations to Association Banner

Merv Reid referred to recent Committee discussions regarding the addition of the. Air Force

Ground Combat Badge to the Association Banner.

Jim Gable advised that he had contacted firms who may have been able to embroider or print

the image onto the banner but each one had replied that it was very expensive and/or the image

would be no larger than 30cm square.

Mick Sheean suggested that his brother could be able to carry out the work at a reasonable

price and if permission was given for him to take the banner to Sydney he would investigate

the matter further.

Notification for future Graduation Parades

Tex Bryson asked if it would be possible for local members to be advised by email so that they

could attend future parades. The Secretary undertook to make the necessary arrangements.

CLOSURE The Chairman thanked all present, closed the Annual General Meeting at 11.20 a.m. and

declared that subject to confirmation, the next AGM would take place in Brisbane in June 2015.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 10

Our 2nd Family Recovery Centre in Townsville, at 40 Anne Street Aitkenvale will provide

vital physical and psychological services to the North Queensland current and ex-serving

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families.

Opened officially by Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG, over 80 people turned out to show their

support for Mates4Mates. With local and National media coverage from the ABC, Channel

7, 9 and 10, local radio and print outlets, the morning couldn’t have been better.

A special thank you to RSL (Queensland Branch) and all of our supporters, who were

part of the official launch, expressed their best wishes or were instrumental in

transforming the building into a wonderful facility.

The contact details for the Family Recovery Centre Townsville are:

Phone: (07) 4771 9600. Email: townsville@mates4mates.org

Psychological Skills Group Program -

Psychological skills for Managing Depression & Anxiety has started with overwhelming

interest. Over an 8 week period, our psychologists will teach cognitive-behavioural and

mindfulness skills that will help reduce the impact of depression and anxiety on

individuals and their families. For some people this may be a first introduction to these

psychological strategies but for others it may be a great top-up or refresher.

This year Mates4Mates became a charity of choice for an epic cycling ride, over 7 days,

covering 1237km, Brisbane to Longreach.

30 riders took part in the gruelling ride, witnessing Queensland’s great outback while raising

money for Mates4Mates and the Royal Flying Doctors Service. What made this ride even more

special this year was the inclusion of two of our own, Tyson Murray and Chris Thompson-

Lang. Les Hancock from M&K Lawyers is one of the organisers and we want to say a big thank

you to him and the team behind RideWest for including us.

Thank you to all that have and continue to support Mates4Mates. You’re contributing to

changing lives. Connect with us: Facebook Twitter Website

HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?

Try this out:

1. While sitting down, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number “6” in the air with your right hand. Your foot will

change direction.

There’s nothing you can do about it. It is pre-programmed into your brain. It will confuse your

mind and you will keep trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but

you can’t.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 11

BASIC ADG COURSE 37 GRADUATION AT AMBERLEY

By Jim Gable

The end of June at Amberley – not exactly warm, especially at 3.30 a.m., which is the time that

Merv Reid and I dragged ourselves out of our warm beds to get to the Base in time for the

traditional breakfast with our newest family members.

As we rolled through the gate at Amberley at about five a.m., the security guard cheerfully

informed us that the temperature was minus two degrees!

At the basic course Accommodation block, we were joined by Henry Cichowski, Luke

Donnelly, Vic Smith and Spike Dainer.

A quick hello to SGT Andrew Coy

and the waiting graduates, a brief

presentation of Welcome

Certificates to all the new ADGs and

we headed off to the Airmen’s’ mess

for a good old Air Force breakfast,

during which we were all impressed

with the standard of the course

members, who showed a refreshing

willingness to sit and talk with us

“oldies” and seemed genuinely interested in

our tall tales about life as a Vietnam era

Adgie.

We killed some time until the parade and

once again were impressed with Andrew’s

organisation, as we were shown to special

reserved seats right at the front of the VIP

viewing area.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 12

As always, the parade, the graduates, the drill and the turn-out were impeccable. Group Captain

Peter Davis, OC 95Wing was the Reviewing Officer and his speech appears following this

article.

Prize winners for Course 37 were:

Dux (The Terrence Toole Memorial Trophy): AC James Klein, who also took out the PTI (CPL

Dave Dubber MID) Award ;

Most Improved (The Thomas Irvine Award): AC Toby Page

Livingstone Field Award: CPL Justin Campbell on behalf of No.2 Flight.

The 17 graduating members of Course 37 were

ACs Tobin Barwick; William Campbell; Glen

Christian; Andrew Dixon; Mario Domingues;

Nathan Hewitt; Brandon Holland; James Klein;

Daniel Lea; Toby Page; Jared Rich; Grant

Sherwood; Christopher Smith; Luke Styger; Jake

Thompson; Luke Van-Twest and Callan Wall,

who will all join one of the SECFOR Squadrons

after some well-earned leave.

Congratulations to our newest members and to Parade

Commander Eden Woolan, Instructors SGT Andrew Coy, CPLs

Thomas Smith and Justin Campbell and the rest of the staff .

AC Toby Page, GPCAPT Peter Davis with

the "Most Improved" Trophy

FLTLT Eden Woolan, SGT

Andrew Coy

GPCAPT Davis and AC James Klein with (left) the Dux and (right) the PTI Awards

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 13

Not sure what it all means? The background to each of the awards is as follows:

Dux of the Course

The AC Terence Toole Memorial Trophy, is awarded to the Airfield Defence Guard

who achieves the highest level of academic and practical skills during the course.

Most Improved

The LAC Irvine Trophy is in memory of LAC Thomas Irvine who was the first member of

2 Aerodrome Defence Squadron killed in action defending the airfield on Tarakan Island

in May 1945. This trophy is awarded to the Most Improved student on course.

PTI Award

The Corporal Dave Dubber MID Trophy is presented to the student who has achieved

the highest level of physical fitness during the course.

The Livingston Field Award is named after Livingston Field in the Northern Territory

where the first Airfield Defence Squadron was formed in 1944 to provide guards for

Air Force Units. The award represents the coming together of a brotherhood of airmen

whose role is to defend airfields.

This award is presented to the Section that has consistently performed at a high

standard during the 15 weeks of ADG Basic training, thus representing the modern version of

a brotherhood of fighting men tasked with the defence of Air Force personnel and assets.

The award is received on behalf of the Section by the CPL Instructor of that Section. This

CPL has displayed the high level of professionalism and leadership that has inspired his

section to achieve this award.

OUR GROUND DEFENCE MEMORIAL: MORE HELP NEEDED

One of the few tasks left to be completed before we dedicate our Amberley Memorial is to

complete a list of those ADGs and GRDEFOs who have sadly lost their lives during training

or on duty in Australia.

We plan to mount a plaque with those names on the Memorial before its dedication.

Unfortunately our list of those members is far from complete and Air Force HQ records are

difficult to access, so once again we’re asking for your help.

If you know the names of any of these lost members and the circumstances in which they were

lost, please let us know, either by letter, email or phone. Once we have a complete list, we can

send it to AFHQ who will verify and confirm the details.

Basically, we need the member’s full name, his unit at the time of death, the date and how it

occurred, plus any other details you think could help.

We need your help.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 14

REVIEWING OFFICER’S ADDRESS TO BASIC ADG COURSE GRADUATING 27 JUNE 2014 BY

GPCAPT Peter Davis, OC 95 Wing Amberley

Commanding Officer, WGCDR Tony Houghton,

RAAFSFS staff members, and members of the

graduating course, ladies and gentlemen, good

morning.

It is an honour for me to be a part of this special

occasion today. Let me begin by thanking all of

you on parade this morning for a great

ceremonial display. You have reflected credit on

yourselves and your instructors.

To the families and friends who have travelled to RAAF Base Amberley for this

graduation, thank you for your support to the graduates. Your continuing support will be

vital to assist the future success of the graduates in their ADF career. I can assure you that

the majority of ADF personnel, no matter how many years we have served, have achieved

our goals because of the support of our loved ones.

To the graduates, congratulations on the successful completion of this Course. I know this

course can be very difficult and demanding, both physically and mentally. This course

culminates for most of you nearly eight months of ab-initio and initial employment

training to prepare yourself for life outside the Air Force training environment. You should

not under-estimate your achievement in making it through this very challenging training. You

will over your military careers undertake many other courses, exercises and deployments

and on each occasion you will continue to learn.

All of you will soon arrive on posting at one of our three Security Force Squadrons within

No 95 Wing. Our Security Force Squadrons were established one year ago next Friday. On

this very parade ground on 4 July 2013, the Chief of Air Force reviewed the inaugural

Security Force Squadron Parade. That day marked the start of a new chapter for Air Force

Security. You will be entering a new and exciting working environment - an environment

that will offer you considerably more opportunities than members that graduated more than

12 months ago. Considerable change has already occurred from the previous Airfield

Defence Squadron days and it is pleasing to see the embracement of the new culture and to

see permanent and reserve members from all security force trades working side by side to

deliver the Air Force required security effect. For you as graduates, you will enter the new

environment without having to endure the change that your future workmates have been

through.

You will be taking responsibility for the security of some of the most sophisticated military

aircraft in the world - the super hornet (soon to be fitted with growler), Cl 7, KC30 and in

the near future JSF, P8 and UAV aircraft. You will soon be working alongside Air Force

Security, Air Force Police and Airbase Protection personnel. You will become part of the

tip of sword to protect our expensive and highly classified aircraft and their associated

spares, armament and technology. You will be required to do this at your home location but

will also be required to deploy with aircraft throughout Australia and around the world and

to protect those aircraft and their personnel wherever they deploy. You will also work

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 15

alongside members of other security force squadrons and in the joint and coalition force

environments. I often tell your peers in the Security Force Squadrons and other members of

Air Force, that whilst we can have the best pilots, best technicians and best support staff

for our aircraft, without the effect that our security force provides to protect the aircraft

and uphold the security classification required of those aircraft, that those aircraft would

simply be shiny pieces of metal sitting on our tarmacs. The importance of the task that you

must perform as the Air Force reshapes for the future cannot be underestimated.

This school has equipped you well to do the job that will be asked of you. Life in the Defence

Force can be challenging, particularly during long deployments. You will miss your family

and friends. You will have to work long and hard in often difficult conditions and the

demands placed on you will be many; often beyond what you think you are capable of.

You will gain considerable personal satisfaction from your role.

Always strive to do your tasks to the best of your ability and always remember, we are

all parts of smaller and larger teams in which the individual can have a real and major

contribution towards our collective role as a Defence Force. There will be times when you

may be unsure about how to proceed with a task. So when you reach the edge of your

knowledge, never be afraid to ask your supervisors for guidance and advice, your learning

does not stop after this parade. I do have faith that you have been well prepared to take this

next step. I know you will find your future squadrons have their own specific ways of doing

business; however, you have all learned the essential security culture of safety and teamwork.

Your education will continue through daily interactions with your units' NCOs, WOFFs and

Officers, who will expect your enthusiasm and fresh ideas to improve the way we do

business. All ADF members must continue to improve the way we deliver our capability

to become more efficient and effective in the use of our government allocated resources.

I wish you all the best in your professional careers and look forward to seeing you around our

bases.

I appreciate being given the honour and privilege to officiate today - it really is exciting to

come and review the people that will be the future of our Air Force and to meet some of

you in your new workplaces when you post into No 95 Wing.

To the staff of the School, both uniformed and Public Service, well done. Finally, to

students on parade not graduating today, thanks for your exemplary tum-out and support to

the graduating class. Stay focussed on your path through training and achieving your

graduation day.

Thank you.

WGCDR Tony Houghton, CO RAAFSFS

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 16

DON'T SHOOT JOE HOCKEY By Renny Carter

The poor bastard has inherited a mess of unprecedented proportions that is going to take a long

Liberal tenure to sort out and return to some normality - if at all.

The sad reality is that Australia is made up of three types of people. Workers, bludgers and

pensioners. And is desperately trying to claw every dollar they can back from this hurting

system...the magnifying glass has momentarily paused above the latter category. Which is sad.

We expect the pensioners to be looked after in this country. We don't want to see elderly people

homeless and destitute in Australia. And unlike Italy and Japan - we don't have a culture of

always looking after our senior citizens.

I have an immediate idea that could claw back quite a few millions. Means test the (expletive

deleted) politicians for a start! Let's take a few luminaries who really don't deserve the largesse

we give them.

The wastage in this area alone is horrendous and is a massive burden on the taxpayer.

Moreover, is it justified? Do we get any value for money? The latest revelation that both Rudd

and Gillard get a $200,000 salary for the rest of their natural lives plus enormous travel

allowances, office accommodation and staffing costs is an insult given that neither was poor to

start with and both now have 'jobs'. They are young enough to work. Younger than me! If I

have to keep working until I am 70 plus, why don't they?

A study in 2010 by the Daily Telegraph revealed that Mr Rudd, at 52, a young ex-prime

minister, will receive well in excess of $20 million worth of allowances if he lives to 85. This

is despite the fact he had served just 2 1/2 years as P.M. at that point. This of course has altered

even more dramatically with his additional tenure.

Once retired, he is entitled to his own office, worth about $120,000 a year in Brisbane for the

rest of his life and four staff, which political insiders say will cost $240,000 a year. What? The

Rudd's new multi-million home doesn't have room for a home office?

Mr Rudd would also be entitled to the lease of a car worth up to $55,000 for the rest of his life.

Leasing experts say this would be worth $1000 to 1500 a month. And Mr Rudd will receive all

of these benefits on top of his wife's estimated $210 million fortune!

Surely this good luck is the result of considerable 'Government' work being put her way and

rules them out of any more wanton generosity from the Australian people.

Add to this, Gillard. This former communist who has now embraced the capitalist ideal with

both arms and not a whimper of complaint I notice. She has already ditched the brick veneer

in Altona for a swanky pool-side ponderosa in leafy Adelaide no doubt made possible by a

$500,000 salary and ongoing perks.

My point is this. I have had to make cuts to my life because things change. The expensive office

I used to lease in Melbourne is gone because, with the internet I can now work from home. I

now use consultants rather than employ up to 10 people which today would send me broke. I

now drive a ute because it is cheaper to register and insure. Cost cutting measures made to

ensure I can continue to work in a country that is very much prejudiced against senior aged

workers.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 17

Mrs Renny is not happy. I have taken over a picturesque corner of our winter lounge room and

in her words - I am a messer! When the drawing board comes out, which it does at least once

a month, the kitchen table is also rendered unserviceable. Not to mention several square yards

around it.

Why is it then that we continue to provide multiple millions to give these buggers swanky

offices to run their now quite irrelevant lives from? I mean what has Hawke's or Keating's

offices churned out in the past few years that justifies these silly extravagances? Books about

them? Utterances from them? Both could be made from their kitchen tables surely! Does an

Ex-PM really need an office that costs up to $14,000 a month? They have large homes with

room for an office. None lives in a 'bed-sit'. None even knows what a 'bed-sit' is! Maybe they

should become pensioners and find out.

Just so I am being even handed here - according to the 2010 figures Keating was in fact the

most frugal as he keeps staffing costs low by engaging people on a part-time and ad hoc basis.

Each former PM is entitled to at least two staff, including a senior private secretary, and the

annual wages bill of each is nearly $300,000. Mr Keating saves about $70,000 a year by using

staff as he needs them instead of full time appointees.

However, new figures have come to light revealing that in the seven months after leaving

office, Mr Howard spent $109,892 on limousine services, evenly split between the government

Comcar service and private hire cars. Mr Howard's office rental was the highest at $13,853 a

month, closely followed by former PM Malcolm Fraser, whose 101 Collins St office in

Melbourne costs taxpayers $12,122 a month.

Former Labor PMs Whitlam and Hawke have offices on adjacent floors in Sydney's Potts Point

at 100 William St. The monthly cost for each is $7464 and $7898 respectively. Mr Keating's

office is also in Potts Point, in Manning St, and costs slightly less at $7434 a month.

The former PMs also have their home and mobile phone bills paid by taxpayers, as well as

unlimited allowances for publications, a private self-drive car, and air fares for them and their

spouse. (Which really irks in the case of Therese Rein who has $210 million in the bank.

These are in addition to their pensions under the generous former Parliamentary superannuation

scheme, which gives them a pension INDEXED TO CURRENT MPs’ SALARIES FOR LIFE!

The payout they receive depends on their length of service in Parliament, which is accelerated

in the case of prime ministers and their final salary.

Each PM can usually expect to receive about 70 per cent of the incumbent's salary, unless they

chose to take a lump sum on retirement. (I thank the Daily Telegraph for doing the hard yards

here with the figures and info.)

I have nothing against paying our PM a wage that reflects the importance of their job, but I

have lots against them making millions from us when they a) don't really need it and b) don't

really deserve it anymore.

But now, the ones facing the fiscal axe, are the poor pensioners who have worked and paid tax

all their lives! As for the bludgers…well that's a whole separate issue.

Renny Carter 53, is an old journo and one of the Liberal Party's faceless men, who has opinions on

anything in Contemporary life.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 18

VIETNAM VETERANS FRIENDLY RETREATS

Queensland Standown Park: 91 Radke Road, Kia Ora (halfway between Gympie and Tin Can Bay).

Power, water, pets, open fire, showers, toilets, disable facilities, coin laundry, secure off

the highway, restful surrounds. No cabins/onsite vans. Discount for veterans. Contact

owners Rod (ex 9RAR) and Pam Elkington (07) 5486 5144 or 0417 718 127

Cockscomb Veterans Camp: Located 23km from Rockhampton, camp kitchen,

showers, toilets, no power, $ 5 donation. Contact Allan Evans (07) 4934 4941 for

directions.

Pandanus Park: Follow the three red stripes from Mareeba, no facilities, take all and

remove your rubbish. This is an isolated retreat in Cape York.

Sapphire Gemfields: Located behind the post office at the RSL, power, toilets, showers,

water, and barbecue. The Club bar is open Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. $5.00 per

night. Contact Peter Johnson (ex 6RAR) 0439 797 175.

Alaric Homestead Veterans Retreat at Quilpie: The Homestead is fully furnished and

managed by a Veteran Duty Officer. Very low nominal fee charged per day. Caravans and

camper trailers can be parked at a low daily fee. Booking essential for the Homestead (not

necessary for caravans/campers). Contact the Duty Officer (07) 4656 4740.

Rocky Creek War Memorial Park: This camp spot is located at Tolga. The Atherton

Shire Council maintains it. There is a 72-hour limit and a gold coin donation. There are

toilets, barbecue, and non-potable water. It is a memorial site to all soldiers, who trained

on the tablelands before being sent overseas. There is a caretaker on site.

Zac's Place: Located on 715 Ross River Road, Kirwan, (Townsville). Run by VVAA Qld

Branch. There is accommodation for up to 11 people with all facilities. Tariff is $25.00

Accommodation, Breakfast and Light Lunch. Contact manager Mrs Margaret Standfast

Ph. (07) 4773 6980 or A/H (07) 4723 7022.

Homestead Caravan Park: located along the Landsborough Highway at Barcaldine

Queensland Every day in the late afternoon during winter your hosts Ben and Thanh

prepare the campfire with damper and billy tea proved prepared the old bush way.

Entertainment nightly. They always have something special on for Vietnam Veterans Day

18August. Cabins available. For Reservations ph. Ben or Thanh on (07) 4651 130.

New South Wales Raymond Deed Retreat: This retreat is located at Dareton. There is power, water, pets

for $10.00 per night. Phone the caretakers Col and Robyn Dunkley (03) 5027 4983.

Murraguldrie Veterans Retreat: Run by VVAA South West NSW Sub-Branch.

Located on the edge of the Murraguldrie State Forest about a forty minute drive from

Wagga Wagga, approximately seven kilometres from the Hume Highway. Turn off point

to Tumbarumba on the Tumbarumba Road. A "Bush retreat" with a shelter shed, some

kitchen facilities, toilet/shower block and newly completed caravan parking area with

separate area which can be used by camper trailers and tents. No power available but there

is provision to plug in a generator for lights in the shelter shed and toilet areas. As the only

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 19

water available is tank water, arrive with full water tanks if possible, we also have hot

water "Donkey" for showers.

This retreat is now open all year round. As we are subject to fire bans there is NO

LIGHTING OF SOLID FUEL FIRES ON TOTAL FIRE BAN DAYS. There is a BBQ in

the shelter shed but you will need gas bottle (POL connector). Please note the gate is

locked. Visitor Contact: Gordon Irvin 0428 381 292 or Bob May 0417 490 127, Retreat

Manager Les White 0428 226 097.

GPS Co-ordinates. S35.50270° E147.42462°

South Australia Bubblagowrie Vietnam Veterans Village: Located between Stansbury and Giles Point

Yorktown. Three Veteran Museums - $5.00 admission. Cabins $40.00 per night, vans $8.00

per night. There is power, water, restaurant, and vets memorial plot. Contact owner Chris

Soar (ex vet of Malaya) (08) 8853 4379 or 0419 853 294.

Camp Andrew Russell: in South Australia is located 35km South East of Loxton along

the Murray Bridge Road, turn left (or right if coming from Adelaide) onto the Lameroo

Road, taking the right fork along the road. The entrance is marked with a cream tractor

tyre, just past a road sign. You will need a key for access and thus need to contact John

Hough mobile 0409 098 093.

Tasmania Tasmania Veterans Retreat (Interlaken retreat): Offers House accommodation in the

remote Central Highlands area, 20 minutes from Bothwell. $30.00 per double + $5.00 per

extra person. For Bookings Robin O'Connor (030 6224 0881.

Western Australia Camp Hart: Camp Hart is a combination of private and crown land vested with the Shire

of Kulin. It is situated 3.5 hours south east of Perth, 14kms east of Kulin, Camp Hart is a

memorial park located next of Lake Jilakin and in the shadow of Jilakin Rock. It offers

shade, ablution block, sheltered barbecue and bush kitchen. Donations are welcome. Open

to all ADF Veterans. All inquiries are to be made to Roger Lingard (08) 9527 8000 or

0419 944 627.

Paddy's Flat, Meekatharra: resort style facility with unit accommodation including a

community kitchen, laundry, large swimming pool and BBQ area. For booking

information call Chris Atkins Caretaker and veteran on (08) 9980 1220.

Bruce Rock: situated 254 Km from Perth in the wheat belt. Vets always welcome but

each year in November they conduct a Vietnam Veterans activity. Most stay at the Bruce

Rock Caravan Park Ph. (08) 9061 1070

Northern Territory Roper Retreat: Same as for Pandanus Park, take only Photos. Leave no footprints,

Located 31 Kim along the Northern Territory Highway turn north at Elsey Station sign. 3

kilometres along you pass the Manger's House and just 5km you reach the Roper. PH

Tony 0401 100 514 or Jimbob 0419 414 209.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 20

Coral House: Located 107 Bagot Rd, Ludmilla run by WAA NT, shared kitchen

facilities, laundry and bathroom, linen, TV in common room three shared bedrooms

providing seven beds. Contact manager Jack Hamilton on Ph. 8948 0050.

Darwin Retreat: about 1.5 hours' drive from Darwin is a place called Pioneer Beach,

western side of Cox Peninsula. The actual site used by the Vets is back from the beach

about 5Km in from the turn off that continues to Mandorah.

For any further information on any of these retreats please visit our website

www.vvaa.org.au and follow the prompts and happy tripping.

If any .Grey nomads know or hear of any other veteran friendly retreats please let us know

by notifying Rob Cox, via the website, together with details of where it is, how much,

what facilities and activities if any along with a couple of photos if available so that we

can include them on our website and let everyone know.

BEIJING HOTEL BROCHURE - TRANSLATED AS ONLY THEY CAN.

This brochure is provided by a major Beijing hotel. Obviously, it has been translated

directly, word for word from Mandarin to English.

Getting There: Our representative will make you wait at the airport. The bus to the hotel

runs along the lake shore. Soon you will feel pleasure in passing water. You will know that

you are getting near the hotel, because you will go round the bend. The manager will await

you in the entrance hall. He always tries to have intercourse with all new guests.

The Hotel: This is a family hotel, so children are very welcome. We of course are always

pleased to accept adultery. Highly skilled nurses are available in the evenings to put down your

children. Guests are invited to conjugate in the bar and expose themselves to others. But please

note that ladies are not allowed to have babies in the bar. We organize social games, so no

guest is ever left alone to play with them self

The Restaurant: Our menus have been carefully chosen to be ordinary and unexciting. At

dinner, our quartet will circulate from table to table, and fiddle with you.

Your Room: Every room has excellent facilities for your private parts. In winter, every room

is on heat. Each room has a balcony offering views of outstanding obscenity! You will not be

disturbed by traffic noise, since the road between the hotel and the lake is used only by

pederasts.

Bed: Your bed has been made in accordance with local tradition. If you have any other ideas

please ring for the chambermaid. Please take advantage of her. She will be very pleased to

squash your shirts, blouses and underwear. If asked, she will also squeeze your trousers.

Above All: When you leave us at the end of your holiday, you will have no hope. You will

struggle to forget it.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 21

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST RAAF OPERATIONAL UNIT DEPLOYMENT TO VIETNAM 8TH AUGUST 1964

Background On 20 July 1964, RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam

(RTFV) was formed with members drawn mainly from

No 38 Squadron at RAAF Richmond New South Wales.

The new members of RTFV went to Butterworth,

Malaysia, and intercepted three brand new Caribou

aircraft that were on their planned trip from Canada for

normal service in Australia. The new RTFV unit was led

by Squadron Leader Chris Sugden DFC, a veteran of both

the Second World War and Korean War. During a few weeks at Butterworth the team's pilots

honed their flying skills and the engineering team prepared the aircraft for war service as best

they could with the minimal support available.

On the 8'' of August 1964 RTFV, consisting of 33 members, flew their three new Caribous to

its operational base at Vung Tau in the Republic of South Vietnam. The weather on that day

50 years ago was dreadful and the aircraft landed in the pouring rain skirting low monsoonal

clouds for their landing on a rough and slippery World War II steel planked runway!

This event marked the first deployment of an RAAF Unit on operations since the Korean War.

By the end of 1964, the unit strength had grown to 76 members and six aircraft. The RTFV, later

becoming No 35 Squadron (35SQN), was also the last RAAF Unit to leave the Vietnam War in

1972.

The Decision to Commit the RAAF to Vietnam Australia's presence in Vietnam was as a result of pressure from the US Government as early

as 1962, under the SEATO Agreement, for Australia to contribute military support to help

combat the deteriorating situation in South Vietnam. Australia's first contribution was a small

team of Army advisers in late 1962. In early 1963 Australia was asked to provide a small

number of Dakota aircraft and crews for Vietnam.

At the time the RAAF was in the early stages of a program to replace its Dakota aircraft at 38

Squadron with the De Havilland Canada Caribou and was unable to meet this request from the

US. In May 1964, under continuing pressure to provide tactical air transport support, and

although the new Caribou squadron was still in the very early stages of receiving its aircraft

from the factory in Canada and was not expected to be fully operational until January 1965, the

RAAF agreed to provide a detachment of six Caribou to go to Vietnam by October 1964.

Moreover, if the need was really urgent that a contribution be made earlier, this timing could

be improved by providing three Caribou by late June. For an early deployment mid-1964, the

aircraft would have to be completely supported by the United States in Vietnam because none

of the RAAF support equipment would be available at that early stage of the Caribou re-

equipment program in Australia. On 29 May 1964 Cabinet accepted these levels and forms of

assistance, deciding, too, that the aircraft to be sent should be deployed at the earliest date

possible. ("The RAAF in Vietnam" by Chris Coulthard-Clark, p33)

Departure from Australia and Arrival in Vung Tau Late July the initial 33 members of RTFV quietly and inconspicuously in civvy clothes left

Australia on a British BOAC flight to Singapore, to proceed to Butterworth in Malaysia to

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 22

intercept three new Caribou aircraft which were originally destined to be there on their delivery

flight route from Canada to Australia.

They all had "one way tickets" for the jet flight out of Sydney. No one at that stage had any

idea of how long they would be away. Leaving Sydney most of the group looked more like

young surfers going away for a holiday than airmen being deployed to war — although some

tears from the wives, sweethearts and mates told a

different story.

On the 8th August 1964 the small unit deployed in its

three aircraft to Vung Tau on the Cap St Jacques

peninsula, South Vietnam. Vung Tau was chosen as the

operating base for the unit because it was the home base

of the US Army's Caribou force and it was expected to

ease access to spares and maintenance support.

Settling in to Vung Tau

The US Government was paid to provide accommodation and support for the RAAF air and

ground crews. On arrival the RAAF members soon discovered the accommodation provided by

the Americans was less than satisfactory.

The on-base accommodation consisted of open-sided wooden huts next to an open sewer and

alongside a generator running continuously day and night. After making the best of it for a couple

of weeks, the boss Chris Sugden DFC decided that with undisturbed rest being impossible, they

had to move or the unit could not operate effectively. People from the Unit searched what was

available in town and thus the Ngoc Huong Motel was found — luxury at last! - Six people to

a room — only cold showers — one room converted to the "Bar" — an outside BBQ

constructed — a beer fridge "found" — and a surge in morale — Aussies together! The rental

was initially paid for out of the members' own pockets.

As the unit expanded later in 1964 with three more aircraft, the officers moved into the Villa Anna

nearby. These new arrangements allowed the Australians to be together and to build up the esprit

de corps famous among Australians everywhere, and was one of the major factors behind the

unit's ability to generate the extraordinary operational workload which became synonymous with

RTFV and its new call sign "Wallaby".

Operations in Vietnam "Wallaby Airlines" (coined by the unit's USAF liaison

officer) quickly became known as a can-do operation.

The Unit was under the Operational Control of the

USAF. The first missions consisted primarily of short-

haul resupply tasks from the USAF supply base at

Saigon's Tan Son Nhut airport and then supporting

Special Forces located at camps next to rough and short

airstrips requiring the Caribou's unique capability for

short take-off and landing (STOL). The demanding short airstrips were often located in

hazardous mountainous terrain near the North Vietnamese border area or in the swampy

marshes of the Mekong Delta.

Often in terrible weather the Australian crews were the only operators able to make it into these

makeshift airstrips. This resulted in a high demand for the "Wallabies". Cargo loads often

consisted of - troops (often with their families) —bales of barbed wire — lots of "empty" fuel

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 23

drums — cattle, pigs and ducks — guns and ammunition —

evacuation of battle casualties — and, if you were lucky,

Bob Hope and the USO entertainment group. With their

very low and slow flying characteristics the Caribou were

ideal for unloading this cargo by parachute (including the

cows!) or by very short landings in forward areas, frequently

with a fighter escort.

Demand for rapid tactical support was so critical in the

forward areas near the Ho Chi Minh trails that the RAAF

used a unique form of supply delivery called LAPES (low

altitude parachute extraction system) where the Caribou

would skim low over a small area in the fort on top of a hill

at a height of only a couple of feet and drop a 1000 Kg pallet

of ammunition using a small drogue parachute deployed

from the aircraft into its slipstream.

By the end of 1964 RTFV crews were taught by the USAF the skills of conducting night

support missions by illuminating the night sky with 3 million candlepower flares during attacks

by the Vietcong and North Vietnamese regulars on friendly towns and villages, The USAF

would often provide up to 4 vintage "Skyraider" ground attack planes to help break up the

enemy ground attacks. The "Wallaby" crew would coordinate the fire support through

communication with the forces under attack on the ground and the Skyraider aircraft assigned

in support. The missions were quite dangerous, as the enemy would deliberately target the flare

dropping Caribou with anti-aircraft artillery throughout its mission lasting up to 4 hours. These

missions were later phased out.

The Rates of Effort. Flying days were generally 12-14 hours, taking off before dawn from Vung Tau, Nha Trang or

Danang. The aircraft normally returned after dark. Then it was the turn of the maintenance

crews who worked on the aircraft for as long as necessary throughout the night (and it was

frequently all night) to have them ready to go next morning.

It was normal to fly at least 5 of the six aircraft every day. This rate of effort saw extraordinary

statistics set for hours flown, and volume of cargo hauled or dropped. Each pilot was flying 80-

90 hours per month, more than double the normal peacetime average. It is interesting to note

that the initial authorised rate of effort was 50 hours per aircraft per month, and there was

considerable concern in the early months back in Australia whether RTFV could keep up the

high flying rate.

Throughout the first year the unit consistently achieved an average of about 450-500 flying

hours per month (about two and a half times the initial expected rate), and this rate of effort

continued throughout the life of the deployment of the unit in Vietnam. In June 1965, after a

particularly busy month, the unit Commanding Officer reported, "many people were under the

impression that the Australians were operating about 25 aircraft". No less important is the fact

that this effort was not achieved at the cost of poor aircraft maintenance. Indeed a USAF senior

officer at the time noted in writing that the Australian Caribous were "the best maintained

machines in Vietnam". The rate of effort and sustained serviceability amazed the Americans.

US Air Medal Awards to the Aircrew The United States government through the USAF command in South Vietnam nominated the

aircrew of RTFV, and later No 35 Squadron, for the prestigious award of the Air Medal given

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 24

that all operations were under their operational control. The Australian Government refused

acceptance of the bestowal of this award to the pilots and crewmen of RTFV and 35 Squadron.

The US Air Medal awards were approved by the US Government in 2007 after 8 years of liaison

and support from the USAF Air Commando Veterans' Association. The first of the Air Medals

were bestowed by the US Ambassador to Australia at a Ceremony in Canberra on 4th April 2008.

RAAF in Vietnam post 1964. The RAAF presence in Vietnam eventually grew from this small beginning of a flight of six

Caribou and 76 men in 1964 to a force at its peak of nearly 750 men in three operational

squadrons, flying Caribou transports, Iroquois helicopters, Canberra bombers, and a Support

Unit. Additionally, a team of Forward Air Controllers drawn from RAAF Fighter squadrons

were embedded in the USAF and US Army units for the coordination and conduct of high risk

ground attack missions. As noted by Chris Coulthard-Clark in his official history of the RAAF

in Vietnam (p372): With a presence spanning seven and a half years, from August 1964 to

February 1972, and a role which lasted until December 1972, the duration of its direct

involvement in this conflict was exceeded only by the Army's training team. Well might one

popular air journal have noted in 1968:

RAAF support of Australian operations in Vietnam, and those of her allies, has been largely

overshadowed by the flying operations of the USAF; but the fact remains that, not only in South

Vietnam, but in long-range transport flights between Vietnam and Australia, these operations

greatly exceeded in extent and significance RAAF action in any operation since the Second World

War. (Flight International 24 October 1968, pp680-1)

The last Caribou flew out of Vietnam with No 35 SQN in early 1972. The last RAAF regular

flights into South Vietnam, right up to the end of the collapse of South Vietnam, were Dakota

aircraft from the RAAF's Transport Support Flight based in Butterworth, Malaysia and C130

Hercules evacuation flights from Saigon by No 36 and 37 Squadrons normally based at the

RAAF Airbase at Richmond, NSW.

ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ ON PAGE 6

1. Johnny

2. Meat.

3. Mt. Everest.

4. None. There is no dirt in a hole

5. Incorrectly

6. You can't take pictures with a wooden leg. You need a camera to take pictures.

7. Same as is it now – Tony Abbott

8. Second.

9. Neither, the yolk of the egg is yellow

10. One. If he combines all of his haystacks, they all become one big one.

BEST QUOTE OF ANY ERA! "The Budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be

reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to

foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome will become bankrupt. People must again learn to

work instead of living on public assistance." Cicero 55 BC

Evidently we've learned bugger all over the past 2,069 years.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 25

RECENT NEWS FROM DVA

VIETNAM VETERANS REMEMBERED ACROSS AUSTRALIA

Veterans, their families and the wider community gathered at ceremonies across the country

last weekend, and especially on Monday, to mark Vietnam Veterans’ Remembrance Day.

Australians join together to honour the men and women who served our nation during the

Vietnam War. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam in South Vietnam during July and

August 1962 marked the commencement of Australia’s involvement in the war. By the time

the war had come to an end, over a decade later, almost 60,000 Australians had served, of these

men and women, 521 died and more than 3,000 were wounded.

As we paused to honour and remember those who lost their lives, we must also pay tribute to

those who served and returned home, many still carrying the effects of the war. The physical

and mental scars left by war are still evident for many of those who served and their families.

A range of support and services is available to veterans and their families. Children of Vietnam

Veterans can access the Long Tan Bursary Scheme which provides up to $9,000 over three

years to help them pursue their chosen study or professional career. Applications opened on

Monday 18 August and will close on Friday 31 October 2014.

The Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) is the legacy of Australia's

Vietnam veterans. Founded in 1982, today VVCS provides free and confidential, nation-wide

counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions to all Australian

veterans and their families. For help, to learn more, or to check eligibility for VVCS services,

call 1800 011 046 or visit www.vvcs.gov.au

Over the Anzac Centenary period we remember a century of service and sacrifice in all wars,

conflicts and peace keeping operations, including Vietnam. It will be a defining period in our

nation’s history, as we seek to better understand where we fought, when we fought and reflect

on the values we fought to defend.

For more information on the Long Tan Bursary Scheme, visit www.dva.gov.au/grants or on

the Vietnam War visit http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au

GREATER ACCESS TO HEALTH AND WELLBEING SERVICES THROUGH FACEBOOK

As part of the Abbott Government’s ongoing commitment to increasing the accessibility of

veteran mental health support, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon Michael

Ronaldson has launched an integrated social media presence for the Veterans and Veterans

Families Counselling Service (VVCS).

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 26

“The VVCS is at the frontline of mental health and wellbeing support for the veteran

community and provides counselling and group programs for veterans and their family

members,” Senator Ronaldson said.

Combined with the VVCS Website, a VVCS Facebook presence provides an additional

pathway for members of the veteran community and their families to connect to this important

support service. “The VVCS Facebook page will enable the veteran community to learn more

about VVCS group programs and other services. It will also provide an avenue for community

questions to be answered as an online VVCS veteran support community is established. VVCS

online tools can be accessed on mobile platforms, ensuring instant and simplified access to

information and support details when it’s needed.”

Announcing the launch on Vietnam Veterans Day, Senator Ronaldson said that online tools

can support existing services in an important way. “The VVCS online presence is part of a

wider initiative by my Department to increase on-line and social media presence.”

The VVCS provides free and confidential, nation-wide counselling and support for war and

service-related mental health conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety,

depression, sleep disturbance and anger. The VVCS also provides relationship and family

counselling to address issues that can arise due to the unique nature of military service.

RESTORATION OF VETERAN ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT FUNDING

On 7th August The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson

announced $3.8 million in funding to deliver important support services to Australia’s ex-

service community.

“The Government has restored advocacy and support funding for the veteran community which

was cut by Labor. The 2014-15 budget provides an additional $1 million per year to the

Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) programme over the forward estimates.

This funding will support the work of veterans’ advocates in helping veterans, war widows and

widowers to access important information and services,” Senator Ronaldson said.

“This year 141 organisations have shared in $3.8 million in funding, ensuring the veteran

community can continue to get the help and advice they need, when they need it, and from the

people they trust. “BEST is the glue which holds the ex-service community together and I’m

pleased the Government can continue to support this invaluable work,” he said.

“The additional $1 million in funding will support the work of veterans’ advocates, welfare

and pension officers right across the country and provide them with greater certainty into the

future.” Senator Ronaldson said the Government had consulted extensively with Ex-Service

Organisations to determine how best to spend the funding. “We’ve listened to feedback from

the Ex-Service Organisation Roundtable and as a result, more support will be made available

to cover out-of-pocket expenses for volunteers and increased consideration will be given to an

organisation’s welfare work when calculating funding,” he said.

BEST grants help ESOs fund a range of veteran support measures including salaries for trained

advocates and pension staff, and administrative needs, including essential office supplies such

as computer equipment and internet access. For more information on DVA grants visit

www.dva.gov.au/grants or call 133 254 or 1800 555 254 for regional callers.

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 27

CUTTING RED TAPE FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

21 August 2014: Current serving ADF members, including Reservists, who hold a purple ADF

ID card will benefit from a new DVA and Defence move to reduce red tape in the claims

application process, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson

announced today.

Senator Ronaldson said that from 1 September 2014, ADF members will be able use their

purple ADF ID Card to prove their identity for the purposes of making a DVA claim.

“The new arrangement means a claim can commence from the point of first contact. It will

streamline the current 100 point identity verification process, speeding up the process for both

clients and staff.”

“This initiative recognises the unique nature of military service and demonstrates the

Government’s ongoing efforts to cut red tape for veterans and their families.”

Senator Ronaldson said the new arrangement was made possible through DVA and Defence’s

existing information sharing arrangement and would ensure current serving members and

Reservists could get help quickly without the need for initial paperwork.

“The ability for ADF members to talk to a DVA staff member at over 35 bases across the

country as part of the On Base Advisory Service, or attend a DVA office in person and lodge

a claim on the spot, will ensure they get faster access to the support they need.

Senator Ronaldson said this arrangement is one of many actions the Government is taking to

reduce red tape and the time taken to process claims.

“Work will continue to improve claims processing times including reviewing and improving

business processes, redeveloping IT systems, and improving communication with clients.”

“DVA is making many positive steps in the right direction and I will update the defence and

veteran communities as this work progresses.”

More information on new proof of identity arrangements is available in a Factsheet on the DVA

website, www.dva.gov.au. For more information on the On Base Advisory Service visit

www.dva.gov.au/obas.htm

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) and Veterans Line can be

reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential

counselling. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 4546)

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 28

NEW WEBSITE LINKS VETERANS TO SUPPORT WHEN THEY NEED IT

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson officially launched a

new dedicated website for the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) at

the South Australian RSL Congress in Adelaide on 5th July 2014.

VVCS is a free and confidential service that offers eligible veterans counselling, group

programs, and after-hours crisis support 24 hours a day.

"Tackling the mental health challenges facing veterans and their families is a key pillar of the

Government's plan for veterans' affairs.

The Government's priority is to ensure that we have in place the mental health services and

supports that are needed for veterans and their families."

"VVCS is at the frontline of mental health and wellbeing support for the Australian veteran

and ex-service community. The services provided by VVCS are particularly important as they

also support the families, who significantly support veterans."

The launch of a new dedicated website for VVCS builds on the Minister's recent

announcements to improve access to mental health treatment, including access to counselling

and support.

From 1 July 2014, former serving members who have border protection service, served in a

disaster zone either in Australia or overseas, served as a submariner, were involved in training

accidents resulting in serious injury or were medically discharged can access VVCS services.

VVCS services are also available to partners and their dependent children, up to the age of 26,

of these newly eligible service men and women. Along with the partners, dependent children,

aged up to 26, and parents of members killed in service-related incidents.

"The Government spends around $166 million a year on meeting the mental health needs of

Veterans and their families. The funding for treatment is demand driven, and it is not capped

- if treatment is needed, it is funded."

"This Government is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past. This means we need to

develop a strong understanding of the issues and challenges faced by veteran and defence

communities including their families, and to have a robust evidence base to inform efforts to

reduce stigma around mental illness and to keep improving our services." Senator Ronaldson

said.

A mobile version of the new VVCS website has also been developed to ensure that veterans

and their families can access information and support details when they need to.

The new VVCS dedicated website can be accessed at: www.vvcs.gov.au

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) and Veterans Line can be

reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling.

Phone 1800 011 046

(International: +61 8 8241 4546)

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 29

NEW APPROACH TO DVA SERVICES IN REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES AND VICTORIA

From June 2014, changes will be made to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)

shopfront services in nine regional areas in Victoria and NSW to ensure veterans living in those

communities can continue to access face-to-face support at a location close to their home.

In March 2014, DVA consulted with veterans, war widows and widowers, their families and

staff to learn more about how the veteran community wants to access services in the future.

The consultation investigated the most effective and sustainable way to provide services to

veterans, war widows and widowers, and their families living in these nine regions.

Consultation was focussed on Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Frankston, Mildura, Morwell and

Warrnambool in Victoria, and Gosford and Wollongong in New South Wales.

DVA has recognised that face-to-face contact remains important. It was also clear from the

consultation that more and more clients are choosing to use the telephone or internet to contact

DVA and visits to shopfronts have declined by 28 per cent since 2009.

In response to the feedback received during consultation the new arrangements will involve:

· Morwell VAN office will be co-located into DHS Morwell;

· Ballarat VAN office will be co-located into DHS Ballarat;

· Frankston, Gosford, Bairnsdale and Wollongong VAN offices will close. Veteran

information services will be provided by DHS service centres sites in Frankston, Wyong,

Nowra and Morwell;

· Bendigo, Mildura and Warrnambool agency contracts to cease and DHS service centre

arrangements will be put in place in those locations.

In Ballarat and Morwell a DVA staff member will continue to provide the same services as

before, but co-located with DHS offices. In other locations trained DHS staff will provide

information services, with specialist training and support from DVA staff.

In addition to the new shopfront services, outreach services will continue to be delivered in

each of these regions. This will include DVA staff visiting on scheduled dates to meet with

clients who require additional assistance. These visits will be advertised to the local veteran

community and held in an appropriate meeting space.

Outreach will also include community-based activities such as grant workshops, Day Club

visits, Men’s Health Peer Education and presentations on DVA services and entitlements.

No VAN offices will close until the new arrangements are in place. Once in place, veterans in

the affected areas will be notified in writing about the new service arrangements.

Similar veteran information services already operate in 17 locations across Australia, including

in areas like Port Macquarie, Dubbo, Tamworth, and Hervey Bay, where a large number of

veterans and their families reside.

“Once the new arrangements are in place, veterans will be able to get assistance from trained

staff based at the DHS shopfront every day during standard opening hours. These shopfronts

will have DVA specific signage,” Senator Ronaldson explained.

“The Government is committed to a stand-alone Department of Veterans' Affairs. These

changes will ensure that DVA can continue to offer services to veterans and their families for

the long-term.”

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 30

GRANTS BOOST QUALITY OF LIFE FOR VETERAN COMMUNITY

16 July 2016: Nineteen projects enriching the quality of lives of veterans across the country

have received funding worth $236,294 as part of the Veteran and Community Grants program,

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson announced today.

Some of the projects included the purchase of computer equipment and the establishment of

websites to help members of ex-service organisations stay connected; cooking classes to enable

veterans to prepare healthy meals at home; and bus trips to reduce social isolation.

“The Australian Government is pleased to support projects that directly benefit the defence and

veteran community. I congratulate each of the successful organisations on their ongoing

dedication to these invaluable initiatives,” Senator Ronaldson said.

Ex-service and community organisations, veteran representative groups, private organisations

and projects that promote improved independence and quality of life for veterans are eligible

for funding through the Veteran and Community Grants program.

RSLs and other veteran and defence community organisations provide a central hub of support,

recreation and comradeship for current and former servicemen and women and families. “Since

1999, the program has helped ex-service organisations continue to provide high quality services

and support to the veteran and defence community, as well as assisting in attracting the next

generation of members,” Senator Ronaldson said.

The Australian community is justly proud of the service and sacrifice of our veterans and those

currently serving in the Australian Defence Force. Each of these grants is a show of our

appreciation and gratitude to our sailors, soldiers, airmen and nurses, past and present. The

program will continue to provide funding in future rounds. I encourage eligible veteran or

defence groups to consider how a grant could help deliver support to their community.”

For further information on how to apply visit www.dva.gov.au/grants or contact your nearest

DVA office on 133 254 or 1800 555 254 from regional Australia.

THE RAAF VUNG TAU SURF CLUB This was received via email a short while ago. Please share … If you have any information please email Brian brianv@bigpond.com “David Field a talented Surf Life Saving Instructor from the Cudgen Headland SLSC is running a surf carnival/festival at Da Nang next month and raises a question about a Surf Club run by the RAAF at Vung Tau during the Vietnam war. Can anyone provide enlightenment?”

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 31

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD

Welcome to our newest member Lyle (Radar) O’Reilly. New members are

always welcome and we encourage existing members to talk to your mates

about membership. Welcome Radar.

Congratulations: to Patron Air Marshal David Evans, awarded Life

Membership at the last AGM. Could not go to a more deserving person!

Sick Parade: Ken Hazel has just undergone major surgery in Darwin and is

progressing as well as can be expected.

Carolyn McLeod, wife of the late Ken McLeod, was recently hit by a car as

she was crossing the road and is now in hospital with some serious injuries

but we understand she is well on the way to recovery

Where the Heck is…? We’ve had returned mail marked “not at this address” from Brian Taylor in

WA, John Healey in Sydney, as well as Mick Welch and Craig Montgomery.

If you can shed some light on their disappearance please let us know.

R.I.P.: It is with much sadness that we report the passing of one of our

Legends, WW2 RAAF Guard Eric Carpenter, in May this year. Eric was a

steadfast supporter of the Association from the day he joined and made the

effort on many occasions to be with us at reunions and other gatherings. He

will be sadly missed and we offer our deepest sympathies to his family.

We also learned that Peter Sutcliffe had passed away at about the same time.

Although not a member of the Association, Peter was well liked and our

condolences go out to his family and his many friends.

Lest we forget.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

After several months of debate and discussion, your committee has now taken the decision to

create a Facebook group as one more means of keeping you up to date on what’s happening

with the Association. This move will hopefully encourage more interest and involvement

among our serving members as well as the majority of our members who have internet access.

Thanks to the efforts of Vic Smith, the page is now up and running. It’s a dedicated, closed

group available only to Association members by invitation and we are seeing a steady stream

of members joining up.

Vic is doing a major job in contacting all of our members who have supplied an email address,

and inviting them to join the group. If you would like to do so but haven’t yet heard from Vic,

give us a call at the office and we’ll get you in the loop.

The Association’s Group name is

Airfield Defence Association Australia Inc.

2016 ADG REUNION SURVEY

2016 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the re-forming of the ADG Mustering in 1966.

After the great success of the 2014 reunion in Adelaide, the Association is keen to decide on where and when we should hold our 50th Anniversary reunion.

A suggestion was made in Adelaide that the decision should be made by the members of Numbers one, two, three and four ADG courses, which all graduated in 1966. We have now received their replies, but to make it unanimous, we need your input as well. Your views are very important to the Association and every reply will be considered, however as always, it will be a decision based on the majority of replies that come back to us.

Please take a few minutes to fill in the following quick survey and return it to us as soon as possible. Once we have recorded all the results, we’ll let you know what the final decision will be. If you have already returned the form to us, you don’t need to do it again.

Please place a number in the box for each question according to your preference, add

any additional comments on the back of the form, and send it back to us in the enclosed envelope.

YES NO

1 Would you come to our 50th Anniversary Reunion if you were able to?

2 Where would you prefer the 50th Anniversary of the ADG Mustering to be held? Please

number the boxes next to your choices in the order that you would prefer.

Brisbane

Canberra

Cruise from somewhere to somewhere

Hobart

Ipswich/Amberley (Where it all began)

Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island QLD

Launceston

Melbourne

Newcastle

Perth

Stradbroke Island QLD

Sydney

Wagga Wagga

3 Don’t like any of the above? Please write any alternate suggestions below:

Are there an additional comments you would like to make that could help us with this big decision? If so, please write them b before you send it back.

Your Name: ________________________________________________________

Phone: ( ) ______________________ Email: ________________________

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 2

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

TH E L AST W ORD

A little while ago we had a letter from a member who resigned from the Association

because he hadn’t seen any Blue Beret newsletters for more than three years.

That letter also complained that he wouldn’t go to any of our reunions because he’d already

visited those places. In my reply I pointed out to him that we chose the venues based on

feedback from our members and the whole point was to catch up with mates who lived in

different cities and who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to get together and tell lies to each

other. The fact that most of us have already been to those cities really didn’t come into it. I also

suggested to him that if I had a problem with not receiving regular newsletters, I probably

wouldn’t have waited three and a half years to complain about it.

My point is this: About three and a half years ago, at about the time our former member claims

he stopped receiving hard copies of the Blue Beret, we sent out a letter to every member of the

Association, telling them that from then on the newsletter would be available on our web site

instead of being posted out. We included a User Name and Password for each member and

asked anyone without internet access to tell us and they would continue to get a hard copy.

That web page has steadily improved thanks mainly to the efforts of super web-master Tony

Pahl and most of our members have embraced the digital version, or so I believe. The member

in question never bothered to tell us that he didn’t have internet access.

Did you? If you didn’t, then please let us know now so that we can get the newsletter to you in

a form that you’re comfortable with.

Another related issue that seems to crop up regularly is members telling other members that

they can’t access the newsletter web page because they’re having trouble with the user name

or password. If that’s the case, PLEASE call me and I’ll give you detailed instructions on how

to gain access. If we don’t know you’re having a problem, we can’t help you.

On a brighter note, I want to offer my congratulations to Air Marshal Dave Evans, who has

been an absolute tower of strength on our behalf and has fought like a tiger with the Canberra

mob on behalf of ADGs everywhere. David has just been awarded Life Membership of the

Association in recognition of his efforts on our behalf and I’m happy to say that the award was

totally unanimous at our last AGM.

Bad news: Due to rising costs, the Association is leaking money (your money) on a daily basis

and the same AGM approved an increase of $5.00 to annual membership fees, which will now

cost $25.00 from the beginning of our next Financial Year in April 2015. This is our first

increase since 2007 and the total fee is still far less than most other similar Associations.

Good news: In 2016, we will be holding a major reunion to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary

of the re-forming of the ADG mustering. Somewhere in this issue you will find a Survey Form

asking your opinion on where we should hold it and it will be a great help if you could fill it in

and send it back to us. Computer readers, just copy the form to your desktop, print it out, fill it

in and mail it back to us. Scanned copies by email will be fine if you can do it.

In the meantime, stay well and happy! Bye for now

Jim Gable

National Secretary/Treasurer

Blue Beret Issue 58 August 2014 Page 2

MERCHANDISE INFORMATION AND ORDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH

APPLICATION AND OTHER MEMBERSHIP FORMS, CAN NOW BE FOUND ON THE ASSOCIATION

WEB SITE,

www.adgblueberet.org

IF YOU DON’T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AND YOU NEED A PAPER

COPY, PLEASE CONTACT US.