RSL Newsletter from the RSL ACT Branch Inc Edition One 2017 Stand to The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance Lest We Forget www.actrsl.org.au IN THIS ISSUE... Page 1 Page From 1 the President Military courts invalid : Page High 2 Court ANZAC Pilotless eye Day high 2017 in The the sky Flanders Memorial Garden $1.2m available to Page ex-service 3 groups plus Remember another $4mplacemat/ coaster order form RMC Awards Ceremony Trooping the Queen s Colour Page 5 Battle of the Coral Sea Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign Netherlands Remembrance Day Page 6 The 52nd Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day AATVI Association Plaque Dedication Sandakan Memorial Page 7 ACT Branch Sub-Branch Contacts and Meetings Page 8 RSL ACT Membership Subscription Stand To is published four times a year. The Returned Services League of Australia ACT Branch is incorporated under ABN 61 268 362 646. To make a contribution to the newsletter or to sponsor a page, contact the Editor by phone +61 2 6260 6344, fax +61 2 6295 1628 or email editor@actrsl.org.au From the President Firstly, I would like to say welcome to this edition of Stand To. Looking through the articles it is clear that there are a number of significant events that the Branch carries out throughout the year although it is only the half way point of 2017. Secondly, I wish to say thank you to the Council for electing me as your President. I must admit that I enjoyed my first time as President even though at the time I was employed by the CSIRO. Today I am retired and I am amazed how much things have changed especially the representational duties. As the National President resides in Tasmania I find myself representing the National body almost as much as the Branch, sometimes both at the same time. I must also admit I find these duties very much fulfilling personally. Much of my first weeks as President were filled with handover briefings and being brought up to date by the CEO and National Office staff. I thank all who made my transition an easy one. During this period the Branch also underwent a staff change with Dave Mills retiring from the volunteer office manager position. I also wish to congratulate Dave on being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal the highest award that can be given in the RSL. Dave s service well exceeded the criteria set for a member to receive the award. Many of you would be aware of the situation with the activities and operations of the NSW Branch of the RSL due to the high media interest. The media interest has cause the RSL immeasurable damage to our reputation that will linger for a considerable period of time. It will require every member to do what they can to restore our reputation back to where it was prior to our centenary. I hope that over time we can restore confidence with the public and government, and especially with our member s some of whom resigned after many years of devoted time and effort to achieve the RSL s aims. I thank those members who have stood firm and continue to assist the RSL at all levels of services and volunteer work provided to the current and former members of the ADF. In our day to day operations the ACNC is having a large impact on the way we conduct our business. There are more stringent rules and regulations that must be adopted and adhered to by the Branch. Quite frankly I applaud the changes as it makes us more accountable and our members, the public and government with a clear transparency on how we use our funds. I applaud Mr James Brown who along with virtually a whole new executive is striving to correct the issues surrounding the NSW Branch operations. Given time I am sure James and his team will achieve their aims to right any wrongs with the NSW Branch. Unfortunately, the situation with the SA Branch is still being resolved thus I am unable to report on this matter. Needless to say the National Office is working with the administrators and the ACNC to bring about a satisfactory outcome for the member s in SA. Hopefully I can report the outcome in the next edition of Stand To. Kind regards, JOHN KING State President
ANZAC Day 2017 The 102nd anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings, ANZAC Day 2017 will be remembered as one of the wettest for many years. The rain came just as the Dawn Service was about to start and continued throughout the day. The AWM advised that their estimate around 35,000 attended the Dawn Service and a little less than the National Ceremony held later in the morning. Wreaths were laid at the Dawn Service by Mr John King, President, ACT Branch RSL and AIRCDRE Andrew Clark, New Zealand Defence Force who only arrived in Canberra from New Zealand the previous afternoon. Following the Dawn Service the National March took place under what has been described as the wettest day in over 30 years. The rain continued without abatement all day and into the night. The March was led by the National President of the RSL Mr Robert Dick and GPCAPT Carol Abraham, Defence Attaché New Zealand High Commission. The numbers of veterans taking part in the March was understandably down on last year because of the inclement weather. To those who did take part the RSL appreciates the commitment made to attend the March under such trying conditions. As was said after the March by a senior ADF officer that the conditions experienced on this day was nothing compared to the conditions experience by the men and women who were at the Western Front all those years ago. Later, after the March a commemoration was held at the French Embassy, inside due to the rain. HE Mr Christophe Le Courtier, Ambassador of France welcomed all to the Embassy. A number of wreaths were laid to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the landing of ANZAC troops on Gallipoli. 2 The Flanders Memorial Garden On Tuesday, 4 April 2017 the Australian War Memorial dedicated a new memorial located within the grounds. The Garden is constructed of Portland Stone, the same stone used on the arch of the Menin Gate and is in a circular form of the roof opening in the Menin Gate. The stone has been inscribed with the words of John McCrae s poem, I Flanders Field. The soil that fills the Garden has been taken from sacred soil taken from the battlefields of Flanders, Belgium where over 13,000 Australian fell. Half of these men these men have no known grave. In addition the RSL collected soil from significant military heritage sites from each state and territory and placed in the Garden by the RSL National President Mr Robert Dick and each of the state and territory presidents. The commemorative address was delivered by His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia after wich he and Lady Cosgrove placed soil from Flanders into the Garden. Mr Koen Verlaeckt Secretary General of the Flanders Department of Foreign Affairs provided the address and also placed soil from Flanders in the Garden. The new addition to the Australian War Memorial is well worth a visit. It is hoped that as the Garden develops and plants it will be a covered with red poppies. The wooden boxes that contained these soils were constructed by the AWM staff from timbers locate to each state or territory and are now on display at the AWM.
RMC Awards Ceremony On 26 June 2017, the RMC Military Prizes and Sporting Awards Ceremony was conducted at the College. Traditionally the National Office and the ACT Branch has supported this event by providing prizes. Whilst some say this does not guarantee that this gesture will provide the RSL with potential new members it does demonstrate in a small way our support for the current serving members attending the College. The RSL National Office prize is awarded to the Second Class cadet who achieves the highest result in all assessed subject in Second Class. The award was won by CPL Duncan Yates. The RSL ACT Branch prize is awarded for the Third Class cadet who achieves the second best overall result for all assessed subject. The award was won by Staff Cadet Jacob Palmer. 3 Trooping the Queen s Colour The annual ceremonial Trooping of the Queens Colour to celebrate the official birthday of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second was held on the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin on Saturday 10 June 2017. The Ceremony was performed by the Cadets from the Royal Military College on what was a chilly Canberra day made worse by the cold wind blowing across the lake. The Reviewing Officer for the parade was His Excellency General The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC (Retd) Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia accompanied by his wife Lady Cosgrove. A large number of VIPs and other Diplomatic dignitaries were in attendance as were a crowd of about 1000 Canberra citizens and other interstate visitors in Canberra for the long weekend holiday. Overall, this Trooping of the Queen s Colour was conducted with precision drill by the Cadets made difficult by the cold wind. The Cadets are to be commended for their truly professional performance on the day.
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Battle of the Coral Sea The 75th Anniversary Commemoration Service for the Battle of the Coral Sea was held on Friday, 5 May 2017 at the Australian American Memorial located at Sir Thomas Blamey Square, Russell Offices. The service was organised by the Australian American Association of Canberra. Senator Bridget McKenzie delivered the Coral Sea Message from the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister of Australia. Mr James Carouso, United States Charge d Affairs delivered the United States Coral Sea message from the President of the United States of America. HE Mr Sumio Kusaka, Ambassador of Japan also delivered an address on behalf of the Japanese Government. Wreaths were laid by the above representatives as well as the ADF, US Forces, Australia America Association and a posy was laid by two students from St Thomas More s Primary School on behalf of the youth of Australia. Following this the MC asked that members of the Ex-Service community and students from the school to cast their poppies in remembrance into the moat surrounding the Memorial. The Catafalque Party was provided the Federation Guard whilst the Band was provided by the Royal Australian Navy. Following the conclusion of the Service a reception was held the Australian American Association at the Russell R2 Building. Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign The 76th anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign was commemorated on 17 May 2017 at the Australian-Hellenic Memorial in ANZAC Parade opposite the AWM. The anniversary was attended by Crete and Greek community organisations as well as local politicians and diplomatic representatives who all laid wreaths on behalf of the respective organisations as well as the RSL. The guest speaker was LTGEN Konstantinos Floros, Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff. During his speech LTGEN Floros spoke of the great debt owed to Australian, New Zealand and other Commonwealth troops who fought and died during the campaign on mainland Greece and the island of Crete to bring freedom to the local population from the domination and occupation by Axis forces. Netherlands Remembrance Day On 4 May 2017 a service and wreath laying commemoration was carried out at the Royal Netherlands and East Indies Forces Memorial located at Thomas Blamey Square at the rear of the Russell Offices complex. When the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia today) fell to the Japanese surviving elements of the Dutch navy, army, air forces and the Dutch Merchant Marine forces relocated to Australia and became part of an integrated fighting force with the Australians and USA. The relocated forces provided four warships, three submarines, a minesweeper and over 1,000 troops. The air assets included a number of transports and flying boats. These were later joined by B25 Mitchell bombers in 1941 No 18 Squadron formed as a composite squadron within the RAAF. As well 28 merchant ships relocated to Sydney to provide much needed logistics support for future operations. The commemorative address was provided by Her Excellency Mrs Erica Schouten, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 5
The 52nd Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day On Sunday 18 June 2017 members of the Vietnamese community members of the South Vietnamese Veteran Association, the Vietnamese community and members of the RSL commemorated the occasion at the Vietnam War Memorial on ANZAC Parade in Canberra. The President of the South Vietnamese Veteran Association ACT Mr Vy Tran welcomed all those in attendance. Speeches were delivered by Mr John King representing the RSL ACT Branch and Mr Peter Eveille representing the Vietnam Veterans in Canberra. Wreaths were laid as well as Poppies by those assembled on what was a typical cool day in Canberra made worse by the wind chill factor. None the less all stood on parade whilst the two National Anthems, The Ode and the Last Post sounded. Following the conclusion of the commemoration service attendees gathered at the Saigon Restaurant at the Pearce Shopping Centre for a reception and lunch. AATVI Association Plaque Dedication On Thursday, 1 June 2017 a plaque was dedicated at the Australian War Memorial to commemorate those who took part in OP CATALYST from 3 May 2004 to 1 June 2008. 6 The plaque will be placed within the AWM grounds as many other have in the past. The AWN Director, Dr Brendon Nelson AO delivered the welcome address. COL Iain Cruickshank CSC, DSM delivered the commemorative address. The plaque words state that it is in recognition of those who served on active operations as part of the AATVI. Their mission was to train and advise the Iraq Army following the 2003 war in Iraq. During the Teams deployment 485 personnel from the Australian Army and the RAAF deployed and contributed to the individual and collective training of 33,000 Iraqi Army soldiers. The plaque was dedicated by Chaplain Ivan Grant who deployed with the Team. The unveiling was carried out by COL Cruickshank CSC, DSM and COL Kerry Gallagher AM National President AATTV Association. Sandakan Memorial On Friday 26 of March the AWM held a ceremony to open the new Sandakan Memorial located in the Sculpture Garden. Relatives, descendants, in conjunction with the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association attended the ceremony. The assembled were welcomed to the AWM by Dr Brendan Nelson AO, Director of the AWM. Later wreaths were laid by Mr Gordon Ramsay MLA, representing the Chief Minister of the ACT and Mr Alistair Coe MLA, Leader of the ACT Opposition. The ADF were represented by CDRE David Greaves (for Chief of Navy), BRIG Andrew Freeman (for Chief of Army) and GPCAPT Carl Newman (Chief of Air Force). Diplomatic representatives, CDRE David Harrison, British High Commission, Mr Arthur den Hartog, Royal Netherlands Embassy and GPCAPT Carol Abraham, High Commissioner of New Zealand also laid wreaths on the occasion. MR John King representing the National President of the RSL also laid a wreath on behalf of the RSL membership. Tributes and wreaths were also laid by relatives and descendants in what was a very emotional ceremony. The ceremony and opening of the Sandakan Memorial makes the 72nd anniversary of the last Sandakan Death March.
RSL ACT Branch Sub-Branch Contacts and Meetings www.actrsl.org.au RSL ACT Branch Office RSL ACT Sub-Branch Offices 7 9 Geelong Street FYSHWICK ACT 2609 Postal: GPO Box 708 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Tel: (02) 6260 6344 Email: manager@actrsl.org.au State President Mr John King Mobile: 0419 698 570 Email: president@actrsl.org.au Deputy President Vacant Vice Presidents Vacant Mrs Sandra King Mobile: 0420 866 925 Email: vpfundraising@actrsl.org.au Mr Gerard Pratt Mobile: 0438 240 296 Email: gerard.pratt@awm.gov.au Chief Executive Officer Mr James Davidson Tel: (02) 6260 6344 Mobile: 0408 404 927 Email: ceo@actrsl.org.au Treasurer Mr Andrew Moebus Mobile: 0419 560 511 Email: amoebus65@gmail.com Executive Assistant Ms Renee Mills Tel: (02) 6260 6344 Mobile: 0418 974 026 Email: manager@actrsl.org.au Editor Stand To Mr John King Mobile: 0419 698 570 Email: editor@actrsl.org.au Belconnen PO Box 147 JAMISON CENTRE ACT 2614 Meets: Veterans Support Centre 9 Burkitt Street, PAGE ACT Second Tuesday of every month except January and August President: Mr Ian Sayers Mobile: 0417 651 712 Email: isa34235@bigpond.net.au Secretary: Mr Bill Hyland Tel: (02) 6241 4074 Mobile: 0409 322 845 Email: whyland24@iinet.net.au Campbell-Russell PO Box 1073 BELCONNEN ACT 2616 Meets: Last Thursday of each month, 12.30pm at Yowani Country Club President: Mr Brian Gosman Mobile: 0415 283 970 Email: bgosman@bigpond.net.au Secretary: Mr Tom Roberts MACGREGOR ACT 2615 Mobile: 0409 304 572 Email: tomroberts1@bigpond.com.au Gungahlin PO Box 313 MITCHELL ACT 2911 Meets: 1st Thursday of every second month, commencing February at 7.30pm at Lakes Community Club President: Ms Gina Bowers Mobile: 0448 981 992 Email: president@rslgungahlin.org.au Secretary: Mr Gary McDonald Mobile: 0451 633 446 Email: secretary@rslgungahlin.org.au Hellenic PO Box 1063 WODEN ACT 2606 Meets: Periodically President: Mr Peter Tsikleas Tel: (02) 6286 3341 Secretary: Mr Paul Taylor Tel: (02) 6254 0868 Email: ptayloract@bigpond.com Peacekeepers Meets: By notification, periodically at The Hellenic Club, Matilda Street, Woden President: Mr Gary Brodie OAM Mobile: 0412 628 695 Email: gbrodie@alphalink.com.au Secretary: Mr Peter Baldwin Mobile: 0411 155 009 Email: woodbury.west@bigpond.com Tuggeranong PO Box 351 ERINDALE ACT 2903 Meets: 1st Wednesday of each month at 7pm at Erindale Rugby Union Club President: Mr John King Mobile: 0419 698 570 Email: sandrajohn54@bigpond.com Secretary: Mr Dennis Crowe Tel: (02) 6231 7951 Mobile: 0419 202 613 Email: dmcrowe64@grapevine.com.au Vietnamese Meets: Periodically at Migrant Resource Centre, Griffin Centre, Bunda Street President: Mr Vy Tran Tel: (02) 6294 8918 Email: trancaovy@yahoo.com Secretary: Vacant Woden Valley PO Box 415 WODEN ACT 2606 Meets: Last Tuesday of each month at 7pm at Southern Cross Club, Woden Tel: (02) 6285 1931 Fax: (02) 6260 5348 Web: www.rslwoden.org.au Email: admin@rslwoden.org.au President: Mr Jim Gilchrist Mobile: 0414 262 156 Email: president@rslwoden.org.au Secretary: Mr Greg Kennett Mobile: 0438 884 896 Email: secretary@rslwoden.org.au Office Administrator: (02) 6285 1931 (Mon-Fri 10am 2pm) Overseas Sub-Branches Port Moresby President: Mr Glenn Maitland Tel: 0011 675 321 4261 Mobile: 0011 675 72 107 275 Email: gm@aviat.com.pg Secretary: Mr Brian Wareing Email: brian.wareing@hastingsdeering.com.au Subic Bay President: Mr Albert Clifford Email: RSLSubicBay@australiamail.com Washington President: COL Dr Richard Southby Secretary: Mr Dave Ward Tel: 0011 1 202 352 8550 (W) Email: dmward1973@gmail.com 7
RSL ACT Membership Subscription Membership subscriptions are now due for Service and Affiliate members. The amount due is $40 and may be paid in several ways. By post* : The Office Manager OR The Secretary RSL ACT Branch of your Sub-Branch GPO Box 708 CANBERRA ACT 2601 * To assist in lowering expenses, please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope if you are not paying in person. By electronic funds transfer (EFT)** : If paying by EFT from your bank account, please make the transfer in favour of: BSB: 642 170 Account Number: 100272710 Account Name: RSL ACT Branch Membership ** Please ensure that you include your name and initials in the Reference Details of the transfer otherwise your payment cannot be correctly applied. Please send an email to the office manager as a follow-up to: manager@actrsl.org.au 8 In person # : RSL Branch Office 7 9 Geelong Street FYSHWICK ACT 2609 # Please note: A receipt may not be available at the time of payment and may have to be posted at a later date. Cheques should be made payable to RSL ACT Branch To Office Manager/Sub-Branch Secretary Enclosed is the amount of $30 in payment for membership of the Sub-Branch. Lest We Forget Membership number (as shown on your membership card): Full name: Address: Suburb: State: Postcode: Telephone: Mobile: Email: