THE BRANCH NEWSLETTER Of the Hervey bay rsl sub-branch Inc. September 2017 Lest We Forget 1
Brian Tidyman President September 2017 Since the last issue of The Branch the Sub-Branch has been busy with Commemorations which included Rimau, Korea, and VP / VJ Days. All were well attended by the Veteran community and the residents of Hervey Bay. Peacekeepers Day will be commemorated at the Cenotaph on Thursday 14 September 2017. Coming up on the 11 th November is Remembrance Day which promises to be attended by a large audience. The Pension section is overworked at present as we only have 2 qualified Pension Officers available due to health problems. So if you are seeing a Pension Officer please be patient as these people are doing their best for you. Welfare section is busy with new clients showing up every day and this section is also looking after outlying areas due to the lack of Welfare officers in these areas. I would like to thank the team members of Pension/ Welfare for their efforts in the past and also for the future. Until next time stay in good health and be happy. Brian Tidyman President. Don't forget that you can keep abreast of what is happening with the Sub-Branch and ESO s by checking out the Sub-Branch's website - www.herveybayrslsubbranch.com.au. Our office hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am - 12.00pm or ph: 4197 7477. 2
Annual General Meeting Last Saturday in February each year February 25 10:30am (held in Hervey House at the RSL Club) General Meetings May 13 10:30am July 22 10:30am November 4 10.30am (held in Hervey House at the RSL Club) DATES TO REMEMBER 2017 Committee Meetings Usually held the fourth Thursday of the month (no meeting December). There will be two variations, firstly in April when the Committee meeting is held before ANZAC Day and secondly, in July when the meeting will be held on the 20th because of Korea Memorial Day. Check the website for updates and variations. Commemorations observed in Hervey Bay: April 25 ANZAC Day July 9 Rimau Commemoration July 27 Korea Memorial Day August 15 VP Day August 18 Vietnam Veterans Day September 14 Peacekeepers Day November 11 Remembrance Day Ensure the RSL Club has your correct mobile phone details to receive event notifications and reminders Don t forget to visit our webpage for all the latest Sub-Branch news. www.herveybayrslsubbranch.com.au S U P P O R T I N G T H E EX- S E R V I C E C O M M U N I T Y O F H E R V E Y B A Y 3
Who are we? The Hervey Bay Sub-Branch of the RSL offers a FREE Pensions and Advocacy service that is staffed and operated by qualified Pensions Officers, Advocates & Welfare officers. Our staff provides professional advice and assistance on obtaining eligible benefits under the: Veterans Entitlement Act (VEA); Safety, Rehabilitation & Compensation Act (SRCA) and Military Rehabilitation & Compensation Act (MRCA) In addition, the RSL State Branch Pensions, Advocacy and Welfare Service have advocates throughout Queensland who are: Highly experienced in lodging claims under the Veterans Entitlements Act (VEA), Safety, Rehabilitation & Compensation Act (SRCA) and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (MRCA); Caring and qualified to practise in their areas of expertise; Able to draw on a wealth of operational and broad-based peacetime experience; and Having served overseas and in the ADF for many years. Services We Offer The Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch s Pensions and Welfare Service covers disability pensions, compensation payments, associated allowances, income support payments and treatment available to entitled veterans and former serving members of the Defence Forces and their dependents. 4
Our team of 12 Welfare Support Officers are trained and authorized to assist the ex-service community (Army, Air Force, Navy and Police). This is a free service. How can they help? Welfare Officers are trained to assist with a range of services: Health Care Community Services available Concessions Respite Care Home/hospital/nursing home visits Arrange access to financial advice Assist with bereavement Assist with DVA services Liaise with Pension Officers to prepare claims. How to contact the Welfare Team: Office (07) 4197 7477 After Hours (07) 4197 7444 (RSL Club for call forwarding) Email: welfare@herveybayrsl.com.au We are looking for more volunteers for our Welfare and Pension teams and you do not have to be ex-service to help out. It would be an advantage if you have been involved in nursing, Community Services or Lifeline and could give a couple of hours per week, but the necessary Advocacy Training and Development Program ( ATDP ) training will be provided. 5
Rimau Commemoration Z Force Training Area Fraser Island Members of the Hervey Bay RSL 9 th Battalion WW1 Re-Enactment Group were requested to attend the inaugural memorial service at the Z Force Training Area in honour to the men who trained in the area during 1943 to 1945. Though those who trained in the location saw Covert Ops through SE Asia including Timor, New Guinea and Indonesia, the most memorable were the men who served on Operation Jaywick and Operation Rimau. An honour guard under the command of Ian Williams (Re-Enactment Gp CSM) was mounted surrounding the sandstone relief map monument which was the centre place for training and per-ops briefs during Z Force Fraser Island training centre s duration. Mr Jim Swan Z Force Fraser Island curator directed the service. A prayer was delivered by Mr Jim Wilson (Re-enactment Gp Commander) and the service captured the mood and the surrounds of the area. The service was attended by some members from the Qld Park Ranger Service and guests from the King Fisher Bay Resort. 6
Remembrance Day 11 November 2017 The Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade charge at Beersheba 31 October 1917 The Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch will hold a Commemoration Service at the War Memorial in Freedom Park, Main Street, Pialba Commencing at 10:45am All welcome to this Service 7
RSL COMMUNITY LINK Queensland State RSL has cancelled the family side of the Community Link program. They are looking into a different program which will be on line in the future. Because we have had so many interested people inquiring about the program, the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch have decided to keep the program running. All applications will be sent direct to the badge maker in Bundaberg. The Community Link program has been very successful here in Hervey Bay both with families of Veterans and the school children of the Bay. To participate in the program or to find out information regarding Community Link please contact the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch, Mr John Beattie, he will be happy to help you fill out the form necessary and advise you of the minimal cost of the badge for wearing on ceremonial days such as ANZAC Day. Please contact John Beattie at the Sub-Branch office ph 41977477 ext. 1 for more information and help to fill in the application form. 8
The Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch will hold a Service of Commemoration on Australian Peacekeepers Day Thursday, 14th September, 2017 1100 hours Freedom Park, Pialba Anyone wishing to lay a wreath should contact the Sub-Branch office on 4197 7477. 9
Nestled away in a disused country school is a memorial hewn by hand of a tribute to a father s son and nephew who left home, never to return. North Aramara, a very small community east of Brooweena is about 50 km north of Maryborough. 1919 is the mark engraved on the squared wooden monument modelled from a solid tree trunk to mark the grief of a family in the loss of two of their young members. Edward Nichol (No. 4782) of the 31st Battalion AIF, killed in action 09 August 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux in France and David William Boldery (No. 3120) 52nd Battalion AIF Killed in Action 28 August 1917 at Menin, Ypres Belgium. Mr George Nichol and other members of the family saw the need to dedicate a solemn tribute on the community of Bowling Green with the carving from a felled bloodwood tree and erect it in place in the Bowling Green State School (previously the Bowling Green Provisional School) in tribute to the former school boys. The school building and the memorial were moved to their current location of the North Aramara in 1948. Embraced in war, now embraced in the continual memorial dedicated to their service. By Ian Williams August 2017 10
RSL WOMEN S AUXILIARY NEWS September 2017 TOMBOLA: The Tombola was brought forward from October to June this year and it was a very successful day with lots of good prizes and an increased attendance on last year. We are grateful for the support we received and the proceeds of the day will be distributed to local community organisations in November. Our 2018 Tombola will also be held in June. BUS TRIP AND LUNCH: The July bus trip was a relaxed day out and we were happy to welcome the visitors who came with us to Childers and then to Woodgate Bowling Club for a good lunch in a nice location. Our bus trips are bi-monthly and visitors are always welcome but it is necessary to book as bus seats are limited. MEMORIAL SERVICES: The Auxiliary was represented by various members at the services for Operation RIMAU, the Korean War, Victory in the Pacific and Vietnam Veterans Day. Wreaths or flowers were placed on each occasion. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING STATE COUNCIL OF AUXILIARIES: Our Delegate attended the AGM which was held in Brisbane on Friday 23 June. As a result, our Auxiliary is participating in the Invictus Games Laundry Bags Project, an initiative of the New South Wales Central Council of Auxiliaries, which will provide 500 laundry bags to the athletes competing at the Invictus Games in Sydney in October 2018. The laundry bags are being made to specifications provided by the NSW Central Council and it is a unique opportunity for us to be part of a national/international project, along with the RSL Auxiliaries in Victoria. 88TH ANNIVERSARY: The Hervey Bay RSL Auxiliary was formed in 1929 and on 8 August we celebrated its 88th anniversary with a special lunch, and a birthday cake and chocolates of course, after our monthly meeting. On that day applications for 30 Year Long Service Awards were submitted to the Sub- Branch for three members Wanda Taplin, Betty Shaw and Ula Scott and we look forward to presenting them with their awards by the end of the year. COMING UP: The next bus trip is on Tuesday 19 September when we will be going to the Australiana Cottage Crafts and Herb Farm, Takura then on to the Miners Arms hotel at Torbanlea for lunch. Bookings can be made by phoning Esme Fay on 4194 0666. There is no charge for the bus travel but morning tea and lunch are at our own expense. MEMBERSHIP: We have been happy to welcome four new members this year and hope our membership will continue to increase. It is not necessary to have a military affiliation and new members always receive a friendly welcome. MONTHLY MEETINGS: The Auxiliary meets on the second Tuesday each month, February-December, at 10:30 am at the RSL Club with lunch afterwards for those who choose to stay. If you would like further information please contact Barbara Campbell 4128 9110 or Joan Hawkes 4125 4049. FROM THE AUXILIARY S ARCHIVES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 5 1948 The Annual Report was presented and read by Mrs Tooth, which revealed a busy and successful year s work by the Auxiliary in which we provided supper for the Diggers Annual Ball in November 1947, also the dawn breakfast and luncheon on ANZAC Day to which, as usual, all ex-servicemen and women of the district were invited. We ran a dance in June, hired out our crockery and helped a distress case. 11
R E M E M B E R I N G AUSTRALIA S MERCHANT MARINERS 3 S E P T E M B E R 2017 Minister for Veterans Affairs Dan Tehan said today Australians should pause and remember the often unsung heroes of the Second World War, the service personnel and civilian seamen who served on merchant vessels. The Merchant Navy carried vital equipment and goods around the world during the war. The vessels were often defenceless and their work perilous with the constant threat of attack from enemy submarines, surface raiders, aircraft and mines, Mr Tehan said. More than 400 Australian merchant mariners have lost their lives in the line of duty. Since 2008, today has been commemorated as Merchant Navy Day marking the sinking of the first Allied merchant vessel, the British liner Athenia, on the first day of the Second World War, on 3 September 1939. Today Australians should remember those who served our country as part of the Merchant Navy, their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. Merchant mariners who lost their lives serving on Australian vessels are honoured at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. 12 R E M E M B E R I N G MALAYA A N D BORNEO VETERANS 3 1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 Minister for Veterans Affairs Dan Tehan today encouraged Australians to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who served during the post-second World War conflicts in Malaya and on Borneo. Today is Malaya and Borneo Veterans Day when Australians honour our military personnel who served in the Malayan Emergency (1948 1960), and the Indonesian Confrontation (or Konfrontasi, 1962 1966), Mr Tehan said. The Malayan Emergency was declared when the Malayan Communist Party launched an insurgency against British colonial rule. Australia s military involvement commenced in 1950 and continued until the Emergency was declared over, however Australian forces continued to conduct anti-insurgency operations in Malaya until 1963. During our 13 years in Malaya, personnel from the Australian navy, army and air force played a key role in bringing the long-running insurgency to an end. In 1964, Australia became involved in the Indonesian Confrontation, a small undeclared war fought between Indonesia and the newly federated state of Malaysia. Today we should reflect on the 39 Australian servicemen who died and 27 who were wounded over the 13 years of the Malaya campaign, and the 21 Australians who died and eight who were wounded during the Indonesian Confrontation.
THANK YOU to the Hervey Bay Quilters Association Inc. for their generous donation of quilts for our veterans. Learn more about the Hervey Bay Quilters at their website www.herveybayquilters.com or contact them on 0401831309 Dawn and Noreen presenting President Brian Tidyman with quilts at the Sub-Branch offices in July 2017. Sub-Branch Membership Draw The Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch is now holding a weekly membership draw for 7 x $100.00 vouchers redeemable at either the RSL Club or The Clubhouse. The draw will take place each Monday at the Sub-Branch office and winners will be contacted by phone. Each voucher is valid for six months from date of issue and must be collected within a week of the draw. Please ensure your contact details are up-to-date with the Sub-Branch as we might be calling you! Good luck everyone! 13
It was a great turnout by Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch members, Ex-Service Organisations and Hervey Bay locals at Dayman Park on Sunday 9 th July 2017 to remember the 23 operatives who lost their lives during an abortive raid on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour in September 1944. President Brian Tidyman led the service, TS Krait cadets acted as catafalque party, and Padre Vic Burgess conducted the Prayer for the Fallen. The tolling of the bell added solemnity as a reminder to the significance of this operation. President Brian Tidyman at the Z Force Memorial, Dayman Park, Urangan TS Krait Cadets as catafalque party during the Rimau Commemoration at Dayman Park On Thursday 27 July 2017 the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch President, Brian Tidyman led a small but moving service honouring the memory of those brave men and women who fought in the Korea War. Brian was assisted by V. President Toby Tidyman (sound technician) and Committee Member Simon Morley (flag duty). The service was attended by local folk along with the Local Member for Hervey Bay, Ted Sorenson; Korea Veterans; Naval Assn of Aust Fraser Coast Sub-Section; Vietnam Veterans Assn; Tri-Service; HB Old Salts; HB & District Veterans Assn; HB RSL & Services Memorial Club; HB Social Bowls Club; HB Ex-Servicewomen s Social Club and the RSL Women s Auxiliary, all of whom laid wreaths at the Cenotaph. 14 Ted Sorenson (local Member for Hervey Bay, John Beattie (Sub-Branch Deputy President) and Bill Boswell, Korea War Veteran laying wreaths at the cenotaph Korea War Veterans: Bill Boswell, John Hammond, Peter Collins, Max Boag, Victor Fay (at rear)
The Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch arranged a small service at the Cenotaph in Freedom Park on Tuesday 15 August 2017 to commemorate VP Day marking Japan s unconditional surrender after 3 years of war. The service was attended by Ken Hayden, a WWII Veteran and survivor of the conflict, along with the Local Member for Hervey Bay, Ted Sorenson, and Deputy Mayor of the Fraser Coast, George Seymour. Representatives from Tri-Service, HB RSL & Services Memorial Club, Naval Assn of Aust Fraser Coast Sub-Section, HB Social Bowls Club, HB & District Veterans Assn; RSL Women s Auxiliary, Legacy, Vietnam Veterans Assn and the 9th Btn WWI Re-Enactment Group were there to lay wreaths and honour those veterans who remain and remember those who are no longer with us. Peter McDermott (President of the Naval Association Fraser Coast), Ken Hayden (WWII veteran) and Brian Tidyman (President, Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch). Peter McDermott (President of the Naval Association Fraser Coast), Ken Hayden (WWII veteran) wreath laying at the Cenotaph, Freedom Park, Pialba The Hervey Bay Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, Hervey Bay City Sub-Branch hosted the Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration at the Cenotaph in Freedom Park, Pialba on Friday 18 August 2017. Marchers formed up at the end of Freedom Park and made their way to the Cenotaph. Padre Jeffrey Jarvis attended to the memorial prayer and wreaths were laid by Veterans, family and friends of Vietnam Veterans in remembrance. A luncheon was held at the HB RSL & Services Memorial Club after the service and was well attended. 15
The Naval Association of Australia Fraser Coast Sub Section Each for All-All for Each Postal Address: Fraser Coast Sub-section of N.A.A. c/-hervey Bay RSL & Services Memorial Club Inc. PO Box 3042, Pialba QLD 4655 FRASER COAST: QLD The Big-ticket item is recruiting: We are currently recruiting quite well from the local Hervey Bay area, with a recent venture to the City of Maryborough in a push to either facilitate the starting up of a new Sub-section, or to recruit for ourselves. The occasion was also used to build a relationship with their R.S.L. Sub-branch. The Fraser Coast Sub-section continue to meet at the Hervey RSL Boardroom on the 2 nd Sunday of the month. Application for membership is invited; please contact Peter McDermott on 0409 260 255, or email pmcd@southernphone.com.au COMMUNITY: Over that past quarter, the Sub-section has participated in the following commemoration events: Jaywick/RIMAU 9 July; and Commemorated the first intake of JRs through HMAS Leeuwin (held locally on 22 July, this was a Tingira Association initiative observed Australia wide); and The Korea Memorial Day on 27 July; VP Day on August 15; and the Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18. SOCIAL: Met with the Maryborough Matelots Association (An un-affiliated group of ex-naval people); Conducted another Get-together BBQ on 18 June; Our 2 nd Annual dinner was held on 4 July with an attendance of 60, followed up by a visit to Maryborough RSL on 10 th July to participate in their commemoration of the bestowal of the title Royal to our then newly formed navy by King George V. We were also invited to attend the local Vietnam Veterans Xmas in July. BIG UNIT: Recently members Marty and Mary-Anne Price visited their son Chris in Sydney prior to the deployment of his ship, HMAS Adelaide, to S-E Asia. Whilst there they were given a tour of Garden Island, saw NU Ship Hobart which was alongside at GI, plus a tour of HMAS Adelaide. Chris has served in Adelaide for 1 year and is an Able Seaman marine technician. He is a full member of Fraser Coast Sub-section and is also credited as being our youngest member. Contribution by Peter McDermott September 2017 16
Disaster contact information Important phone numbers Police / Fire / Ambulance Emergency 000 Life-threatening emergencies only Entire Fraser Coast region State Emergency Service (SES) Emergency 132 500 Entire Fraser Coast region Disaster Coordination Centre (when activated) 4190 4999 Entire Fraser Coast region Emergency services Police Hervey Bay Maryborough Blog site Howard CIB 4123 8111 Water Police 4123 8111 Fraser Island Tiaro 4123 8111 142 Torquay Road, Scarness 4123 8111 176 Lennox Street MyPolice.qld.gov.au/Maryborough 4123 8111 98 William Street 4123 8111 Eurong 4123 8111 Mayne Street Fire Hervey Bay 4125 2133 227 Torquay Terrace Maryborough 4190 4801 98 Lennox Street Rural Fire Service (area office) 4190 4839 Locations include: Aldershot, Bauple, Bidwill, Brooweena, Burrum Heads, Dundowran, Dunmora East Booral, Elliot Musket Flat, Eurong, Gigoomgan, Glenwood, Gundiah, HappyValley, Howard/Torbanlea, Miva, Mungar, Yerra, Nikenbah, Orchid Beach, River Heads,Sandy Straits, Takura, Toogoom, Tinana, Tinnanbar, Tiaro and Yengarie 17
Emergency services (cont d) Ambulance Enquiries, authorised non-urgent transport Hervey Bay Happy Valley Maryborough 131 233 Entire Fraser Coast region 118 Torquay Road, Scarness Warry Street, Fraser Island 21 Winston Noble Drive State Emergency Service (SES) Burrum Heads 132 500 223 Burrum Heads Road Hervey Bay 132 500 103 Old Maryborough Road, Pialba Howard 132 500 Lot 1 Steely Street Maryborough 132 500 Reed Avenue Sandy Strait 132 500 55 Eckert Road, Boonooroo Tiaro 132 500 6 Copenhagen Street Woocoo 132 500 5 Boundary Road, Oakhurst Glenwood (depot) 132 500 Pepper Road Hospitals Hervey Bay (public) Maryborough Base (public) St Stephens (private) 4325 6666 Cnr Urraween and Nissen Sts, Pialba 4122 8222 185 Walker Street 4123 8555 182-198 Nissen Street, Hervey Bay Electricity (Ergon Energy) Customer service 131 046 Entire Fraser Coast region Faults (24 hours) 132 296 Entire Fraser Coast region Life-threatening emergency 131 670 Entire Fraser Coast region 18
VALE 1 JUNE 2017 31 AUGUST 2017 JUCKEL, Dieter Horst 38520 ARMY 08.06.2017 KLASSMAN, Francis Herman 4703897 ARMY 04.07.2017 STIRLING, Harold Ashley 30256 NAVY 08.07.2017 BEETSON, Ronald Edgar 27411 ARMY 12.07.2017 MEYER, Patricia Denby QF271030 ARMY 28.07.2017 CUNNINGHAM, Lewis Martin A47189 AIRFORCE 30.07.2017 MEAD, Ronald Stanley 22203973 BRITISH ARMY 06.08.2017 VALENTINE, Brian Frederick 2/736322 ROYAL NAVY 09.08.2017 WHITE, Stanley Thomas A24711 AIRFORCE 14.08.2017 WINES, Ronald George Thomas LTKX154639 AIRFORCE 19.08.2017 HANSEN, Clifford Raymond 150609 RAAF 22.08.2017 JONES, Keith Edward 77531 AIRFORCE 30.08.2017 T R A N Q U I L T H E Y L I E, T H E I R K N I G H T L Y V I R T U E P R O V E D. T H E I R M E M O R Y H A L L O W E D IN T H E L A N D T H E Y L O V E D. L E S T W E F O R G E T 19
Hervey Bay Ex-Service Organizations Ex-Service Organization Hervey Bay & District Veterans Association PO Box 3042 Hervey Bay Ex-Servicewomen s Social Club, Hervey Bay Branch P.O. Box 3339 Hervey Bay Legacy Group PO Box 3302 Hervey Bay Old Salts PO Box 3042 Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch Inc PO Box 3042 Hervey Bay RSL Women s Auxiliary PO Box 3042 National Servicemen s Association of Australia Hervey Bay Branch PO Box 3042 HERVEY BAY QLD 4655 Naval Association of Australia Fraser Coast Sub-Section PO Box 3042 HERVEY BAY QLD 4655 RAAF Association Hervey Bay PO Box 1076 TPDSA (Fraser Coast) Inc PO Box 3241 Tri Services Hervey Bay PO Box 3042 Ph: 0438 996 753 Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Hervey Bay City Sub-Branch PO Box 3243 War Widows Guild PO Box 1238 Legacy Laurel Club PO Box 5482 TORQUAY Q 4655 Meeting details Second Thursday of the month 11 am Second Monday of the month 10.30 am Contact Legacy House on 4194 5111 The office is open Tue-Fri 9:00am to 1:00pm. There is an answering service for after-hours. First Sunday of the month Alternating between the and a private residence Committee: General Meeting: Fourth Thursday of the month Feb, May, Aug, Nov 10.15 am 10.15 am Second Tuesday of the month 10 am Fourth Wednesday of the month (in odd months only) 10.30 am Second Sunday of the month (excluding January) 11.00 a.m. Second Wednesday of the month 10.30 am First Wednesday of the month Alternating between and Maryborough RSL Club Get-together: Every Thursday & Saturday from 10am in the Sports Bar First Monday of the month 10 am Veterans Social Centre, Main St, Pialba First Monday of the month 10 am Third Monday of the month 2 pm General Meeting: First DVA pay day of the month 10.15 am For further information contact the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch on 4197 7477 20