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News and Reunions!

RADIO Reunion.

John Broughton and Mal Sayers are planning a reunion for Ex-RAAF Radschool bods (and bodettes) which they hope to hold in Brisbane on the 22^nd and 23^rd April 2016. Anzac Day next year falls on a Monday so the idea is to hold the reunion on the Friday (22^nd) (a meet and greet) with a dinner on the Saturday night (23^rd) then those with war service can march with their unit on the Monday. Depending on the acceptability of the proposal, other events will be planned for Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

If you are interested in attending a reunion next year, please go HERE and fill in the form or you can send an email to John (john@radschool.org.au) or to Mal (karnak661@gmail.com) and let them know. If there is enough interest they will get it done.

RAAF Vietnam.

RTFV-35Sqn has advised us that next year (2016) the Brisbane group will be holding their ANZAC Day post march get together at the Jade Buddha in Eagle Street. Some years back, when the Jade Buddha was called "City Rowers", RTFV-35Sqn used to meet there but was forced to look elsewhere when the business was sold and closed for a long period during renovations.

RTFV-35Sqn has got together with 9 Sqn and they propose to hold the "get together" under the "RAAF Vietnam" banner.

They have thrown the invitation open to any RAAF people who served in Vietnam (and their ladies) to join them on the day. The 3 Sqn Association, which represents blokes who served in Malaysia have agreed to join them and they hope that 2 Sqn will join them in 2017 after the agreement they have with their current establishment expires.

Cost for the day is $25 per person which includes entry fee and wonderful food (see HERE). The Jade Buddha has agreed to provide XXXX both heavy and Gold at a reduced price of $5 per schooner.

So, if you were 10SU or HQ or some other unit and you would like to join the RAAF Vietnam mob after the march, let "Sambo" know (johnsambrooks@optusnet.com.au) so you can be catered for.

RSL Advocacy.

If you have a claim into DVA and you could use some help, you could not do better than to contact Trevor Rigby at Kedron Wavell RSL Sub-Branch.

The Kedron Wavell Sub Branch Pensions and Advocacy Section has a volunteer network of Pensions Officers and Advocates, who are trained, qualified and experienced, to assist serving and former members of the ADF.  Services include claims for pensions, compensation, associated allowances and income support payments, as well as information on treatment and benefits under the relevant Commonwealth legislation, e.g. VEA, MCA, MRCA and SRCA.

Pensions Officers and Advocates are qualified under the DVA-sponsored Training and Information Program, otherwise  known as “TIP”.  Pensions Officers are authorised to assist all members of the veteran community, and their families who are eligible for the above services, including the preparation and lodgement of claims and applications for an increase in benefits.

Advocates, in addition to the provision of the services listed above, have the skills and expertise to prepare applications for review by the Veterans’ Review Board.  This entails the preparation of written submissions to the Board, and representation along with the veteran at the Board Hearing.  An integral responsibility of the Advocate’s role is the mentoring of Pensions Officers.  The services provided by Advocates and Pensions Officers are all provided at no cost to the applicant.

Persons seeking assistance with their pensions claims or advocacy representation, should contact Trevor to make an appointment for an interview, either by phone on (07) 3359 0460, or by email at pensions.kwrsl@bigpond.com.  If there are circumstances where a visit to the Sub Branch is not feasible, a home visit may be arranged.

35 Sqn Freedom of the City - Cooktown FNQ.

John “Sambo” Sambrooks, the People’s Champion and also the Secretary of the RTFV/35 Sqn Association advises that a Freedom of the City march/parade will be held in honour of 35 Sqn in Cooktown (Qld) sometime between April and August next year – and we’re invited. It is still in the planning stage and as soon as a firm date is agreed upon he will let everyone know. The parade is being organised by a CPL Renae Halley from 35 Sqn and she is trying to gather some relevant information as to what's previously been conducted by 35 SQN.

She says:  “At this early stage, if you're able to assist in any way on the following points I'd be very appreciative:

• airport / air traffic control details.

• previously used accommodation options for up to 50 personnel.

• previous vehicle support companies / options.

• previous local watering hole (pub) details.

• admin instruction/s or copies of ANY documentation from previous FOC march's.

• anything else of relevance.

• I've touched base with the Cook Shire Mayor, Mr. Peter Scott and his initial response to have 35SQN infiltrate his town is positive.

I am scheduling a meeting for next week with a small committee I have set up to really get the ball rolling. I anticipate more questions will follow and the plan will further evolve”.

The RAAF’s plan so far is:

• 35SQN Executives and parade members arrive on a FRIDAY.

• Conduct FOC march the following SATURDAY.

• Conduct a post parade fuction on that SATURDAY.

• Organise a 'social' event with local residents the following SUNDAY (ie: cricket match and BBQ lunch).

• All 35SQN members depart late SUNDAY or MONDAY.

If you can help, let Sambo know and he’ll pass on the info. Any help/suggestions you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

The Freedom of the City was given to the 35 Squadron in 1998 as a result of the close ties between the Squadron and the Cooktown community over several years.

Sally Eales, the Tourism and Events Officer with the Cook Shire Council has offered the local accommodation options available in Cooktown and you can see the list HERE

Sambo says:  “From the photos we’ve seen it looks like a wonderful place for a few days holiday, perhaps we could arrange a “convoy” and all those interested in going could meet in Brisbane and we could all drive up together. It’s 2,000 klm from Brisbane so that’s a few nights on the road each way but if there is enough interest I can put on the planning hat and organise some events/tours, cheap accommodation etc on the way - we can play Grey Nomads and have a lot of fun on the way up and back down again.

I reckon we could be away for about ten days, if you've got a caravan or a mobile home, get it ready, those without a house on wheels, don't worry, we'll plan the whole thing around stopping in van parks with cabins so we can all get together and play up at the end of day. We could go up via the coastal route and down via the inland route.

The road from Brisbane to Cairns is sealed all the way and very easy. There are two ways to get from Cairns to Cooktown, the inland route is fully sealed, is 330 klms long and takes about 4 hours. The coastal route is only 230 klms in length but bits of it are for 4wd vehicles only. I would suggest we could liaise with the Cook Shire Council tourist department and organise some group “sight-seeing activities” on the Monday and possibly the Tuesday after the parade before heading south again, after all, it is a damn long drive if we’re only going to stay 2 nights.

So that we can judge the response to this, please click HERE, fill in the form and send it to me.

Planning Ahead.

Many members of the veteran community are reaching a stage in life in which they may be considering the impact that bereavement could have on their loved ones. In particular, they may be thinking about what they can do now to assist their loved ones manage such an event in the future.

Planning Ahead has been developed by the DVA and is designed to provide information to help veterans and their families prepare for bereavement. The personal information and checklists will help ensure that important information is available to families when it is needed.

Many ex-service organisations and a number of other key organisations have assisted with this booklet, including the Public Trustee’s Office, the Law Society of New South Wales, Tobin Brothers Funeral Directors and the Australian Pensioners and Superannuants Federation. The cooperation and contribution of these organisations has been invaluable.

The services and organisations listed in the booklet, including the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, are always ready to provide whatever assistance you may require.

You occupy a special place within the Australian community. The Australian Government and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs are committed to listening to your needs and responding in a way that recognizes your importance in Australia’s past, present and future.

You can download the booklet from HERE.

There is also a checklist that can be used to record the contact details of important people, businesses and organisations that may need to be notified in case of your death. You can get that HERE.  There is also a Personal Information Sheet (HERE) which will help your family with personal information in the difficult time following bereavement and if you choose to complete and retain THIS FORM (your medical details) it might be useful too.

East Sale Reunion.

All East Sale people are invited to the 2016 reunion which will be held at the Coolum - Peregian RSL Club on the Sunshine Coast from Friday 18 Nov to Sunday 20 Nov 2016.

It’s a way off yet, but doesn’t hurt to block out the dates in your diary now. Click HERE to download a flier.

TPI Public Transport Pass (Qld)

The RSL has advised us that if you’re a Queenslander and a TPI, your Transport Pass will expire in 2016. The Totally and Permanently Incapacitated/Extreme Disablement Adjustment Veteran Travel card (TPI/EDA Veteran Travel card) entitles eligible TPI/EDA ex-service men and women to free travel with the following:

• Southern Moreton Bay Islands ferry (Russell Island, Macleay Island, Karragarra Island, Lamb Island to Redland Bay).

• TransLink bus, train, ferry and tram services excluding Airtrain

• qconnect urban bus services

• Palm Island to Townsville ferry

• Magnetic Island to Townsville ferry

• Seisia to Thursday Island ferry

• Coochiemudlo Island to Victoria Point ferry

• North Stradbroke Island ferry

• TPI/EDA veterans are also entitled to one free return trip each fortnight on Queensland Rail long distance rail services. You will still need to make a booking by contacting Queensland Rail.

You just need to carry your card with you at all times while travelling in case you're asked to show it.

Translink will send you the required form early next year which you will need to fill in and send back. You must also send a copy of your TPI/EDI card and two colour photos of yourself, each of which must be verified by either a JP, Police Officer, Doctor or Solicitor, barrister or judge. If you don’t get the form by end of January, you can get it HERE, fill it in and send it in.

If you are a TPI or EDA and you haven’t applied for the pass, you should, you can get more info HERE.

This notice only applies to Queensland residences.

For details on other states see below:

Military Portraits

While we were at Gallipoli Barracks a few weeks ago, we ran into Ian Genrich. Ian is an artist!  He produces wooden carvings in relief that are absolutely amazing. He imports a special fine grain pine timber from NZ then using a photo supplied by you, he carves out the background leaving the subject of the photo proud.

They are then coloured in sepia tones, then mounted in a frame.

The pics here do not do them justice, they are far better than how they look. If you would like to have one done, all you need to do is provide Ian with a photo. They cost about $350 but Ian will quote you once he has your photo.

If you’re interested, you can contact him on 0448 597 711 or via email ian_genrich@bigpond.com

Caloundra Memorial Wall.

Bob McInnes, an old RAAF box packer and now the OC of the Caloundra RSL Club recently got in touch. The Caloundra RSL, definitely the best Queensland RSL Club outside of Brisbane City, has recently dedicated a memorial wall in their Memorial Gardens which has been built at the back of the Club under their refurbished Iroquois. The wall is to honour members of the Australian Defence Forces who have served in both times of war and times of peace and who have helped build the Australia we all enjoy today.

Any Navy Ship, Group or Base, any Army Platoon, Company or Regiment and any RAAF Squadron, Section or Base is eligible to have a plaque placed on the wall and be remembered.

All plaques will be the same size and colour and will cost about $120 (depending on wording). It is not intended to “over-verbiage” the plaques, just a few simple words, crests and dates, as above, is all that is needed.

If you would like to have your unit represented on the Wall, get in touch with Heather Christie via email to sub.secretary@caloundrarsl.com.au or you can ring her on 07 5438 5800. Once you’ve sorted out what you want, Heather sends your request off to their plaque manufacturer who will build and mount the plaque and will bill you direct.

This is a wonderful initiative and every ADF Unit should be in it.

Holiday Planet best picture Competition.

Earlier this year, the West Australian in Perth had a competition asking participants to send in their best holiday photo. The competition ran for 6 months but was definitely worth entering as the prize was a cruise for 2 from Fremantle to Singapore with a 3 day stay at a 4 star hotel in Singapore then airfares back to Perth. Value $5,000. The cruise departs on the 23^rd Feb 2016.

Thousands of people entered, and guess who won – that dashing and dapper lad around town, the RAAF’s second best Radtech, Ted McEvoy. Ted’s entry, which was of a lovely old lady selling flowers in Lijiang, China, won the “Best pic of the week” on the 13^th August.

Then, on the 3^rd Sept the newspaper announced Ted as the overall winner of the competition. The paper said its panel of 4 judges were impressed by both the “story” in the picture and its quality.

This is the pic that was entered by Edward G. Click it to see the HD version.

It's a wonderful pic Ted - congratulations!!

Vietnam Tour.

Rod Richardson wrote, “Trade Travel are major group travel specialists and are delighted to attach their exclusive Vietnam Highlights Tour including a commemorative visit to the “Battle of Long Tan” Memorial Site in its 50th Anniversary Year. The tour, which will be held over the period 16 Days 8-23rd April 2016, is essentially an exclusive highlights/sightseeing tour through Vietnam (from the North through to the South) including all the Vietnam Highlights with one full day dedicated to visiting the Long Tan area and memorial site during its milestone 50 year anniversary year.

The special tour will be hosted ex-Brisbane by Graham Smith from the Sixth Battalion Association and a Veteran of Long Tan itself and includes return flight with Singapore Airline (ex-East Coast Capitals), 4 star accommodation throughout, most meals, all sightseeing and entries, English speaking guide, local gratuities and much more. The tour represents excellent value at $3,997.00 per person twin share.

If I could ask you to please let your membership know about this tour and generally promote it amongst Veterans, the various Association, RSL Sub-branch members, their family and friends it would be much appreciated. If you need any assistance, flyers and/or hardcopies of the itinerary itself please don’t hesitate to contact me direct.

April 2016 will be here before we know it so if there is genuine interest among your members I’d encourage them to register their interest early to avoid possible disappointment in the event that it books out.

If you have any queries or you require any additional information please don’t hesitate to contact me direct.

Rod Richardson <rod@tradetravel.com>

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