REVEille caring for the veteran community | SUMMER edition 2014/15
The price of liberty is eternal vigilance
Contents Notice to all League Members.................... 3 President’s Report....................................... 4 CEO’s Report.............................................. 5 Welfare Report............................................. 6 RSL House Information............................... 8
RSL House
Ex-Service Organisations
membersHIP
106 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore Phone: 07 5443 1719 Fax: 07 5443 7551 email: rslhouse@maroochyrsl.com.au
These groups meet regularly in the RSL House, please feel welcome to attend.
Hello Members. This Summer Edition of Reveille is my first since I took up the maternity cover placement for Pip Need. Thank you to everyone who has made me so welcome.
Office Hours Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Museum Hours Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 2.00pm Friday 9.00am - 12.00pm
LEAGUE MEMBER BRIEFINGS Third Monday of the month at 2.00pm Information for members, guests and bona fide visitors. Correct at time of printing.
For more information about upcoming meetings refer to page 22. Ex-Service Women’s Association - first Thursday, 10.00am chat, 10.30am meeting Legacy Laurel Club - fourth Friday at 9.00am National Servicemen’s Association - second Tuesday of every odd month 9.00am chat, 10.00am meeting
The renewal period for one year League Membership runs from on 1 December 2014 through to 28 February 2015. The cost of annual membership is $20. If you would prefer the convenience of a Life Subscription the cost is priced according to your age as set out below. Life Subscription
Naval Association - second Sunday at 10.30am
Age 18-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65+
TPI Association - third Wednesday at 10.30am
Cost $300 $260 $220 $180 $140 $120 $100
War Widows Guild - fourth Monday, 9.00am chat, 10.00am meeting
If you know of any current or ex-service personnel who might enjoy the camaraderie of being part of the League, please encourage them to join.
Women’s Auxiliary - first Monday, 9.30am chat, 10.00am meeting
Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor (preferably typed or printed and no longer than 200 words) should carry the sender’s full name, address and contact phone number, and will not necessarily express the opinion of the Editor or of this Sub Branch. The Editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish any submission. Email: rslhouse@maroochyrsl.com.au 02 | MAROOCHY RSL - caring for the veteran community
I wish you all a very safe and happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. I look forward to seeing you at one of our monthly League Member briefings in 2015. If you have any queries regarding your League Membership, please contact RSL House on 07 5443 1719. Ian Hicks Maroochy RSL League Administration Manager
Military Museum.......................................... 9 Former RAAF Members............................ 10 Remembrance Day................................... 12 Mystery Sailer.............................................14 Defence Force Recruiting (DFR)............... 16 Museum.................................................... 18 Passion for helping others passed down through generations.................................. 20 Act of kindness restores Geoffrey’s faith in the community............................... 21 Meetings ................................................... 22
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAILING LIST If you wish to receive emails about current veteran related issues and League information, please email us at: rslhouse@maroochyrsl.com.au www.maroochyrsl.com.au Reveille SUMMER edition 2014/15 | 03
President’s Report Hello Everyone and welcome to the Summer edition of Reveille. As 2014 draws to a close and we anticipate the centenary year in 2015, it is timely to reflect on our recent achievements. It was very pleasing to see the number of members and guests who attended the Melbourne Cup and Remembrance Day activities in and around Maroochy RSL. A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes to prepare for these activities by our volunteers and staff, and on behalf of the Maroochy RSL Board I thank you all for a job well done. Over the past few months the Maroochy RSL Board has approved the budget for 2015, reviewed the Strategic Plan that was presented to the Board, and undertaken initiatives to set in motion actions for the future refurbishment of the facilities within RSL House and the venue. I am also pleased to report that the Sunshine Coast and Regional District is up and running once again. In September delegates from all sub branches located within the district met and voted to accept a new constitution to establish the District. The new constitution has since been registered with the Office of Fair Trading and new elections held to fill the District executive positions. On behalf of Maroochy RSL I wish to thank all our volunteers and inter club members who have contributed over the past twelve months selling ANZAC Day badges, poppies, maintaining the lawns and gardens around the Cenotaph, conducting welfare activities, providing pension advice and coordinating outings and activities. Your ongoing support and involvement is much appreciated.
CEO’s Report Welcome everyone to the summer edition of Reveille. After a very busy 2014, Christmas is upon us and before too long we will be welcoming in 2015. Throughout 2014, it is pleasing to all at Maroochy RSL that we have been able to provide support in many ways to the current and former service community of the Sunshine Coast, while also contributing to the broader community. Our league outings have been very popular and have provided the opportunity for many of our members to experience and enjoy the highlights of our amazing locale and beyond. Our team of extraordinary staff and volunteers invest great effort in planning and organising these adventures to ensure enjoyment by all. We are keen to continue these into 2015 so if you would like to participate in any of our outings, or have suggestions for locations you might like to visit, please let us know as we always welcome new ideas. Thank you to all who joined us to commemorate Remembrance Day 2014 at the Cotton Tree Cenotaph and after at Elevations Bar for refreshments. Fortunately, the weather was kind to us and all the tireless efforts of our organising team came to fruition. As always, these days would not be possible without the contribution of many, so thank you to our staff and volunteers, and to the students from Maroochydore State High School for their participation and contribution. The Reveille summer edition has interesting reading for everyone. You will find one of our new regular pieces on the RSL House Museum where we have showcased a very rare piece of memorabilia. Our Museum volunteers dedicate hours of time and effort in compiling, researching, collating and displaying these and many other artefacts that are lovingly restored and displayed. Please avail yourself of the opportunity to visit the museum and take a look, and we encourage you to bring your family and friends to view what is simply a magnificent array of memorabilia and memories.
To all the patrons of Maroochy RSL, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
As 2014 draws to a close, please take good care of yourselves through the festive season and be kind to each other at a time when many are doing it a little tough. On behalf of the Maroochy RSL Board, Management and Team, I wish you and your families a happy, healthy and safe Christmas and we look forward to welcoming you to Maroochy RSL in 2015.
Michael Liddelow Maroochy RSL President
Clare Paton Maroochy RSL CEO
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WELFARE REPORT Welcome to the last report of 2014. Where has the time gone! The welfare team have been super busy out and about in the community providing support to the veterans and their families. During the first 10 months of the year our volunteers have spent over 1280 hours helping the veteran community here on the Sunshine Coast and beyond.
For more information on the support services our welfare team can provide or organise, please see page 8 which outlines this in detail.
Christmas Support
Our services over the Christmas and New Year period will be slightly reduced but as per normal RSL House will be open Monday to Friday 9.00am until 5.00pm. There will be someone at the end of the phone, or in the office to cater for your needs, whether it is a transport issue or to obtain an emergency referral to another service provider.
League Outing Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was the venue for our penultimate outing of the year. The weather was, as always, very kind to us with it not being too hot or raining which was very lucky as it was quite dreary when we left Maroochydore. Another great day was had by all. We had members and their spouses who had never seen a sheep being sheared getting the opportunity to see something new. There were also plenty of animals to touch and feel from a very large slimy snake to fluffy Koalas.
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Well that’s all from us this year. I look forward to seeing you all in RSL House and in particular, on our League Outings in 2015. May I take this opportunity on behalf of the welfare team to wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We hope to see you again in 2015. Kind regards
Sharon Moore Maroochy RSL Welfare Manager
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What We Do – Here At RSL House
I m m e r s e y o u r s e l f in military history
There are many veterans, war widows, former, current and ex-serving personnel out in the community who do not know exactly what we do here within the welfare team. In a nutshell: We CARE! We may be the link in the chain that you need to move forward in your life to increase your health and wellbeing. We provide information, support and advice to veterans, their dependants, war widows, former, current and ex-serving members which is not pensions-related. This includes the diverse range of services available within the community through DVA’s health and housing services and Government funded organisations within the general community.
Maroochy RSL House Our activities include: • Home Visits
We liaise with other services such as the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS), a service that is becoming accessed more frequently due to the number of young returned service personnel from conflicts in the Middle East.
• Hospital Visits
We liaise with Veterans Home Care assessment team to arrange services such as domestic assistance, occupational therapists, home assist, and rehabilitation programs within the home such as ramps, hand rails, shower rails, slip mats, pickup sticks etc.
All members of the veteran community and their families are encouraged and invited to come along and meet us at RSL House. Just because you don’t have a gold card and don’t qualify for Veterans Home Care or other services this doesn’t mean there are no other ways to link up with the services you need within the community.
Our hospital visitation officers service Sunshine Coast Private Hospital in Buderim and the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Kawana weekly and on request will visit Nambour General Hospital and Selangor.
• Nursing Home Visits • Poppy services • Transport Assistance including social support
If you require any further assistance, or you know anyone who does, please contact RSL House on (07) 5443 1719.
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FREE ENTRY
Military Museum See over 100 years of uniforms, medals, photos, weapons models and memorabilia from all wars and conflicts Bookings for large groups are essential School Tours available Group tours ‘out of hours’ available on request Hours: Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 2.00pm and Friday 9.00am to 12 noon
106 Memorial Avenue Maroochydore | Entry via RSL House (adjacent to RSL car park)
Ph: (07) 5443 1719 Reveille SUMMER edition 2014/15 | 09
Former RAAF members celebrate 100 years at reunion In the lead up to ANZAC Day centenary commemorations former members of the Royal Australian Air Force from around Australia came together and celebrated 100 years of military aviation at Maroochy RSL. On March 1, 1914 Lieutenant Eric Harrison took off in a Bristol Boxkite Aircraft from the Point Cook flying field in Victoria. That historic flight is now recognised as the starting point of all military flying in Australia. In 1921, the Australian Air Corps was officially separated from the Army and re-named the Royal Australian Air Force. Australia was however committed to retaining a military air service. Gifted 128 surplus aircraft by British Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force was
only the second independent air force in the world.
“It was a fantastic weekend catching up with new and old friends,” he said.
In October more than 140 ex-servicemen came together to celebrate this major milestone in military history.
“I’m proud that we could celebrate 100 years of military aviation with ex-servicemen from around the country.”
Maroochy RSL member, volunteer and RAAF ex-serviceman Grendell Antony said the Airman Aircrew come together every two years for a reunion but this year marked a proud moment in our history.
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A wreath laying ceremony at the Cotton Tree Cenotaph marked the beginning of celebrations followed by a reunion dinner. Guest speaker Graham Neil AO DFC held the guest’s attention with memories and stories from a career including operational service in
Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller. In two years’ time the former members of the Royal Australian Air Force will travel to Hawkesbury in New South Wales for their next reunion. As a token of their appreciation, the Airmen Aircrew gifted the Maroochy RSL with two Australian flags that were flown on a RAAF mission in Afghanistan.
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REMEMBRANCE DAY 2014 Cotton Tree Cenotaph
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Help crack the 73-year-old case: do you know the mystery sAILer? In November 1941 in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia the German raider HSK Kormoran sunk Australian warship HMAS Sydney.
Samples of the fabric remnants found on the sailer’s body have also assisted researchers through a process of elimination. Fabric and press-studs retrieved from his uniform that have been tested by Australian War Memorial researchers indicate he was wearing a navycoloured boiler suit. Finally, researchers have his identity narrowed down to just 50 men from the HMAS Sydney but it is now a matter of tracing the family of the deceased soldier. This process could take weeks or even years, without a breakthrough so we are helping to share this information with you in case readers may be able to assist.
Anyone who thinks they may have a link to the unknown sailer is welcome to contact Vicki Jarrett from the research team via mobile telephone on 0448 844 043.
All of the 645 sailers on board were killed and the ship’s sinking has gone down in history as Australia’s worst naval disaster. Of those many hundreds of sailers lost in the tragedy, just one body was retrieved. Three months after the event, the body of a sailer was found in the waters off Christmas Island. Now, more than 70 years later, Royal Australian Navy Commander Greg Swinden and a team committed to the search are still trying to identify the remains of that one found man.
They are agonisingly close to learning his identity at last. Painstaking scientific analysis of the sailer’s DNA has established that the man was of European ancestry and had red hair, blue eyes and pale skin. The research experts believe he was aged between 22 and 31, had size 11 feet, was between 168 and 188 centimetres tall and right-handed. Fascinating and meticulous isotope testing of his teeth and bones, conducted in Canada, revealed traces of limestone, which indicates he came from Australia’s east coast - most likely Queensland or Northern New South Wales.
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ADF general information
Defence Force Recruiting (DFR) MAROOCHYDORE UPDATE BY THE DFR TEAM
It has been a busy quarter for DFR Maroochydore, enlisting the region’s next generation of ADF service men and women. We paused to mark Remembrance Day with Leading Seaman Rohan Driver representing DFR as the flag party member at the Cotton Tree service. As the end of the year approaches, we congratulate this year’s cohort of year 12 students, and wish them all safe holidays and celebrations, particularly those who have made
it through the ADF selection process and have been offered careers. DFR continues to seek those who are considering a challenging and rewarding career, with a multitude of roles available within the Navy, Army and Air Force. Information sessions are held regularly at DFR Maroochydore’s office and bookings are essential. To commence your application or to book for one of our information sessions, call 07 5459 8700.
Location
Date Time
DFR Maroochydore, 35 - 39 Primary School Crt, Maroochydore
09 Dec 2014
6.00pm - 8.00pm
DFR Maroochydore, 35 - 39 Primary School Crt, Maroochydore
11 Dec 2014
6.00pm - 8.00pm
39 DFR Maroochydore, 35 – ydore Primary School Crt, Marooch
6–
11 Dec 14
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Nipper Award will be presented upon the completion of the curren Rifleman list (Female only) Supply Chain Speciathe most outstanding male and female nippers. As a result of its in Surveillance Aircraft Operator
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l community the four half-days rdveterans the loca two put through agelocal DFR continues totinu engage the community, es to eng The awa consists ofwere DFR con award focused at nippers. ual ann an ket the te roc to crea to ed b ign Clu des n e bee experience and sailing training. The recently partnering Surf Lifesaving with Dicky Beach Mal’s that hav Racing on-water their ll custom crafted signature sing che gni Mit reco ie lst Jam whi , nity program aims are to provide wounded mu Lifesaving Club to create an annual award com ing sav life r Veterans surf thei tive ed to asses and foster rdees into the competi develop ve was with training that results in t.them achieving new s. Theofinitiati focused atawanippers. The award consists litie R qua DF ual The ivid ind llec and inte ts achievemen lve, respect and , reso ility ptab ada , ility nab skills which will help them to safely crew club trai ine, two Jamieteam Mitchell custom crafted signature work, self-discipl Nipper Award will be presented upon the completion of the current season in March 2015, to boats, andmaletoand female helpnippers. integrate into the DFR wider most outstanding As a result of its initial success, is now Racing Mal’s that have been designed to the looking to expand its partnerships across other surf clubs within the Sunshine Coast region. rocket the awardees into the competitive surf sailing community. lifesaving community, whilst recognising their achievements and individual qualities. The initiative was developed to asses and foster their teamwork, self-discipline, trainability, DFR Maroochydore’s SGT Hails recently participated in the Mool (MYC) Serve II Sail program in early October with six male and f adaptability, resolve, respect and intellect. The the opportunity to experience sailing in a social and low-pressure e DFR Nipper Award will be presented upon the the four half-days veterans were put through on-water sailing expe completion of the current season in March program aims are to provide wounded Veterans with training that new skills which will help them to safely crew club boats, to help 2015, to the most outstanding male and female into the wider sailing community. nippers.
As a result of its initial success, DFR is now looking to expand its partnerships across other surf clubs within the Sunshine Coast region.
DFR Maroochydore’s SGT Hails recently participated in the Mooloolaba Yacht Club’s (MYC) Serve II Sail program in early October with six male and female Veterans lapping up the opportunity to experience sailing in a social and low-pressure environment. Throughout the four half-days veterans were put through on-water sailing experience and training. The program aims are to provide wounded Veterans with training that results in them achieving new skills which will help them to safely crew club boats, to help the Veterans to Integrate into the wider sailing community.
DFR Maroochydore’s SGT Hails recently participated in the Mooloolaba Yacht Club’s (MYC) Serve II Sail program in early October with six male and female Veterans lapping up the opportunity to experience sailing in a social and low-pressure environment. Throughout 16 | MAROOCHY RSL - caring for the veteran community
Reveille SUMMER edition 2014/15 | 17
MUSEUM The Maroochy RSL House Museum is home to an array of military artefacts and we gave curator, Joe McCaffrey the hard task of choosing just a couple to profile for this edition. Jar from Hiroshima This jar was used to hold Sake (an alcoholic beverage made from rice). Sake is usually served to guests warm, especially when served with food. Each guest has one of these jars from which he can pour sake into a tiny cup and drink in one gulp. Eric Saxon served in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in 1946/47. He picked this jar up in the ruins of Hiroshima on Sunday 19 May 1946; “I wandered around the ruins and round whole city blocks, many acres in extent, were merely piles of broken tiles and the remains of household items, shop equipment and the like. Some reinforced concrete buildings still stood but these were merely burned out shells. This utter destruction extended a mile or so in every direction.
Most household items were smashed beyond recognition, but I picked up this little jar as it was not so badly damaged, yet it revealed how the heat and radiation of the atomic blast had burned through the glazing.” The inscription on it is in Chinese but we have not found someone who can read it. Eric Saxon donated the jar to the Maroochy RSL museum on 8 November 2010.
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War Ration Stamps Everyone found rationing a nuisance; they also agreed it was fair. According to historical notes the amount of food allocated in some areas and counties depended on the person’s job. While the same type of rations were allocated to all, there were exceptions for children who were entitled to extra quantities considered essential for growth such as milk and orange juice and expectant mothers for whom special allowances were also made. Bread, a staple food remained unrationed and cheap. Each family registered their ration books with their own grocer and butcher and could then only get their supplies from them. Rations books contained pages and pages of coupons printed with the day of the week they were to be used. Quantities were unspecified, these were decided by the shopkeeper and depended on what he could get. Shop keepers clipped off coupons against whatever
they supplied and Ministry of Food inspectors checked that the traders’ coupons tallied with the supplies of food allocated. From time to time the Ministry would announce how much food a coupon was worth. Because different types of meat were of varying quality, coupons were not given as a value in ounces but in money, so the amount of meat a household received depended on the current price of different cuts. You could get more of the coarse cuts than of prime meat but the system was entirely subject to availability and allocation. To view these and other memorabilia from yester year, visit the Maroochy RSL House Museum. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 9.00am - 2.00pm and on Friday from 9.00am - midday.
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Passion for helping others passed down through generations
Act of kindness restores Geoffrey’s faith in the community
Helping those in need is a genetic trait Frank Benfield says was handed down through several Benfield generations.
A small number of volunteers who loyally attend to the gardens and lawns at the Cotton Tree Cenotaph have been facing a constant battle with people vandalising the military memorial.
With grandparents who served in World War I, parents that served in World War II and a brother who served in the Australian Defence Force, Frank knew from a young age that it would be his duty to serve his country. “My family has a long history in the military, that is something I am very proud of,” he said. Frank is a familiar face for those who frequent the Maroochydore Sub Branch but many might be unaware of the time he dedicated to our country. Frank served in the Australian Regular Army from January 1963 to March 1983, rendering operational service in Vietnam and defence services in Australia, the Territory of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, and then worked as a civilian advisor with the Royal Thai Navy Air Wing from 1984 to 1987. From there he worked as an academic and unit leader at the University of Southern Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology. Joining the Maroochydore RSL Sub Branch in 2013 as a Pensions Officer, Frank brought over 30 years of experience and expertise in veteran affairs to the team. From June 1999 until April 2012, Frank worked on behalf of veterans and their dependants in the fields of pensions, advocacy and welfare entitlements. Frank worked as a Services Member of the Veterans’ Review Board for the first ten years then in 2009 he was selected as a member of the inaugural Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters. In 2011 Frank was recognised for his lifelong dedication to helping others and was awarded an Order of Australia medal for his efforts in veteran affairs.
Frank said the reason he commits his time to volunteering is because of the values that were instilled in him by his father throughout his life. “My father constantly stressed the need for equal opportunity – the need to have a good social conscience,” he said. “When I see someone who needs help I feel compelled to assist them. We see people from every conflict, including the most recent one in Afghanistan. It’s not easy for them to gain their full entitlements and the team help them to do so.” Frank has enjoyed volunteering with the team at the Maroochydore Sub Branch and said they work hard together for the benefit of our returned veterans. “We’re a tight little team here at the Maroochy RSL,” he said. “We’re a good group of people whose skills compliment one another which means we’re able to provide the assistance that we’re here to give.” If you’re interested in volunteering too, please visit the Sub Branch for more information or call 07 5443 1719.
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Recently, volunteer Geoffrey Fallis was saddened by what he labelled as a cowardly act, as plants were yet again ripped out from the Cenotaph gardens.
a standard to suitably commemorate those who paid the ultimate price for our country, especially in the lead up to one of the biggest commemorations in Australia’s history.
Plants were torn from in between two pillars that read ‘courage’ and ‘mateship’.
“It was certainly a surprise to see that the plants at the Cenotaph had been replaced overnight; that is the true ANZAC spirit,” he said.
Geoffrey said there was nothing courageous about the act and said it definitely didn’t demonstrate any form of mateship. “It’s just disrespectful,” he said. What happened next, though, restored his faith in the Sunshine Coast community. In the days following the incident Kirsten Price, the daughter of an American veteran, secretly replanted new plants at the Cenotaph in the middle of the night, giving Geoffrey quite a surprise.
“It is important for the Sunshine Coast community to remember what these service men and women did for our country to ensure the spirit lives on.” Geoffrey says since the restoration he’s received a lot of feedback on the area he’s devotes his time to. “We are getting a lot of compliments about the Cenotaph gardens,” he said.
Geoffrey was overwhelmed by the random act of kindness and wanted to ensure Kirsten knew how grateful he was.
“The theft disheartened me at the beginning but now my faith has been restored in the local community, the Cenotaph belongs to everyone and we need to look after it.”
Maroochy RSL Sub Branch President Michael Liddelow said many volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure the Cenotaph was up to
Geoffrey hopes community members will now take a bit of time to keep an eye on the memorial site to prevent acts like this in the future.
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Returned & Service League of Australia (Queensland Branch) Maroochydore RSL Sub Branch Inc. RSL House 106 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore Phone: 07 5443 1719 Fax: 07 5443 7551 e-mail: rslhouse@maroochyrsl.com.au Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm Museum Hours Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 2.00pm Friday 9.00am - 12.00pm 2014/15 League Briefings 15 December 2014 19 January 2015 16 February 2015
Naval Association of Australia
The Maroochy Waters Sub-Section meets at RSL House, Maroochydore on the second Sunday each month at 10.30am. 2014/15 Meetings 14 December 2014 11 January 2015 8 February 2015 Expressions of interest and all enquiries should be directed to the Secretary at PO Box 615, Maroochydore QLD 4558 Phone: 5443 1719
QLD TPI Association
(Sunshine Coast Branch)
The Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women (Queensland Branch) Inc. The above organisation is a member of the State and Federal Body operating on the Sunshine Coast and meets on the third Wednesday of each month at RSL House, Maroochydore at 10.30am.
National Servicemen’s Association
Maroochydore
Meetings at RSL House on second Tuesday of every odd month at 10.00am. 2015 Meetings 13 January 2015 For more information call Don Holt, 5446 5953
Women’s Auxiliary
Maroochydore
Meetings are on the first Monday each month at 9.30am for a cuppa and chat, meeting starts at 10.00am. 2014/15 Meetings 1 December 2014 2 February 2015 (AGM) For more information call the Secretary, Andrena King on 5496 9081
2015 Meetings 21 January 2015 18 February 2015 Please feel free to come along to the meetings, Partners are most welcome. For any additional information please contact Tony Cresswick-Jackson, Secretary on 5493 4719 or 0400 576 118 e-mail: farmerjaxon@hotmail.com
Legacy Laurel Club
Maroochydore
Meetings are held at RSL House, Maroochydore on the fourth Friday of each month at 9.00am. 2015 Meetings 27 February 2015 All eligible widows are most welcome. Sunshine Coast Legatees are always available to assist with any concerns members may have.
Ex-Service Women’s Association
Our meetings are happy ones and well attended. The ‘Healthy Away’ days, the social activity that takes place between meetings, also have a good turnout at Cotton Tree and continue to be an enjoyable outing for all. New members, from all Services are always welcome. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month. 2014/15 Meetings 4 December 2014 5 February 2015 Where: RSL House, Maroochydore is still the place to be for a cuppa and a chat at 10.00am with the meeting commencing at 10.30am. Cost: $5.00 per annum. We look forward to seeing all the older members and many new.
War Widows’ Guild Maroochydore
We aim to protect the interests of all War Widows and offer a program of social activities to promote friendship. Meetings are on the fourth Monday of each month. Morning Tea from 9.00am, General Meeting 10.00am. Members are invited to meet afterwards at the Club for a bite to eat and chat. 2015 Meetings 19 January 2015 23 February 2015 Contact: Shirley Murphy 5437 6560
Come and join us. Contact: Larraine on 5448 6037
For additional information contact: Nita on 5453 4329 or Barbara on 5445 4768
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The Ode The moving lines of The Ode of Remembrance are synonymous with ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services across Australia and New Zealand.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
While Australian and New Zealand residents always recognise the touching lines even before the fifth word is read, little is known about the true origin of The Ode and why it’s played at these key services and throughout RSL clubs today.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
The Ode is an extract taken from the elegy “For The Fallen”, by English poet and writer Laurence Binyon (1869 - 1943). It is in fact, the fourth stanza of the iconic poem. During World War I, Binyon wrote the poem while working at the British Museum. He was an author of several volumes of verse. “For The Fallen” was first published in the London Times on September 21, 1914 and later in many anthologies of war verse, including “The Winnowing Fan; Poems of the Great War” in 1914.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”
The publication was the start of a tradition of associating The Ode with commemoration services in Australia and the Commonwealth. The Ode was selected in 1919 to accompany the unveiling of the London Cenotaph and, like so many memorial traditions, was shared across the Commonwealth for similar events. The Ode’s connection with ANZAC Day first originated with the Queensland ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee, which printed the poem on the cover of a collection of sermons and addresses for services.
Since then The Ode has been printed on War Memorials and is now at the heart of all rites of RSL clubs throughout Australia and New Zealand. Maroochy RSL pays its respect to servicemen and women by playing The Ode at 6.00pm every evening.