July RSL Monthly Newsletter

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Angeles City Sub Branch Philippines www.rslangelescity.com ‘Lest We Forget’ President Vice Presidents Secretary Treasurer

James Curtis-Smith Rob Cairns Bob Barnes Dallas Drake Vivian Hart

Editor

Larry Smith

Email address:

Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel president@rslangelescity.com

secretary@rslangelescity.com treasurer@rslangelescity.com editor@rslangelescity.com

NEWSLETTER # 52** JULY 2011 PRESIDENT’S REPORT – July 2011 Back from the UK after twelve days, and then a few days later after arriving back in Manila, five days in Melbourne Australia and still floating a bit after being away for so long and covering such distances at 36,000 feet in the air. Great trip, both celebratory family occasions, and I am sure the last thing you want to read is a travel log.

As a consequence, I have missed a general meeting and committee meeting as well as the raffles over the weeks. What appears however is that the Committee has functioned so well without the President (I was never in doubt) and that we are in good hands over the whole Committee and which is indicative of a good Club. Reminds me of the adage that, if in any organization or business, any person who becomes indispensable, that person should immediately be dispensed with for the sake of the health of the organization or business. My thanks to Vice Presidents Rob Cairns and Bob Barnes who represented me in my absence, and the ongoing work of Viv Hart and Dallas Drake as Treasurer and Secretary in particular.

Looking forward, I note the next Children’s Medical Mission is set for Saturday August 6th commencing at 8.00am at Barangay Pulung Cacutud and a location map is attached. We are looking to our members

2 and their wives friends etc to assist as in the past. If you have never been please come along, it is a very moving experience to be part of the RSL team on these days. Transportation to and from the mission site, commencing from the Ponderosa hotel will be provided, if you don’t have your own transport or can’t get a lift.

Advance notice of the remembrance of Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18 th by this Sub Branch. Details appear elsewhere in this Newsletter.

A short report this month for obvious reasons.

JAMES E. CURTIS-SMITH President

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS WE extend a warm  welcome to the following new members: James Tarring (QLD) * Andrew Hancocks (A/C) * Allan Schlaadt (A/C) * Desmond Fitzgerald (A/C) * Wesley Armstrong (A/C) * Barry Curties (A/C) * Merilyn Delos Reyes (A/C) * Mark Mudford (A/C) Michael Hardy (WA) * Larry Baker (A/C) * *****

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WHAT’S ON FOR AUGUST AUGUST RSL EVENTS SCHEDULE

Weekly Raffle NOW EVERY Wednesday at Emotions Nite Club at 6.00 PM. Phillies Sports & Grill Raffle every Saturday at 6.00 PM. Tuesday 2nd August 12.30 pm Ponderosa Hotel*Australia Day Fiesta Meeting followed by Monthly Committee meeting AND Social Tuesday * 3.00PM Emotions & TOC MEDICAL MISSION SATURDAY 7TH AUGUST (see web site for details or meet 07.15am Ponderosa) Tuesday 9th August * Social Tuesday 3.00PM Eruption Bar, Dr.Holms Tuesday 16th August * Monthly General Meeting 2.00PM Ponderosa * Social Tuesday Ponderosa

VIETNAM VETERANS DAY Thursday 18th August* 11.00AM CLARK CEMETERY * Followed by Function at Ponderosa Pool Side. This is always a good event so don’t miss it. (see flyer last page to this newsletter) Tuesday 23rd August * Social Tuesday Ponderosa 2.00 PM * 4.00pm Coyote Ugly, Angel Witch.

Tuesday 30th August * 2.00PM Sand Baggers Baloy Beach * Overnight Subic Meeting

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SECRETARY Dear RSL Sub Branch Member, Sometimes we get busy forgetting to take care of something’s important like continuing to be part of a worthwhile organization and be with friends who can share things in common.

Sometimes this overworked secretary may have missed sending you a notice or keeping his records up to date.

Help us to keep good records by advising us of any change of address, email address or Cell Phone/Mobile number.

As we get older some members can’t make meetings but we can still keep in contact.

Monthly News Letter advice is sent out every month to those who have registered email addresses. If you are not receiving that advise means that you are not on the list. Advise Dallas Drake to rectify this. Details are shown below.

FACE Book and an Interactive WordPress site allow you to give us feed-back on any issues of interest.

3 BE A GOOD MEMBER AND BE ACTIVE LEST WE FORGET ANNUAL SUBS STILL ONLY P700.00 Finally, we have a good stock of ALL RANGES OF SIZES of RSL singlets with pocket (breast, not on the hip) available.

Cell number +639165243084 Angeles City RSL Sub Branch.

P.O. Box 53820 Angeles City 2009 Philippines www.rslangelescity.com General Meeting 3rd Tuesday of each month and social gathering every Tuesday 2.00 pm at Ponderosa Hotel ***** ***** *****

MESSAGE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY MANILA

Commencement of appointment system for passport and consular services - 1 July 2011 In order to provide a more efficient service, as of 1 July 2011 the Passport and Consular Section of the Australian Embassy Manila is implementing an appointment system for notarial acts and lodgement of passport applications.

For more information, see the announcement on the Australian Embassy Manila website at: http://www.philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/home.html ***************  THIS IS THE MAP to our next Barangay

Medical Mission. It’s easy to get there.

Just continue past the MARQUEE Mall, go through the roundabout onto Magalang/Angeles Road, go under the NLEX, turn right and head to the Pulung Cacutud Elementary School. Also see our website www.rslanglescity.com

4 PROGRESS ON AUSTRALIAN MEMORIAL IN NEW ZEALAND The Minister for Veterans‟ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, welcomed the New Zealand Government‟s commitment to establish an Australian Memorial in Wellington, announced today by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. Mr Snowdon said the memorial will be part of the New Zealand Memorial Park in Wellington and it will recognise the significant relationship between the two countries.

“Australians and New Zealanders have served alongside each other from South Africa more than a century ago, through Gallipoli, France and Belgium in the First World War, Second World War, Korea, and Vietnam to Afghanistan today. “The bonds of mateship established in war and on operations in support of the United Nations are today a pillar of one of Australia‟s strongest relationships. However the relationship is not just a military one: the ties of history, people, culture, trade and sport are also deep and lasting. “This project reciprocates the New Zealand Memorial on Anzac Parade, in Canberra, that was a gift from the Government and people of New Zealand for the Centenary of Federation in 2001,” Mr Snowdon said.

Mr Snowdon said the Australian Government previously provided $5 million for the construction of the memorial, with design work to begin shortly. “The memorial will provide a significant focus for commemorations marking the centenary of the First World War in 2015.

“As we approach the centenary of the landings at Gallipoli, the Australian Government will continue to work in partnership with the New Zealand Government to coordinate the delivery of Anzac Day commemorations.” In Australia, a new Anzac Centenary Advisory Board is also being established to progress the work initiated by the National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary.

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS IMPACT OF WAR ON NORTHERN AUSTRALIA A permanent display of ‘Nackeroo’ wartime and NORFORCE memorabilia was officially opened today at the Darwin Military Museum by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon.

“This display recognises the work of the 2/1st North Australia Observation Unit – nicknamed the Nackeroos – which patrolled large areas of northern Australia during the Second World War,” Mr Snowdon said.

“Like NORFORCE today, the Nackeroos had a strategic as well as a tactical role that involved reconnaissance, scouting and surveillance across the Kimberley and the Northern Territory.

“In small groups and often on horseback, they patrolled vast coastal areas seeking signs of enemy activity. They also manned fixed coastwatch stations and ran a signals network,” he said.

At its peak the unit consisted of some 550 men and employed 59 Indigenous workers as guides and labourers. Nackeroo operations were scaled back as the Japanese threat receded and the unit was disbanded in 1945.

5 When NORFORCE was established in 1981 it acknowledged the link to its wartime counterpart by incorporating the Nackeroo's orange and green 'double diamond' into its own colour patch.

A further link between the Nackeroos and NORFORCE was the heavy reliance on the commitment and local knowledge of Indigenous Australians to fulfil its role.

Some 60 per cent of NORFORCE personnel have an Indigenous background.

The collection includes photographs, saddles, jeeps, memorabilia and communication devices used by the Nackeroos during the war. Funding towards the permanent display was provided through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Saluting Their Service grants program.

“The Australian Government recognises and appreciates the contribution of the Nackeroos to the defence of Australia during the Second World War, this exhibition will provide a lasting display for the generations that have followed,” he said.

Today’s exhibit opening marks the conclusion of a week of celebrations for the 30th Anniversary of NORFORCE. Celebrations commenced on the 25th June with a moving remembrance service at the Darwin Cenotaph and an anniversary dinner at Larrakeyah Officer’s Mess.

ANGUS HOUSTON TO LEAD NEW ANZAC CENTENARY BOARD The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac, Warren Snowdon, today announced Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AC, AFC (Ret’d), had been appointed as the Chair of the new Anzac Centenary Advisory Board.

Following a distinguished six year tenure as Chief of the Defence Force, ACM Houston has accepted the position to lead the planning and development of the Anzac Centenary commemorations taking place from 2014 to 2018.

ACM Houston’s reputation is unparallel among the Defence Force community, government and throughout Australia.

He has had an outstanding career in the Australian Defence Force from joining the Royal Australian Air Force as a cadet pilot in 1970 to serving as Chief of the Defence Force from July 2005 until July 2011. In 2008, he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia, having previously been appointed a Member in 1990. “ In 1980 he was awarded the Air Force Cross,” Mr Snowdon said. Mr Snowdon said the Chair of the new Anzac Centenary Advisory Board has a vital role in leading the planning stages of the commemorations. “As Chair, ACM Houston will work with the Board to progress the work of the National Commission on the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary, which handed its recommendations to Government earlier this year,” he said.

The Australian Government is establishing the Board to provide high level strategic advice to the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac regarding the planning and implementation of Anzac Centenary events and initiatives. The Board will engage with community and business sectors to develop a program of commemorative activities in the years leading into the commemorative period and throughout the Anzac Centenary program from 2014 to 2018.

Joining ACM Houston on the Board will be specialists in education, business, local government and Australian history and culture. I look forward to announcing the membership of the Board in the near future,” Mr Snowdon said.

ACM Houston said the main priority for the Board will be to listen to the Australian people – from the ideas already shared with the former National Commission, to consulting with a range of community and business sectors. “The Board has an important task ahead and I am pleased to be able to be involved to help ensure the Anzac Centenary is marked in a way that captures the spirit and reverence it so deserves,” ACM Houston said.

ACM Houston will officially take up his new position in August. The appointment will see through the planning and development of the Centenary commemorations until 2018.

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Defence force to transfer military bases to north-western Australia in seismic shift THE biggest shake-up in the nation's defences in decades - transferring military bases to north-western Australia to safeguard from threats from China and India - has been flagged.

Concerns over a need to protect Australia's vast energy reserves from the emerging Asian giants and a push for closer defence ties with the US are driving a review of our bases.

The review is expected to propose bases such as Puckapunyal and Garden Island, in Sydney Harbour, are scaled back significantly.

Thousands of military personnel would move to Perth, Darwin, Cairns and Townsville, where huge new navy, air force and army bases would be built at a cost of billions of dollars.

They would house the bulk of our military forces, new amphibious ships, destroyers, stealth fighters and transport planes - all designed to work in harmony with American forces to be built up in the region.

Western Australian-based Defence Minister Stephen Smith yesterday unveiled the review.

"There is a prospect that we (will) see more defence assets in Western Australia . . . more assets in the Northern Territory . . . and the potential for more assets in northeast Queensland," he said.

The minister said Australia's vast northwest oil and gas reserves would need protecting."We are confident that China will emerge as . . . a responsible stakeholder, as the Chinese would say, into a harmonious environment," the minister said.

"It's not just the growth of China, it's the growth of India,which continues to be under-appreciated."

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The US also regards northern Australia as a vital link in its Asia-Pacific security chain and Mr Smith assured Australians that their great and powerful friend "ain't going nowhere" when it comes to security in the Asia-Pacific.

The shift would signal an end to more than 200 years of colonial history that has dictated that the navy's main base was in Sydney and that the major population centres should be protected by huge air force bases.

Jill Adams, publican of Seymour's Prince of Wales Hotel, said the town would wither if the Puckapunyal base was downsized. "If they move Puckapunyal from Seymour, Seymour won't exist anymore because all it has is the army camp," she said. "The whole town lives off the army." 

By Ian McPhedran and Grant McArthur From: Herald Sun June 23, 2011

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Soldiers acquitted over child deaths TWO commandos accused of killing five Afghan children in a disastrous night-time raid have been exonerated, ending a two-year battle to clear their names.

The two special forces soldiers, known only as Sergeant J and Lance Corporal D, released a statement last night saying they would carry the burden of the civilians' deaths for the rest of their lives, and thanking their fellow soldiers for standing by them throughout their ordeal.

The Herald can reveal that the military prosecutor who made the decision to charge them was recently reappointed for another two years.

The Director of Military Prosecutions, Lyn McDade, was fiercely criticised for her decision to charge the two men. ďƒ—BRIG Lyn McDade She was dealt a heavy blow last month when a military judge threw out manslaughter charges against the two commandos before the trial began.

The Herald understands there was deep resentment within the senior ranks of the Australian Defence Force over Brigadier McDade's reappointment, because of her decision to prosecute the commandos.

A third soldier, the lieutenant-colonel in command of the raid, still faces a court martial at which the prosecutor will allege there were serious flaws in the planning of the raid.

The two commandos were part of a small force that approached a compound in Oruzgan province on the night of February 12, 2009.

After being fired at by a man from the compound, they returned fire and threw grenades into the room the gunfire was coming from, killing five children and an adult. The commandos were charged over the deaths last September.

The prosecution was the first time Australian soldiers had been charged for civilian casualties resulting from troops fighting under orders.

"We need no reminding that our actions contributed to the death of five innocent children. We will carry that burden for the rest of our lives,'' the two soldiers said. ''However, we would like people to understand two things: firstly, we did not choose to fight the Afghan male in proximity to children. He forced his callous and reckless choice upon all of us. Secondly, if there had been another reasonable option available to us that reduced the risk of injury to civilians, we wouldn't have hesitated to take it. ''We think it is important to remember that throughout our court martial, the prosecution refused to say what other option we should have taken. We don't think there was one."

Dan Oakes, Rafael Epstein June 23, 2011

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Politicians are snubbing war veterans over their pensions.

Gemma Jones (Daily Telegraph - Sydney) July 02, 2011 WAR veterans and retired military personnel struggling to survive on pensions indexed lower than those given to regular pensioners are devastated the federal government has blocked a rise.

The Defence Force Welfare Association has campaigned for more than a decade for Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits pensions to be indexed at the generous rate of the aged pension and politicians' super.

Labor MPs this month voted against a bill which would have seen the generous indexation applied to military pensioners, who also pay tax on their meagre earnings.

Retired servicemen and women exist on an average $22,500 a year from the scheme they paid for through a 5.5 per cent salary sacrifice (it wasn’t salary sacrifice, it was a compulsory deduction from pay. Ed) during their careers.

The pension is indexed to CPI even though the aged pension is indexed to a higher cost of living measure.

Executive Director of the welfare association Les Bienkiewicz said he found it difficult to reconcile the attendance of politicians at the funerals of soldiers and events commemorating the lives of Australia's war dead.

"Our members and supporters watch in dismay at the way government continues to assign a low priority for support to our servicemen and women despite saying the opposite at commemorative and other public forums," Mr Bienkiewicz said.

The government said the proposed change in indexation would cost $1.7 billion over four years and increase Commonwealth unfunded liabilities by $6.2 billion. Mr Bienkiewicz claimed the cost would be $20 million a year.

Victorian Liberal Senator Michael Ronaldson this month introduced a private members bill into the Senate for fairer indexation. The welfare association had hoped Labor Senator Kate Lundy (boo) would vote for the bill as she has supported those who had spoken out for fairer indexation.

But she voted against the bill. (double BOO). The vote was deadlocked at 34-all and would have passed if Ms Lundy had not voted along party lines. Labor, the Greens and independent MP Nick Xenophon all voted against the bill.

It is hoped that the politicians who voted against the bill will be looking for a different income stream after the next election. See also a letter from a retired senior RAAF officer to his local member on second last page. Ed

Carbon Price - Veteran Community Around 350,000 in the veteran community will benefit from a package of additional payments that will assist with the cost of living impact of a price on carbon.

A nine month up-front advance lump sum will be paid in June 2012 called the Clean Energy Advance.

In March 2013, ongoing supplement will be paid, with a choice of either fortnightly or quarterly payment called the Clean Energy Supplement.

All service pensioners (full and part), disability pensioners and war widow(er)s will receive both the Clean Energy Advance and the Clean Energy Supplement.

Assistance for service pensioners and war widow(er)s will be calculated on 1.7% of the maximum rate of service pension or widow(er)’s pension.

Assistance for General Rate disability pensioners, including those receiving less than 100% of the General Rate, will be calculated on 1.7% of the General Rate of disability pension under the VEA. Assistance for beneficiaries receiving an Above General Rate of disability pension (Special Rate, Intermediate Rate or Extreme Disablement Adjustment) will be calculated on the basis of 1.7% of the payment being received.

Veterans on a disability pension and service pension receive both payments.

Payments will also be made to: o Wholly Dependent Partners and Permanent Impairment payees under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 o Partner service pensioners who receive Family Tax Benefit o Veterans and their partners in receipt of the Seniors Supplement o Children of veterans and members receiving payments under the VCES or MRCAETS Veterans not receiving income support or seniors supplement may benefit through the tax system.

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Carbon Price – Veteran Community The following tables set out the amounts announced for veterans, their families and war widow(er)s as part of the Government’s introduction of a carbon price.

Upfront assistance (9 month advance paid June 2012)

Service pension (single) $250.00 Service pension (partnered -each) $190.00 War Widow(er)s $260.00 10% - 100% disability pension $132.30 EDA rate $206.60 Intermediate rate $253.40 Special rate $374.40 MRCA wholly dependent partners $260.00 MRCA permanent impairment payments $132.30 MRCA Special Rate DP $374.40 Seniors supplement (single) $250.00 Seniors supplement (partnered – each) $190.00 Carer Payment (single) - paid by Centrelink $250.00 Carer Payment (partnered) – paid by Centrelink $190.00

Ongoing assistance (from March 2013)

$13.50 per fortnight $10.20 per fortnight $13.80 per fortnight $7.40 per fortnight $11.50 per fortnight $14.10 per fortnight $20.90 per fortnight $13.80 per fortnight $7.40 per fortnight $20.90 per fortnight $13.50 per fortnight (paid quarterly) $10.20 per fortnight (paid quarterly) $13.50 per fortnight $10.20 per fortnight ONGOING FROM JAN 2014

VCES and MRCAETS (at home, 16-17 years old VCES and MRCAETS (at home, 18 or older) VCES and MRCAETS (living away from home) VCES and MRCAETS (homeless)

$110.00 $130.00 $190.00 $190.00

$60.00 $70.00 $100.00 $100.00

$4.00 $4.80 $7.20 $7.20

Sorry about the wobbley figures above, couldn’t cut and paste the original. Ed

LOCATION OF BRANCH OFFICE (relocated due to a fire earlier this year)

For your information, the ACT Branch Office is now located within the confines of the Morshead Home, 26 Archibald Street, LYNEHAM ACT 2602.

Telephone numbers are the same as previous – 02-62606344 and 02-61623011(fax). The postal address is still GPO Box 708 CANBERRA ACT 2601.

Until formal signage is installed, visitors should report to Reception where they will be directed to the Branch Office.

Please disseminate this information as widely as possible. *****

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DON’T SELL AUSTRALIA OUT THERE has been much angst, anxiety, debate, scare tactics and joy with the Australian Government‟s decision to introduce a CARBON TAX. The Labor government is in power due to an alliance with the GREENS and Independants. It is considered that this carbon tax was written by the Greens and delivered by Labor to enable them to keep receiving support from the Greens.

In line with this, someone has come up with an appropriate poem called Don’t sell Australia out. 

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ďƒ&#x; A TYPICAL AUSTRALIAN SHEARING SHED

When the shearing sheds are silent and the stock camps fallen quiet When the gidgee coals no longer glow across the outback night And the bush is forced to hang a sign, ' gone broke and won't be back' And spirits fear to find a way beyond the beaten track When harvesters stand derelict upon the wind swept plains And brave hearts pin their hopes no more on chance of loving rains When a hundred outback settlements are ghost towns overnight When we've lost the drive and heart we had to once more see us right When 'Pioneer' means a stereo and 'Digger' some backhoe And the 'Outback' is behind the house. There’s nowhere else to go And 'Anzac' is a biscuit brand and probably foreign owned And education really means brainwashed and neatly cloned When you have to bake a loaf of bread to make a decent crust And our heritage once enshrined in gold is crumbling to dust

And old folk pay their camping fees on land for which they fought And fishing is a great escape; this is until you're caught When you see our kids with yankee caps and resentment in their eyes And the soaring crime and hopeless hearts is no longer a surprise When the name of RM Williams is a yuppie clothing brand Not a product of our heritage that grew off the land When offering a hand makes people think you'll amputate And two dogs meeting in the street is what you call a 'Mate' When 'Political Correctness' has replaced all common sense When you're forced to see it their way, there's no sitting on the fence Yes one day you might find yourself an outcast in this land Perhaps your heart will tell you then, ' I should have made a stand' Just go and ask the farmers that should remove all doubt Then join the swelling ranks who say, ' don't sell Australia out' Author unknown

11 A SHORT (or maybe) LONG TRAVELOGUE We all need a break from our ordinary lives of work and very little play. It is good for us to rest and recuperate (R&R) and get ourselves focused for the next work period (or if retired away from the mowing). So a holiday is mostly what a doctor would order.

AND I have a great place for that R&R. It is the smallest state in Australia known as the Apple Isle or its correct name of TASMANIA or Tassie for short.

This is how Wikipedia describes Tassie: Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is 240 kilometres (150 mi) south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania – the 26th largest island in the world – and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 (as of June 2010) of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart precinct. Tasmania‟s area is 68,401 square kilometres (26,410 sq mi), of which the main island covers 62,409 square kilometres (24,096 sq mi).

Tasmania is promoted as the natural state, the "island of inspiration", and A World Apart, Not A World Away owing to its large and relatively unspoiled natural environment. Almost 37% of Tasmania lies in reserves, national parks and World Heritage Sites. The island is 364 kilometres (226 mi) long from it‟s northernmost to its southernmost points, and 306 kilometres (190 mi) from west to east.

The state capital and largest city is Hobart, which encompasses the local government areas of City of Hobart, City of Glenorchy, and City of Clarence, while the satellite town of Kingston (part of the Municipality of Kingborough) is generally included in the Greater Hobart area. Other major population centres include Launceston in the north and Devonport and Burnie in the northwest. The sub-antarctic Macquarie Island is also under the administration of the state, as part of the Huon Valley Council local government area.

HOW TO GET TO TASSIE All of Australian major domestic airlines:

12 fly from anywhere in Australia to Tasmania daily (subject to Chilean ash clouds) to the major entry ports of Launceston and Hobart with Qantaslink flying to the NW coast cities of Burnie and Devonport.

There are ample rent-a-cars available, as are campers, Winnebago‟s etc and hotel/motel and caravan park accomodation. But if you wish to bring your own vehicle, TT Line has two ferries, Spirit of Tasmania 1 & 2 doing daily night trips from Melbourne to Devonport and vice versa. The summer schedule sees the ferries doing extra trips and you can secure a day trip each way.

The trip is of 12 hours duration with cabin berths and cruise lounge chairs available.

Under the Commonwealth equalisation scheme, the ferries are classed as part of the national highway system and the cost of your vehicle is subsidised by the commonwealth government.

In my opinion, the best time to visit Tassie is end of January to May. Why???. Christmas time is Australian start of school holidays period and a vast proportion of Australians visit Tassie. Therefore accomodation is less available and less affordable. Rent-a-cars, campers etc are all booked out and generally prices are increased due to volume. The other dates (after Christmas rush) see all of the above plentiful and the prices back to normal.

Any later than May is the start of winter (although June is the official start month) so be prepared to bring warm clothing with you. It is just as lovely during winter but being in a temperate zone, it is also rainy season.

So come and see this lovely state of ours. I am currently sitting close to a beach at the scenic town of Swansea on the picturesque east coast fronting the famous Freycinet Peninsular National Park on what is known as „Wine Glass Bay‟. Don‟t just take my word for it, confirm my comments with our esteemed Secretary Dallas Drake and Treasurer Viv Hart. Like me they are proud Tasmanians. ED AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIALS ( a continuing series…)

This memorial is dedicated to the Australian Army members who served in Vietnam in the revered Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) as advisers.

They served from 1962 until 1972.

Their first commander was Brigadier (then Colonel) Frank Serong whose bust is central to the entrance to their memorial.

As the AATTV trained and were despatched from the then Jungle Training Centre (JTC) at Canungra Queensland, it is fitting that their memorial be located there. It is in a bush setting just outside of

13 the main camp area in what was known as the „close training area‟ just across the „weir‟ and behind the „Vietnamese‟ village.

There are name panels at the rear wall of the memorial showing every member‟s name who served with the „team‟ including 11 New Zealanders. The memorial is also surrounded by trees dedicated to those members who have died.

The AATTV was the most highly decorated Australian unit which produced four Victoria Cross awardees, Peter Badcoe, „Dasher‟ Wheatley, Ray Simpson and Keith Payne.

The memorial is open to the public but as the Land Warfare Centre is an active training establishment, visitors must first report to security, sign in, get passes and get directions to the memorial. The passes are surrendered on exiting the camp.

NEW SHIRTS FOR VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

The shirt design shown above (front & back) are hoped to be available for Vietnam Veterans Day on 18th August. Contact Secretary Dallas for more information. Cost per shirt is Php 450.00

www.beyondtheblackstump.com

DISCLAIMER The Angeles City Sub-Branch of the R&SLA, the Committee and the Editor take no responsibilities for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies contained in this newsletter. Nor do they accept any liability for loss or damage suffered directly or indirectly for use of information contained in this newsletter. Nor do they warrant that articles or opinions published in this newsletter are necessarily the opinions held by the Sub-branch, the Committee or the Editor

14 AN IMPASSIONED LETTER TO A LOCAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT The Hon Dr M. Kelly AM MP PO Box 214 QUEANBEYAN NSW 2620 Dear Dr Kelly, I have just accessed a link sent to me by a Queensland colleague and listened to your recent interview on 2CC wherein you attempted to defend your Government‟s rejection in the Senate of the Private Members Bill for fair indexation of military service pensions. You may be interested to know that your interview is being circulated to all retired Service personnel throughout the country, which explains how it came to my attention on the South Coast of NSW via such a circuitous route.

Mike, I knew you when you served in the Army and I know you now as my local member. When you were elected to represent my electorate I expected you to fairly represent the interests of the retired military fraternity, without fear or favour, given your pre-election statements and your understanding of military service and all that it entails – it‟s the only form of „public service‟ with ultimate sacrifice obligations.

As one ex-serviceman to another, let me convey to you in the simplest of terms my deep feeling of revulsion regarding your defence of the stance adopted by your party, with the support of the Greens, in overturning the Bill. My feeling of repugnancy was deepened by your contemptible attempt to shift the blame for the lack of fair indexation to the previous Government – in response to your comment regarding the „river of gold‟ that the previous government had at its disposal and did nothing, I simply note the river is now much deeper and wider in 2011 and more is being squandered by failed Federal Government programmes than ever before.

You continue to proclaim that the cost of fair indexation places it beyond support because of budgetary pressures. The cost is only large if you are naïve and believe the figures proffered by DoFD which are pure political spin designed to sway support against the Bill. A thinking person, doing a modicum of independent research, instead of blindly regurgitating the “dark arts” figures (as revealed in the recent Tanner book), would find that the real cash cost of the Fair Indexation Bill is about half of what you assert, and that is before clawback. To suggest that $90m ($60m after clawback) over four years from an annual budget of $300Bn is unaffordable defies credibility, and fools few; certainly not those who elect you in Eden-Monaro.

Your party has erred badly in its reading of the strength of disgust within the community regarding this matter.

The hypocritical actions of the Prime Minister and you, my local member, have not been lost on the extensive retired community that I associate with in and around Batemans Bay – we might be old but we still vote.

From your recent comments on 2CC, clearly aged pensioners (and your own political pension) rate far higher in your mind than Service pensioners, despite your much touted military (legal) experience. How quickly one can forget, but let me assure you those in your electorate will not, nor will the many now listening to your interview.

Yours sincerely, Peter Criss AM AFC Air Vice-Marshal (Ret‟d)

A well put together letter detailing the general angst in the defence force both current and past against the government’s decision about fair indexation of military pensions. I have removed Peter Criss’ address and contact details to protect his privacy. If anyone wishes to contact him personally, contact me for that detail. Ed

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Returned and Services League Australia Angeles City – Philippines Sub Branch WWW.RSLANGELESCITY.COM

VIETNAM VETERANS DAY THURSDAY 18TH AUGUST 2011

ALL interested persons are invited to attend

1100HRS…….REMEMBRANCE SERVICE AT CLARK WAR CEMETERY, CLARK FREE ECONOMIC ZONE (THE BASE)

and afterwards FREE LUNCHEON and FREE DRINKS, AUSSIE MATESHIP, RAFFLES and OTHER ACTIVITIES at PONDEROSA HOTEL RESORT (entry by purchase book of raffle tickets at P300)

WWW.RSLANGELESCITY.COM

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance”

Lest we forget