National Reunion Draft Plan

P a g e | 1 NAVAL ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA NATIONAL REUNION DRAFT PLAN

1 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

At the 2011 Tri-ennial Conference of the Naval Association of Australia (NAA), it was decided that there would be a National Re-union held approximately every three years to embrace the membership in a sense of Camaraderie and Togetherness. This Re-union would replace the Tri- ennial conference as the Constitution has been amended to focus on the Annual General Meeting (AGM) as the primary decision making vehicle for the NAA to amend or introduce new elements of the Constitution. The first National Re-union has been determined to be in Brisbane in September 2015. It is important that the re-union align with a significant event in the history of the RAN, its operations, vessels and people. 2015 is the Centenary of the formation of the ANZAC forces through military operations at Gallipoli and has wide Australia and New Zealand focus. Brisbane is uniquely placed to connect the NAA, a former RAN vessel and significant historic events relating to World War 2 in one city. The Queensland Maritime Museum has stewardship of HMAS DIAMANTINA (1).The ship is dry berthed as an exhibit in the old graving dock in Brisbane. For most of our members, they probably have spent some time aboard HMAS DIAMANTINA (1) during their naval careers. It has a special place in RAN history and is still afloat (sometimes) and available to provide a focal point for our National Re-union. To put her involvement in context, it is important to briefly re- visit the contribution she made to Australia’s defence. She was one of twelve frigates built in Australia to the Royal Navy’s River Class design. She was commissioned on 27 April 1945 at Hervey Bay, Queensland, under the command of LCDR Maurice G. Rose RANVR. 2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of the commissioning of HMAS DIAMANTINA (1). On October 1, 1945 she hosted the official surrender at Nauru/Ocean Island of the Japanese garrison and this was the final capitulation of all Japanese forces in the Pacific region. She continued to serve in a variety of roles, including hydrographic and oceanographic survey work, until she paid off on 29 February 1980. She was the last of the WW2 frigates still in service with the RAN. She had more 20 years’ service associated with Western Australia and fondly was referred to as the West Australian Navy. The ship will be the focal point of the re- union in the following areas:

 Took the final Japanese surrender of regional forces in the Pacific in 1945. P a g e | 2

 Last remaining WW2 RAN vessel in original condition in Australia.

 Major training platform for junior sailors of the RAN over many years.

 Significant contribution to understanding the marine environment in Australia’s maritime region. 2. Re-Union Preliminary Arrangements

The RE-union is proposed to be held on the weekend 25 – 27 September 2015. The Location for the Re-union will be – Brisbane City Area and the Maritime Museum Southbank.

Draft Programme:

Day & Date Activity Location Friday 25 Sept. (1830 – 2130) Reception (Meet & Greet) Town Hall ( or CBD Hotel)

Saturday 26 Sept.(1100 – National Exec Meeting – Wardroom 1400) HMAS DIAMANTINA Saturday 26 Sept. (all day) Sightseeing / bus trips Brisbane area/Gold Coast Saturday 26 Sept. ( 1900 – Formal Dinner & Dance CBD Hotel or Reception 2359) Centre

Sunday 27 Sept. (1000 – Memorial Service – HMAS HAMAS DIAMANTINA 1130) DIAMANTINA – Maritime Quarterdeck & Grassed area Museum adjacent to Graving Dock. Sunday 27 Sept. (1130 – Bar-b-que after Memorial Maritime Museum Grassed 1430) service area. Sunday 27 Sept. after 1500 Independent activities Brisbane CBD

Accommodation Currently the Queensland Section has indicated that accommodation is available at several locations in Southbank, South Brisbane and the Brisbane CBD. Rates for hotels vary from $180 to $ 350 per night. There is some chance of cost reduction dependent on the number of nights required by the guests. There is also the opportunity for further cost reductions based on corporate discounts where there are block bookings. The accommodation search site is: www.booking.com as advertised on the NAA website. P a g e | 3

Function Costs

Reception Catering Beverage Room Deposi Min. Comment 1830 - 2130 Package Hire t Numbe s r 1. RYDGES $48.00/perso $38.00/perso $3000 n n 2. BCEC $77/person Included in $4150 Package based on min $19250 spend 3. Pullman $75/person Included in Nil package based on min. spend $13000

Dinner 1900 - 2359 1. RYDGES $61 - $49.00/perso $3500 $71/person n 2. BCEC $78/person From $6700 $30/person based on Min. spend $32500 3. Pullman From 1 hour $4625 $58.00/perso package to n $20/person $7625 based on number s

BBQ Sunday 1. Golden $17.90 to Depends on Company Roast $40.00/perso Menu is n selection advertised on NAA website P a g e | 4

The websites to view facilities and arrangements are: Rydges www.rydges.com/southbank BCEC www.bcec.com.au Pullman www.pullmanbrisbanekgs.com.au

Funding Options Based on an attendance of 200 members and partners, the following costings are offered for consideration Reception 1. Rydges Catering $9600 Beverage $7600 Room Hire $ 3000 Total $20200 2. BCEC Catering + Beverages $15400 Room Hire $ 4150 Total $19550 3. Pullman Catering + Beverages $ 15000 Room Hire $ 0.0 Total $ 15000 Overall cost range $ 15000 - $20200. Formal Dinner 1. Rydges Catering $14200 Beverage $ 9800 Room Hire $ 3500 Total $ 27500 2. BCEC Catering $ 15600 Beverage $6000 Room Hire $ 6700 Total $ 28300 3. Pullman Catering $ 11600 Beverage $4000 Room Hire $7625 Total $ 23225 Overall cost range $ 23225 - $28300. BBQ Golden Roast $ 8000 Based on Highest quote for budget purposes $56500 for 200 or $282.50 per person. Lowest quote for budget purposes $46225 for 200 or $ 231.12 per person. Options for Financial Support There are a number of potential funding opportunities which we should pursue to obtain a grant of approximately $60,000. (a) Support should be sought from DVA through the Centenary of ANZAC program. As this event will be conducted in September 2015, the proposed RE-union will not be seeking funds in the peak ANZAC period leading up to 25 April 2015. P a g e | 5

(b) Some Queensland Government support (e.g. Queensland Tourism) should be pursued to offset accommodation costs, particularly as the program includes a sightseeing element where approximately 200 people will be spending money in the Brisbane area during the re-union. (c) The Queensland Section proposes to approach the Lord Mayor of Brisbane to host the official reception on Friday evening, including offsetting the cost of the reception

Official Guests The suggested list of proposed Official Guests would be as follows: Reception 1. Governor of Queensland Official Reception – Friday night. 2. Lord Mayor of Brisbane Official Reception – Friday night. 3. Premier of Queensland (or Rep.) Official Reception – Friday night. 4. Snr. Naval Officer – SE QLD Official Reception – Friday night. Formal Dinner 5. Chief of Navy & Partner Formal Dinner – Saturday night. 6. Secretary – DVA & Partner Formal Dinner – Saturday night. 7. Commissioner Repat. Comm. & Partner Formal Dinner – Saturday night. 8. Snr. Naval Officer – SE QLD. & Partner Formal Dinner – Saturday night. 9. Min. Vet Affairs & Partner Formal Dinner – Saturday night. Bar – B – Que

10. Chief of Navy & Partner Service & BBQ – Sunday Lunch 11. Sec DVA & Partner Service & BBQ – Sunday Lunch 12. Repat. Commissioner & Partner Service & BBQ – Sunday Lunch

Next Steps P a g e | 6

a) Based on this draft paper, I wish to circulate the paper to all National Councilors for initial comment. Based on that feedback, I would propose that the improved paper would then be sent by the National Secretary to all Sections and Sub sections for comment and expression of interest. Feedback to be received by 31 December 2013.

b) Timeline for decision to move forward should be at the latest end of January 2014.

A working Group should be formed in February 2014 to commence Planning and Implementation of the Project, including seeking funding, arranging venues and coordinating invitations to Invited VIP guests.

I look forward to the considered views of the members of the NAA towards this proposal for a National re-union in September 2015. I wish to thank the Queensland Section for their preliminary research into this opportunity for the NAA to get together.

Russell Pettis

R Pettis National President