Registered by AUSTRALIA POST NO. PP607128/00001 THE AUGUST 2007 VOL. 30 no.4 The official journal of The ReTuRned & SeRviceS League of austraLia POSTAGE PAID SURFACE ListeningListening Branch incorporated • Po Box Y3023 Perth 6832 • established 1920 PostPostAUSTRALIA MAIL Pastor Albert Knapp performs the traditional "Smoking Ceremony", toward off evil spirits and free the souls of the indigenous veterans, as part of the Commemorations to Indigenous War Veterans at Kings Park, Perth. Portrait of australian Historical hero's Western Australia Connection – Past commemorates Indigenous war and in the Making Page 6 Vice Admiral Viscount Lord Fields”. Twelve of these bells actually Nelson K.B. and Australia. What is hung in that church at the time and veterans as part of the connection? rang-in the news of the victory at There was certainly no personal Trafalgar and the death of Nelson. connection of Lord Nelson with The bells also rang for Nelson’s funeral Indigenous Week Australia. A number of his fellow on 9th February 1806. mariners in those days, i.e. the turn of In early 2005, prior to the Bicentennial Kings Park, Perth was the venue with the distinctive sounds of a the 18th to 19th centuries, had personal Celebration of Trafalgar in October for a ceremony commemorating didgeridoo, to let passed indigenous contact with our continent; being very of that year, the Nelson Society of Indigenous War Veterans as part veterans know that this day is for parochial, Captains Fremantle and Australia offered the Royal Australian of the National Indigenous Week, them. A prayer in both local dialect Stirling for example. Navy (RAN) a suitably modified this week. Local indigenous war and English, was given by Paster Naval Officer’s Ceremonial Sword cadet of the Year What connected Nelson to our country veterans from throughout Western Albert Knapp, who at the completion as a perpetual annual prize for Australia, a number of schools, of the service, also performed the was, in fact, the loyal British settler. Page 8 leadership in the Australian Fleet, the defence representatives and traditional smoke ritual. The smoking In memory of Nelson and his “Band prize to be known as “The Vice state dignitaries, took part in the ceremony is to ward off evil spirits of Brothers” who so gloriously Admiral Viscount Lord Nelson K.B. ceremony. and free the souls of the veterans and distinguished themselves at Nelson’s perpetual Sword of Excellence”. This all people attending the ceremony. last Hurrah, The Battle of Trafalgar, the sword was generously provided by A Tri-Service Cenotaph Guard settlers set about naming geographical RSL was supplied by members from 13 Mr John Schnaars, the President of Mr Peter Bartlett, Managing Director features, towns, streets and the like in Brigade, HMAS Stirling and Air Honouring Indigenous War Graves of Barminco Limited and graciously honour of Nelson, his Captains and RAAF Base Pearce, the guard was and one of the main instigators accepted by the then Chief of Navy, their ships. This was reflected not reinforced with volunteers from the behind the ceremony, said “this is Vice Admiral C.A. Ritchie, AO RAN. only in Australasia, but throughout the 10th Light Horse Memorial Troop. the first time in Western Australia The presentation to the winner occurs that this type of commemorative then “British Empire”. on, or as near as possible to, Trafalgar annual Report The commemoration was a blend of ceremony has been performed, and Recently the Swan Bell Tower was Day and the winner’s Rank, Name traditional indigenous ceremony and judging by the great turnout, I hope presented with bells from the London, and Year of Award is engraved on the Pages 10 European, with the service beginning it’s not the last”. England Church, “Saint Martin in the sword blade. 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DL 0811 The Listening Post august 2007 3 THE JUNE 2007 VOL. 30 no.2 Contents Page from the President’s Pen 4 Listening Post adelaide re-visits cambodia 5 from the Bunker (Portrait of australian heroes) 6 Publishers from the Bunker 7 The Returned & Services League WA Branch Incorporated The Bush Wireless 8 ANZAC House 28 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000 cadet of the Year 8 Telephone: (08) 9287 3799 STATE EXECUTIVE PO Box 3023, Perth Adelaide Tce, WA 2005-2008 6832 RSL care Wa update 9 Email: [email protected] Facsimile: (08) 9287 3732 State President Mr William Gaynor OAM RFD Website: www.rslwahq.org.au WA Country Callers: 1800 259 799 2006--07 annual Report 10--14 State VIcE President Mr Graeme Sherriff RSL care Wa 14 Editorial Information State treasurer Mr Paul Rengel from the Services 16 Editorial Enquiries: Vicki Lee committee Printer: Rural Press Mr Peter Blenkinsopp Sub-branch news 17 Mr Len Copley Graphic Design: Type Express Mr Laurie Fraser MBE Membership value Proposition 18 Advertising: RSL Advertising 9381 7999 Mrs Olga Greig OAM Mr Alan Gronow Poetry 18 Mr Richard Carter Mr Ian Mulholland Mr Ken Parish Kings Park ceremonial Walk 19 Deadline for next edition: 14th September, Mr Arthur Rae Mr Mike Tonks off the shelf 20 2007. Mr Ray Ward for contributions to next edition Mrs Donna Prytulak Puzzles 20 If possible, submissions should be typed and double-spaced. Preferred method of trustees receiving submissions is via email. Photographs can be black and white or colour. Mr Don Blair RFD ED Recipe 20 This is your journal and contributions are welcome. Mr John Cox OAM JP Address to: Mr Robert Mercer AM RFD ED Mr Wayne Tarr RFD ED RSL care Wa ambrose golf cup challenge 21 The Managing Editor, The Listening Post Mr Duncan Warren AM RFD RSL, PO Box 3023 Perth Adelaide Terrace, WA 6832 new Members 21 Email: [email protected] state secretary Mr Ian Griffiths Opinions expressed by contributors in articles and reproduced articles are the Last Post 21 individual opinions of such contributors or the authors of such reproduced articles assistant state and are not necessarily those of the RSL. secretary admin Bits 'n' Pieces 22 Mr Denis Connelly Reproduction of articles (or extracts) contained in The Listening Post are assistant state welcomed, provided the source is acknowledged. The Editor reserves the right to Puzzle solution 22 SEcretary projEcts accept, reject, sub-edit and re-arrange material submitted for publication. Mr Gary Sutherland OAM gold car extended 23 4 The Listening Post august 2007 of other plaques that do not recognise Accountant Brian has decided to join the above in the memorial precinct is the ranks of a retiree. Brian has worked not considered appropriate. Unless it on the financial side of the League and From the is a community decision it is also not War Veterans’ Homes and has made a considered appropriate to have other significant contribution to the financial memorials/plaques etc within the accountability the League has to its community that detract from the main members and to our many financial President’s Pen memorial. supporters. His willingness to provide advice to sub-branches on financial With the State Congress now behind Increase in Annual exist. Veterans seeking assistance should Staff Matters matters, including grant applications us it is necessary to revisit some of the Subscription make contact with the service at its and acquittals became a feature of his more important outcomes that affect operational centre in Applecross. interaction with the wider membership the future direction of the League in Delegates to the State Congress approved Mrs Pat Rowland OAM of the League. He has enjoyed his time Western Australia. The Congress was an increase of $10 in the Annual CEO/State Secretary JP with the League and has made many reasonably well attended with sixty-five Membership Subscription. Long time RSL Welfare Officer Mrs Pat friends, particularly those from sub- sub-branches represented by just over Ian Griffiths, our CEO/State Secretary branches in the City of Stirling where he Following eight years of containing costs Rowland has announced her retirement.