Spring – October 2013 Edition

SPRING – OCTOBER 2013 EDITION

Fleurieu Peninsula McLaren Vale RSL McLaren Vale RSL Veterans Community Sub-branch Inc Women’s Auxiliary Association Inc

DISCLAIMER The material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment only, and neither purports, nor is intended to be advice on a particular matter. Readers should not act or rely on any information contained in, or implied by this newsletter without taking appropriate professional advice relating to their circumstances. The publishers and authors expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a member of the McLaren Vale & District RSL Sub-branch Inc, McLaren Vale RSL Women’s Auxiliary, Fleurieu Peninsula Veterans Community Association Inc, or McLaren Vale Legacy Group or not, who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon whole or part of this publication.

Views, opinions or claims expressed in any editorial, article, letter or advertisement are not necessarily the views held by the Executive and Committee of the McLaren Vale & District RSL Sub-branch Inc, McLaren Vale RSL Women’s Auxiliary, Fleurieu Peninsula Veterans Community Association Inc, or McLaren Vale Legacy Group, nor are they necessarily the views or opinions of the editors of The McLaren Vale Veteran.

Visit our Website: www.mclarenvale.rslsa.org.au

CONTACT INFORMATION

2 Aldersey Street PO Box 533 McLAREN VALE SA 5171 McLAREN VALE SA 5171

Clubrooms Phone: 8323 8124 RSL Email: [email protected]

McLaren Vale & District RSL Sub-branch Inc President: Brian McNamara – Mobile: 0418 820 484 Vice President: Brian Flavel – Mobile: 0408 323 908 Secretary: John Gyepes JP – email [email protected], Home: 8323 8616, Mobile: 0419 829 166 Treasurer: Peter Sharp Committee Members: David Dixon, Richard Darlington, Jim Veale-Seaman OAM, Geoffrey Roberts. Public Officer: John Gyepes Responsible Officer: Brian Flavel

McLaren Vale RSL Women’s Auxiliary President: Bev Wilson – 8382 6280 Vice President: Debbie Moore Secretary: Dorothy Gyepes – email [email protected], Home: 8323 8616, Mobile: 0439 829 166 Treasurer: Marie Bravery Committee Members: Heather Jessen, Gill Lindquist-Smith, Julie Wilson, Joyce McKean., Lorraine Johns, Margaret Pascoe, Jan McNamara.

Fleurieu Peninsula Veterans Community Association Inc President: Brian Flavel – Mobile: 0408 323 908 Vice President/Secretary: David Dixon Treasurer: Peter Sharp Committee Members: Brian McNamara (RSL), Roger Parsons, Roscoe Taylor, Jim Veale-Seaman, Shirley Stafford (Legacy), Jan McNamara (Women’s Auxiliary). Hon Auditor: Tony Creswick-Jackson. Pension/Welfare: Officer:

McLaren Vale Legacy Widows Club Secretary: Coralie Flavel

McLaren Vale Veteran Editors: John Gyepes – Ph (H): 8323 8616 (M): 0419 829 166, Email: [email protected] Allen Lyne – Ph (M): 0407 605 710 Email: [email protected]

OUR MISSION

To serve our members in the veteran, defence force and wider general community, war widows/widowers, and dependants through the provision of ongoing programs and activities addressing social interaction and the identification and development of positive lifestyle choices and to promote the Standing Policy and that of the National Constitution.

OUR OBJECTIVES

To maintain and improve the independence and quality of life of members of the veteran and wider community by developing and providing a range of sustainable projects, programs, and activities.

To address specific issues of socialisation, support of carers, health, well being, and lifestyle choices through empowerment and the provision of age and ability appropriate projects, programs, and activities.

To address the needs of disadvantaged individuals and families and special needs groups.

To provide a safe and comfortable venue where veterans and wider community members who share a common interest can meet and undertake activities in a social and friendly atmosphere.

To provide a venue that offers the opportunity for social interaction for those in the community whose age, attitudes, barriers, disabilities or personal circumstances prevent them from doing so in the wider community

To establish links with Ex-service Organisations and Community Organisations within the Southern Metropolitan and Fleurieu Peninsula Region; and to work in partnership with those organisations; to collaborate in projects/programs/activities; ensure access to professional and up to date information and technology, thereby enabling members to make the best and most informed choices for their health and well-being.

To raise the profile of veterans and increase the understanding of issues relevant to veterans amongst those living within the wider community.

To highlight and commemorate the service and sacrifice of our veteran community in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

McLaren Vale RSL Sub-branch – Brian McNamara

G’day All

As this will be the last newsletter before the AGM due on Fri 29th Nov I shall use this opportunity to plead with you our members to come forward and assist the few of us who run this Sub Branch. Apart from the usual admin required I need volunteers to assist with general maintenance duties around the place. That can be anything from spraying weeds/mowing (ride on provided) window cleaning gutter cleaning painting and just about any other task you may be able to think of.

On the catering/cooking side help is desperately needed if you are wishing to continue with Wednesday lunches and the monthly dinners. Attendance at our monthly dinners is down to the point they won’t be continued for much longer unless the numbers improve. We can look forward to a number of activities scheduled in the near future (check the calendar of events on the back page of this newsletter).

The Sub Branch has received a Veteran & Community Grant from DVA has already purchased and holds a defibrillator on site and moved quickly to organise our funded bus trips. The first one being a trip to Goolwa for a BBQ lunch at the RSL and followed by a paddle boat excursion on the Oscar "W" (already booked out). To stay in the loop and be able to join in on this type of fun you obviously need to visit the Sub Branch. Other grants are being applied for at this time and they include grading and bitumising the car park, a memorial to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign and items with which to continue the production of this newsletter.

This will be my last report in the newsletter as President as after some 20 years as a committee man and President I won’t be standing at the next election as I feel its time to move aside and let new blood take over the reins.

Best wishes. Brian Mc

McLaren Vale RSL Women’s Auxiliary - Bev Wilson

Greetings.

After a few quiet months, the calendar is showing the next three months are going to be fairly full on for our Auxiliary. We have a Car Boot Sale on October 26th and we’ll be serving Devonshire Tea.

The RSL has organised a bus/river and lunch trip, then there’s their Annual Dinner in October and Remembrance Day in November.

Our Auxiliary will be celebrating 50 years in November. We will be having a relatively quiet, but special dinner at the clubrooms. Then we start on Christmas lunches and dinners (why does it seem everything revolves around food). We also have to fit some business in with our AGM.

On September 20th, I attended the Central Council of RSL Women’s Auxiliaries 51st Annual Conference. It was a day of mixed emotions as it was the closure of the Central Council. Can’t keep running organisations without volunteers. Singing Auld Lang Syne at the end of the Conference and knowing it was to be the last time we would be gathered together was a sad ending to the day.

I trust all of you are fit and in good health and enjoying the sunny days.

Till next time. Cheers – Bev

McLaren Vale Legacy Club – Coralie Flavel

Hi everyone

We have had a busy year so far. On the 24th of June we had our 20th birthday party at the McLaren Vale Hotel which was enjoyed by all. In November we are going to Middleton on the bus for our Christmas luncheon. After that we have a break until January 2014.

We had our AGM on 26th of August. The Legacy Club was very pleased to win $2,000 in the 100 club draw on the 18th of August.

That’s about it for now, so I hope everyone stays well.

Coralie

Thank you to everyone who assisted us as collectors on Legacy Badge Day. We raised $862.50.

Fleurieu Peninsula Veterans Community Association – Brian Flavel

These newsletters come around quickly don’t they? Its time to get our volunteers out of hibernation to help ‘pretty’ up the club after all the rain we have had. With the sun starting to shine its time to clean our evaporative air conditioning on the roof, and our Rosemary is starting to shoot up outside our pergola.

We must thank Betty Edgar for the tubs of parsley and mixed herbs which our keen kitchen staff use to enhance our fantastic Wednesday lunches. It is amazing that word of the secret lunches hasn’t gotten out to the rest of the community because of the four rated Dunlop meals. The menus are from the think tank of David Dixon (ex Communicator RAN) and Brian McNamara (ex Communicator RAN, RSL OBS [over bloody seventy]). Amazing what you can get out of the Women’s Weekly and Coles monthly tips for the untrained!

There is another secret in the club. On the second Friday of each and every month (except December cos we need a break), there is a dinner at the RSL clubrooms. This is a five star Bridgestone rate two course dinner selected by the menu masters D.D. and B.Mc. It really is amazing. The mind really boggles, so place your name on the whiteboard at the club or phone 8323 8124 to book a reservation or leave a message.

The 100 club has been drawn and won. Congratulations to the winners McLaren Vale legacy club, M. Flavel and L. Bentley.

We have a list and are taking names for the 2014 100 Club.

Regards

Brian

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

OCTOBER 2013

ANNUAL DINNER – 19 OCTOBER 2013 Our annual dinner will be held at the Alma Hotel on 19 October 13 at 7:00 pm. Miniature medals to be worn. Cost is $35 per head which includes a 2 course dinner, wines, beer, soft drinks and entertainment. Names on the whiteboard as soon as possible please.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EXPO & FAMILY FUN DAY – 20 OCTOBER 2013 In conjunction with Veteran’s Health Week (14 to 20 October 2013), a Physical Activity Expo & Family Fun Day will be held on 20 October 2013 to the Torrens Parade Ground in the city. Timings are from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Expo will showcase and promote ADF, ESO and community physical activity groups and activities. The Family Fun Day focus is on ‘come and try’. There will be a range of age and ability appropriate activities for all of the family, from kids to grand parents. MC will be Brenton Ragless (Chanel 9 weather presenter). There will be food and live entertainment for all. Free car parking. We hope to see you there.

CAR BOOT SALE - 26 OCTOBER 2013 The Women’s Auxiliary are holding a car boot sale on Saturday 26 October 13 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the RSL clubrooms car park. There will also be a sausage sizzle. $15 a car (trailers are OK). To book a spot phone Bev on 0407 972 294.

NOVEMBER 2013

BUS TRIP TO GOOLWA - 2 NOVEMBER 2013 We are organising a bus trip to Goolwa on 2 Nov 13. Includes a cruise on the PS Oscar W (a paddle steamer built in 1908) and lunch at the Goolwa RSL Sub Branch. Restricted to 45 people (size of the bus). Unfortunately this trip is fully booked.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE McLAREN VALE RSL WOMEN’S AUXILIARY - 8 NOVEMBER 2013 Our Women’s Auxiliary is celebrating their 50th anniversary. There will be a dinner on Friday 8 Nov 13 starting at 7:00 pm (in lieu of the RSL monthly dinner). Cost will be $15 per person. Included in the cost: hor d’ouvres, and a two course dinner. Bookings are essential for catering purposes. Names on the whiteboard in the clubrooms or phone Bev on 0407 972 294.

BLUES CONCERT WITH CHRIS FINNEN - 9 NOVEMBER 2013 Adelaide blues extraordinaire Chris Finnen will be performing at the clubrooms on 9 Nov 13, starting at 7:30 pm. A guitar virtuoso, Chris has been an icon of Adelaide’s music scene for 40 years. His original blues songwriting always exhibits a wry humour and embraces a startling tapestry of cultural influences, from Indian and Celtic traditions

to African flavours. Chris Finnen combines acoustic guitar and percussion with an amazing voice. $10 entry fee (includes finger food). Bar will be open. Bookings essential – names on the whiteboard or phone Brian Flavel on 0408 323 908.

REMEMBRANCE DAY - 11 NOVEMBER 2013 Our Remembrance Day service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday 11 Nov 13 at the memorial park. Be there by 10:45. Joining us will be 40 members of 9 RAR Assault Pioneer Platoon and their partners who are having their 45th anniversary in McLaren Vale. The service will be followed by a BBQ back at the clubrooms. Cost will be $10 and the bar will be open.

FLEURIEU PENINSULA VETERANS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AGM - 12 NOVEMBER 2013 The AGM will be held on Tuesday 12 Nov 13 commencing at 10:00 am.

McLAREN VALE RSL SUB BRANCH AGM AND WOMEN’S AUXILIARY AGM - 29 NOVEMBER 2013 The AGM for the Sub Branch and the Women’s Auxiliary will be held on Friday 29 Nov 13 immediately after the November General Meeting. Commencing at 7:00 pm.

DECEMBER 2013

CHRISTMAS LUNCH – 15 DECEMBER 2013 Our Xmas lunch will be held on 15 Dec 13 at the RSL clubrooms starting at 12:00 noon. It will be fully catered by All Suburbs Catering. Cost is $25 a head and includes drinks (wine, beer, softies). Father Christmas will visit and there will be entertainment that is not to be missed. Names on the whiteboard please.

FEBRUARY 2014

BOWLING DAY A Lawn Bowls Day will be held at the McLaren Flat Bowling Club on Saturday 8 Feb 14. This is being organised by Graham Amos. Further details to follow.

100 CLUB WINNERS - 2013 The final 100 Club draw was held on 18 August 2013 after the Vietnam Veterans Day service. Winners were; 1st – legacy Widows Club, 2nd – Michelle Flavel, 3rd – Lee Bentley.

The clubrooms will close on 16 December 2013 for the Xmas break. We will open on Monday 20 January 2014.

First Wednesday lunch next year will be on Wednesday 22 January 2014.

R.M.WILLIAMS TO DELIVER NEW ARMY PARADE BOOT

Defence has announced that the globally recognised Australian company R.M.Williams has been awarded a standing offer to supply the new Australian Army parade boot.

The standing offer is the first between the Defence Materiel Organisation and the iconic Australian brand, and was awarded after the R.M.Williams boot was selected during a competitive tender process.

Over the next three years Army will replace the lace-up style patent leather boot with the new parade boot which is a fully stitched, elastic-sided boot with a grain leather design.

Under the agreement, R.M.Williams will visit units across Australia to conduct individual fittings for soldiers, over a three year period commencing in October this year.

I said to the wife, “Quick, get me a newspaper” “Don't be silly,” she said “You can borrow my iPad” That spider never knew what hit it.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Cornish Pasties

The Cornish pasty is known and loved throughout Great Britain and Ireland and not surprisingly when a Cornish pasty recipe is so simple and easy.

The pasty evolved for Cornish tin miners, who, unable to return to the surface at lunchtime had a hearty, easy to hold and eat, lunch dish. With their hands often dirty from a mornings work, the pasty could be held by the thick pastry crust without contaminating the contents.

INGREDIENTS:

For the Pastry 110g all purpose/plain flour Pinch of salt 55g butter, cubed 2-3 tbsp cold water

For the Filling ¼ cup (50g) onion, finely chopped ½ cup (110g) potato, cut into 5 mm dice ½ cup (110g) cut swede into 5 mm dice 110g rump steak, cut into small cubes Salt and pepper 1 egg, lightly beaten

METHOD:

Pre-heat oven to 220 °C. First make the shortcrust pastry. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean bowl. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, working as quickly as possible to prevent the dough becoming warm. Add the water to the mixture and using a cold knife stir until the dough binds together; add more cold water a teaspoon at a time if the mixture is too dry. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes, up to 30 minutes.

The dough can also be made in a food processor by mixing the flour, butter and salt in the bowl of the processor on a pulse setting. When the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, add the water, slowly, through the funnel until the dough comes together in a ball. Wrap in clingfilm and chill as above.

Divide the pastry into 4 and roll each piece into rounds the size of a tea plate (approx 13 to 15 cm).

Place the onion, potato, swede and meat into a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly. Season well with salt and pepper.

Divide the meat mixture between each pastry circle and place to one side of the circle. Brush the edges with a little beaten egg.

Fold the circle in half over the filling so the two edges meet. Crimp the two edges together to create a tight seal. Brush each pasty all over with the remaining beaten egg.

Place the pasties on a greased baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot or cold.

Prep Time: 25 minutes. Cook Time: 45 minutes. Makes 2 pasties.

MyAccount enables you to access a range of Department of Veterans' Affairs services online.

To register call 133 254 (metro) or 1800 555 254 (regional) during business hours Monday to Friday.

THE AUSTRALASIAN SOLDIERS DARDANELLES CENOTAPH

An elegant yet imposing granite cenotaph surmounted by a cross sits quietly in Lundie Gardens at the west end of South Terrace, Adelaide.

Often referred to as the “Forgotten Memorial”, the Australasian Soldiers Dardanelles Obelisk is actually the first ANZAC memorial in the nation and was unveiled by the Governor General on 7 September, 1915. This was 135 days after our troops stormed ashore at Gallipoli!

When originally unveiled the obelisk was sited in nearby ‘Wattle Grove’ on Sir Lewis Cohen Avenue. The memorial was moved to its present site in 1940.

The creators of ‘Wattle Grove’ saw it as a symbolic battlefield or metaphor for the Dardanelles, with the obelisk representative of the cliffs the Australians had climbed at Gallipoli. The cross, which was added in 1918, recognises the allies withdrawal from Gallipoli and the sacrifice of those who remained buried there.

Wattle Grove and the Cenotaph represent one of our nation’s very first attempts to remember those lost at war. Subsequent to the dedication, women from the Soldiers Mothers Association regularly gathered to conduct ANZAC Day services at the memorial. Floral tokens were placed by the mothers and relatives of the men killed at Gallipoli.

The last formal remembrance service held at this memorial was conducted by the Spirit of Gallipoli Foundation on Wednesday 20 April, 2005, the first day of an official visit to Australia by 5 Turkish War Veterans. Records suggest that prior to this, no service had been held at this memorial in living memory.

This year is the 98th anniversary of the dedication of this beautiful memorial that meant and means so much. A remembrance service was held at 11.00 am on Saturday, 7 September, 2013 at the memorial. The McLaren Vale RSL Sub Branch and Women’s Auxiliary were represented by Secretaries John & Dorothy Gyepes.

I was having trouble with my computer, so I called Eric, the 11 year old kid next door, whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to come over. Eric clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.

As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong? He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.' I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.

'Eric grinned.... 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before? 'No,' I replied. 'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out.' So I wrote down: ID10T

I used to like Eric, the little bastard.

Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.

The graveside service just barely finished, when there was massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance... The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, 'Well, she's there.'

Golf is a game that was invented by the same people who think music comes out of bagpipes.

Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

INFANTRY SOLDIER’S KIT

Over the years the Australian soldiers’ kit has significantly improved. A WWII digger would surely think today’s soldier, when fully kitted out, was some sort of alien.

Today’s gear obviously works and is supported by the intense and worthwhile training that the Digger gets. In the past, the individual load carriage and personal protection systems employed by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have been sub- optimized to meet the requirements of the entire organisation. This has meant that there has been one type of combat uniform and limited types of body armour, irrespective of job or role.

The Digger's basic combat ensemble from East Timor in 1999 that cost $3,700 has morphed into a high-tech $27,700 outfit in Afghanistan today but the comparative cost of the kit of yesterday and of today should not be a factor in providing protection and ability to our soldiers. A soldier’s life is surely worth a lot more than $27,700.

Army has identified the need for a Soldier Combat Ensemble (SCE) that is designed to be functional and fulfil its intended purpose. This means that different types of combat uniform, load carriage and body armour systems are required and now provided for different roles and tasks.

In broad terms, the SCE includes: combat clothing (combat uniform, footwear and cold weather clothing); personal protection systems such as body armour, combat helmets and eye protection; and individual load carriage systems such as equipment pouches and field packs.

The 2013 outfit includes multicam, uniform, ballistic glasses, tiered body armour, GPS, pelvic protection system, stretch pants, knee pads and high-tech fitted boots.

A collaboration between battle hardened soldiers, defence scientists and the purchasing body, the Defence Materiel Organisation, (DMO) has abandoned methods where quantity was king and price was paramount, and streamlined the link between feedback and production.

The 1999 version included a large field pack, Somalia-era flak jacket, old style webbing and camouflage uniform and Vietnam era combat boots.

With a long history of crook boots, overweight body armour, inferior clothing and dodgy packs and pouches, the DMO had plenty to work on and in three short years it has made some big strides.

It is hoped that mistakes like the 2010 purchase of 17,000 sets of inappropriate body armour will never happen again.

WHY ARE WE PUTTING ON WEIGHT?

There are two factors which lead to the modern day fat explosion.

1. The demise of the cooked breakfast; and

2. The escalation of the use of sugar and in particular fructose in our drinks and food.

We all know about the sugar threat, but what about the demise of the cooked breakfast?

Carbohydrates are basically lots of sugar molecules joined to one other. They are generally converted to glucose which is the blood sugar. The level of blood sugar is controlled by two hormones.

The first of these is insulin which is also called the Storage Hormone because it lowers blood sugar by pushing glucose into the muscle cells to be used as energy or stored as fat in the fat cells. Insulin stores by lowering blood sugar and is normally active immediately after a carbohydrate meal.

The other hormone is Glucagon. This hormone raises blood sugar by stimulating fat cells to release fat so it can be used as fuel for the muscle cells thereby saving glucose.

So to sum up, Insulin stores and Glucagon releases fat. Blind Freddy can pick the one he needs working for him if he's got a weight problem.

Unfortunately Insulin is the top gun and while it's doing its stuff Glucagon has to sit on the sideline. Typically we wake up and eat a carbohydrate breakfast and get the Insulin going. Then during the day we keep Insulin working because we consume all those carbohydrate snacks and drinks and whilst Insulin is working we are storing, storing and storing. Only at night when we are asleep does Insulin relent and allow Glucagon to have a go but by now energy needs are so low not much happens before morning when Insulin gets right back to work as soon as we eat that carbohydrate breakfast.

Now if we had a cooked high fat breakfast instead, Insulin has a sleep in because fat does not need insulin. With Insulin sleeping, Glucagon keeps working and will do so till you eat that next carbohydrate meal. Any exercise you do before that Insulin releasing meal will burn loads of fat because that's the fuel the body uses when you're not eating all those carbs. This is why the cooked breakfast kept us trim. It allowed Glucagon to work.

In conclusion to lose weight there are three steps involved:

1. Give up the sugar;

2. Don't eat any carbohydrate (sugar) for breakfast; and

3. Exercise before breakfast or before your first carbohydrate meal.

So what about eggs? It is said that eggs are about the best source of protein there is and a feed of bacon and eggs takes a lot of beating. Some say that eating eggs will cause elevated cholesterol – but is this true? Others say that as your liver makes about 90% of the cholesterol in your system (as and when required); if you eat more eggs the liver will just make a bit less. You decide!!

Can you control where you lose weight?

In a word, NO!!

No matter where or what exercise you do, weight comes off where it decides. Go for a run and you could lose it from your back. Go for a swim and you could find that fat decides to drop from your bum or your waist or your thighs. Likewise, if you did sit ups it won't necessarily remove the fat from around your waist. Fat decides where it will part with the fat from your body on its own. We don't have a say at all

Most women will tell you that one of the first places where they lose weight is from the breasts and the last place is usually their bum. That is regardless of the type of exercise they do. Using a rowing machine will strengthen those stomach muscles and your lower back, but you might find that particular exercise won't reduce that flab from your beer gut. Our body dictates where it will lose the weight from first.

Do enough exercise and with proper eating habits you will eventually lose all your body fat. Just don't expect to start a diet and target a specific area to lose fat from. Targeting an area to burn fat from is a waste of time. Get used to it... It's just a fact of life.

RAAF EDINBURGH

In late 1939 or early 1940, the area the RAAF Base Edinburgh sits on was compulsorily acquired by the Commonwealth government to build the South Australian Munitions Factory. The factory began production in July 1941. It was the largest munitions factory in the Southern Hemisphere and the fourth or fifth largest such factory in the world.

The factory manufactured a wide variety of explosives and subsequently manufactured ammunition, detonators, fuses, shells, rockets, mines and torpedoes. At the end of WW II, most of the site was closed down, with the exception of the TNT manufacturing plant (south of today’s RAAF Base) that continued production until the mid 1960s. The plan was to reopen the plant, albeit on a smaller scale, for military and peacetime explosive manufacturing at a later time. This didn’t happen, with most of the operations sold off as scrap with operations being relocated to Gladstone in the mid north of South Australia.

In the 1940s the Anglo-Australian Agreement (the Joint Project) was signed and Salisbury enjoyed a new lease of life. Salisbury housed the administration infrastructure, stores, laboratories and most of the Australian end of the various UK-based contractors. RAAF Edinburgh Field (as it was called then) was the logistics hub plus it housed a wide variety of Royal Air Force personnel. Established in 1953 it was formally opened by HRH Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1954. The Base is named after his title. RAAF Edinburgh supported the Salisbury end of weapons trials at Woomera (rockets and missiles) and Maralinga (atomic bomb testing).

The old Tank Farm became the Technical Area; this had to be separate – unlike every other RAAF Base - because of the secret nature of the operations. So it was decided to create a separate Domestic Area in what had been the Cordite Area. Traces of this cordite work can still be seen. The old Airmen’s Mess building (demolished in late 2011) was the Cordite Casting Hall – that’s why it looked like a factory. Similarly, on the southern side of the Base there were two truncated pyramids. These were used for the manufacture of Nitro-glycerine.

At Woomera there were similar, but smaller, arms factories to those set up at Salisbury, plus the various ranges, trials support test shops and several airfields. In those early days Edinburgh was very much a multi- service (RAF and RAAF) establishment. This was necessary to prepare, fly and service the wide variety of aircraft based there and at RAAF Woomera. Smaller airfields were established at the Koolymilka Rangehead (RAAF Evetts Field) and at RAAF Maralinga. During the early days of the Joint Project aircraft flown included Boeing B29 Superfortress and B-50 Washington (right), Gloster Meteor NF11, Mk 4 and Mk 8, English Electric Canberra (British B2), Avro (Python) Lincoln and North American/CAC CA-27 Sabre.

Additionally, the manned GAF Pika was used to develop the unmanned GAF Jindivik target aircraft. Later, RAF Vickers Valiant, Handley Page Victor and Avro Vulcan aircraft supported the Blue Steel project. Eventually the project wound down, so the area was largely empty.

Headquarters RAAF Edinburgh was formed on 17 January 1955, with an establishment of seven officers and eight airmen. On 23 June 1955 the Royal Air Force Courier Service (Hastings aircraft) moved from Mallala to Edinburgh, and on 28 October the first WRAAF personnel arrived on posting from Mallala. The new Sergeants' Mess was opened on 7 September 1956 while 29 September 1956 saw the first official function in the Officers' Mess. 16 Joint Trials Unit (British Army) disbanded at Weapons Research Establishment, (WRE) Salisbury, on 14 December 1964 and on 14 May 1965, 4 Joint Services Trials Unit disbanded at Edinburgh. Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh disbanded on 1 June 1965 after amalgamation with 2 Air Trials Unit. No 1 Recruit Training Unit commenced training in 1965 and the WRAAF Flight moved from Point Cook to Edinburgh on 15 July 1965 to become part of 1RTU.

Recruit Training Unit stayed at Edinburgh until 2006 prior to relocating to RAAF Wagga. Maritime operations commenced in 1968 with the arrival in Australia of the first three of 11SQN's P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft; 11SQN completed their move from RAAF Richmond by June 1968. They were joined, from RAAF Townsville, by 10SQN in 1978 after the squadron commenced operating P-3Cs (replacing the P2V- 7/Neptune), the first of which arrived in Australia on 28 May 1978.

Air Commodore Ford, on behalf of the Department of Air, officially accepted RAAF Edinburgh from the Director, WRE, acting on behalf of the Department of Supply, on 1 February 1968. A detachment of Aircraft Research and Development Unit (Detachment 'B') was raised at Edinburgh on 15 November 1976 and the unit completed its move from Laverton during February 1977. The School of Aviation Medicine transferred from RAAF Point Cook.

In June 2000, the Australian Government decided to renovate RAAF Base Edinburgh in two stages at a cost of $141.56m. The Finance and Administration Department cited a proposal in June 2000 to redevelop the base.

The Stage 1 redevelopment project, worth $42m began in 2002 to rectify the shortfalls of the previous construction works at the base. Stage 1 was completed in 2004. Works included development of new facilities for ARDU (and demolishing of old buildings), replacement of the hangar workshop, removal of asbestos, renovation of the aircraft shelter, expansion of the ground support equipment storage area, restoration of the armament test support facility and upgrade of site engineering services.

In May 2010 the Australian Government approved $50m in May 2010, from the 2010-2011 budget, for the Stage 2 redevelopment. The project, which cost around $100m, was approved by the Australian Government in December 2008. Stage 2, including construction of permanent facilities for No. 462 and No. 87 Squadrons, new and upgraded facilities (including new crew rooms, a reconfigured briefing room and a common room) for No 92 Wing, new and upgraded facilities for No 24 Squadron, a new air traffic control tower and two ordnance loading aprons, began in late 2009.

The 7th Royal Australian Regiment Battle Group commenced relocation from Darwin to new purpose-built facilities (at a cost of about $597.4m) at RAAF Base Edinburgh in January 2011. Over 800 members of the Battle Group are now operating out of the new facilities. Army's presence at Edinburgh consists of the 7RAR mechanised infantry battalion equipped with upgraded M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers, a mechanised combat engineer squadron, a self- propelled artillery battery, a combat services support team and a detachment from the headquarters of the 1st Brigade.

A little known fact about its naming in 1954. It was originally to have an aboriginal name. As the date for the official unveiling approached, someone in the know pointed out that the name actually meant “Swamp”. “Goodness. We can’t have RAAF Base Swamp . What else can we call it?” “Well the Duke is opening it so why not call it RAAF Base Edinburgh?”

A New plaque was hastily arranged and the ceremony apparently went off without a hitch.

The original plaque?

Apparently it adorned the wall in the flight-suit bar just off the main bar in the Officers mess. It was appropriately referred to as...... “The Swamp Bar”.

A wife and her husband attended a very important business party thrown by her boss, where the husband may have had one or two more than he should have. On the way home from the party, the woman said to her husband, "Have I ever told you how handsome and totally irresistible to all women you are?"

"Why no," said the husband, deeply flattered.

"Then what gave you that idea at the party?" she yelled.

REPORT FROM WAYNE HONEYCHURCH, COORDINATOR, SAVCG INC.

Brief on his recent trip to Viet Nam to help Orphans.

Departed on July 12, 2013 to Viet Nam via KL. Arriving Viet Nam, checked with our paramedic who had been providing refresher courses in first aid training at the Friends For the Street Children and at KOTO Sai Gon Training Centre. Went to Vung Tau to do resupply 2 orphanages in Ba Ria. At the Catholic Orphanage we delivered supplies and finally installed a water filtration system which now gives them clean water 24/7. Our paramedic gave instructions to the nuns how to use a suction unit then donated the unit to them ($4,000 AUD). Medical checks were done on physically and mentally handicapped children, Agent Orange victims and orphans. Dr.Sy (an eye doctor) brought his equipment to the orphanage in our vehicle and tested all the children including the nuns and donated glasses to those who needed them.

The same supplies were delivered to the 2nd Orphanage at Ba Ria and discussions held over plans to have a water filtration system installed. Photos were taken and plans and quotes prepared for our second group which arrived in August. Depending on how the budget went they too would have a water filtration installed. All being well, all 3 orphanages that we support would then be under water filtration systems. Finally they will have good clean water.

Impoverished people of Nui Dat were given 250 food packs organised through meetings with government and local officials. Our group was kept busy handing out the food parcels. We all enjoyed a meal afterwards at a local restaurant to discuss plans for next year. It is proposed to visit Long Dien to do 250 meal packs to the impoverished people in that community.

The local mayor, Mr.Phong invited our group to a service similar to our ANZAC Day service for the Remembrance of Fallen Soldiers. We were warmly welcomed and a good time was had by all in attendance.

We ordered 6 new meal tables, 3 student desks, 20 mattresses for the Friends For the Street Children in Sai Gon (orphans dormitory) and covered the replacement of water filter cartridges for the next 12 months. The day we were to leave one washing machine broke down so we arranged a quick fix.

We were invited to the Graduation Ceremony of one of our young orphans who recently graduated from KOTO Sai Gon Training Centre by the CEO Mr. Jimmy Pham AM. This young orphan is one of three of Wayne’s surrogate children. The course is a fully accredited Australian TAFE Course in 5 Star Hospitality in KOTO Training Centre. Our Orphans name is Miss Trang who now works in Sai Gon at Cantina Restaurant, Dong Khoi Street, Sai Gon ( HCM City).

Another successful trip to help some children who have very little.

SSIIIGGNNSS OOFF AA SSTTRROOKKEE    

LOST - THE STORIES OF ALL SHIPS LOST BY THE RAN

This new book by McLaren Vale Sub Branch member, Allen Lyne, chronicles all of the ships and boats lost in the history of the RAN.

It is a sad fact that the history of our Senior Service is generally little known. Most people know of the sinkings of ships such as HMAS Sydney and Perth. HMAS Canberra is probably next in line as a ship that has its fate remembered by a section of the populace. But what of the other 42 ships the RAN has lost? Who knows of the fate of HMAS Matafele? Nereus? Yampi Lass? the first HMAS Voyager? There are many more.

There are several reasons that RAN history is nowhere near as well-known as that of the other services. The Navy is the ‘silent service’. Much of its work in wartime has been in the unheralded logistical support role. Most Australians do not know of our Navy’s magnificent work in New Guinea and the Islands during WW2 - yet we lost ships here. Most would HMAS Matafele not know of the Navy’s work surveying beaches before troop landings and marking safe channels - often under fire and close inshore. Our survey work in uncharted waters to ensure the safe movement of men and materiel has had scant acknowledgment.

The landing behind enemy lines by saboteurs and coast watchers is little known. The beach masters in many Pacific Islands were RAN personnel and they did a magnificent job. Gunfire support for landings and withdrawals were crucial to successful outcomes. The transport of supplies to our men fighting ashore was essential as was the extraction of the wounded. Without convoy escorts the world wars would not have been won.

When battles are fought on land people can commemorate those battles and the men sadly lost where the battles took place. The sea is a vast and lonely place where monuments cannot exist - ‘Their only tombstone a rusting hulk, a’fast the ocean bed’, as part of the Naval Ode of Remembrance puts it.

‘Lost’ brings together for the first time the histories of each ship or boat. It details every action in which an Australian ship that was lost was involved in. In the case of ships lost in wartime, the book details the strategic situation prevailing at the time of loss. The action in which the ship was lost is recounted in detail and there is an afterword. The book also looks at the nation’s state of preparedness at the beginning of each world war. ‘Lost’ has a foreword by Commander Alan Williams, ADC RAN, Commanding Officer NHQ SA.

‘Lost’ (305 pages, 17 photographs) is available from the author. $32 plus $3 postage for paperback. $12 for E-Book all formats. Contact Allen Lyne. Ph (08) 8327 4142. Email: [email protected]

For information about Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015, contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Or write to: Email: [email protected] Gallipoli 2015 Commemorations Telephone: 133 254 Department of Veterans’ Affairs GPO Box 9998 Regional Callers: 1800 555 254 CANBERRA ACT 2601

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2013

OCTOBER

02 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm 08 Association General Meeting. Start 10:00 am 09 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm 11 RSL Monthly Friday Dinner. Start 6:00 pm 16 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm 19 Annual Dinner at the Alma Hotel. Start 7:00 pm. 20 DVA Physical Activity Expo & Family Fun Day. 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Torrens Parade Ground. 23 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm 23 RSL Committee Meeting. Start 7:00 pm 25 RSL & Women’s Aux General Meeting. Start 7:00 pm. Sausage Sizzle at 6:00 pm 26 Car Boot Sale. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Contact Bev on 0407 972 294 for details. 28 Legacy Widows Meeting. Start 10:00 am 30 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm

NOVEMBER

02 Bus Trip to Goolwa (fully booked out) 06 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm 08 Remembrance Day Appeal 08 RSL Monthly Friday Dinner. Start 6:00 pm 09 Blues Concert with Chris Finnen. 7:30 pm till late. 11 Remembrance Day Service 11:00 am. McLaren Vale Memorial Park. BBQ lunch at clubrooms. 12 Association Annual General Meeting. Start 10:00 am 13 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm 20 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm 25 Legacy Widows Meeting. Start 10:00 am 27 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm 27 RSL Committee Meeting and AGM. Start 7:00 pm 29 RSL & Women’s Auxiliary General Meeting and AGM. Start 7:00 pm. Sausage Sizzle at 6:00 pm

DECEMBER

04 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm 11 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm. Last Wednesday lunch for 2013. 13 RSL Monthly Friday Dinner. Start 6:00 pm 23 Legacy Widows Meeting. Start 10:00 am 15 Xmas Lunch. Start 12:00 noon. 16 Xmas Shut Down.

2014

JANUARY

20 Clubrooms Open 22 Wednesday Weekly Lunch. Start 12:30 pm. First Wednesday lunch in 2014.

Common sense is like deodorant, those that need it never use it.