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September 2006 Vol Registered by AUSTRALIA POST NO. PP607128/00001 ListeningListeningTHE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 VOL. 29 No.4 PostPost The official journal of THE RETURNED & SERVICES LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA POSTAGE PAID SURFACE WA Branch Incorporated • PO Box Y3023 Perth 6832 • Established 1920 AUSTRALIA MAIL Viet-NamViet-Nam –– 4040 YearsYears OnOn Battle of Long-Tan Page 9 90th Anniversary – Annual Report Page 11 The “official” commencement date for the increased Australian commitment, this commitment “A Tribute to Australian involvement in Viet-Nam is set at 23 grew to involve the Army, Navy and Air Force as well May 1962, the date on which the (then) as civilian support, such as medical / surgical aid Minister for External Affairs announced the teams, war correspondents and officially sponsored Australia’s decision to send military instructors to entertainers. Vietnam. The first Australian troops At its peak in 1968, the Australian commitment Involvement in committed to Viet-Nam arrived in Saigon on amounted to some 83,000 service men and women. 3rd August 1962. This group of advisers were A Government study in 1977 identified some 59,036 Troops complete mission Viet-Nam collectively known as the “Australian Army males and 484 females as having met its definition of and depart Camp Smitty Training Team” (AATTV). “Viet-Nam Veterans”. Page 15 1962 – 1972 As the conflict escalated, so did pressure for Continue Page 5. 2 THE LISTENING POST August/September 2006 FULLY LOADED DEALS DRIVE AWAY NO MORE TO PAY $41,623* Metallic paint (as depicted) $240 extra. 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TPI customers exempt for GST and stamp duty. www.northsidenissan.com.au ☎ 5 PRINDIVILLE DRIVE, WANGARA 9409 0000 Prices valid until August 31, 2006. *CONDITIONS APPLY. DL 0811 THE LISTENING POST August/September 2006 3 THE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 VOL. 29 No.4 Contents Page Listening Post From the President’s Pen 4 Sub-Branch News 6 The Bush Wireless 8 Publishers The Returned & Services League The Battle of Long-Tan 9 WA Branch Incorporated ANZAC House Collins Class Submarine 10 28 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000 Telephone: (08) 9287 3799 HMAS Warramunga 10 PO Box Y3023 PERTH WA 6832 STATE EXECUTIVE Email: [email protected] Facsimile: (08) 9287 3732 2005-2008 Website: www.rslwahq.org.au WA Country Callers: 1800 259 799 2005-06 Annual Report 11 STATE PRESIDENT Editorial Staff Mr William Gaynor OAM RFD Departure from Camp Smitty 15 STATE VICE PRESIDENT Managing Editor: Len Copley Mr Graeme Sherriff Notices 16 Deputy Editor: Tony Hughes Editorial Co-Ordinator: Heather Anderson Ph: (08) 9287 3799 STATE TREASURER Sub-Editors: Peter Finn, Olga Greig OAM, Bob Mercer AM RFD ED, Mr Paul Rengel Letters to the Editor 16 Ken Morrison AFSM CD, & Bill Tate APRIA. COMMITTEE Membership Enquiries: Kathryn Clark Ph: (08) 9287 3705 Mr Peter Blenkinsopp Crossword 17 Mr Len Copley Printer: Colour Press Mr Laurie Fraser MBE Recipe 17 Graphic Design: Type Express Mrs Olga Greig OAM Mr Alan Gronow Mr David Messer RSL Presentation 17 Deadline for next edition: 15th September. Mr Ian Mulholland for contributions to next edition Mr Ken Parish Mr Arthur Rae From the Bunker 18 If possible, submissions should be typed and double-spaced. Preferred Mr Mike Tonks method of receiving submissions is via email. Photographs can be black Mr Ray Ward Poetry 18 and white or colour. This is your journal and contributions are welcome. TRUSTEES Address to: Mr Don Blair RFD ED 79th Annual Women’s Auxiliary Annual 19 Mr John Cox OAM JP The Managing Editor, The Listening Post Mr Robert Mercer AM RFD ED Conference RSL, PO Box Y3023 PERTH WA 6832 Mr Wayne Tarr RFD ED Email: [email protected] Mr Duncan Warren AM RFD Top 10 Best CD’s 19 Opinions expressed by contributors in articles and reproduced articles are STATE SECRETARY the individual opinions of such contributors or the authors of such Mr Shane Seers OAM JP Filling the Gap in Menora 20 reproduced articles and are not necessarily those of the RSL. ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY Reproduction of articles (or extracts) contained in The Listening Post are ADMIN Visit Malacca 21 welcomed provided the source is acknowledged. The Editor reserves the Mr Geoff Dunne right to accept, reject, sub-edit and re-arrange material submitted for publication. ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY Secretary’s Notes 22 PROJECTS Please direct all advertising enquiries to RSL Advertising 9381 7999. Mr Gary Sutherland OAM Pilots Course Graduates 23 HMAS Ballarat serving in the northern waters of the gulf Currently deployed in the Gulf on HMAS BALLARAT, Leading Seaman McQualter is one of two females who are members of the ship’s boarding party. HMAS BALLARAT, deployed in the which was the location of the Eureka Persian Gulf, is the Royal Australian Stockade, takes its ship motto, “Defend the Navy’s current contribution to maritime Flag” from that famous fight for equality. security operations in the region. The ship, which is part of Task Force 158 As part of TF158, HMAS BALLARAT will be (TF158) is serving in the northern under the command of Commodore Peter waters of the gulf, where its duties Lockwood and his team of 21 Australian include oil platform protection, Naval Officers and specialist sailors. This is maintaining Iraqi boarders, the second time the coalition naval elements humanitarian assistance and denying have been under the command of illegal trade. Australians. HMAS BALLARAT is the eighth ANZAC Class "The Australian Navy is invaluable to the Frigate and the sixth for the Royal Australian Coalition Naval efforts in the Middle East, Navy, two being bought by New Zealand. because of their professionalism, their The ship which was commissioned on the independence and their ability to stick to the 26th June 2004 is on its first deployment to task. In the North Arabian Gulf in command the Middle East. of 158, Australians will be playing a key leadership role in the Coalition." Captain John The ship, named after the Victorian city Peterson, Chief of Staff, U.S 5th Fleet. 4 THE LISTENING POST August/September 2006 September at 9.30am by The Review identified the names of 18 Governor General of the Australians who died after the Commonwealth of Australia, His cessation of hostilities. From the Excellency Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Ret’d) The Government’s response to Post-Armistice Korea Service Late Notice from the Report was announced today by President’s Pen Minister. Bruce Billson MP. “Although the Working Party’s With Annual Congress now Branches want to initiate the change The Membership year WILL NOT Post Armistice Service in Korea findings recommended the behind us I would like to express immediately but, this is not possible change. Renewals will be required Review of Medal Entitlements establishment and awarding of a my appreciation to sub as we need to restructure timings of by 1st January – as now is the case. The Australian Government set up General Service Medal (GSM) and branches, Delegates and our AGM’s and reporting financial an independent review into the level RASB, only one Australian military members who attended and positions to our membership. of recognition of service following How will it affect State service medal is awarded to participated in the celebration of the armistice in Korea in 1953. The Branch? recognise a single type of service in the Leagues 90th Anniversary. Working Party was to investigate the Please note the such circumstances. The ASM 1945- following: There will be no change to State appropriateness of the award of the It was a great occasion, not only for Branch operations. Congress will still Australian Active Service Medal 75 with Clasp ‘KOREA’ has been the business transacted but for the • All Sub Branches will have their be in early July, triennial elections by 1945-1975 with clasp "Korea" and the duly awarded for this service,” Mr camaraderie and fellowship that was Financial Statements Audited as at postal ballot will take place prior to Returned from Active Service Badge Billson said. evident throughout the entire 31st December, 2006. Congress and the Branches for this period of service in Korea. weekend. To those who were unable While acknowledging the efforts of Statement of Financial Affairs and some Australian ex-service personnel to be present, you missed a great • In 2007, an Audit is to be Balance Sheet will be adopted by Working Party Members time we will keep you up to date on conducted as at 30th June, 2007 who strongly lobbied to have the postal Ballot before 31st October, were: Australian Service Medal 1945 – 75 decisions made through the each year.
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