National Bosun's Call
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National Bosun’s Call Vol 2 No 3 Once Navy, Always Navy April 2021 Last Post Ceremony AWM 28 February 2021 The loss of HMAS Perth I on 28 February 1942 was remembered at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) on that day in 2021. Jack Aaron (centre with head bowed) laid the Naval Association wreath honoring Leading Seaman Rob- ert Borwick at the AWM Last Post Ceremony as can be seen in the above photograph. To the right in the photo ACT NAA Vice President Alex McGown can be seen beside VADM Russ Shalders who commanded HMAS Perth II in 1993 and 1994. Jack Aaron commissioned Perth II as a LSQMG in 1965 and later served in her again as a POQMG. Alex McGown also served in HMAS Perth II as a PO and CPO Greenie from 1979 to 1981. Photos: Flickr AWM National Newsletter of the Naval Association of Australia April 2021 Bosun’s Call Page 2 ONCE A MOBI - ALWAYS A MOBI 23 Mar 2021 Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, presented Commander Michael Brice, with his fourth Federation Star and a Certificate of Appreciation for 55 years of service at a ceremony held at Navy Headquarters, Canberra. Congratulations to Mick Brice, seen here receiving the 8th clasp marked by a 4th Federation Star to his De- fence Long Service Medal from Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan. It was 8th clasp, and 4th Federation Star. The Defence Long Service Medal may be awarded to a member who has, on or after 14 February 1975, completed 15 years qualifying remunerated service in the Australian Defence Force. This includes efficient service in Permanent and Reserve Forces. Clasps are awarded for each further periods of five years effi- cient service. The first four clasps to the medal are indicated by rosettes. These are replaced by a single silver Federation Star for the fifth clasp. Additional Federation Star emblems are added for subsequent clasps. The Naval Association of Australia Inc ABN 56 653 989 978 221 Centenary Avenue MELTON VICTORIA 3337 Patron In Chief: HM The Queen of Australia. National Patron His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC Retd Governor General of Australia April 2021 Bosun’s Call Page 3 DFRDB Inquiry Accuracy of information provided to Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) members On 18 March 2021 the Senate referred the following matter to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Ref- erences Committee for inquiry and report by Thursday, 24 June 2021: Accuracy of information provided to Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) members. Submissions close: 30 April 2021. Terms of Reference The accuracy of information provided to Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) mem- bers, including: a. the accuracy of information provided to DFRDB members about the effects of commutation on future retirement pay entitlement, the consequences of this, and what remedial action (if any) could be taken; b. whether retirement payments were indexed as required by legislation and, if not, what remedial action (if any) could be taken; c. policy and legislative issues, including provisions for: i. use of certain life expectancy tables, ii. permanency of reductions to commuted pensions, iii. indexation arrangements; and iv. recommendations on any potential changes to administrative arrangements, policy or legis- lation; d. advice on costs associated with any recommendations; e. all relevant existing information and previous reviews in relation to DFRDB, including the findings of the Ombudsman's investigation; f. the level of understanding among DFRDB members about how the legislation works, and ways to improve this; and g. any related issues. Committee Secretariat contact: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee Department of the Senate PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Phone:+61 2 6277 3535 Fax: +61 2 6277 5818 [email protected] April 2021 Bosun’s Call Page 4 We are making changes that will give you a better, more accessible experience online. To achieve this, we are moving MyAccount transactions to MyService so that you have a single platform to interact with, and we will say goodbye to MyAccount later this year. From 27 March you will no longer be able to use MyAccount to request the official letters that outline your DVA payments and concession eligibilities. You will need to use MyService to request these letters. From 27 March you will be able to request an Income and Asset statement using MyService. MyService is a little different to MyAccount If you are used to MyAccount you will notice some changes, including the look and feel and language. You may also see fewer questions asked because we are using the information you have already given us, sav- ing you time. To request an official DVA letter in MyService select ‘Correspondence’ under the Your information menu on your MyService homepage. You will then be able to select whether you want to download the letter or have it sent to your registered postal address. On the horizon We know that the need for better online services has never been more important and this is a priority for DVA. We are moving MyAccount services into MyService so that we have a single, modern online platform for you to use and MyService will be the place for all your DVA online needs when MyAccount is no longer available. Of course, if you prefer to call us or submit a paper form you will still be able to do that. We are excited to be improving our online service so that it is easier for you to interact with us. For information about what is changing in MyAccount and guides on how to use MyService visit our web- site dva.gov.au To see the functions available in MyService: Log on to MyService via myGov Haven't logged on to MyService or MyAccount for a while? DVA's online services are now available through MyGov. How to access DVA services via myGov: If you do not have a myGov account register online. If you already have a myGov account sign in. Call us on 1800 VETERAN and we will provide you with a linking code. Follow the prompts in myGov to link Department of Veterans' Affairs using the linking code provided. Important Note: If you are an existing client you do not need to REGISTER for MyService. Simply call us and we will provide you with an Activation Code to get started. April 2021 Bosun’s Call Page 5 RAN Marks its 120th Birthday 1 March 2021 'David Manolas, National President of the Naval Association of Australia attends the RAN's 120th Birthday Commemo- ration Service on 01 March 2021, at the RAN National Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra. There a wreath was laid on behalf of the members of the Association; our wreath is on the left of the three in this image'. A commemorative service at the Navy Memorial, Vice Admiral Noonan discussed Navy in its up- Anzac Parade Canberra has marked the Royal coming 121st year. Australian Navy’s 120th birthday. “We will keep evolving, deepening our connec- Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan AO, tion with the Nation and supporting our partners RAN said Navy can draw strength and honour and neighbours.” from humble beginnings 120 years ago. For images of Navy serving Australia with pride “We are far from the fledgling naval force formed at home and abroad visit the Defence Media gal- in the autumn of 1901,” VADM Noonan said. lery: available at http://images.defence.gov.au/ Admiral Noonan acknowledged the importance S20210386 of Navy people and roles they have played in this development. A commemoration “Our competitive advantage is our Navy family, service was held at all those who have contributed past and pre- Brighton Cemetery sent.” in Victoria on 1 This service is demonstrated by looking no fur- March to remem- ther back than 2020. ber Vice Admiral Sir William Rooke “In the past year, the Royal Australian Navy has Creswell, founding faced new and unexpected challenges as part of officer of the RAN the Australian government’s responses to bush- fires, a global pandemic and other humanitarian and disaster relief operations.” April 2021 Bosun’s Call Page 6 AWM Development From: AWM.Official <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, 4 March 2021 4:08 PM Subject: Australian War Memorial – Develop- ment Update Good afternoon, I am pleased to share a copy of Our Continuing Story information booklet with you. This infor- mation outlines the Australian War Memorial’s pro- posed plans for the expansion of our exhibition As the heart of national commemoration, our Me- galleries to share the untold stories of 100,000 morial must reflect our living history – for every Australians who have served our country in war, veteran and for every Australian. Our Develop- conflict, peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster- ment Project offers this opportunity while remaining relief operations over the past 30 years. true to the vision of the Memorial’s founder Charles The project received approval through the Environ- Bean, to ensure the sacrifices of Australians are mental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation not forgotten. Act process on 10 December 2020 and the Parlia- If you have any queries regarding the Gallery De- mentary Standing Committee on Public Works re- velopment public consultation and engagement ferral on 22 February 2021. It now moves to the process, or the project in general, please contact final stages of approval with the National Capital our Development Project team via email at devel- Authority and the nine-year program of work enters [email protected]. A limited number of print- the construction procurement phase.