HMAS ARUNTA Homeward Bound
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Registered by AUSTRALIA POST NO. PP607128/00001 THE APRIL 2007 VOL. 30 No.2 ListeningListeningThe official journal of THE RETURNED & SERVICES LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA PostPostPOSTAGE PAID SURFACE Branch Incorporated • PO Box Y3023 Perth 6832 • Established 1920 AUSTRALIA MAIL Wednesday Karratha ANZAC DAY April 25, 2007 Corporal Wicks was awarded the US Based Soldier Commendation Medal (ARCOM) which is Recognised normally awarded to a member of the US Corporal Jason Wicks is a member of the Armed Forces who Australian Regular Army and is currently distinguishes himself by posted to The Pilbara Regiment, Karratha. heroism Prior to his posting to Karratha in January 2007, Corporal Wicks was located in Brisbane, from which he deployed for a six month period to Baghdad, Iraq. Whilst deployed, Jason worked on the Joint Task Force Counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) initiative, and was part of a small team of Explosive experts that travelled outside the security of the Base on a regular basis to conduct post blast investigations on explosive devises that had been used against coalition personnel and equipment. This work was an extremely dangerous undertaking and on occasion almost resulted in serious injury. These investigations were integral to the identification and location of bomb makers and subsequent apprehension and incarceration of these individuals. Corporal Wicks was awarded the US Commendation Medal (ARCOM) which is normally awarded to a member of the US In recognition Armed Forces who distinguishes himself by heroism, meritorious achievement or of the great meritorious service. In exceptional circumstances, this award may sacrifice be made to a member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who distinguishes himself by an act of heroism, extraordinary made by the achievement, or meritorious service which has "Remembrance" been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and His outstanding dedication to duty during Corporal Wicks was honoured to receive combat operations in Iraq contributed to the the award so close to ANZAC Day, a day in The ANZAC Truck the United States. men and overwhelming success of the Command’s which all Australians recognise those service Through hard work and dedication whilst on Pages 11 mission. His actions are in keeping with the personnel past and present who have deployed women of our deployment to Iraq Corporal Wicks displayed finest traditions of military service and reflect on operations. Corporal Wicks is grateful these qualities as shown in the citation great credit upon himself, multi-national for the recognition he has received from the accompanying the award as follows. corps-IRAQ and the Australian Army.” The US Army and feels that the award reflects armed forces. Corporal Wicks has been awarded the US citation was ratified by Lieutenant General the US appreciation toward the continued Commendation Medal “for his meritorious Peter W. Chiarelli, Commander Multi-National contribution and service that all Australian service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corps Iraq. troops are currently making overseas. ANZAC Dawn Service HMAS ARUNTA homeward bound information The Anzac-class frigate HMAS ARUNTA is on her way home to Fleet Base West Pages 12-13 after a busy 11-week deployment and is due to berth at Garden Island at 9am on HMAS ARUNTA Saturday, 14 April. The crew of HMAS ARUNTA bade farewell to family and friends on 5 February, 2007 to participate in Fleet Concentration Period off Jervis Bay in New South Wales and the Long Navigation Course in New Zealand. Ports visited included Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington, culminating in a visit to Hobart over the Easter weekend. The Commanding Officer of HMAS ARUNTA, Commander Luke Charles-Jones, praised his crew’s performance, saying “This deployment really gave us the opportunity to work hard to improve our mariner and war fighting skills, whilst also allowing us the chance to visit a lot of places many of us would not normally get to see. We’ve achieved a lot in a Protect yourself from the relatively short period, which makes it all the more rewarding to be heading home.” common cold. HMAS ARUNTA will now undergo a maintenance period alongside at HMAS Stirling Pages 16 - Fleet Base West, prior to her next deployment in November 2007. 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DL 0811 THE LIstENING POst April 2007 3 THE APRIL 2007 VOL. 30 No.2 Contents Page From the President’s Pen 4 Listening Post Re-opening of Kokoda Steps 5 ANZAC Message 5 Publishers From the Bunker 6 - 7 The Returned & Services League WA Branch Incorporated Access Card 8 ANZAC House 28 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000 Conduct of RSL National Congress 8 Telephone: (08) 9287 3799 STATE EXECUTIVE PO Box 3023, Perth Adelaide Tce, WA 2005-2008 Issues facing the League 9 6832 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 Rededication of Jewish War Memorial 10 State Vice President Editorial Staff Mr Graeme Sherriff Remembrance The ANZAC Truck 11 Managing Editor: Len Copley State treasurer Anzac Day 2007 Dawn service 12-13 Deputy Editor: Mr Paul Rengel Editorial Co-Ordinator: Heather Anderson Ph: (08) 9287 3799 committee Music lingers on 14 Sub-Editors: Olga Greig OAM, Bob Mercer AM RFD ED, Mr Peter Blenkinsopp Ken Morrison AFSM CD. Mr Len Copley Drug prevention 15 Membership Enquiries: Kathryn Clark Ph: (08) 9287 3705 Monday to Thursday. Mr Laurie Fraser MBE Mrs Olga Greig OAM Printer: Colour Press Mr Alan Gronow Fund raiser for dental clinic 15 Graphic Design: Type Express Mr David Messer Mr Ian Mulholland Origin of 'The Last Post' 15 Mr Ken Parish Deadline for next edition: 13th May, 2007. Mr Arthur Rae Protect yourself from the cold 16 for contributions to next edition Mr Mike Tonks Mr Ray Ward If possible, submissions should be typed and double-spaced. Preferred method of Mrs Donna Prytulak Notices, Poetry, Can you help 17 receiving submissions is via email. Photographs can be black and white or colour. trustees This is your journal and contributions are welcome. Mr Don Blair RFD ED Origins of Influenza and Pneumococcal disease 18 Address to: Mr John Cox OAM JP Mr Robert Mercer AM RFD ED Student Essay 19 The Managing Editor, The Listening Post Mr Wayne Tarr RFD ED RSL, PO Box 3023 Perth Adelaide Terrace, WA 6832 Mr Duncan Warren AM RFD Email: [email protected] Bush wireless 20 state secretarY Opinions expressed by contributors in articles and reproduced articles are the Mr Ian Griffiths Swan Theatre company 20 individual opinions of such contributors or the authors of such reproduced articles and are not necessarily those of the RSL. assistant state secretarY admin New members 21 Reproduction of articles (or extracts) contained in The Listening Post are Mr Denis Connelly welcomed, provided the source is acknowledged. The Editor reserves the right to Last Post 21 accept, reject, sub-edit and re-arrange material submitted for publication. assistant state SecretarY projects Please direct all advertising enquiries to RSL Advertising 9381 7999. Mr Gary Sutherland OAM Sub branch news 22 4 THE LIstENING POst April 2007 Memberships and reserves the right to withdraw such Honorary Membership at any time. The • On completion of Appointment From the Badges are to be returned to State word Branch It is expected that sub branches will President’s Pen see this as a way of expanding their ANZAC recognition in the community and From reports received at State Branch placements we could be in trouble as Hitchikers Go Bush rewarding people who offer valuable the lead up to ANZAC Day at sub we do not provide supervision of the support to the League. Please ensure this This letter was received recently branch level has been quite busy but facility. With this issue of The Sub Branch award is selective and not issued in such a by the RSL Headquarters in well within our available resources.