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QUEENSLAND TPI JOURNAL June Edition 2020

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QUEENSLAND TPI JOURNAL June Edition 2020 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Boeing 737 BBJ C17J Spartan C130 J Super Hecules Boeing C-17A Globemeaster Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet F-35 Lightning 11 MQ-4C Triton “Disabled In Our Service, United In Our Cause” The Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women (Queensland Branch) Incorporated. Patron His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland 90 Enoggera Road, NEWMARKET, QLD. 4051 Hours: 10.00am - 2.00pm Wednesday & Friday Administration: Ph.: 07 3040 3330 PO Box 3161, NEWMARKET, QLD. 4051 Email: [email protected] STATE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE State President: Chris Richards Vice President: Andrew Gizycki Secretary: Jeffrey Graham Treasurer: Andrew Gizycki Member: Ian Hurlock State Welfare Officer: Ken Savage State Welfare Officer: Peter Broadbridge Journal Editor: George Mialkowski QUEENSLAND SOCIAL CENTRE S BEENLEIGH FNQ CAIRNS MORETON BAY SOUTH Mr. Stuart Watson Mr. Ted Powell Mr. Ken Logue PO Box 522 PO Box 111 6 Loraine St., Beenleigh Q 4207 Westcourt Q 4870 Capalaba Q 4157 Ph.: 0403 659 272 Ph: 0418 448 862 Ph: 3823 5494 secretary.beenleigh.tpi@ [email protected] [email protected] gmail.com BUNDABERG GOLDCOAST REDCLIFFE Mr. Ted (Ian) Stokes Mr. Alan Ross Mr. Michael Karolak PO Box 1505 PO Box 1862 PO Box 288 Bundaberg Q 4670 Broadbeach Q 4218 Redcliffe Q 4020 Ph.: 4155 0593 Ph: 5539 9282 Ph: 3283 1721 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] CENTRAL QLD IPSWICH SUNSHINE COAST Mr. Neil Brewer Mr. Peter Briese Mrs. Deborah Kirkham PO Box 514. PO Box 5165 PO Box 615, Rockhampton Q 4700 Brassall Q 4305 Cotton Tree Q 4558. Ph: 4921 4644 Ph: 0754 645 445 Ph: 0428 783 727 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] TOOWOOMBA Mr Don Eccles PO Box 3079 Margaret Street Toowoomba Q 4350 Ph: 4632 3724 tpitoowoomba@bigpond. com 2 rom the Editor, CONTENTS F At the moment Australia is having it’s “Anus Horribilis”. We have Office Bearers & Social Centres 2 been subjected to bushfires, floods, drought, the Corona Virus and now our fragile economy is being targeted by one of our Contents/Editor 3 largest export markets, China. State President’s Report 4 Why has China decided to target our exports? Well, Australia had the temerity to ask for an investigation into the source of History of the RAAF 5—10 the Corona Virus. World opinion is that it originated from China via a laboratory or open animal market. Surprisingly, China is Victoria Cross of Australia 10 also targeting European countries and has an ongoing dispute with the USA concerning tariffs. RAAF Aircraft Inventory 11 It is apparent that China is alienating itself from the world. In the Asian region Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia Ray Simpson VC, DCM 12 & 13 are concerned with China’s expansionist aspirations. Veteran Pension Rates 20 Mar 2020 13 Now back to the Australian economy. The Federal and State Governments are to be congratulated for the way they positively The Vietnam War—a US Perspective 14—16 reacted to the Corona Virus by funding the unemployed and business. But that funding has created a future problem — re- New Members 17 paying the loans for that funding. Obviously Industrial Relations and the Tax System need to be overhauled, as well as reviving Attack-Class Submarine 18—22 the manufacturing industry. Will increasing the GST or re-introducing an Inheritance Tax be Deceased Members 23 the solution? These are political taboos but remember GST is a user pay system and the Baby Boomers (56—76 years of age) Those We Forgot Recounting hold the majority of wealth in Australia and are now getting Australian Casualties of WW1 24 close to their Twilight Years. All we can do is wait and see. Advertisers 25—40 Be happy and stay in good health The Ed THE FIRST APPLE The man asks, "Aren't you having any?" A woman ran a red traffic light and crashed into a She replies, "Nah. I think I'll just wait for the police." man's car. Both of their cars are demolished, but amazingly neither of them was hurt. Some years ago Adam ate the apple. Men will never learn! After they crawled out of their cars, the woman said; "Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but fortunately we are unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should meet and be friends and live together in peace for the rest of our days.” The man replied, "I agree with you completely. This must be a sign from God! The woman continued, "And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished, but my bottle of 75 year old scotch didn't break. Surely God meant for us to drink this vintage delicacy and celebrate our good fortune." Then she handed the bottle to the man. The man nods his head in agreement, opened it, drank half the bottle and then handed it back to the woman. The woman took the bottle, immediately put the cap back on, and handed it back to the man. DISCLAIMER. Information and articles printed in the Journal are either reprinted from other publications or are derived from ver- bal or other notes from ESO Meetings etc. While all efforts are made to verify the information the opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor or Qld TPI Inc. No responsibility or guarantee is given or implied for any action taken by individuals or groups as a result of information contained within the publication and no liability will be accepted from any such loss. 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT recently appointed Peter Broadbridge. Ken and Peter regularly contact members to have a chat and pass feedback to SMC on Dear Members, welfare issues. If you have any welfare concerns please contact [email protected] Also, our Honorary Solicitor John Cock- I trust this finds you coping as well as can be ex- burn is readily available to offer advice on legal matters. John’s pected while we transit from the State being Email is [email protected] ‘Confined to Barracks’ to some semblance of nor- mality. It is reassuring to know our respective gov- Social Centres ernments can put aside their differences for the nation’s wellbe- ing. The Federal Government has been very generous in its social New members are encouraged to join one of our 10 Social Cen- welfare payments, but there will be a heavy economic price to tres located throughout the State and contact details are availa- pay. In that light, our State Association was very supportive of the ble on our website. Centres offer camaraderie, social activities TPI Federation hibernating the campaign for an increase in the and welfare support. Our rules allows DVA Gold and White Card TPI pension. In our view, now is not the time for asking for more, Holders to become Associate Members and some Centres utilise instead Federation should be concentrating its efforts on keeping the skills of their Associates for the benefit of their Centre. The what we have. It should be remembered recent reviews (KPMG) State Office is also exploring the option of the establishment of indicated that TPIs do very well in comparison to other compen- new social centres. Looking at our membership base, there may sation recipients, especially in taxation entitlements, and rocking be enough members in the (Gympie/South Burnett) (Hervey Bay) the boat could well prove counterproductive. (Mackay) (Caboolture) areas to form or reactivate a centre should there be enough interest? If you reside in those general areas TPI Federation Issues and think you may be interested in becoming part of a new or reactivated centre could you please Email State Secretary Jeff Federation is in an ongoing dispute with Victoria over capitation Graham at [email protected] and advise which location fees, to the extent Victoria has threatened to leave the Federa- would be of interest. To form a centre at least 10 members are tion. Our Federation Queensland Directors spent many hours required. mediating in this dispute, in an attempt to resolve, what could be a serious blow to the Federation which relies on the ‘united AVCAT Scholarships voice’ of all states. Federation has done some great work for TPIs and these distractions are not in anyone’s best interests - so Our initial two bursary students are completing their tertiary hopefully it will soon be resolved. I have also made it clear to studies and wrote to express their very sincere appreciation to Federation, if this dispute escalates, Queensland is not in favour our Association for the financial assistance. We look forward to of member’s funds being spent on legal fees. continuing this support for dependants of TPI veterans through AVCAT. State Office Administration Private Hospital Veteran Liaison Officers (VLOs) Our Secretary, Jeff Graham, is putting in a lot of time learning the ropes and is a welcome addition to the office along with our effi- An updated list of Queensland VLOs is now on our website. For cient, and always pleasant Office Manager, Beryl. It would now those unfamiliar with the role, a VLO is required to be nominated be beneficial, to augment our SMC with an ‘Assistant Secretary’. by DVA contracted Private Hospitals as part of the contractural Ideally the position would suit a member (male or female) who arrangements. The VLO is there to assist Veteran patients and act resides in the Brisbane catchment area with the time and skills to as conduit to the hospital and DVA on the veteran’s behalf.
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