July 2010 a Message from the Minister for Veterans
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
July 2010 A Message from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs On Wednesday I then wrote to the Premier and asked 24 March, 2010, him to send representations on your I was sworn in as behalf to the Prime Minister about the the Minister for V.A.C.’s dissatisfaction with the outcome Veterans’ Affairs. of the Matthews review. I am pleased to tell you that the Premier wrote to Prime I would like to Minister Gillard on 1 July, 2010. Premier pay tribute to Rann has asked the Prime Minister for my predecessor, her views on the matter and, if the matter the Hon. Michael is to be investigated further, when such Atkinson M.P., who did an excellent job as an investigation may take place. This the inaugural Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. strong advocacy from the Premier shows He was instrumental in establishing the the respect and loyalty he has for your portfolio and working in close partnership community. with the veterans’ community, in particular via the Veterans’ Advisory Council (V.A.C.). ANZAC Day is arguably the most important day of commemoration in My first duty as Minister for Veterans’ Australia. It’s a day when we remember Affairs was to attend the 4th Annual those who made the ultimate sacrifice to Veterans’ Race Day held at the Balaklava ensure we can enjoy the lifestyle we have Race Course. The Balaklava Racing today. It was pleasing to see such large Club, the R.S.L. and the T.P.I. Association numbers of South Australians attending supported what was a successful event ANZAC Eve Youth Vigils, Dawn Services Minister Snelling and Sir Eric present V.A.C. for veterans, family, friends and the and Marches around the State. members Bill Schmitt A.M. (above) and public who enjoyed a day of racing and Brenda Fergusson (below) with birthday gifts. entertainment. While not a veteran myself, I feel a strong connection to the veterans’ community On 15 April, I attended a V.A.C. meeting. through the service of my father, This truly representative group of ex- Ex-service organisations are 4719831 Private Laurence John Snelling servicemen and women, so ably led by encouraged to invite Minister Sir Eric Neal, is a priceless resource that I who served in Vietnam with 1A.R.U., Snelling to meet with their will no doubt regularly call upon for advice 1R.A.R. and 5R.A.R. between October membership. on matters of concern to veterans. At this 1968 and May 1969. Invitations can be directed to: meeting I heard loud and clear concerns I look forward to being a strong advocate about the Matthews Review into the The Hon. Jack Snelling M.P. on your behalf at both the State and indexation of military superannuation, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Federal level and to meeting members of health services for veterans, the G.P.O. Box 1838 the veterans’ community. concessional treatment of veterans and ADELAIDE S.A. 5001 the special needs of veterans as a result of Phone: (08) 8226 8552 the unique nature of military service. Email: [email protected] The Hon. Jack Snelling M.P. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs This Company of Brave Men: The Gallipoli V.C.s Exhibition Centenary of ANZAC Minister Snelling encourages members This is a rare opportunity for visitors to see The period 2014 till 2018 will mark the of the veterans’ community to attend these important symbols of the ANZAC centenary of World War One. Earlier this the ‘This Company of Brave Men: The experience. year the Commonwealth Government Gallipoli V.C.s exhibition’ at the State announced a National Commission on Library of South Australia. the Commemoration of the ANZAC Centenary. The exhibition is open from 25 June The National Commission is tasked with till 8 August, 2010. Guided tours are receiving suggestions from the Australian conducted daily Monday to Friday at community about how we should honour 10.30am, 12.00pm, 1.00pm, 2.00pm and and commemorate the service and 3.00pm. Entry and guided tours are FREE. sacrifice of those who have fought and served in all the wars of the last hundred The exhibition was opened on Friday years, and those who stayed behind on 25 June, 2010 by the Premier of South Major-General Steve Gower, Director, the home front. Australia, the Hon. Mike Rann M.P., in a Australian War Memorial, S.A. Premier Mike ceremony attended by Mr Keith Payne Rann & wife Sasha Carruozzo and Alan For more information about how to make V.C. his wife Flo, son Ron and the families Smith, Director of the State Library at the a submission visit www.anzaccentenary. of some of the recipients. exhibition launch. gov.au. Submissions close on 17 September, 2010. I was only 19 It is the anthem of the Vietnam veteran “Mum and dad and Denny (Denise) saw Taxi Driver Training movement and I cannot hear it without the passing out parade at Puckapunyal”. the memories flooding back. Released Mick enlisted in 1968 and after recruit In response to concerns raised by the in 1983 and sung by Redgum frontman training, he was posted to 6R.A.R. Mick Consultative Council of Ex-Service and great Vietnam veteran supporter, returned from Vietnam in 1970 and Organisations, the Veterans’ Advisory John Schumann, it truly captures much married Anne in 1972. Council (V.A.C.) has addressed the of what Vietnam meant to many who treatment of elderly veterans by taxi went there. But what of the story? Have Denise met John in 1982 and John drivers. you ever asked yourself whose story this had the idea for a song about Vietnam is? Who was the guy who was “only 19?” veterans. Mick tells me that many cans At the invitation of the President of the For South Australians the answer has of beer were consumed at Denise’s place Taxi Council of South Australia, Mr Wally always been on your doorstep! one night and Mick reckons he was lucky Sievers, the V.A.C. nominated Jennifer to get home alive. When Mick first heard Dowling and Laurie Lewis A.M. to attend Laconic Aussie Mick Storen is your man! the song he was rendered speechless. a future training session and work on a Mick is the brother of Denise who is John wanted to know if he had created plan to improve taxi services. married to John Schumann. an authentic article. Mick thought it was fantastic! I venture to say every Vietnam Veterans wishing to make suggestions on The ever alert among you will instantly veteran feels likewise. how taxi services can be improved may see the link to the first line of the song wish to contact Veterans SA on Mick and Anne have two daughters 8226 8552. and two grandchildren. For the record, Mick turned 21 while he was in Vietnam. 6R.A.R. was certainly involved in a mine incident on 21 July, 1969 – “the day that mankind kicked moon” - but - the bit about Frankie going home in June wasn’t strictly accurate. Going home in July didn’t have the same ring to it - so according to pop history, Frankie was “going home in June”. John Schumann and Mick Storen Bill Denny A.M., Director, Veterans SA Wally Sievers and Laurie Lewis A.M. Trojan’s Trek 2010 Aboriginal Veterans’ Commemorative Service Trojan’s Trek is an initiative of the R.A.R. Aboriginal veterans were honoured at Association (S.A.). It is culture specific the fourth annual Aboriginal Veterans’ (delivered by veterans) and may be Commemorative Service on Friday, defined as a victim to warrior experience. 28 May, 2010 at the South Australian National War Memorial, North Terrace, This year’s Trek will be conducted from Adelaide. The Director of Veterans SA, 19 to 24 September in the North Flinders Bill Denny A.M. was pleased that around Ranges. The trek is drug and alcohol 200 people attended the Service. free and is cost free ex Adelaide. Aboriginal Australians have served with Younger veterans, i.e. post Vietnam, distinction but very little recognition in are the target group. The project will every conflict in which Australia has been cater for up to 12 volunteers identified involved, from the Boer War and Gallipoli as individuals who may benefit from the to Iraq and Afghanistan. experience. Some may still be serving and some will not be clients of D.V.A. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander The program will be delivered by veterans War Memorial is currently being planned Ngarrindjeri Elder Major Sumner conducting who have faced and overcome the issues and will be constructed adjacent to the the smoking ceremony. that now confront younger veterans. Torrens Parade Ground. Commemorative pavers can be purchased and funds www.premcab.sa.gov.au/dpc/ Younger veterans wishing to participate in will be directed towards the cost of the department_aard.html or by telephoning Trojan’s Trek 2010 are invited to contact memorial. Details can be obtained at Andy Robb on 8226 8881. Project Director, Moose Dunlop on 0408 088 886 or [email protected] Expressway Pays Tribute to Service and Sacrifice Australia’s most famous military battles • Hamel (Penfield Road interchange); The bridges represent our role in all will be honoured along the almost- • Tobruk (Heaslip Road interchange); major conflicts of the last century. They complete Northern Expressway. The joint • Kokoda (Curtis Road interchange); represent some of the most important State and Commonwealth funded 23km • Kapyong (Angle Vale Road battles in which our nation has been expressway will cut travel times between interchange); and involved.