MORWELL RSL SUB-BRANCH NEWSLETTER ( QUARTERLY ) JUNE - AUGUST, 2008 LEST WE FORGET Morwell RSL Sub-Branch Inc. Corner Elgin & Tarwin Streets Morwell P.O. Box 105, Morwell 3840 - Phone (03) 5134 2455 E-mail: [email protected] - Website: www.morwell.rslvic.com.au ______Your Committee President’s Report President:- We have recently witnessed record numbers turnout for both Mal Bugg OAM. JP Dawn and main ANZAC Day Services in Morwell and Yinnar. The two young guest speakers from Kurnai College, Dale Senior Vice President:- Murphy and Matt Whitelaw at Morwell and Yinnar Services were Lyndon Giles brilliant. I was really proud of both these young men as I know Vice President:- they were both initially hesitant to take on this role. Joe Geddes Our ANZAC Appeal raised a record $31,572.00 from Morwell, Secretary:- Churchill and Yinnar townships and schools. From the bottom of Dennis Cleary my heart I wish to thank our Appeals Officer Wayne Gwynne and his many helpers and volunteers too numerous to mention by Treasurer:- name, I am so proud of you all for your achievement. I would William (Bill) Hall also like to thank all who participated and helped in putting on such a great ANZAC Commemoration Day. Committee Members:- Ted Dunstan, Val Giles, On Sunday the 20th April the Dedication Service and Opening Wayne Gwynne, Bruce Jeffrey was conducted of the new Latrobe City Council War Memorial at and Les Maher. ANZAC Memorial Park, Ellavale Drive East Traralgon. It was a great day and our Guest Speaker Lt. Col. Jim Burke MG. was General Manager:- excellent. His address was short and to the point and one could Dennis Cleary only be highly impressed with his sincerity and humility. We were so lucky to have him with us on the day. There are many to Manager:- thank for this day in putting it together as over 800 veterans and Christine Hennessy community attended and appreciated the finished result. ______I would like to thank our own Bruce Jeffrey who stood by me all Sub Committees the way in the planning and construction stages and also in the way he conducted the great fundraiser to help build Stage 1. It Appeals:- looks great and I’m sure the 2 Councillors in Sandy Kam and Wayne Gwynne, Lyndon Giles Doug Caulfield along with the City’s CEO Paul Buckley would and Bruce Jeffrey be very proud of the result. I wonder if this Opening Service and the appreciation of those Councillors in particularly and the other Welfare and Hospital Visits:- 7 who were not there are recorded in the Council Minutes Val Giles, Lyndon Giles and following the opening date. Wayne Gwynne The next major events on our Commemoration Calendar are the Pensions:- VP Day (15th August) which we will conduct on Sunday the 17th Mal Bugg, Cynthia Bruerton, August in the grounds of Maryvale Hospital at 2.00pm. Then on Joe Geddes, Don George and Monday the 18th August we will conduct our “Dawn Service of Adrienne Mitrevics Reflection” for Vietnam Veteran’s Commemoration Day and this will be followed by a “Gunfire Breakfast”. Web Site & Newsletter – Editor:- Graham (Beatle) Burgess President’s Annual Report Continued on Page 2 1 Women’s Auxiliary President’s Annual Report - ( Cont’d from page 1 ) President:- Secretary/General Manager Dennis Cleary and I attended the Adrienne Mitrevics AGM of the RSL Licensed Sub Branches at Phillip Island RSL. 52 Sub Branches were present and the main topics of discussion Senior Vice President:- and debate were the Gaming Machine changes to take place in Pat Sheahey 2010 and 2012. There is a lot of work ahead for our Committee Vice President:- with the removal of Tattersall’s and Tabaret as the Operators of Lyn Priems Gaming in Victoria. Whether the present State Government has Secretary:- done the right thing or not, no one knows, but what is a major Ann-Maree Blackford concern is the fact that the State Government has not thought the whole issue through properly and is still putting policies together Treasurer:- on the operations of Gaming Machines in Victoria. I suppose it is Julie Bassett no different to water, power and other issues really that the ______Courtesy Bus powers to be are dabbling with, but time will tell. Best wishes to you all. The Courtesy Bus is available to FULL MEMBERS of the Morwell Mal Bugg. RSL Sub-Branch. i.e. Service, President. Affiliate and Social Members. The bus will pick you up from your Home, or any other Club and Pub in Morwell or Churchill and Words, Thoughts and Memories bring you to the Morwell RSL Words are few, thoughts are deep, Sub-Branch. Return Journeys will Memories of you are ours to keep. only be made from the Sub-Branch to your Home. If you wish to come to the club in VALE the courtesy bus during the times shown below, please telephone the It is with deep regret that we have been notified of the death of Sub-Branch on (03) 5134 2455. the following Members since our last newsletter was printed. The Courtesy Bus operates during Our deepest sympathy is extended to their family and friends. the following times:- VALMA FROST - 27th FEBRUARY 2008 Tuesday:- ( Affiliate Member ) 5-00pm to 10-00pm. CLEVELAND R OWEN - 11th MARCH 2008 Wednesday:- NEVILLE E WHITE - 14th MARCH 2008 5-00pm to midnight.With runs to Churchill at 6-00pm, 8-00pm and NORMAN G HOWLETT - 16th MARCH 2008 11-00pm NORMAN W FIELD - 30th MARCH 2008 Friday:- DONALD G McDOUGALL - 2nd APRIL 2008 5-00pm to 2-00am.With runs to Churchill at 6-00pm, 9-00pm and PATRICIA M KEENAN - 4th APRIL 2008 1-00am. ( Affiliate Member ) th Saturday:- LANCE COX - 13 APRIL 2008 5-00pm to 2-00am.With runs to DOUGLAS R RICHARDS - 27th APRIL 2008 Churchill at 6-00pm, 9-00pm and th 1-00am. NEIL HUSTWAITE - 30 APRIL 2008 DOROTHY F ( Dot ) BECKMAN - 9th MAY 2008 ROBERT BROWN - 20th MAY 2008

LEST WE FORGET. 2 ANZAC Appeal - Results Our Sub-Branch congratulates and thanks the Citizens of Morwell, Churchill, Yinnar and districts for their kind generosity in donating another large amount to the ANZAC Day Token Appeal. The generous people of our district kindly donated $31,500. We also appreciate the fact that our volunteers gave so much of their time. Their work is definitely appreciated by our Sub-Branch and the League, and it’s obvious without the volunteers our Appeal would not go ahead. Congratulations to everyone for a wonderful effort. In particular special thanks to our Appeals Officer, Wayne Gwynne and his wife Mary who put in many hours of voluntary time, planning and directing the appeal. Thanks also to George Karleusa and Terry Blackford for assisting with transport duties and regularly visiting and checking each of the collection points. A special thank you to the business owners in the CBD Area, Mid Valley, and in our Industrial Areas, including International Power Hazelwood for their co-operation in allowing our volunteers to enter their business premises and collect from them and their staff whilst they were busy working. Without embarrassing too many individual groups and businesses I would like to especially thank the following groups who supported our ANZAC Day Appeal by allowing us to sell tokens from their premises or storing our equipment overnight during the Appeal period:- The Morwell Industrial Business and the Business Houses of the CBD, International Power Hazelwood, and their associated contractors, Maryvale Private Hospital, Bunnings, Mid Valley Shopping Complex, The Warehouse, Morwell Post Office, Designer Discounts, Coles Supermarket, Williams Shoe-shop, Ritchie’s IGA Supermarket and Café le Mac’s in Churchill, and the Yinnar General Store. Thanks also to the 424 Squadron Air Cadets and the following schools who were also involved in selling tokens; Tobruk Street Primary, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, St Vincent’s Catholic Primary, Morwell Park Primary, Hazelwood North Primary, Commercial Road Primary, Morwell Primary (Formerly Crinigan Road), Kurnai College Morwell & Churchill, Lumen Christi Catholic Primary, Churchill Primary, Churchill North Primary, Yinnar South Primary, Yinnar Primary, and Boolarra Primary.

Terms of Endearment After many years an elderly bloke was invited to an old friend’s home for dinner one evening. He was impressed by the way his old mate preceded every request to his wife with endearing terms such as:- Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin, etc. The couple had been married almost 70 years and, clearly, they were still very much in love he thought. When his friend’s wife was in the kitchen, the old bloke leaned over and said to his host, “I think it's wonderful that, after all these years, you still call your wife those lovely pet names.” The old man hung his head. “I have to tell you the truth,” he said, “I forgot her name about 10 years ago and I'm scared to death to ask her what it is!”

Quick Quiz ( Answers on Page 19 ) 1. What is Australia’s western most point? 5. What’s the floral emblem of South Australia? 2. What is Ornithophobia a fear of? 6. Where are one third of a human’s bones? 3. What’s the longest river in France? 7. What’s the longest recorded flight of a chicken? 4. Where is Australia’s oldest golf course? 8. At what age does a foetus acquire fingerprints? 3 ANZAC Day – 2008 Our Sub-Branch conducted another successful ANZAC Day Commemoration. The Dawn Service saw a crowd estimated at about 1000 attend the dawn service in Morwell and about 350 of them enjoyed the Gunfire Breakfast supplied by Mary, Theo and their staff from the Bistro. The breakfast was sponsored by the Sub-Branch and all donations collected that morning went into our ANZAC Day Token appeal. Bill Hall was our MC at the main service and as usual he did a great job. Guest Speaker was Kunai College Student, Dale Murphy. His address titled “What ANZAC Day means to me and the younger generation” was excellent and well received by all. ( Excerpts from Dale’s address are on page 5 ) Special guests this year were members of the HMAS Maryborough Association. They marched behind their Associations banner, and it can be seen in the photo’s shown below. The march was led by the Morwell Caledonian Pipe Band and local fire brigade members carried our flags, including three that were presented to the families of Adrian Rich, Allan Lloyd and Joe Manicola who were killed or died of injuries as a result of the Vietnam War. Following the Service 300 people attended our luncheon in the ANZAC Room, where they were served with a 3 course meal and refreshments supplied by the Sub-Branch. The complimentary table place-mats depicted a “Villers-Bretonneux” theme. During the luncheon a number of certificates recognising valuable service to the Sub-Branch were presented. One was presented to ex MP Peter McGauran ( who was attending his last official function ) for his support of our Sub-Branch over many years. Terry Blackford organised and controlled the traditional two-up game after the luncheon and it was popular with quite a few members and guests. Some of us need to practice our throwing of the pennies though. Many of us remained and also enjoyed an evening meal with Mary and Theo and that finalised a very enjoyable ANZAC Day commemoration. Not forgetting of course our many friends and comrades who paid the supreme sacrifice and are no longer with us.

The ANZAC Day march and service conducted at Yinnar were also well attended by the local community. Lyndon Giles arranged and conducted the commemoration there.

Morwell ANZAC Day March and Service - 25th April 2008

4 What ANZAC Day Means to Me and the Younger Generation Guest Speaker at this year’s Morwell ANZAC Day Service was Dale Murphy a year 12, VCE student at Kurnai College. Dale is also a very active cricketer and football player. Following are some details and extracts from Dale’s very well presented address.

Dale was honoured to be asked to present the address at the ANZAC Day Service but he originally thought he wasn’t qualified or would be too busy with his school and sporting commitments to prepare and present the address. He then thought of the pain, suffering and sacrifice of the armed forces personnel and their families during wartime. He decided presenting the address was really only a small sacrifice for him to make. Dale said that Anzac Day has always been significant to him. It is a day when he pays respect to all service personnel, both past and present, and in particular it’s one of the special days when he remembers his Great Grandfather who, as a “Rat of Tobruk” was killed during the campaign in Libya during 1941. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Tobruk. He said, I have also used it (ANZAC Day) to remind myself of just how lucky I am today. It helps me look at life from a different perspective, and reminds me to cherish and truly respect the things that I usually take for granted. For example, while I may whinge about school sometimes, ANZAC Day reminds me that I should not, and it’s also a privilege I get an education. According to the United Nations Children Fund, 25-30,000 children worldwide die every single day due to poverty and that’s about one every three seconds. Thanks to the Australian and New Zealand troops both past and present, Australia doesn’t heavily influence these figures, and we are in a lucky position today. Dale also believes he’s a credible representative of today’s youth. He said, primary and secondary schools which are compulsory to attend, have in my era always taught the key concepts relating to ANZAC Day. Most know that the acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. They also know it is a day that honours the men and women that have served our country in all wars and peacetime conflicts and more importantly those who were killed in action for our freedom today and tomorrow. We all know April 25th marks the first major military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces at the landing at Gallipoli. We know that ANZAC Day is one of Australia and New Zealand’s most important national days. Dale continued, the media often portrays a negative image of today’s youth with the binge drinking and street violence that we see on the TV and read in the papers. While I may actually agree with that perception, that is an entirely different subject and the main point I am trying to make is that we do have respect for ANZAC Day. I have regularly attended the dawn service throughout my life and when I told my mates one day I expected a lazy, it’s too early response. But I was surprised and glad to hear that a countless number of them had done the same thing at other services across the state to pay their respect. Also, the wealth of young people, including children under the age of five and even babies in prams, who today rose to attend the dawn service right here epitomises our respect for the heroes who fought and continue to fight for this great land. Just like the Chinese proverb suggests: “I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand,” but we don’t fully understand just what it is like in a war. But we do see the graphics of the carnage on the TV and do have knowledge of the ANZAC spirit and so we too “At the going down of the sun and in the morning” every year on April the 25th “We will remember them.” The understanding I speak of, what soldiers have beared for the sovereignty of our country, is actually heightened by our age similarities. It is quite daunting that many of the soldiers enlisted to battle in past wars were around the ages of 18. To think that people just like me, a brother, a son, a friend at the fresh age of just 18 were prepared, and did have their lives ended, ignites an enormous amount of respect. In conclusion, Anzac day means an imperative opportunity to say thanks for our lives today. It’s a day where we can reminisce with our own family involvements and be proud of what they have achieved or are still achieving today.

5 Historical Dates - Following is a list of some of the significant dates with regards to Military History that have anniversaries during the next three months. It does not include events for every day of the following three months; these are randomly selected days from a more comprehensive list. June Evacuation from Crete completed. Over 16,000 troops were successfully evacuated 1 Jun, 1941 from the island over four successive nights Battle of Binh Ba, South Vietnam. Binh Ba, located five kilometres north of the Australian base at Nui Dat was the site of a battle between a combined force of Viet 6 Jun, 1969 Cong guerillas and North Vietnamese Army troops after they occupied the village. They were driven off after more than a day's fighting. This was the last large scale clash in Phouc Tuy. Japanese resistance on Tarakan ends. Codenamed OBOE 1 the landings at Tarakan 22 Jun, 1945 were aimed at establishing a fighter airfield, though in the end this was not done. Australian troops raid Salamaua. The raid on Salamuaua was carried out by men of 30 Jun, 1942 the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and the 2/5th Independent Company, they caused damage to Japanese facilities and supplies.

July No. 77 Squadron flies 1st combat mission in Korea First combat mission flown by July, 1950 No. 77 Squadron in Korea. No. 77 Squadron was the first Australian unit committed to the war in Korea. Beginning of the Battle of Britain. The Battle between the Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe for control of the skies over southern Britain, a necessary 10 July, 1940 prerequisite for the planned German invasion of the island. After some three months of intensive aerial operations both sides had lost heavily but the Germans were forced to abandon their plans for a cross-channel invasion of England. Lieutenant A.C. Borella, 26th Battalion, originally from Borung, Victoria, wins the 18 July, 1918 Victoria Cross at Villers-Bretonneux, France. At 36, Borella was the oldest member of the 1st AIF to receive this award. Australians involved in heavy fighting at Kokoda. Having been stopped in their attempt to reach Port Moresby by sea at the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese July, 1942 were forced to try and take the town by land. The only route was over the Owen Stanley Ranges via the Kokoda Track which became the scene of heavy fighting.

August Britain declares war on Germany. Australia pledged a force of 20,000 at Britain's 4 Aug, 1914 disposal but by the end of the war over 400,000 Australians were in uniform. Brock's Creek, Northern Territory bombed by Japanese aircraft. Brock's Creek was 20 Aug, 1943 bombed by 8 times by Japanese aircraft during 1943. K Force recruiting begins in Australia. The raising of K Force was the last time 21 Aug, 1950 that a volunteer force was raised in Australia to serve in a particular conflict. Battle of Milne Bay begins. The fighting at Milne Bay resulted in the first defeat of 25 Aug, 1942 the Japanese on land in the Second World War.

6 Jingle Bells in July The Morwell R.S.L. Welfare Group have organised a “Christmas Dinner” in July. The dinner has been named “Jingle Bells in July”. It’s on Sunday 13th July, 2008 at 12-00noon in the ANZAC Room. Cost for the dinner is $20.00 per head and tickets are now available from the Sub- Branch reception desk. This is going to be a huge day so please book early to avoid missing out on this feast. The dinner will be a 3 course meal as follows:- Entrée - Soup, (Pumpkin or Vegetable) Main - Roast Beef or Pork with Vegetables. Turkey, Ham and Salads. Sweets - Plum Pudding or Fruit Salad

ANZAC Memorial Park - Unveiling and Dedication Service As reported in previous newsletters and by the local press, the ANZAC Memorial Park in Ellavale Drive was officially unveiled and dedicated on 20th April. The Commemorative Stone was unveiled by Lt. Colonel Jim Bourke (Ret) who was the founder and force behind Operation Aussie Home, the group which found the remains of 3 Australians who were missing as a result of the Vietnam War. Below are details and extracts of the address Jim delivered prior to unveiling the Memorial stone.

Thank you for the honour of asking me to unveil this Memorial. As no doubt most of you have done, I have often reflected on the horror of war. History tells us that there have been various political or military reasons why one race or nation has decided to invade another country or countries. We know that during the resultant conflicts tremendous suffering and devastation have been inflicted on the people who have been invaded. On occasions, retaliatory strikes have been directed back at the aggressor to further compound the devastation and suffering. We have seen air campaigns targeting all sorts of infrastructure, from manufacturing facilities, lines of communication, hospitals, dams, military targets, and ordinary people. On the ground we have seen slaughter by artillery barrages, machine guns, mines, gas and other deadly weapons. At sea we have seen ships sunk and survivor’s machine gunned. War is nothing short of an OBSCENITY. How is it that out of such an obscenity, so many noble acts arise? I believe that most of the men and women who have served in our Defence Forces have done so not so much for Queen and country, or to support grand political or strategic aims, such as the Domino Theory in the case of Vietnam, but rather they have gone to war for reasons nearer to home, for their local community, for their families and because their mates were going. The sacrifice of those men and women who lost their lives cannot be compared to the service of those of us who are left behind. Our service is nothing compared to that of the fallen. So when their coffins pass, or when we gaze at their names on memorials, we should cover our medals to tell them clearly that we see our service as nothing compared to their sacrifice. Sometimes these men and women made the supreme sacrifice with their mates falling nearby. Sometimes they were alone. Whatever the circumstances of their loss, they were with their mates in spirit and were there for their mates, their families and their communities. Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends. So we see noble acts arising out of the obscenity of war. It is now my pleasure to unveil this memorial on behalf of those who wish to remember the men and women of the Valley who gave their lives in the service of their country, their community, their families and their mates. In particular this memorial recognizes the six “Sons of the Valley” who did not return from the Vietnam War. Lest We Forget. 7 ANZAC Day Appeal – Business Supporters As mentioned in the article on page 3, there are a number of businesses that require our special thanks for their kind support for the ANZAC Day Token Appeal. Without the generous support of the businesses listed below our appeal would not have been the success that it was. Your support of them would be greatly appreciated. When you’re shopping in their businesses, please tell them how you appreciated their support of our Appeal.

Bunnings Warehouse, Midvalley allowed us to sell from within their complex and stored our Mid Valley Shopping Centre allowed us to tables, chairs, tokens and cash tins each evening. have 2 selling points throughout their complex and supplied their tables and chairs.

Coles management located in George Street Morwell allowed us to sell from within their Supermarket and stored our tables and chairs each evening. Designer Discounts – DD’s management located in Commercial Road Morwell (Opposite the bus terminus) stored our tables and chairs each evening.

Morwell Post office management located in Princes Highway Morwell stored our tables and chairs each evening.

The Warehouse management located in Commercial Road Morwell (Opposite the bus terminus) stored our tables and chairs each evening. Café le Mac’s management located in the Hazelwood Village, Churchill stored our tables and chairs each evening.

Williams the Shoemen management located in the Mid Valley shopping centre stored our tokens and cash tins each evening. Call in and Ritchies IGA Supermarket management see the friendly staff. located in the Hazelwood Village Churchill, allowed us to sell from within their complex.

8 Vietnam Veteran’s Commemoration Day - 18th August For many years a commemoration to those who served and died in Vietnam has been held on the 18th August, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. This day is known as Vietnam Veteran’s Commemoration Day. Each year on this day services are held at War Memorials throughout Australia. In Morwell on Monday, 18th August, 2008 commencing at 5-45am, there will be a Dawn Service of Reflection at the War Memorial opposite the RSL Sub- Branch.Following the service will be a “Gunfire Breakfast” in the Sub-Branch. Everyone is welcome to attend and should be at the Memorial before 5-45am. A donation of $2-00 or more (if desired) will be the only charge for the breakfast, and that will go to the Vietnam Veteran’s Welfare Fund. Vietnam Veteran’s Welfare - Tokens for the annual “Vietnam Veteran’s Welfare Appeal” will be on sale in the Morwell, Moe, Yallourn / Newborough and Traralgon RSL Sub-Branches. There are a variety of badges on sale, please purchase one from your local RSL. Your support will be gratefully appreciated.

Veteran Community Expo - 2008 A Free Information Expo was conducted in the Morwell RSL’s ANZAC Function Room on 21st & 22nd May. The Expo was a huge success after last year’s inaugural event with attendances of 130 on the first day and 110 on the second day.People attended from both the veteran and general community including quite a few who travelled from other towns in Gippsland.Several people also travelled from as far as Geelong after reading about the Expo on the internet. Attendees were given several interesting “Show Bags,” and a light lunch, morning / afternoon tea and snacks were provided by the Morwell RSL. Latrobe Community Health and Red Cross, together with the groups who provided presentations also had “Information Stalls” set-up in the Milne Bay Function Room.Booklets, pamphlets and additional information were readily available. The Morwell RSL Power House Day Club also manned a craft stall. Very good information addresses were presented by the Department of veterans’ affairs, Australian Hearing, Victoria Police, Consumer Affairs’ Vic, Mind Australia, Residential & Home Support Services, Occupational Therapist Assessments Aids & Appliances Program, Maryvale Private Hospital, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Alzheimer’s Australia, Vision Services, Red Cross and the RSL ANZAC House – Victorian Aged Care Program. As section of the large audience at the Expo The Expo was organized and promoted by Michael Mihaly from the Morwell office of Veterans’ Affairs with assistance from Val & Lyndon Giles and several volunteers, all from the Morwell RSL’s Welfare Group. It has been suggested that the Expo could now become an annual event and the organizers are keen to promote this idea, in fact work has already commenced in planning “EXPO – 2009.”

Sentence? ( Answer on Page 19 ) Have a good look at the following string of letters. - ELLHEEACHERHATINAALKSURKISH. If you insert the same letter seven times you will make a perfectly reasonable sentence. What is it? 9 Entertainment Calender – (Shez’s GIG Guide) - Our Supervisor Sheryl has organised the following entertainment for you all. Please support these evenings and have a great time. JUNE JULY Wednesday 4th - “Under the Spotlight” Wednesday 2nd - “Under the Spotlight” ( Featuring Phil & Joel ) ( Featuring Gaye Lynn ) Friday 6th - FLATLINERS Friday 4th - THE BADGERS Saturday 7th - RECKLESS Saturday 5th - ESQUIRES Friday 13th - COOLCHANGE Friday 11th - COOLCHANGE Saturday 14th - REVOLVER Saturday 12th - LOW PROFILE * Sunday 15th - OLD TIME DANCE * Friday 18th - BIG AL ( Ken & Alice Ray - 2pm until 4pm. – Free ) Saturday 19th - MISTY th Friday 20 - BLACKHILL RAMBLERS * Sunday 20th - OLD TIME DANCE * st Saturday 21 - ROCKIN’ COUNTRY ( Ken & Alice Ray - 2pm until 4pm. – Free ) Friday 27th - HOUND DOGS Friday 25th - STONEAGE Saturday 28th - I.C. ROCK Saturday 26th - BLACKHILL RAMBLERS

Entertainment functions marked thus * will be held in the ANZAC Room (The Big Function Room), with Entry Charges as noted. All others will be held in the Members Lounge and are Free Entry. Starting times for these functions is around 8-00pm.

Please check the latest “Gig Guide” at the Sub-Branch reception desk or contact the club by telephone on 5134 2455 in case there are any late changes to the entertainment calendar. The “GIG” guide is also shown on the Morwell RSL Website at www.morwell.rslvic.com.au

The OLD TIME DANCE with Ken and Alice Rae is a great afternoon’s entertainment. There is always plenty of space for people to come along and enjoy the Music, Games and Friendship, not forgetting the Dancing, of course. The OLD TIME DANCE is held on the Third Sunday of each month. There is no charge for this entertainment. IT’S FREE.

Table Bookings:- Table bookings in advance will NOT be accepted for functions in the Members Lounge. However you may arrange a table for you and your guests on arrival if one is available.

IMPORTANT: - Due to Health regulations, patrons are not allowed to bring food or beverages onto our premises for any function.

Weekly Prize Draws Prize draws are conducted in our Sub-Branch Members Lounge on Wednesday and Friday evenings. On both evenings the prize draws commence at 7-00pm. All prize draws on Wednesday evening and the “Pot Club” on Friday are conducted by the Sub-Branch. The remaining draws on Friday evening are conducted by the Morwell RSL Sub-Branch's Women’s Auxiliary. Prizes include, meat packs and vouchers, Coles Vouchers, chooks, pot club and members cash jackpots 10 VP Day Service at Maryvale Private Hospital

This year’s Anniversary of VP Day Service will be at the Maryvale Private Hospital’s Memorial Rose Garden, on the edge of the main visitor’s carpark. Maryvale Private Hospital will be supplying afternoon tea after the service and we are grateful for that. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated and everyone is welcome. The service commences at 2-00pm on Sunday 17th August, 2008

VP Day, 15th August 1945 News that Japan had agreed to the Allies’ demand for an unconditional surrender reached the Australian government early on the morning of Wednesday, 15th August 1945. The ABC hastily organised a broadcast and at 9.30am Australian Eastern Standard Time, Prime Minister Ben Chifley (who had succeeded John Curtin after his death the previous month) spoke to the nation. He began simply, announcing “Fellow citizens, the war is over”. Word spread as people left for work or school in the eastern states, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. Western Australians woke to find the world both at peace and gone mad simultaneously. The news brought people out into the streets of cities and towns across the nation. Students and workers abandoned schools, shops, offices, and factories as crowds filled the streets. They cheered, danced, and sang, giving vent to a profound jubilation that after six years of war, peace at last prevailed. In the afternoon and evening, communities organised services of thanksgiving or more formal celebrations. The news had been anticipated. Japan’s defeat had long been certain: only when and how it would occur had been unknown. The end came dramatically. While the United States dropped two “atomic bombs” on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Soviet Union invaded Japanese-held Manchuria. The two events compelled the Japanese government to accept the necessity of defeat and surrender. The Australian government officially proclaimed the day as “VP DAY” in the Commonwealth Gazette. The Prime Minister and the Governor- General, the Duke of Gloucester, called it VP in speeches, as did community leaders all over the country. Other countries – Britain, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand – called 15th August 1945 “VJ Day” – “Victory over Japan”. Australia’s term was consistent with the name given to 8th May 1945, when the defeat of Nazi Germany became “Victory in Europe Day”. Many Australians (such as those serving in Britain, or migrants from Britain) remember the day as being called VJ Day, but they are factually incorrect in relation to Australia. Whatever it was called, it is more important to acknowledge the feelings of those who remember that day sixty years ago. As the cheering crowds suggest, many felt joy that the ordeal of war had ended, and had ended in victory. Many others felt ambivalent. The families of prisoners of the Japanese did not usually know where their loved ones were, or whether they were still alive. Many would learn weeks later of the deaths of one in three of those captured in 1942. Australia lost 40,000 dead in the Second World War. Their families surely grieved anew when they realised they could not be together on the first day of peace.

Senior’s Breakfast Special We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the “seniors' special” was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $1.99. “Sounds good,” my wife said. “But I don't want the eggs.” “Then I'll have to charge you two dollars and forty-nine cents because you're ordering a la carte,” the waitress warned her. “You mean I'd have to pay for not taking the eggs?” my wife asked incredulously. “YES!!” stated the waitress. “I'll take the special then.” my wife said. “How do you want your eggs?” the waitress asked. “Raw and in the shell,” my wife replied. She took the two eggs home. DON'T MESS WITH SENIORS!!! They've been around the block more than once, so to speak. 11 Labuan War Cemetery Morwell RSL Sub-Branch member, Daryl Speechley regularly works throughout Malaysia in the oil and gas industry. Some of his work is in the Labuan, Borneo area. He has supplied me with some photographs of the Labuan War Cemetery and Memorial whilst one of his work colleagues an Englishman, Charles Struthers has kindly supplied me, through Daryl, with a copy of 337 photographs of the Labuan War Memorial. This is a great collection and record of the Memorial’s plaques and I congratulate and thank Charles for his dedicated work. If any of you have relatives or friends buried or commemorated there and would like a copy of a photograph showing that serviceman’s memorial, please contact me and I will print a copy for you.

Labuan ( part of Sabah, Malaysia ) is a small island in Brunei Bay, off the coast of north-west Borneo. On the Jalan Tanjong Batu road about 3 kilometres from the Island's town Victoria, and on high ground overlooking the harbour is the Labuan War cemetery. It was constructed, and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Within the Cemetery are the Labuan Memorial and the Labuan Cremation Memorial. It is the only war cemetery in North Borneo and contains the graves of soldiers who either died in battle or captivity. Most of the soldiers were Australians and British with some from the Punjab Signal Corp, New Zealand as well as a few locals. After the War concluded the Australian War Graves Unit entered Borneo and followed the route from Sandakan to Ranau, they found many unidentifiable victims of the infamous “Death Marches”. These and other casualties from battlefield burial grounds and from scattered graves throughout Borneo were originally taken to Sandakan, where a large number of Prisoners of War were already buried. This flat coastal area, however, was subject to severe flooding and it proved impracticable to maintain a permanent cemetery there. The Sandakan graves, of which more than half were unnamed, were therefore transferred to Labuan War Cemetery, specially constructed to receive graves from all over Borneo. The total number of burials in the Labuan Cemetery is 3,905. About 2,700 graves are those of the men from Sandakan as well as the graves of about 500 from Kuching where there was another large prisoner of war camp. The preponderance of unidentified graves numbering more than 2100 is due to the destruction of all the records of the camps by Colonel Suya, the Japanese commandant, before the Australians reached his headquarters at Kuching. When apprehended, [Suya] committed suicide rather than face questioning on his conduct of the Borneo camps. Forming a forecourt immediately inside the main entrance gate at the Cemetery, stands the Labuan Memorial commemorating Service personnel who died while Prisoners of War in Borneo and the Philippines from 1942 to 1945, and during the operations for the recovery of Borneo and have no known grave. It includes the names of more than 2,250 men of the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force, plus 69 personnel from the local forces of North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei. There is also an Indian Section, in front of which is a memorial to the men of the Indian Army, mostly men of the 2/15th Punjab Regiment, who died while Prisoners of War and were buried at Sandakan. They have since been accorded the last rites required by their religion, a committal to fire. Beyond the forecourt, in an open grassed space and in the centre of the cemetery stands the Cross of Sacrifice. The graves lie in long neat rows; the small neat headstones are a bronze plaque mounted on small white sloping concrete blocks each bearing the regimental insignia of the deceased. Throughout the cemetery grow flowering trees and shrubs, adding colour and beauty to the peaceful scene. The lawns are beautifully kept and visitors will appreciate the peace and tranquillity of the site as they seek to understand the senselessness of the deaths of so many brave young men commemorated on the plaques, many identified, and more than half not, but “known unto God”. The Labuan War Cemetery and Memorial is visited very regularly by War Veteran groups, especially from Australia who have included Labuan as an important destination on their battle-field tours circuit. On the first Sunday of November every year, a service to mark Remembrance Day is held there and is attended by locals and foreign visitors.

Labuan War Cemetery – Continued on page 13 12 Labuan War Cemetery – Continued from page 12

After the fall of Singapore in February 1942, several thousand British and Australian Prisoners of War were sent to camps in Borneo, mainly in the Sandakan area on the eastern coast of North Borneo, where they were employed on aerodrome construction. The Australians belonged to the 8th Australian Division. In October 1943 most of the officers were separated from their men and sent to Kuching. Thereafter conditions at Sandakan greatly worsened; the men were starved, beaten and overworked by their captors. In February 1945 the Japanese, anticipating the Allied landings in North Borneo, decided to move most of the Prisoners of War westwards to Ranau, more than 160 miles [257 km] inland from Sandakan. Although many had already been transferred to other centres, more than 2,000 British and Australian servicemen remained, most of them to take part in which was to become known as the infamous “Death March to Ranau”. ( Those who were left behind at the Sandakan POW camp died or were killed ). Those who fell, sick or exhausted, on the journey were killed. Only 260 survivors reached Ranau and they were made to perform superhuman work on starvation rations until they also died or were killed, apart from four who escaped. Only six survived Sandakan and the death marches. Two escaped on the second death march in June 1945. Four others managed to escape in July at Ranau. They were living with the local people when rescued. In 1945, Australian forces launched three military actions against Japanese-held Borneo: at Tarakan, at Labuan-Brunei Bay and at Balikpapan. These were the final Australian campaigns of World War II. Following the Japanese defeat a number of surrender ceremonies were conducted. On 9th September 1945 at Labuan, the commander of the 9th Division, Australian Imperial Force, received the unconditional surrender of the 37th Japanese Southern Army in North Borneo and Sarawak and the spot is marked by a plaque recording that fact. The recapture of Borneo virtually completed the tactical control of the South Pacific.

Labuan War Cemetery Labuan Memorial Labuan Memorial, left and Cross of Sacrifice, centre ( pictures by Daryl Speechley )

Healthy A woman in her early forties is at home jumping naked on the bed and laughing with delight. Her husband watches her for a while and asks, “Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look? What’s wrong with you?” The woman continues to bounce on the bed and says, “I don't care what you think. I just came from having a breast exam and the Doctor said I have no health problems and the breasts of an 18-year-old.” The husband replies, “What did he say about your 42-year old bum?” “Your name never came up,” she replied. 13 Life Members On Friday Evening, 7th March 2008 Julie Bassett and Pat Cox were presented with Life Memberships of the Morwell RSL Women’s Auxiliary. Julie and Pat have both served long periods on the Auxiliaries committee and completed countless hours of voluntary work and fund raising for our Sub-Branch. Many Sub-Branch facilities have been provided by our Women’s Auxiliary and this has been made possible due to its hard working volunteers. Congratulations to both Pat and Julie. Pat is a past President of the Auxiliary whilst Pat Cox and Julie Bassett with their Life Membership Julie has been the Treasurer for many years. Certificates & Auxiliary President, Adrienne Mitrevics

Music Festival The Morwell RSL conducted a Music Festival on Easter Saturday to raise money for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday appeal. The bands that played throughout the day all donated their time for this great cause. The day was topped off with all the bands jamming on stage for over an hour. All Proceeds from Raffles, Auctions and the door taking for the day was donated to the Royal Children's Hospital. In total the Morwell RSL and their patrons raised a total of $7,000. The Music Festival Coordinator Sheryl Knowles and the Morwell RSL Sub-Branch would like to thank the following Bands and Sponsors for their support.

Bands:- I.C.Rock, Coolchange, Esquires, Hound Dogs, Revolver, Reckless, Bill Rowley the Country Rocker, Solo, Katy Vanaken and Jan Bolton.

Sponsors:- Coles Supermarket, Morwell RSL Women's Auxiliary, Australia Post, J & M Jones Motors Pty Ltd, Darling Ice, Cedar Lodge, V-Line, Mechanical Maintenance Solutions Pty Ltd, Latrobe Valley Express, Latrobe City, Mid Valley Florist, Gourmet on Demand, Lois Smith, Morwell RSL Sub-Branch Committee, Mal Sloan Plumbing, Chantilly Lace, Millers Plumbing, Madden auto salvage, Bahcon Steel, Morwell Stationary, PDF Food Service, Prime TV, Centre Management Mid Valley, Gippsland FM, Romlik Pty Ltd, Pax Hill Pizza Traralgon, Hilda Roberts, Bells Bar Supplies Gippsland, Davis and Moller, Steve's Home & Garden, Morwell Ten Pins, Alfresh 2 go Cafe and Juice Bar, Peckish, Dick Harvey, Out of India, Brother Nature Garden Centre, Morwell TAFE Waratah Restaurant, High Gloss Cleaning, Jetset Morwell and Australian Paper Maryvale. Shez said. “The day was a great success. Every one enjoyed themselves and many weeks later people are still talking about it. My goal was to raise $3000.00 and we more than doubled that raising a total of $6810. I would like to thank every one behind the scenes that helped out on the day and also Dianne Teuma, and Ted & Heidi Dunstan.” “A big thank you to Alan Scott ( I.C.Rock ) who was helping me all day organising the PA system, and being the sound technician for all the bands. He was also the auctioneer on the day. John, Amanda and Mary (Hound Dogs) who were also there all day, thank you for letting us use your Backdrop and lighting. Thanks to John for organising all the bands backstage making sure all ran smoothly. Thank you to John Mort and Ron Nolte ( I.C.Rock ) for their support and encouragement and last but by no means least, thank you to all the members and their guests for supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital on the day. Next year will be bigger and better.” Don't miss out. 14 State RSL Duke of Edinburgh Shield, Lawn Bowl's Report 2008 On Friday the 11th April 2008, 18 enthusiastic bowlers representing Morwell RSL set off from the Clubrooms bound for Numurkah to do battle for the State RSL, Duke of Edinburgh Shield. After our usual stop for lunch at Seymour we duly arrived at our destination in North Central Victoria. When our Manager Herb Kennedy booked our accommodation we were unable to get us all together in the one place so some stayed in the Pub and the rest in Cabins at the Numurkah Golf Club. The Pub accommodation was pretty basic and there were a few grumbles but that all changed when everyone returned from Bowl's practice. This was brought about by a ravishing beauty called "Delila" who turned up at the Pub on Friday Night complete with her 3 wheeled bicycle and not only that she took a fancy to the Morwell RSL boys and one in particular. I nearly forgot the bowls and I am pleased in one way, we came second with 4 wins and one loss to the eventual winner Numurkah RSL who played all day with one bowler short and picked the eyes out of who they borrowed to make up their teams. But we couldn't say we were robbed by this as we were given a flogging by them when we played during the day. All in all it was another great weekend where all who went thoroughly enjoyed themselves and one another's company. The weather was excellent, the beer cold and we had a good time together. Our thanks go to Jim Barling and Ron Chapman who were our drivers and got us up and back safely as usual. We all would like to thank our Team Manager Herb Kennedy for the great job he does each year and this one in particular. He carries out this role each year and is a great organiser and in some cases under difficult circumstances. All the Bowlers too would like to thank the Morwell RSL for supporting and subsidising this great trip each year.

Gus McNab. Asst. Manager.

Mal Bugg added - PS: Well done fellows and don't worry one year soon, we will crack a win. The main thing is you represented us gracefully as good sportsmen and RSL members and you also enjoyed yourselves again. I must do some ferreting around to find out about "Delila" though

Library News Thanks to all those who have donated books to our Sub-Branch’s Library in recent months and I apologise for being late with this thank you. Unfortunately though, some of the books were damaged and unsuitable for use in our Library. There are also some that we already have copies of on the shelves. To save duplication etc. in future, if you have books you wish to donate to us, Please send me a list of the proposed book donations, care of our Sub-Branch and I will contact you and assess their suitability. As shelf space is at a premium our library specialises, and is restricted, to books of a military theme only. New shelves have been installed in our library and I am in the process of re-arranging the books. This will allow them to be displayed and viewed in a more pleasant and orderly fashion. Our Library is located in the Conference / Board Room, and is open on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 6-00pm. If you would like to borrow a book or video to take home, you must sign “it-out” in the Red ledger that you’ll find on the shelf, and when you’ve finished with it sign “it-returned”. If the library is not open, please ask one of the staff to unlock the door for you. The library also houses an interesting collection of memorabilia that has been either donated or loaned to our Sub-Branch.

Regards, Your Librarian, Ruth Tickner 15 Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs

New Veteran Mental Health Resources Launched - Mental health in the veteran and defence force communities has received assistance with the launch of a new website and a range of promotion materials on 8th May 2008. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, launched At Ease, an initiative designed to raise awareness and improve mental health in the veteran and service community. Mr Griffin said, “Mental health for our veterans and serving Australian Defence Force members is a high priority for this Government. We want everyone to recognise the importance of mental health and its effect on people’s overall health,“. “At Ease provides simple and relevant self-help information for veterans and serving members, their families, mates and carers. It encourages them to recognise the signs and take the initiative to maintain and build their mental health and wellbeing. Mr Griffin said “the At Ease theme provided a military link that the veteran and defence force communities could identify with. The new website recognised the value of online information and tools in reaching younger veterans and serving members.” Supporting materials have also been developed for health providers and for staff of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs who work with veteran and defence force clients. In launching At Ease, Mr Griffin acknowledged the pivotal role played in its development by the National Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum. “The support of the ex-service community is critical in helping us to reach veterans and their families and provide them with appropriate support, advocacy and advice,” he said. “The Forum has ensured that veteran mental health has remained high on everyone’s agenda. Its members are keen to distribute and publicise these materials and we will be working with them to get the At Ease messages out to the veteran and defence force communities.” At Ease has been developed with the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health and endorsed by the National Veterans’ Health and Wellbeing Forum, representing Australia’s peak ex-service organisations. The At Ease website can be found at www.at-ease.dva.gov.au.

Thousands To Benefit From New Resource Kit - A new resource kit launched on 7th May will help thousands of veterans and older Australians by providing doctors, nurses and allied health professionals with the latest information on wound treatment. “Many people may not appreciate the importance of wound management,” Mr Griffin said. “However, it is a significant issue, affecting thousands of veterans and older Australians as their skin becomes increasingly frail and prone to damage. “The new kit contains the latest treatment information on 12 types of wounds that are common among veterans, war widows and other older Australians and will assist health professionals to decide the most effective way to treat wounds.” It includes an updated wound care wall chart, as well as a new pocket reference guide and a CD-ROM, offering electronic and portable formats to provide health professionals access to wound care information at all times. The kit has been developed in partnership with the Pharmacy Faculty of Monash University as part of the Government’s Quality Use of Medicines program. About 50,000 Wound Care Resource Kits will be distributed nationally to general practitioners, pharmacies, community nursing agencies, residential aged care services and other health care professionals.

These articles regarding the Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs are extracts of media releases from the Dept’s Minister. Originals are available on his website - http://minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases.htm

If you would like additional information regarding these or any other topics that DVA are responsible for please do not hesitate to contact Michael or Phil at the DVA office, No.10 George Street Morwell, Wednesday to Friday or phone them anytime on (03) 5133 0177 or free call 1300 551 918. 16 Greek and Crete Campaigns, 1941 In March and April 1941 the British sent over 58,000 servicemen and women to the defence of Greece and of these 17,125 were Australians of the 6th Division, AIF. The allies suffered over 2,500 dead, 3,400 wounded and over 25,000 taken prisoner. Australian losses were 594 dead, over 1,000 wounded and 5,132 Prisoners of War. For the Greek people the war was a disaster. An estimated 540,000 Greeks perished during the German, Italian and Bulgarian occupation between 1941 and 1944. These include about 450,000 dying from malnutrition, about 25,000 being shot in reprisals and during guerrilla operations and, if they were Jews, about 70,000 died after being transported to concentration camps in Germany. Greeks also remember the harshness of the Bulgarian occupation of Thrace during those years. During and since World War II, close bonds of friendship have existed between Greece and Australia. Hundreds of servicemen not evacuated by the main force were helped by the Greek people, at great personal risk, to escape from the mainland and from Crete. After the war, hundreds of thousands of Greeks made their homes in Australia where today they form one of the largest native-born Greek communities outside Greece.

The Battle of Crete - The Germans called it “Operation Mercury”. We know it as the Battle of Crete and of all the military campaigns fought in Greece during the Second World War, the Battle of Crete will be remembered as one of the strongest acts of defiance against the Nazi aggressors. Although German troops eventually overran Greece’s largest island, it showed for the first time in the war that the Nazi’s were not infallible. Australian, British and New Zealand troops fought valiantly with their Cretan allies in the great battle, forging a special bond between the island’s people and the ANZAC troops. The strategic position of Crete was of paramount importance for Hitler to gain a strong foothold in South Eastern Europe and allow his troops to continue their campaign in the Middle East and prepare for new attacks on the Russian front. On 20th May 1941, the sky over Crete was filled with German paratroopers. Thousands of troops from various parachute and mountain divisions were dropped in the air raid. RAF squadrons, amounting to just 80 serviceable aircraft, whilst the German and Italian air forces combined were able to put into the air over 1100 planes. Undeterred, allied troops delayed their fire and began shooting at paratroopers as they descended. Many Cretans using older, self - loading rifles also attacked the enemy. With limited ammunition and manpower, Cretan villagers and ANZAC troops fought gallantly together, eventually containing the German paratroopers to three main areas of the island. Despite the heavy toll, after seven days of continuous fighting, the Germans deployed more air power and managed to override the island, capturing strategic military positions near Hania, and Rethimno in the west and Iraklio on the eastern flank of the island. Many ANZAC troops and Cretans continued fighting even though defeat was inevitable. By 1st June 1941, the Battle of Crete was over. However, the German occupation had come at a heavy price to both sides. During the ten days of fighting, 781 Australians and New Zealanders were killed and more than 3000 captured. During the evacuation Cretan villagers risked their own lives providing food and shelter for many ANZAC troops who remained on the island, hiding them from Nazi forces. The courageous efforts of ANZAC troops together with the brave Greek and particularly Cretan people, dealt a severe blow to the Nazi’s. From a purely military point of view, however, there was one positive outcome of the defeat in Greece. The XI Fliegerkorps, Hitler’s elite parachute unit, was virtually destroyed in Crete. Of the 3,986 Germans killed or missing in the campaign, more than 3000 were paratroopers killed before or soon after landing by a defence force that was largely ready for them.

Most of this article was sourced from websites of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Office of Australian War Graves at :- www.dva.gov.au/OAWG/war_memorials/overseas_memorials/crete.htm and the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand at www.cretan.com.au/default.page.aspx 17 Veteran’s Dinner - Early Warning This year’s Annual Veteran’s Dinner will be conducted on Sunday 5th October. This annual event is very popular with our members and their guests. The Dinner commences at 5-00pm and will include a 3 course dinner and an interesting guest speaker. Don’t be one of the disappointed ones who miss out. Seats for the dinner will be limited to 180. Please plan to book your individual ticket or a table of 8. Mark this date on your calendar and be ready to book a seat and purchase your tickets when they become available early in August. Full details will be printed in the September edition of our newsletter.

LATROBE VALLEY TRAVEL Latrobe Valley Travel is located at 4 Tarwin Street Morwell. The Proprietor May Sennett is a Member of the Morwell R.S.L. Sub-Branch and together with her Telephone:- (03) 5134 1433 experienced staff is able to assist you with your entire Facsimile:- (03) 5133 9325 travel requirements, from booking a hotel in Melbourne to your dream holiday overseas. Email:- [email protected] When planning your next holiday, visit Latrobe Valley Licencee:- E.M. Sennett t/a Latrobe Valley Travel Travel.They will organise all the details for you. Licence No.:- 31427

5% to 20% Discount on Liquor Purchases Monacellars have been a major supplier to the Morwell RSL Sub-Branch for many years. As a token of their appreciation, Monacellars Wine and Spirit Merchants are giving all members of the Morwell RSL Sub-Branch (except Gaming Members) a 5% discount on all their beer purchases and up to 20% discount on their wine purchases. Monacellars are located in Church Street and on the Corner of the Princes Highway and Tramway Road. To obtain a discount, show your Membership Card when purchasing your beer and wine.

5% Discount on Meat Purchases For many years J & A QUALITY MEATS at 19 Tarwin Street, Morwell have been supplying the meat packs that are raffled in our Sub-Branch on Wednesday and Friday evenings. We don’t believe anyone has ever had reason to complain about the quality of their meat pack prizes. As a token of their appreciation of the co-operation between them and the Morwell RSL, Jack and Ann are giving all members of the Morwell RSL Sub-Branch (except Gaming Members) a 5% discount on all their meat purchases. To obtain a 5% discount, show your Membership Card when making meat purchases. 18 Umbrellas Our Sub-Branch recently purchased a number of umbrellas for our members to use. The umbrellas are navy blue in colour and have an RSL logo printed on them. The umbrellas are available for members who wish to shelter from either the sun or rain. They may be borrowed when required, such as when escorting someone to their car when it’s raining, or as on ANZAC Day, to shelter from the sun. The umbrellas are easily identified and must not be taken home or used for unofficial events away from the Sub-Branch. They must also be returned immediately after use. If you wish to borrow an umbrella, please ask the staff member who is at our reception desk.

The Stock Exchange Explained

For those of you with a desire to understand the volatile market trends - Once upon a time in a jungle village, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each. The villagers seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10 and as the supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort. He further announced that he would now buy monkeys at $20 each. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again. Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer increased to $25 each and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch one! The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50 each. However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on his behalf. In the mans absence, the assistant told the villagers. “Look at all these monkeys in this big cage that the man has collected from you. I will sell them to you at $35 each and when the man returns from the city, you can sell them back to him for $50 each.” The villagers rounded up all their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man or his assistant again, they only had monkeys everywhere! Now you have a better understanding of how the stock market works.

Quiz’s ( Answers from page 3 )

1. Shark Bay 4. Bothwell, Tasmania 7. 13 seconds 2. Fear of Birds 5. Sturt’s Desert Pea 8. Three months 3. Loire 6. In the feet (“Sentence” Answer from page 9 ) The Letter “T” placed as shown TELL THE TEACHER THAT TINA TALKS TURKISH.

DISCLAIMER Information printed in this newsletter is either reprinted from other publications or is derived from other verbal or written notes. While efforts are made to verify the information, the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or the Sub Branch Committee and Management. Readers should not act or rely upon any matters or information contained or implied by this newsletter without checking its accuracy. No responsibility or guarantee is given or implied for any action taken by individuals or groups as a result of information contained within this newsletter and no liability will be accepted for any loss resulting from such use. 19 Sub-Branch Trading Hours Clubrooms Diggers Café Victoria Cross Bistro Monday to Thursday, Every Day Every Day of the Week 10-00am to 1-00am of the Week Lunch - 12-00 noon to 2-00pm Friday & Saturday, 10-00am to 3-00am 11-00am to 2-00pm Dinner - 6.00pm to 8-30pm and Sunday, 5-00pm to 8.30pm For reservations phone Mary on 11-00am to 12-00 Midnight (03) 5135 3689 ______

Morwell RSL BINGO - Enquiries, Phone 5134 8484 on Bingo days only.

Monday Afternoon 2 sessions of 15 games - $3.00 per book. Ticket sales from 10-30am Eyes Down at 12-00 noon Rolling Jackpot Prizes are subject to ticket sales. ------Tuesday Night - ( With Courtesy Bus Available ) 2 sessions of 15 games - $3.00 per book. Ticket sales from 6-00pm Eyes Down at 8-00pm Rolling Jackpot Prizes are subject to ticket sales.

______DON’T FORGET “Jingle Bells in July” - 12-00noon Sunday 13th July in the ANZAC Room ( Cost - $20.00 including, 3 Course Traditional Christmas Dinner ) ( See page 7 for details ) VP Day - Commemoration Service - 2-00pm Sunday 17th August at Maryvale Private Hospital ( See page 11 for details ) Vietnam Veteran’s Commemoration Day, Dawn Service At the Morwell Cenotaph - Monday 18th August at 5-45am Service followed by a Gunfire Breakfast in the Sub-Branch. ( See page 9 for details )

Morwell RSL Annual Veteran’s Dinner in the ANZAC Function Room th Sunday 5 October 2008. ( See page 18 for details )

______Friday 15th August is the closing date for articles to be included in the next newsletter, September Edition 20