When originally unveiled the obelisk was sited in nearby “Wattle Grove” on Sir Lewis Cohen Avenue. The memorial was moved to its present site in 1940. The creators of “Wattle Grove” saw it as Veterans’ Voice a symbolic battlefield or metaphor for the Dardanelles, with the obelisk representative of the cliffs the Australians had climbed at Gallipoli. The cross, which was added in 1918, recognises the Allies’ withdrawal from Gallipoli and the sacrifice of those who remained buried there. A Message from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Wattle Grove and the Cenotaph represent one of our nation’s very first attempts to I decided at a young age that I wanted to mothers and fathers being required to care remember those lost at war. Subsequent be a soldier, and during my 23 years in the for children, maintain the home and earn an to the dedication, women from the Soldiers Army, witnessed the wonderful influence of income in a competitive and costly society – (l-r) BRIG Tim Hanna AM, State President, RSL; the Hon Sir Eric Neal AC CVO, Chairman, these and other ex-service organisations. a support network is critical for these families Veterans’ Advisory Council; MAJGEN Vikram Madan VSM & Bar (Retd), President, SA Indian Ex Mothers Association regularly gathered to conduct ANZAC Day services at the I served in the Special Air Services to function. Defence Officers Club & Chaplain David Prior, 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. Regiment, commanding the 1st memorial. Floral tokens were placed by the Despite these challenges, many defence Commando Regiment and served as The Australasian Soldiers Dardanelles Smith, with Peter Goers OAM delivering mothers and relatives of the men killed at families and ADF personnel enjoy happy commanding officer of the Australian multi- Cenotaph Remembrance Service the welcome address and the Ataturk Gallipoli. and successful lives when they return from national Peacekeepers in Egypt. I was Statement and Bill Denny AM BM reciting deployment. Sadly that isn’t the case for A remembrance service was held at This year marked the 99th anniversary of always acutely aware of issues that affected The Ode of Remembrance. everyone, and during my service around 20 11.00am, Sunday, 7 September at the the dedication of this beautiful memorial my soldier’s or their loved ones, and I would per cent of my contingent who were married, Australasian Soldiers Dardanelles Cenotaph Often referred to as the “Forgotten that means so much. Veterans SA will now support them in any way I could. Memorial. The Memorial is an elegant yet Memorial”, the Australasian Soldiers begin planning with the RSL, 10th/27th experienced marital difficulties. Statistics imposing granite cenotaph surmounted by Dardanelles Obelisk is believed to be the Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment While my Regiment was deployed, it was suggest this is much higher now with both a cross that sits quietly in Lundie Gardens first ANZAC memorial in the nation and and the Spirit of Gallipoli Association also the auxiliary wives clubs that were very partners balancing careers. active in supporting families experiencing at the west end of South Terrace, Adelaide. was unveiled by the Governor General on for next year’s 100th anniversary It is pleasing that the Australian Defence difficulties. This network is arguably more 7 September, 1915 – 135 days after our commemoration. Force proactively implements plans to The service was funded by a grant from the critical now than in the past. During the troops stormed ashore at Gallipoli. care for families as part of its operational Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith MP, Minister World Wars there was a sense of national commitments – it’s realised that a happy for Veterans’ Affairs and was hosted by Ian commitment to the conflict, providing family will indeed make for a happy soldier. some comfort to those involved - everyone Veterans Radio Updates Welcome to the Spring Edition of the had a family member serving somewhere. To everyone who supports our servicemen Veterans’ Voice. However later in Malaya, Korea, Vietnam and women, Legacy, the RSL and other ex- Weekly Updates are featured on the following and now the Middle East our commitment serviceman organisations, I thank you on radio shows from the Office of the Minister for Veterans’ I was very proud to be appointed your is much smaller in terms of numbers behalf of the Australian community. Affairs, the Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith MP. Minister on the 27th of May. and some may say our unified national We are approaching a significant moment Show Time Station The veterans’ community is close to my commitment may have diminished from in our nation’s history – the Centenary of heart. My grandfather was a rat of Tobruk where it once was. VVF Tue 6pm - 8pm 88.7 FM ANZAC. I look forward to meeting as many of in World War Two, serving in the 2nd/10th (CoastFM) Expectations within our society have you as possible during this time. Battalion in the Middle East and New also changed. During World War Two VVA Thur 7pm - 8pm 1197 AM Guinea. My other grandfather served in our servicemen and women were often (5RPH) both World Wars – these people had a separated from their families for long significant influence on me. I was pleased RSL Thur 6pm - 6.15pm 1197 AM periods of time, sometimes up to 5 years. to be able to now advocate on behalf of the (5RPH) Even during the Vietnam conflict families veterans’ community. were expected to wait for a year before Vietnam Mon 6pm - 8pm 105.1 FM seeing their partners again. Modern Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith MP Veterans (TraxFM) It troubled me that my grandfathers and Mid North of SA their mates returned home with little families now have different demands with Minister for Veterans’ Affairs support, at a time when there was no The Legacy Mon 3pm - 4pm 101.5FM comprehension of the psychological (Radio Adelaide) Hour impacts of war. Often the only people they could turn to for help was their mother or wife. Sadly many servicemen didn’t return Funding Opportunities home and made the ultimate sacrifice - in To assist ex-service organisations, the absence of professional guidance, Veterans SA has put together Legacy was formed and has since a consolidated list of funding supported the families that were left behind. opportunities that governments, both The RSL was also established in 1916. State and Commonwealth, are offering Over the years it has evolved into a to the veterans’ community. beacon for soldiers seeking comradery Please telephone my office on and a listening ear. The incredibly tight 8226 8552 should you require any knit veterans’ community has always been further information about these funding galvanised by common experiences and are opportunities. often the only people who really understand each other. In Sinai Desert, Egypt while Commanding Officer of Australian multi-national Peacekeepers Spring 2014 New Governor on the sacrifice made by those Australians who came to the other side of the world to On 1 September, 2014 His Excellency the protect him and his family. The memorial Hon Hieu Van Le AO was sworn in as the also commemorates South Vietnamese Governor of South Australia. servicemen, his fellow countrymen, who Governor Le succeeds Rear Admiral the fought to protect their homeland. This Hon Kevin Scarce AC CSC RAN (Retd), small, moving ceremony says much about who served in the role with distinction since this special couple, their priorities and the August 2007. The veterans’ community is gratitude they have to and love for Australia. very grateful for the guidance and support His Excellency is also the Patron of the the former Governor and Mrs Scarce have Vietnam Veterans Federation and most provided it over the last seven years of recently spoke eloquently at their Coral / extraordinary service. Balmoral commemorative service. Governor Le is known to many of us and We congratulates Governor Le, Mrs Lan Le regularly attends Vietnam Veteran events. and their sons Don and Kim (The boys were He is enormously grateful to Vietnam named after Australian test cricket captains veterans for their service to his country Don Bradman and Kim Hughes) and wish of birth and takes every opportunity to them well for the future. reinforce his gratitude. The veterans’ community farewell inaugural Veterans SA Director, Bill Denny AM BM As almost their first duty His Excellency and Mrs Le visited the State National War Memorial on Wednesday, 3 September, Meet the Minister & Farewell to During his tenure Bill worked closely with 2014 to place a tribute. After a few Bill Denny Event – Wednesday, “Operation Aussies Home” and the Federal moments of quiet reflection they moved to 16 July, 2014 Government to locate the remains of the the Vietnam War Memorial to do likewise. last two servicemen lost killed in action in This wonderful tribute so early in his tenure On Wednesday, 16 July, over 200 people (l-r) His Excellency the Hon Hieu Van Le AO, the Vietnam War. They were discovered Governor of South Australia; the Hon Sir Eric reflects His Excellency’s gratitude to all attended a Meet the Minister & Farewell to Mr after 39 years and Bill was privileged to Neal AC CVO, Chairman, Veterans’ Advisory those who served our nation, his adopted Bill Denny AM BM Function. The event was be invited fly to Vietnam to help return the Council and the Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith home, and who delivered to us the way of hosted by The Hon Sir Eric Neal AC CVO remains of Flying Officer Michael Herbert MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs life we enjoy today. His Excellency reflected who spoke highly of the outgoing Director to Adelaide and to read the eulogy at The Repat Foundation’s Remembrance Business Breakfast will be of Veterans SA and his contribution to the Michael’s State Funeral.