RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH Issue 96

RSL Angeles City Sub Branch Philippines

NEWSLETTER # 96 March 2015

WEBSITE: WWW.RSLANGELESCITY.COM FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/RSLACITY

This years for example to the Income Tax conference department, Child Support President’s Report concentrated on the Agency, Centrelink, police, etc. by James Curtis-Smith – Sub-Branch President role of warden’s as part etc, or in fact anybody without of the emergency your consent, and except in the PRESIDENT’S response team. The importance case of an emergency affecting REPORT – March of this information was your safety and well being, and 2015 highlighted by the role the then only to DFAT, who are During the third wardens from Leyte, and answerable under the Privacy week of March the particularly Tacloban, played Act to you, when accessing that annual Consular when Typhoon Yolanda hit. information. Last year 233,000 Wardens Australians visited the To enable the Australian Philippines. Conference was Embassy to properly assist held in Manila. The present Australians, whether tourists or A reminder of the next Medical wardens for region long term expats, it is advisable Mission at Barangay Pulung are myself, Ross Mangan and to register with the Embassy. If Maragul, on Easter Saturday, Harley Milsop. The appointment not already registered I strongly April 4. Map and further is honorary. urge you to do so. The process information elsewhere in this The conference is a is easy and can be done on line. newsletter (page 7). We again reporting and training session Go to the Australian Embassy are looking for your assistance. and is an opportunity for the website at It is all over by noon and is very wardens from all parts of the www.philippines.embassy.gov.au and close to the “Ponder” for a Philippines to get to know each follow the link on the left side of refresher following. the opening page entitled other, as well as the staff and Finally, a reminder of the Consular appointees of the “Register with us”. I am assured by the Consuls at the Embassy observation by this Sub Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs of the 100th anniversary of and Trade, (“DFAT”). that the information contained is very strictly guarded under the ANZAC Day on April 25 next. Privacy Act and is not available The format will be the same as RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 2

ADVERTISEMENT . ADVERTISING

William Taggart (NSW) * Troy Stewart (QLD) * Gerald Hauck (A/C) * Jim Christopher (A/C) * Dean Pascoe (A/C) * Andrew Cox (NSW) *

______//______

RSL EVENTS SCHEDULE

April 2015

Night Moves Club Raffle every Monday at 4:30 & 6:00PM.

Phillies Sports & Grill Raffle every Saturday at 6.00 PM. (no raffle ANZAC Day 25 Apr 15)

MEDICAL MISSION Saturday 4 APR 15 Cruz Avenue Angeles (see mud map on page 7) Tuesday 07 APR 15 2.00 PM... COMMITTEE Meeting 2.00 Social Tuesday Ponderosa 4.00 MOONS* ROBBIES * KICK BACK RELAX

Tuesday 14 APR 15 2.00 PM WELFARE COMMITTEE 2.00 Social Tuesday Ponderosa 4.00 VFW POST* GREEN BOTTLE* in previous years, but this year LOST IN ASIA commencing with a dawn Tuesday 21 APR 15 2.00 GENERAL (5.00am muster) service at the MEETING 2.00 Social Tuesday Clark Veterans Cemetery and Ponderosa 4.00 PORKY’S * BABY followed by a gunfire breakfast DOLLS * MISCHIEF and “other” at the Swagman. I Tuesday 28 APR 15 2.00 Social hope we can attract a record Tuesday Ponderosa 4.00 attendance for this centenary of PONDEROSA what I believe is Australia’s Check out our web site biggest annual day. WWW.RSLANGELESCITY.COM or Facebook for details or Email: [email protected] +639177956785 JAMES E CURTIS-SMITH

President RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 3

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Life Sub Scribers 57 9 66 Y-14 = Membership Fees - PAID to 31st Dec. 2014 72 112 25 209 WELFARE OFFICE NOW OPEN Y-15 = Membership Fees - PAID to 31st Dec. 2015 93 150 35 278 EVERY SECOND TUESDAY TO Y-16 = Membership Fees - PAID to 31st Dec. 2016 1 2 0 3 Y-17 = Membership Fees - PAID to 31st Dec. 2017 2 4 0 6 THOSE WHO HAVE DVA ISSUES, Y-18 = Membership Fees - PAID to 31st Dec. 2018 3 2 1 6 228 279 61 568 PLUS WELFARE COMMITTEE, AT

MY HOUSE 1127B TEODORDO ST

STA MARIA 1 BALIBAGO

(DOWN FROM NORMA MONEY CHANGERS )

Dallas Drake New Cards that arrived at the Ponderosa on the 28 Feb 15 ______//______Rene Durand Affiliate 1425213 Dale Dyer Service 1425933 Jeffrie Jeanes Affiliate 1425944 Steven Gebhardt Service 1425942 Jim Hunt Affiliate 1425901 David McCamley Service 1425925 William Rowe Affiliate 1425941 Darren Starega Affiliate 1425926

Sadly 209 members are still Warren Stevens Affiliate 1425932 deciding if Angeles City RSL is Andrew Tiver Affiliate 1425894 worth renewing. Please remember your small membership fee will If your name is above, nick into reception at the Ponderosa Hotel and assist us to help the needy pick your card up children of Angeles and you will SOMETHING TO THINK presenting the kids going through the be part of a great hard working mission with candy. team. ABOUT Although it is well meaning in essence, it (See the list in the centre column) TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE is not a good look. Also, the medical staff EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST attending has asked that, for dental health ______//______YOU'LL EVER BE, SO reasons alone, that the practice cease. ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS. Medical staff are encouraging the kids ______//______about dental health and how candy is not good for growing teeth. A REQUEST TO DESIST Not only that, but the kids getting candy Our Sub Branch does many good things rush out and tell their mates about the in our local community. One of them is giveaway and then there is a line up. the conduct of our monthly Medical Missions. We hereby request those volunteers presenting the kids with candy cease the We have great volunteer turn-ups and it is practice. A good idea is to offer fruit or a greatly appreciated. sticker or two in lieu of candy. However there has been a couple of Thanks comments made with the practice of

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 4

WAG/MEMBER OF THE ADVANCE NOTICE- IMPORTANT MONTH A very important item is the planned special general meeting. This is to debate and vote whether the Angeles Sub Branch should apply to the Victoria State Executive for authority to have 1 year terms for executive and committee instead of the 2 year term which is in the Vic. constitution. This special meeting will be held before the monthly general meeting May 19th at 1400hrs. Myline Rothnie BIG TURN-UP REQUESTED Its early Saturday morning, the tables are set and the Barangay children assembled. Then out of the mist comes the truck with the medicines to distribute. Super calm Darren and Myline Rothnie guide the truck in, peering over a pile of Jollibee wrappers on the dash. As soon as the truck arrives Myline is straight into the action setting up the worming area for the children and making sure the right dose goes to each child. Myline is a worthy WAG/Member of the month for the dedicated way she coordinates the Worming station for the needy children of Angeles.

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 5

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS organise continued resistance to the British. The Real Audencia also appointed Anda as Lieutenant Governor and Visitor-General. Glory Muggeridge Family That night Anda took a substantial and Friends portion of the treasury and official records with him, departing Fort Last time one of our hardworking Santigo through the postern of Our members John Muggeridge went Lady of Solitude, to a boat on the back to Australia he showed Pasig River, and then to . pictures to his elderly mother what He moved headquarters from the Angeles City RSL does. “We are going to give you Bulacan to Bacolor, Pampanga, which was more secure, and Glory, John’s mum was touched a free wheelchair young with what his RSL organisation quickly obtained the powerful achieves with the children of man” support of the Augustinians. Angeles. Anda eventually raised an army Glory was practically interested in which amounted to over 10,000 how much the wheel chairs cost to combatants, most of them give away to needy children. John volunteer natives, and although informed his Mum the ‘special they lacked enough modern needs wheel chairs’ cost the RSL weapons, they were successful in around AUD $80. Hearing the keeping the British forces confined amount, Glory coordinated family to Manila. On 8 October 1762 and friends to donate AUD$80 to Anda wrote to Rojo informing him the RSL to contribute towards one that Anda had assumed the position wheelchair. of Governor and Capitan-General under statutes of the Council of the Mrs Muggeridge, the Angeles City Indies which allowed for the RSL thanks you for your kind devolution of authority from the donation and a needy Angeles City Governor to the Audiencia in cases child will appreciate your of riot or invasion by foreign

compassionate help. forces, as such was the case. Anda, And we did. EASY eh being the highest member of the Audiencia not captive by the British, assumed all powers and ______//______demanded the royal seal. Rojo declined to surrender it and refused THE BRITISH OCCUPANCEY to recognise Anda as Governor- OF MANILA (PART 2) General. Last month we started to learn The surrender agreement between about the British occupation of Archbishop Rojo and the British Manila during 1762-4. Here is Part military guaranteed the Roman 2 (and final) headed Resistance Catholic religion and its episcopal government, secured private In the meantime the Royal property, and granted the citizens Audience of Manila had organised This donation will enable the RSL to of the former Spanish colony the donate another chair like this to a a war council and dispatched Oidor rights of peaceful travel and of needy child. Don Simón de Anda y Salazar to the provincial town of Bulacan to RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 6

Postern of Our Lady of Solitude then broke out through which Anda escaped with between most government papers and Dawsonne about half the treasury ↓ Drake and the military commanders who replaced Draper and Cornish, preventing "the enemy is in full possession of either effective military action or the country". fruitful negotiations with Anda. The British accepted the written End of the occupation surrender of the Philippines from The Seven Years' War was ended Archbishop Rojo on 30 October by the signing of the Treaty of Paris 1762, but the Royal Audience of on 10 February 1763. At the time Manila had already appointed of signing, the signatories were not Simón de Anda y Salazar as the aware that Manila had been taken new Governor-General as provided by the British and consequently it for under the statutes of the fell under the general provision that Council of the Indies, as was all other lands not otherwise pointed out by Anda and provided for be returned to the trade 'as British subjects'. Under retrospectively confirmed by the Spanish Crown After Archbishop King of , in his re- British control, the Philippines Rojo died in January 1764, the would continue to be governed by appointment of both Anda and British military finally recognised Basco. It was not the first time that the Real Audencia, the expenses of Simón de Anda y Salazar as the which were to be paid by Spain. the Audiencia had assumed legitimate Governor of the responsibility for the defence of the However, Anda refused to Philippines, sending him a letter recognise any of the agreements Philippines in the absence of a addressed to the “Real Audiencia higher authority; in 1646, during signed by Rojo as valid, claiming Gobernadora y Capitanía General”, that the Archbishop has been made the Battles of La Naval de Manila, after which Anda agreed to an it temporarily assumed the to sign them by force, and armistice on the condition that the therefore, according to the statutes government and maintained the British forces withdraw from defence of the Philippines against of the Council of the Indies, they Manila by March. were invalid. He also refused to the Dutch. negotiate with the invaders until he The British ended the occupation As Francisco Leandro Viana, who was addressed as the legal by embarking from Manila and was in Manila during the 20-month Governor-General of the in the first week of April occupation, explained to the Philippines, returning to the British 1764, and sailing out of Manila Spanish King in 1765, "the English the letters that were not addressed Bay for Batavia, India, and conquest of the Philippines was to that effect. All of these England. just an imagined one, as the initiatives were later approved by English never owned any land the King of Spain, who rewarded Assessment The British failure to extend beyond the range of the cannons in him and other members of the Manila. Audiencia, such as José Basco y control beyond Manila and Cavite made their occupation's Vargas, who had fought against the That is the end of two parts which invaders. continuation unviable. Captain Thomas Backhouse reported to the is an abridged story I gleaned The isolated British force proved Secretary of War in London that for the famous Wikipedia website. insufficient. Severe disagreements RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 7

These flashy fellows are some of our Sub Branch members attending the wedding of Phil and Christine Salmon.

Phil and Christine were married on Valentines Day and the next week, Phil was elected Secretary of our sub branch.

They are great supporters of the RSL Medical Missions and I believe Christine represents the Philippines at flag raising ceremonies.

Photo courtesy of Anthony Cullen

Here is the Mud Map for the April 4th MM. It’s Easter Saturday but the Nurses CONGRATULATIONS assure us that they can attend. The location's correct name is covered area, Pulong Maragul, on Cruz AV. Just around the corner from the Ponderosa.

Swagman Narra Resort this ANZAC Day RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 8

AUSTRALIAN FILIPINOS University of St John in Shanghai. On the Charles served as a wireless maintenance IN WORLD WAR 2 eve of WW2, he was working with his mechanic throughout the war until father in a shipping firm in Shanghai. 7 December 1945. Part 6 : Charles See-Kee When the Japanese Marines came, Charles smuggled himself out and made In Darwin after the war, Charles was The first Filipinos to settle in northern his way to Darwin to join his brother heavily involved in social, civic and Australia were the pearl and shell divers of Bennett. Their father remained in China community work, and was a founding the 1870s and 1880s who came to and was the spearhead of the anti- member of the Multilingual Broadcasting Thursday Island and Darwin, and became Japanese movement in his locality. Association. He received several awards, patriarchs of Territorian families. At least culminating in 1988 with the Medal of the seventeen of their descendants are known Charles was briefly an Army censor and Order of Australia (OAM). The NT to have served in uniform during World Chinese interpreter at Headquarters 7th Government today offers a ‘Charles See War 2. Military District in Darwin. He was not Kee Leadership Scholarship’ to assist commissioned however because he was students who have been resettled in The Garr family so Chinese in appearance and was Australia as a humanitarian or refugee assumed to have a low standard of entrant to undertake study which furthers The Australian Garr and See-Kee families education (despite his academic employment and leadership outcomes. are descended from the Filipino pearlshell- qualifications). diver Carlos Ga (1854-1931) from the Paul A Rosenzweig Dinagat Islands in northeastern Mindanao. In Darwin, Charles was a member of the He came to Thursday Island in about 1870 Chinese Recreation Club (President in [email protected] at the age of 16, and later went to Port 1940-42), and in 1941 he established the Darwin: he and his Welsh wife Mary Anne Chinese Chamber of Commerce. More info at: Bunyan (1864-1909) had a total of eleven https://www.facebook.com/Thanks.Digger children. He later worked with the Primary Producers Board, and was the During World War 2 one of Carlos Ga’s Administrator’s secretary at Government sons, a Great War veteran, served again House. During the first Japanese raids on in military uniform, as also did two of his 19 February 1942, he sought refuge with grandsons – Bennett and Charles See- the Administrator and Mrs Abbott and their Kee. staff in a bomb shelter under the Administrator’s office: a direct hit brought Spanias and Tsang See-Kee the office down on them but they scrambled for safety. Charles Tsang See-Kee was born in Hong Kong on 21 January 1913. His mother was When everyone was evacuated out of LAC Charles See-Kee in the RAAF in Carlos and Mary Anne Ga’s second child Darwin, Charles stayed as a voluntary Air December 1942, aged 29. Maria Espanias Ga (1888-1947), known Raid Precautions (ARP) Warden until the as ‘Josephine’ or simply as ‘Spanias’. last civilians were evacuated on 5 April.

His father was Tsang Lam Chiu (1878- 121799 Leading Aircraftman Charles 1947), a merchant from Hong Kong who See-Kee operated an import-export business on Thursday Island and was known in Charles enlisted in the RAAF at Wayville Australia as Tsang See Kee. Spanias and Camp in Adelaide on 5 December 1942, Tsang had six children, some of whom aged 29. This time he stated his nationality came to Darwin such as Charlie’s brother as ‘British’ – although he had been born in Bennett. Although young Charlie was of Hong Kong to a Chinese father, his mother Filipino descent, in appearance he and his was of Filipino-Welsh descent and had brothers were quite distinctively Chinese. been born on Thursday Island. The interviewing officer at No. 5 Recruiting Charles See-Kee (1913-2002) Centre noted, “Appears a full blooded chinaman”. Charles attended Nudgee College in Charles See-Kee re-visits Government Brisbane, Ling Nam University in Canton, House, Darwin in 1993, aged 80. St Steven’s College in Hong Kong and the RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 9

Returned & Services League of Australia Angeles City Sub Branch, Philippines MINUTES OF MONTHLY

GENERAL MEETING HELD MARCH 17TH 2015 Call to order: at 1400 hrs. Ode to the fallen Vice President Bob Barnes Attendance 14 (as registered) Apologies: - President James Curtis Smith Treasurer Ron Parrot Committee/Welfare Chris Weeks Vice President Garry Barnes

New members/transfers: Visitors: Lieutenant Commander PAUL BORGAS csm

President’s Report: no written report was available. Vice President Bob Barnes read the minutes of the last committee meeting held 3rd March 2015. It was confirmed that RON BINDAMEN be appointed as the membership officer.

Treasurer’s report: As the treasurer is overseas, no report was available.

Minutes of meeting: The chairman read the minutes of the general meeting held 17th February Motion: The minutes of the general meeting held 17th February be accepted as a true and accurate record Moved Scott Seconded Kooka

Before reading the incoming/outgoing correspondence, the secretary thanked Ray Stenhouse for his help during the handover of secretary duties.

Inward correspondence: - Email from Larry Adkison confirming we can use Clark Cemetery Newsletter editor confirming that Kooka will be in the newsletter along with his contact details

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 10

Outward Correspondence: - Larry Adkison, Seeking permission to use Clark Cemetery on ANZAC day Ambassador Bill Tweddell Invitation to ANZAC Day from President James Newsletter Editor requesting that Kooka be in the newsletter as quartermaster and in charge of merchandising

Motion: The inward correspondence be accepted and the outward mail be endorsed Moved Philip Salmon Seconded Darby Allen

Welfare report: A brief outline of the welfare was given by Graham

General Business: Lindsay advised that the next medical mission will be held at MARAGUL (close to President James home), the mission has been verbally approved. The date will be 4th April. Kooka is to order the medicines.

Greg Mann will be away and miss the mission. The secretary will attend to hearing aid requests etc. and also run the de-worming table.

Greg informed that only 12 children are on the waiting list for the special wheelchairs.

Paul Borgas spoke to the members and has heard of the work that the Sub Branch does at the medical missions and would like to help and seek support. (Note: Paul will join the Sub Branch today)

Motion: That Paul be appointed to the committee and be issued with a photo album of the missions to gain support in Australia. Moved Philip Salmon Seconded Kooka

Note: The secretary will produce a letter of introduction giving Paul the authority to speak on behalf of the members relating to fund raising for the medical missions.

Lindsay produced a damaged wheelchair which is less than 3 years old. The child has been given a new small chair but should be considered for a new special type.

The Fat Boys (Hong Kong) are hopeful that funds will be donated to us around shortly

Lindsay is going to Australia (6th April) and will need a replacement for the medical missions. Generally agreed that the truck carrying the meds should leave earlier and also carry the goods that Lindsay normally takes.

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 11

Kooka has ordered special 100 year beer wraps which will be available on ANZAC day.

Ray is going to Australia soon and is looking for someone to organize raffles etc. He read the up-coming events and todays bar hop.

Bob Barnes produced raffle tickets for the VFW, 300 peso a book to be drawn 12th April

Bob will visit a local school after the meeting who have shown interest in helping at the medical missions.

Greg Mann mentioned the FRA day, 11th April. All present agreed that the Sub Branch pay the entrance fees etc.

There being no further business, the Vice President closed the meeting at 1445 hrs.

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 96 12

Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel 1734 San Pablo St., Mt.View Balibago, Angeles City 2009, Philippines

President James Curtis-Smith Mobile: + 63-917-503-2602 Email: [email protected]

Vice Presidents Bob Barnes Gary Barnes Mobile: +63-928-145-6756 Mobile: +63-TBA Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

RSL Angeles City Sub Branch Philippines Secretary Treasurer Philip Salmon Ronald (Ron) Parrott Mobile: +63-9287424628 Mobile: +63-939-936-5939 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Quartermaster Editor ‘Kooka’ Larry Smith Email: [email protected]

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance”

Lest We Forget

NOTE The Gun Fire Breakfast will occur earlier this year due to the DAWN SERVICE being at 5:00am