HIS MAJESTY’S PLEASURE... NASHONASHO NEWSNEWS NATIONAL SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF AUST (QLD) INC.

The King of Tonga’s Coronation last month had a Nasho flavour – literally. The food and banquets celebrating the succession of King George Tupou the 5th to the throne were organised and directed on behalf of the Tongan Government by well-known restaurateur, Michael Platsis. He owned the State’s top restaurant, Michael’s, in and has moved it to Tedder Avenue at Main Beach on the Gold Coast. Royalty and other prominent guests from around the world attended the Tongan ceremony. Michael was a 1970s National Serviceman whose talent soon showed through to the point where he was in charge of the Officers’ Mess at Victoria Barracks and the functions at the residence of the G.O.C. Northern Command at Indooroopilly. The King of Tonga was well pleased – that’s a personal award of the Tongan Coronation medal Michael is wearing with his Centenary of Federation, Australian Defence and Australian National Service medals. Printed by Monoset Printers & Typesetters Phone 3205 4277 Fax 3881 1826

NATIONAL SERVICEMEN’S ASSOC POSTAGE (QUEENSLAND) INC. NEWSLETTER SURFACE PUBLICATION No. P.P. 444963/000003 PAID P.O. BOX 7014 HOLLAND PARK EAST MAIL QLD, 4121 AUSTRALIA

Issue No 92 October 2008 Feature Stories:State Conference Roundp1 Up NSAA Puts ADM Casep3 Nashos All Overp4 Directory Front Cover Passing the torch Ð Ivan Davis of the NASHO NOTICEBOARD State Management Darwin Branch during the Dedication Got a reunion planned? Looking for an old of the National Service memorial Committee plaque at the Darwin War Memorial Nasho mate? Want to get information on Patron: for Vietnam Veterans Day. Major-General Kevin Cooke AO RFD ED The photo is by the Northern anything? This is your page . . . President: Territory News, Darwin. Colin Bell 3285 4232 3889 1993 Fax Vice-President: MERCHANDISE Bill Morriss 4632 2850 Secretary: Branches are requested to Howard Bazeley 3343 1417 direct all enquiries for 3343 4195 Fax merchandise to the State Treasurer: Warren Hegarty 4779 5590 Office on (07) 3324 1277 or 4725 2272 Fax P.O. Box 7014 Holland Park Administration Manager: East 4121 Tony Stevenson 3397 7512 Committee Members: John Brosnan 5428 2627 Allen Callaghan 3396 3369 Official NSAA Ivan Davis 0422 647 790 Merchandise Evan Edwards 3396 4349 OFFICIAL NSAA MERCHANDISE Beret $26.50 Noel Findlay 3398 5515 Beret Badge – Pewter $5.50 John Hardy 4091 9309 Beret Badge – Silver Six Sided Logo $20 Alex Nunn 5499 2810 Book – 20 Year History of the NSAA 1987 to 2007 $25 Caps Embroidered with Nasho Logo $17.50 Bruce Reedman 3488 0557 Coffee Cup with Nasho Logo $ 9.00 Flag – Association Logo White Full Size (6'x3') $180 We’ve published this picture, despite it not reproducing well, because it’s one of the more unusual Platoon records. Usually we posed for posterity in Summer or Winter walking out dress with or without berets and Media Officer/Editor Nasho News: Flag – Association Logo White small size (hand waver) $12.50 Lapel Badge – Association Blue $5.50 occasionally slouch hats. This one shows not only slouch hats but blancoed webbing and gaiters with brass Allen Callaghan 3396 3369 Lapel Badge – Navy, or Air Force $6.50 buckles well polished. It’s of 14 Platoon C Company February 1952 at Old Holsworthy and was sent to us by 3396 5460 Fax Lapel Badge – Tri-service $6.50 Medals Full Size Unmounted Swing Court Edward Holmes of 69 Lakeside Leisure Village Lake Munmorah NSW looking for any of his old Nasho mates. 0409 219 058 ADM $18 $22.50 $27.50 [email protected] ANSM $18 $22.50 $27.50 1/712175 H Forbes of Pomona wishes to thank Duo ADM+ANSM $36 $45 $55 1/718580 Ken (Gus) Geysing who was in the Membership Officer: Miniatures Unmounted Swing Court 3rd Intake at Wacol in 1955 is looking for an Redcliffe Nashos and the RSL for their Ray Lower 5447 6691 ADM $12 $16.50 $21 old Navy Nasho mate, Donald Cummings, assistance for the funeral of his twin brother, ANSM $12 $16.50 $21 now believed to be living in the Ingham/Tully Ron, also a Nasho, of C Coy 10PI Wacol 2nd Chaplain: Duo $24 $33 $42 Medal Ribbon bar with ADM+ANSM medal ribbons $12 area. Phone (07) 4152 7676 Intake 1954. Captain John Tatters 3204 5985 Necktie with Nasho Logo $33.50 Nasho Pocket Patch – Bullion Thread – Red $36 Head Office & Membership Inquiries: Nasho Pocket Patch – Queensland Red Logo $ 9 National Servicemen’s Hall Nasho Port $13.50 Eric Sivell Park, Nasho Key Rings Acrylic $4.50 Nasho Wattle Key Rings $10 171 Boundary Road, Camp Hill, Brisbane 4152 Number plate covers ‘I Am a Nasho’ $22 Phone: 3324 1277 Shirts – Chambray short or long sleeves S M L XL XXL (add $3 for XXXL size) $36 Fax: 3324 2777 Shirts – Polo White or Maroon S M L XL XXL Office Hours: 9:00am to 1:00pm (add $3 for XXXL size) $31 Monday, Friday Stubby Holder with Nasho Logo $5.50 Video – 50 year anniversary celebrations $15 All Correspondence to: Video – Last March Out at Wacol $15 P.O. Box 7014 Holland Park East Qld 4121 Wall Plaque – 6 sided Nasho Logo on Timber $42.50 Email [email protected] Pay by Credit Card – add $1.00 IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER WebThe material contained in www.nashoqld.org.au this publication is in the nature of general comment only, and neither purports, nor is intended, to be advice on any particular matter. Readers should not act or rely upon any matter or information contained or implied by this publication, without taking appropriate professional advice which relates specifically to their particular circumstances. The publishers and authors expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person whether an Association member or not, who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon the whole or part of the publication. Views expressed in any Editorial may not necessarily be those views held by the Management Committee. NSAA STALWARTS RECOGNISED BY AWARDS LAST POST Three members of the National Servicemen’s Association have been recognised by awards for distinguished service. The State Treasurer, Warren Hegarty Ð who is A116448 Clarke Neville Augustus Amberley 1955 also Townsville Branch President Ð and Noel Findlay (right), of Brisbane South Branch - 1735649 Cody Michael James Singleton July 1969 who is Assistant State Treasurer - have been 1/710470 Cook Norman James Wacol 1st Intake 1954 made Life Members for many years of service 1/730501 Ferris Geoff Wacol 3rd intake 1958 to the Association. The SMC Minutes Secretary, John Hardy 1/712176 Forbes Donald Wacol 2nd Intake 1954 (left), has been awarded the Rowland Williams Memorial Shell for the most /700721 Fox Rex Richard Wacol 1st intake 1951 outstanding contribution to the Association for 1/705339 Harkin Daniel Wacol 3rd Intake 1952 2008. He also is liaison officer for a number of 1/705141 Horsnell Nev Wacol 3rd Intake 1952 Branches on the SMC. The awards were presented at the State Conference at Hervey Bay by the President, 6/702637 Lilley William Brighton (Tas.) 3rd Intake 1956 Colin Bell. The Conference was rated as one of the best held to date. A215599 Lowe John Richard Rathmines July 1956 These were followed by Branch Awards, presented by the President and Membership Officer, Ray Lower. 1/709830 Muscat Emanuel Wacol 1st Intake 1954 1: Peter Ryan Award for the 3/743472 MacRae Alexander Puckapunyal April 1952 outstanding Branch of the Year:2 Ipswich and West Moreton for its 1/730686 Medland Edward Raymond Charles Wacol 3rd Intake 1958 community programs (left). 2/728495 Millett Bryan 1st Intake 1954 2: John Seymour Award for Best Retention of Members - Maryborough 1/725699 Mulcahy William James Wacol 3rd Intake 1957 1 & District (right). 3/718206 Richards Reginald James Puckapunyal 3rd Intake 1953 3: Barry Vicary Award for Highest Numerical Increase in Membership - 1/718174 Ryan Patrick Wacol 3rd Intake 1955 Townsville & District (left) 4: Dennis Connon Award for largest percentage increase in Membership Ð Bayside (right). THEY SERVED AUSTRALIA The first two awards honour a previous President and Membership Officer3 and the other two our founding President and Secretary. During the year, the Association gained 101 new Nasho members but lost 36 who died, 33 who resigned, 175 who did not renew their membership and 170 unknown. Each Branch was asked to follow up on non-renewals and to seek new members.

THE BEENLEIGH FLYER CONFERENCE ROUNDUP 4 STATE CONFERENCES: Delegates voted overwhelmingly to continue to hold the Beenleigh Branch has designed a very attractive promotional National Service flyer that can be State Conference in a different centre each year. used for a wide variety of Branch purposes. The State Management Committee had proposed they be held in future at Wacol to save costs. The The front lists all the details of the Branch Ð Executive, meeting dates, times and places, Welfare State President pointed out that the Conference cost officer and so on. approximately $1.30 of each annual membership fee On the back is a condensed version of the Brief History of National Service. of $30 which is the SMC’s only revenue. However, the Conference decided that the advantages of face It is a most useful flyer/brochure for giving to new members, promoting the Branch and the to face meetings amongst Branches, the visits to Association to prospective members, to provide information to other organisations, for school- regions and the fellowship outweighed the expense. children and for placement in libraries, doctors’ surgeries and so on. It was designed by Kevin At left, Barbara Schmidt, a Supporter from Toowoomba, made Queensland NSAA Egan, the Beenleigh Branch Treasurer and he’s happy to make the computer file available without history at the Hervey Bay conference by being the first woman member to ask a charge to all Branches to tailor to their own details. Contact Kevin by email at question in a Conference session. [email protected] or phone 07 38072605

PAGE 16 PAGE 1 The 2009 State Conference will be held in September in TOOWOOMBA (Meeting: Bi-monthly 2nd Tuesday Odd months 1900 hours. Venue: Irish Club Hotel) Kingaroy, hosted by the South Burnett Branch. On 8th August we bade farewell to our old friend and Nasho mate Ross Fisher. He had been a stalwart of our Branch since 1994, always cheerful, but ready to stand for what he believed was right, and was for many years custodian of our flags, BOFORS GUN: The NSAA has obtained a Navy Bofors anti- banners and such. He was an active member of the Nasho rifle shooters until he could no aircraft gun and turret for the National Service Heritage Precinct longer compete, then went to watch if well enough. An at Wacol. QRX and Toll Holdings will transport it from Cairns honour guard was formed at the chapel and at the with Metroplex meeting the costs including restoration and graveside. A Poppy Service was included. Ross’s display. National Service obligations were carried out at Wacol, 2nd intake 1954, with CMF service in the Wide Bay QUORUMS: The NSAA has adopted a rule change by the Regiment. Ross was well known to Nashos in the Monto Office of Fair Trading that the future quorum for Branch area, and he and Darryl Hutton attended several of the meetings will be seven. This will assist small branches. reunions held there. For much of his working life, Ross drove trucks, first around Proston, then for Western FINANCES: The Treasurer’s Report and statement of accounts Transport both local and interstate. For his last 15 working tabled at the Conference showed that the Queensland Branch years he was a security officer at the Toowoomba General finished the financial year $141,892.25 in the black. Delegates Hospital. A restored Western Transport prime mover was carried the report unanimously, with acclamation. parked outside the chapel during the funeral. 66th Anniversary of the Battle of Milne Bay The Association’s new Queensland Padre, Major John Tatters, of the Salvation Army, led the Service following the march at On Sunday 24th August Toowoomba Citizens, including a dozen Nashos, gathered at the Hervey Bay. He is wearing the NSAA stole Ð not usually part of Mother’s Memorial to remember the WWII Battle of Milne Bay. This battle is of the Salvo uniform Ð presented to him at the Conference. The Flag particular interest to the City of Toowoomba, the home of the 25th Batallion which was Party from Hervey Bay Branch mounts guard on the handsome involved in the conflict. The 7th Infantry Brigade which was comprised of the 9th, 25th and 61st Batallions was deployed National Service Memorial at the Pialba Cenotaph. Beside them to Milne Bay to protect airfields being developed by Australian and American Engineers. The battles were fought mainly is a contingent from the Army Cadets. in darkness and in rain, mud and close jungle country against an enemy to that time unbeaten. The battle was fought with the untiring and courageous support of Nos. 75 and 76 Squadrons RAAF, whose actions made a significant contribution to the success of ground operations. The cost to allied forces was not light, over 370 men killed, missing or wounded; but the Japanese had been held and defeated. The defeat of the Japanese landing force was vitally important. It was the first decisive land defeat of the Japanese in the Pacific war, and marked the halt of the Japanese push towards Australia. Bill Morriss laid a wreath at the Mother’s Memorial on behalf of Nasho members. TOWNSVILLE (Meeting: 2nd Wednesday each month 1930 hours. Venue: Townsville RSL.) On Sunday, 27th July, some 63 members and wives travelled to Bowen for the Annual “GET TOGETHER” of the Burdekin Sub-Branch, Coral Coast and Mackay Branches. Numbers were down on last year due mainly to illness, but those who attended as usual had a great day. Thanks to Members and Ladies of the Coral Coast Branch who always put on an excellent BBQ Lunch for around 130 people. Unfortunately, President Andy Warnes was in Hospital and unable to be there on the day. He would have been most disappointed. Chairman for the day was Treasurer Terry Hansen. Good to see State Vice President Bill Morriss and Lois from Toowoomba, State Membership Officer Ray Lower and his wife Hazel also Warren Cockburn, President of the South Burnett Branch and Marie in attendance. Non stop entertainment was provided by the Calliope Singers who travelled up to Bowen for the occasion. A VP60 skit was performed by the Townsville Branch Nasho Guys and Dolls with songs from the War Years. On Sunday, 10th August, a visit was made by ‘Animal’ Randall Nelson OAM, a Nasho from Sydney travelling on his motorcycle around Australia raising funds for Charity. ‘Animal’ is Chairman of the King’s Cross Bikers Social and Welfare Club. He was made very welcome at the RSL by some 20 Members and Wives of our Branch with refreshments provided by the RSL, also a night’s accommodation in ANZAC Lodge. Unfortunately, ‘Animal’ was broken down in Alice Springs waiting parts for his engine from Japan from 15th to 26th August, but is determined to finish his journey somewhat behind schedule. BURDEKIN SUB-BRANCH held an enjoyable night at the Home Hill Memorial and Services Club on Friday, 22nd August with some 31 Members and Wives attending. Our next venture will be our Annual “GET TOGETHER” at Cardwell on 26th October. 30 people have already booked in to the Beachcomber Caravan Park for the weekend.

All the colour photos in this edition of Nasho News can be seen on our website at www.nashoqld.org

PAGE 2 PAGE 15 REDLANDS (Meeting: 1st Sunday each month 1000 hours. Venue: Redland RSL, Cleveland) 51 members and 26 supporters were welcomed by Branch President Bert Hilder to the August meeting. NSAA PUTS ADM CASE Our speaker from Redlands Home Assist pointed out the many varied ways Home Assist can help the The National Servicemen’s Association has put a case to the new Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal on elderly and the handicapped Ð simple things like changing light bulbs or more strenuous task like behalf of Queensland member, Lawrie Asgill. cleaning out gutters. Social organiser Col Thompson advised the meeting of the social outings being arranged including a trip to Canungra Army Base on Tuesday 14th October and a shoot at the Belmont Lawrie, a member of our founding Committee in Toowoomba in Range on Sunday 19th October. A thank you is extended to the Redlands RSL for arranging a grant to 1987, has been refused the Australian Defence Medal because “he supply our Welfare Officer, Bruce Reedman, with a laptop computer and printer allowing him to be did not complete his enlistment”. He has the Anniversary of online and keep up to date with all matters relating to his welfare duties. Long Tan Day: Nasho National Service 1951-1972 Medal. members were proud to join with our Vietnam Veterans for Long Tan Commemoration Service on His test case is on behalf of all the Nasho casualties of the decision Monday 18th August. Museum/Library: Redlands Branch Merchandising Officer, Ian Gray, is also by the two-man Whitlam administration, following the 1972 the Curator of the Redlands RSL Museum/Library, with a number of other members helping with the election, to discharge all National Servicemen immediately using everyday operations of the centre which is encouraging groups, especially school students doing the expedient of ‘exceptional hardship’ normally reserved for research, to visit. Donations of many articles and books have been received from various people and personal or family hardship or medical grounds. associations. One donation was an embroidered wall hanging titled “Window of Time” from Krystina Lawrie was called up in late 1972; reported for training; was issued Wade of Birkdale, and recently Ian was invited to attend the General Meeting of the “N” Class with his National Service number, equipment and rifle and Destroyers where President, Norm Spencer, presented the Museum with the Association’s Honour completed his three month’s basic course. In December 1972 in the Board as well as their Ships Bell and a framed board with the plaques of the five ships, Nazam, Nestor, chaos that resulted from the Government’s whirlwind decision Napier, Norman and Nepal. Other branches are welcome to arrange a visit and maybe enjoy a meal at making, he was sent on leave, returned and was sent on leave again. our friendly RSL. In January he received a notice to report to Enoggera Barracks where he was reprimanded for ‘being on unauthorised leave’ and eventually given an interim discharge certificate. ROCKHAMPTON (Meeting: 4th Monday each month 1900 hours. Venue Criterion Hotel Quay Street) After a quiet period the Branch was geared up for a busy time with a sausage sizzle held on 20th CONDITIONS OF SERVICE September and this will be followed by another on the weekend of 25-26th October. Arrangements are The Defence Department ruled he was not eligible for the ADM because ‘he did not fulfil the conditions that a under way for the Remembrance Day Sales period at three shopping centres which will be undertaken serviceman or woman must have “efficiently completed either an initial enlistment period or four years service, from the 3rd to 10th November inclusive. Following this will be the Christmas Function which will be whichever is the lesser”. Exceptions “include [note the use of the non-exclusive term] former Defence Force held at the Rockhampton Masonic and Citizens Club on Saturday, 22nd November commencing members who did not complete the qualifying period because they died in service; were medically discharged 11.30am. Members are reminded that tickets must be pre-purchased at least one week prior to the day. ……..; or left the Service due to a Defence workplace policy of the time.” There will be no tickets available on the day. The Association has put to the new Tribunal that National Servicemen did not ‘enlist’, they were conscripted and had no say when they would serve, in which Service they would serve, where they would serve and, most importantly, when they would stop serving. The case says the Whitlam Government decided to end National Service TABLELANDS (Meeting: 2nd Sunday each month 1030 hours. Venue: Rocky Creek War Memorial on the spot. We are not arguing for those who received a call-up notice but did not have to report nor for those who Park Nasho Shelter.) chose not to report. It is awhile since any news has been submitted from our Branch. We have had a very busy few months socially and fundraising .We have celebrated many birthdays, and 50th wedding anniversaries, with The Tribunal has been asked to rule that Mr.Asgill fulfilled the requirements of the legislation as it existed at the lunches and also b.y.o. barbies at different locations. We held our Christmas in July at the R.S.L. time in 1972 and the refusal to award him the ADM applies retrospective conditions and policy. The Association Mareeba. All had a lovely meal and good company in airconditioned comfort. We had a visit from the argues that not only did he leave the Army ‘due to a Defence workplace policy of the time’ but also that the use of Gympie Branch President and wife, earlier this month, and they were accompanied by the Treasurer and the expedient ‘exceptional hardship’ also implies a medical reason for discharge. The knowledge that it was an Secretary also. Our Branch put on an impromptu lunch for them to give them a great Tableland expedient does not give the Department the right to have it both ways when it suits. welcome. The Branch, together with the Salvation Army, catered for a Meet and Greet, with a sausage The NSAA is not concerned with the politics of the time but with the effects of a particular political decision on sizzle, for the people placing plaques on the Memorial Wall at Rocky Creek on 16th August.. Some of Nashos denied the ADM on technical grounds. The Association previously put Mr.Asgill’s case to former Veterans our Members attended the Military Muster the next day and our President did the traffic control as Affairs Minister Bruce Billson and the current Minister, Alan Griffin. always. This year he was helped by our Vice President and Shane Davies from Cairns Branch. We had a good number of Members and Supporters attending Long Tan Day at the R.S.L. Mareeba. Our PM APPOINTS NEW ADVISORY COUNCIL Branch Treasurer John Wicking and his wife Maureen attended the unveiling of the NSAA Memorial The Australian Government has appointed a new Veterans Advisory Council. The Chairman is Dr Allan Hawke, Plaque at the War Memorial in Darwin on 16th August. John reports that it was a moving ceremony former Secretary of the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence and the current Chancellor of the Australian and that President Fred Barlow and members should be congratulated on their efforts to have Nasho’s National University. Dr Hawke will be assisted by Frank Benfield, Dr Robert Black AM RFD, the Hon Graham remembered. For our September birthday people we are going to Lake Barrine to celebrate. We will Edwards, June Healy OAM, Commodore Nick Helyer MBE RANR, Warrant Officer Peter Hind OAM, Ken Kipping have morning tea followed by a boat trip around the Lake and then lunch. Our President and members AM, Gail MacDonell, Anne Pahl, Philip Pyke, Donna Reggett, Brigadier Keith Rossi AM OBE RFD ED (Rtd) and will be attending the unveiling of the Innisfail Branch Memorial Wall on 4th October. Our next away Brigadier Neil Weekes AM MC (Rtd). Brigadier Weekes, a National Serviceman, is Patron of our Townsville trip will be to Cardwell on 24th October where we will be staying at the Beachcomber Caravan Park Branch. for a few days prior to the combined Northern Branches Reunion on 26th October. Next Branch Meeting will be held on September 14th at Rocky Creek, 10.30a.m.

PAGE 14 PAGE 3 GLADSTONE (Meeting: 3rd Wednesday each month 1300 hours. Venue: RG Hotel) NASHOS ALL OVER On June 18 last our branch enjoyed a fantastic social outing where we saw some wonderful scenery, works of art and magnificent pottery display. This was followed by a Devonshire Tea at Fern’s Hideaway There’s always something new to learn about National Service. north of Yeppoon. The bush setting and solitude was beyond description, smoko was followed by superb entertainment by some branch members and Vera, (a visiting Nasho), this was second to none. Back then Teachers were not the only National Servicemen to serve in Papua-New Guinea in the 1960s and 70s and to civilization we thoroughly enjoyed a beaut buffet lunch. But soon after it was time to return to there was one area in Australia where Navy, Army and Air Force Nashos trained together. civilization, we thoroughly enjoyed the social outing, this assists the body to recuperate until next time.

In PNG, apart from 600 Nashos who were teachers, there also were signallers, sappers and crews of Army GOLD COAST NORTH (Meeting: 1st Wednesday of each even month at Southport RSL Club.) small ships. “Hello, Brian what are you doing here”? This question was asked by Nigel Sutton (the Nasho’s armed escort for the Flag Party at all A National Service officer is believed to have taken part in at least one patrol on the disputed border our ceremonies) to Brian Handke on the platform of Roma Street between PNG and the Indonesian province of West Irian during the Confrontation period from 1963 to station. You see Nigel and Dot were going on the Great Corner 1966. Country tour and he had told Dot that they wouldn’t know anybody on the tour, but he soon found out that 21 Gold Coast North Nashos Ted Middleton served 218 days in Papua-New Guinea in 1970 as a technician in 800 Signals Squadron were on the same trip. Also included in the Gold Coast group were installing and maintaining communications equipment. Toowoomba Nasho, Barry Baldwin and wife Carol. Again the He writes that in addition to the 600 teachers who were promoted to Sergeant and posted as educators to the Pacific Island Regiment - as recorded by Ian Ogden in Nasho News Ð they also were stationed there in Signals, the TPNG Construction Squadron, RAEME and Ordnance. As well Nashos served on Army small ships that made voyages from Australia and around PNG and its islands.

These were distinct from the National Servicemen in the Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles who had trained at Wacol Army camp in the first scheme; had taken the alternative of six years service in the PNGVR or had joined that Unit when posted to the then Territory.

Ted Middleton writes that during his time there in 1970 there were Nasho junior officers in both Signals and Engineers. They would have been Second Lieutenants who graduated from the special National Service officers’ training unit at Scheyville in north-western Sydney. There was an annual patrol along the Kokoda Trail that included contingents from the Pacific Islands Regiment.

Ted recalls that when there were riots on the Gazelle Peninsula a contingent went from 800 Signals Squadron to set up secure communications in Rabaul. A National Service officer, Bruce Atherton, and Nashos comradery coming to the fore. The tour of the Great Corner Country of Queensland commenced himself were included in that patrol, which was carried out in civilian clothes because of the tense on 22 May. We travelled by train to Charleville where our driver was there to meet us. We travelled situation. The Nashos also were involved in Civic Action patrols in the Southern Highlands building through country which varied continually, through stony gibber land to red dust and extensive sand hills. school houses, hospitals, bridges and other works; a search and rescue patrol for a missing aircraft and The history old and new was fascinating, seeing where Sturt passed by, Burke and Wills rested and died, disaster relief work. where King also stayed and the Dig tree where provisions were buried. The ‘new’ was the Moomba oil and gas fields and also the very new ‘hot rocks’ renewable energy system near Innamincka. Clambering WINGING IT IN SYDNEY up the Big Red Sand dune near Birdsville, for happy hour, an achievement in itself. Arriving at Longreach we had a great final with bush poetry, etc before boarding our train back to Brisbane. The The one area in Sydney where Nashos from all three food was excellent, such fun and games and in excellent company. It was an experience to be long Services trained was in north- western Sydney, home of the remembered. Maybe north to the Gulf and down the east coast next year ?? Another S.P.O.O.N.S. Scheyville Officer Training Unit, HMAS Nirimba and initiative. Schofields Airfield. Nirimba trained Navy technicians and Air Force Nashos selected for flying training were GYMPIE ( Meetings - Bi-monthly - 2nd. Sunday - 1030 hours for 1045hours start at RSL) introduced to Tiger Moths at the airfield. One of them was Although a few members were away for the August meeting, there were plenty left to attend and get Patrick McInerney of Burpengary, who was transferred to through business on the table. The members who attended the Wondai Reserve Forces day reported Schofields after reporting to Fairbairn RAAF Base in having a good time and enjoyed the day out. One member, Durshen Begeda had some photos of the event. Canberra. He was one of nine Air Force Nashos selected Some members did attend Long Tan Day on 17 August and also the unveiling of the new Mural in from the 5th Intake in September 1952 for training at Memorial Lane in Gympie. Member Wal Bentley read from a book given to him by the Army while he Schofields by the Royal Aero Club, Bankstown. was a Nasho re the rates of pay during his training. The members found it very interesting and it certainly This parallels other RAAF Nashos, including Graham bought back memories. Two members are hoping to attend the State Conference on Saturday 13th Thomas, of Brisbane, who trained at . September in Hervey Bay. Graham went on to fly jets including Vampires.

PAGE 4 PAGE 13 CORAL COAST (Meeting: 2nd Sunday each month 0930 hours. Venue: Bowen Bowls Club.) The event we all work so hard for each year was held on the 27th July with 130 members and supporters attendind GETTING SET FOR NASHOS our 5th Inter-Branch Reunion. The weather was perfect for the occasion and as earlier in the week, we had some heavy rain and nasty days, we all breathed a sigh of relief when the sun came out on the Thursday prior to the event. Members and supporters travelled from Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, South Burnett, Townsville, the Burdekin and Mackay Branches and included the State Vice-President Bill Morriss and his wife Lois, State Membership Officer and Sunshine Coast Secretary Ray Lower and his wife Hazel (Ray and Hazel have been to all 5 of our Reunions), President of South Burnett, Warren Cockburn and Asst Secretary Marie Hooper. Thirty members and supporters of our own Coral Coast Branch were in attendance and they included our Padre Rev Alf Dixon and his wife Pat. These local members can be proud of the fact that they worked so hard to make sure that the day was a success. After a delicious morning tea (catered for by those same hard workers), everyone was welcomed to our lovely town. Travelling all the way from Gladstone/Calliope area to entertain us with their music, the four musicians kept feet tapping and people singing for the duration of the day. All enjoyed the BBQ lunch and dessert and a happy crowd left the venue in the mid-afternoon. A dampener on the day was the absence of President Andy who was unable to attend as he had been admitted to hospital earlier in the week. Andy always puts his heart and soul into this occasion, in fact anything to do with Nashos and he very much regretted being unable to attend. His day was made though when Bill Morriss and Lois, and members of the Calliope band went up to the hospital to seem him. Warren and Marie and Ray and Hazel also visited him quite a few times while they were in town. A BBQ and social bowls evening were held on 16th August. The Wangaratta Bowls Club was our host and put on a delicious meal for us. Then the games began. Everyone enjoyed themselves, the spectators included and the game finished just as a cold wind sprung up. The following Wednesday was a rifle shoot.

DALBY (Meeting: 1st Saturday Bi- Monthly 1030 hours, Venue: alternately Miles/Dalby/Chinchilla RSL’s) Former Queensland Vice President, Alex Garlin and his wife Lois were first out of the gates in Our last meeting was held at Miles RSL badge selling to race patrons for the National Servicemen’s Association at Doomben race track in sub-branch room on 9/8/08 with members Brisbane on 16 August. and supporters going to the Queensland It’s been an annual event for many years thanks to the support of the Brisbane Turf Club, which even named Hotel for an enjoyable lunch and a race ‘Nashos’ Handicap’ in honour of Long Tan. It also donated a full-page advertisement in the race book. fellowship. The main business for The stalwarts manning the selling table were (left to right) Alex Garlin, John Brosnan, Doreen Johnson, Lois discussion at this meeting was to make a Garlin and Howard Bazeley. Special thanks to BTC Marketing Manager, Kelly-Anne Skewes. decision no the trip to Roma, and it was with much regret that there wasn’t enough members able to travel to Roma this year, so now the next meeting will be held in Dalby. Some of our members attended the Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day on 18th August followed by a social lunch. Our next meeting will be in Dalby on 4/10/08 at 1030 hours. All Nashos and supporters welcome.

DARWIN (Meeting 2nd Saturday Bi-monthly 1700 hours. Venue: South Darwin RSL Club) Saturday August 16 was a very special day in the history of the Darwin Branch. We unveiled our own National Servicemen’s Plaque on the Cenotaph in Darwin. There were many military personnel present from the Commander of 1 Brigade Brigadier Krause and all other commanders. The unveiling was done by Mr. Damien Hale, member for Solomon and Queensland State President Colin Bell and Vice President Bill Morriss. Master of Ceremonies was our President Fred Barlow. We also had the Darwin City Brass Band to play the catafalque party provided by 1 Brigade and the National Anthem. We consider that the Darwin Branch has now come of age in the local community. At right, photo courtesy of the Northern Territory News, Darwin

PAGE 12 PAGE 5 BUNDABERG (Meeting: 2nd Saturday each month 1330 hours. Venue: Bundaberg RSL) TAKING A DIVE Since our last article Bundaberg Nashos have conducted their monthly meetings in the QCWA Rooms due What is the most dangerous piece of equipment in your home? to major renovations to the upstairs function area of the RSL Club. We anticipate being back to the old venue by October. One that kills an average of 15 people a year and trying to hang onto often corroded or rusty gutters. The meeting on 9th August was reasonably well attended and we were pleased to welcome State injures many, many more. The rules are simple Ð check the ladder for frayed President Colin Bell who made the round road trip in spite of family health issues. The main purpose of his visit was an attempt to resolve the controversy relating to correspondence published in the June It doesn’t have any moving parts; it doesn’t need safety cords, loose rungs or other wear and tear; fuel; it won’t give you an electric shock and it edition of the State Nasho News. It was a very sensitive matter but after considerable debate a satisfactory make sure it’s on a firm, level footing; don’t extend resolution was reached that the article published in issue 90 of the Nasho News and headed "The View doesn’t cut, drill, saw, plane or dig anything, but it it too high; don’t put the base too close to the wall is a very efficient killer. From Bundaberg" is a letter from an individual member. It does not represent the opinions of the or house; use clamps to fix it to the gutter so it can’t Bundaberg Branch or the majority of our members. We also had the pleasure of an address from Cadet Size doesn’t matter either because people have died slip sideways and don’t climb higher than three Paul Baxter who was a member of a group of 8 Bundaberg lads who walked the Kokoda Track in July. falling off both step and long ladders. rungs below the top. ALWAYS have someone with As the Branch assisted with the funding of the venture Paul kindly volunteered to share his experiences, The safety issue came to mind with the story of a you because when you fall, who’s going to make which he related quite admirably and from the questions put to him it was obvious all the old fellows fellow Nasho who was seriously injured earlier this the call to the Ambulance? were envious of his physical ability to make the trek. Our most recent outing was a Social Bowls Day at year in a fall from a ladder while cleaning out his Don’t think small stepladders are safe either Ð the Elliott Heads Bowls Club on the 17th August. This was our first venture back to bowls for some time gutters. overbalance and you’re looking at a broken wrist, and it turned out to be a great day. We fielded 7 rinks of fours and although the number of Nashos who actually played was a little disappointing we were well supported by the Vietnam Vets, CMF, Club ribs or leg. We are too old to be climbing up In the past five years a total of 83 Ð yes 83 Ð people Members and visitors from Hervey Bay. More than 50 people enjoyed a first class lunch provided by the ladders onto roofs or other high areas. Common have died falling off ladders. About 300 sustained new club caterer. As we no longer have to do our own catering for these events it is most likely we will injuries ranging from sprains to broken spines. At sense tells you that if it’s a high job, get a return in the near future. The Branch provided the raffles and we came out with a small profit for very best you’ll suffer serious lacerations to your hands handyman. Far safer and far, far cheaper. little effort. Our next social activity is to be a bus trip to Paradise Dam via Maryborough including a visit to their Military Museum. This is planned for 23rd October, subject to sufficient numbers to fill a 46 seat coach.

CAIRNS (Meeting: 2nd Thursday each month 1815 hours. Venue: Cairns RSL.) Members travelled to Babinda recently for another bowls clash with our neighboring branches, Tableland and Babinda/Innisfail where twenty-four players played. A composite team this year took out the Ted Herbert trophy. Members enjoyed the full days outing. Our host, the Babinda Bowling Club, again made us feels at home supplying us with a scrumptious lunch and providing us with their club facilities. More members are cordially invited and welcomed to join us in our future social activities. In a typical tropical winter’s day, Christmas in July was held at the Mountain View Hotel on Sunday 6th. The celebration was a huge success with members from the three Far Northern Branches enjoying a deluxe BBQ with trimmings, on the decking overlooking the Little Mulgrave River. To add merriment to the day’s festivities we were fortunate to have Santa leave his North Pole workshop to drop in to distribute from his bag of goodies. On holidays in Cairns, the National Vice President and the Tasmanian State President Bill Dabner was a welcome visitor to our general meeting held on the 10th July. Bill outlined his role in our national administration and defined his organization and branch boundaries in his own state of Tasmania. We hope to see more members visiting us in the near future. The photo shows Fred Cave President Cairns Branch, Bill Dabner, Bob Malcolm and John Hardy taken at our July meeting. A busy time for Cairns members last Month with several members participating in the Vietnam Veteran's Commemorations services, marching at Mareeba in the morning and assembling at the Cairns Cenotaph later that day for the afternoon service. On both occasions wreaths were laid by our personal. At Mareeba and Cairns RSL clubs, the usual informal fellowship and goodwill was extended to all to partake in the refreshments provided and meet our fellow servicemen. PAGE 6 PAGE 11 BRISBANE SOUTH (Meeting: Last Sunday each month 0930 hours. Venue: Sunnybank Bowls Club) Please note the General Meetings will commence at 9.30am on the last Sunday of each month until further THE ZIONIST MULE CORPS notice. The Brisbane South web page is now up and running, thanks mainly to Alex Garlin, Howard Bazeley Simpson and his donkey created a legend at Gallipoli but there was another group with pack and his computer literate grandchildren. Members who have items of interest concerning the Branch are animals. invited to submit contributions to Howard to place on the website. On going items are required to allow the page to be updated regularly, so as to maintain interest in the page. Planning is under way to hold our Most of the food, ammunition and other vital supplies were brought up from the beaches to the Allied Christmas lunch at “Rum Runner Tours and Cruises” this year. It will consist of a Coomera River cruise, a forces under fire by a unit that has received little historical recognition Ð the Zionist Mule Corps. walk around Sanctuary Cove Boutique shops, and lunch at the Pier Restaurant at Marina Quays International This unit, formed by the Jewish community in Alexandria in Egypt, not only was made up of volunteers Resort. The M.V. Rum Runner is limited to 49 passengers, therefore registrations will only be accepted for but provided its own animals. this number. Refer to October’s issue of the Bugle for cost, and departure times from QE2 bus park. No doubt Members of the many members have an interest or hobby that they do not talk about. One of our Brisbane South’s members, Jewish Legion, made Brian Ryan’s is ornithology and he is a very knowledgeable amateur. His home abuts the Tingalpa Wetlands up of volunteers and since living here, he has recorded the birds regularly in this area. He is a member of the Brisbane Creek from Europe and the Catchment Co-ordinating Committee (B4C). This is a bush care environmental group, mainly volunteers that United States, at the monitor along Bulimba Creek from Kuraby and Runcorn to near the mouth of the Brisbane River. He sends Wailing Wall in his bird count to B4C every two months. In July, he was invited to the wetlands, together with other Jerusalem after its volunteers, to meet Michael Jefferies and his wife. This was one of his last duties before retiring as Governor capture by Allied General. These volunteers are mostly tree planters, wild life carers of hurt animals, and those who try to Forces including control hyacinth that grows on the water. Australian Light Horse and other BRISBANE WEST (Meeting: 1st Sunday each month 1030 hours. Venue: Darra Cementco Bowls Club.) units in World War In the month of August the Branch held its Monthly One. Israel did not meeting at a BBQ brunch in the Cascades Park at Forest recapture Jerusalem Lake. 20 Members of the organisation attended and until 1967. Australia participated in the informal function. We would like to was one of the first thank John Jurss Fruit and Vegies for his kind donation of countries to food for the function. On the social scene members Peter recognise Israel Zeller and Bert Pratt attended the NASHO Challenge after partition of Bowls day Sunnybank bowls club and then backed with Palestine in 1948 attendance at the Branch and RSL diggers Bowls day at which led to the first the Cementco Bowls club in Darra. All money raised by Arab-Israeli war. this event went to the RSL Care fund. Another piece of history was returned to the Wacol There were a number of units at Gallipoli that have received little recognition or attention since. They military precinct with the return of many wartime signs include the 15,000 French soldiers who are buried in the French war cemetery on the Peninsula and the being turned over to the caretaking group at Wacol. Our battalion from Newfoundland. Like Texas in the United States, Newfoundland was an independent upcoming events include preparations for the Ipswich Air Show in October and preparations for the country which did not join the Canadian Federation until 44 years after Gallipoli, in 1949. The Battalion Remembrance Day celebrations. Please keep an eye out the stalls at Bunnings and a shopping centre near you was wiped out on the first day of fighting on the Somme on the Western Front. to buy a badge to support the diggers that On April 25, 1915, together with the first British, Australian, New Zealand and French troops, the Jewish supported our great country. In September we Legion landed on Gallipoli peninsula. It was led by the Commander Lt. Colonel John Henry Patterson, will be holding our meeting on the 14th of DSO (of Irish Protestant origin) and was met with heavy shelling and machine gun fire at the shore of September at Durack Bowls Club to avoid Cape Helles. The 500 members maintained the supply line despite heavy casualties. Fathers day celebrations and no formal DCM AWARDED TO MULE CORPS MEMBER meeting will be held in October due to our Air Show commitments. Our meetings are usually A Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded to Private M. Groushkowsky, who prevented his mules held on the first Sunday of the month at the from stampeding under heavy bombardment and despite being wounded in both arms, delivered Durack Bowls club on the corner of Blunder ammunition. and Bowhill Roads at 1030 hours (not next It is not known where Private John Simpson obtained his donkey on which he carried wounded soldiers month). If you are interested or wish to find to the beach for medical treatment until he was shot and killed by a Turkish sniper, but he may have got out more please contact the secretary Andrew it from the Zionist unit. The Mule Corps was disbanded after the evacuation of Gallipoli but the Jewish Sweeney (Ph)0402807276 or (e-mail) Legion continued as an active unit in Palestine. Out of it came the Jewish battalions who served in both [email protected] World Wars in the British Army. Jewish troops fought alongside Australians in Syria in World War Two. The Jewish Legion was the model for the Israeli forces that have defeated Arab armies that vastly outnumbered them in wars since the formation of Israel in 1948. Israel maintains National Service for men and women.

PAGE 10 PAGE 7 They’re American but the humour’s universal BRANCH NEWS Edited by Fred Petersen Under the Privacy Act, details including birthdays, illness and hospitalisation cannot be included in Branch News without the person’s consent.

Closing date next issue is Friday 7th November/folding date 28th November

NASHO NEWS IN COLOUR Nasho News is now on the NSAA Queensland website in full colour. Go to www.nashoqld.org.au and click on Nasho News. So you can email your Branch News and colour photos to the Editor at [email protected] with a cc to Fred Petersen at [email protected] . You can change bmps to jpegs by using the resize feature in Outlook Express or Windows. If you don't know how, look it up in the Help section. Request an electronic receipt so you know we’ve got your email. You will still need to send a hard copy to the office at P.O.Box 7014 Holland Park East 4121 or straight to the office if you don't have email... Allen Callaghan and Fred Petersen.

BAYSIDE ( Meeting 3rd Tuesday 1900hrs Manly-Lota RSL Hall Melville Tce Manly) Members of the Bayside Branch, Manly-Lota RSL Sub-branch and the French Veterans Association of Queensland held a combined Memorial dedication and service on 17 August to mark Vietnam Veterans Day. Australian and French servicemen who died in Vietnam in the 1950s and 60s were remembered in the service conducted by Branch padre, Major Bob Wilson. The NSAA’s Queensland Patron,Major General Kevin Cooke AO RFD ED, who was attached to 7RAR in Vietnam, gave the Address. The photo shows the RSL Sub-branch President, Peter Kinsella; the Queensland president of the French Veterans Association, Louis Sultan and Bayside President, Ken Edwards at the new RSL memorial dedicated on the day. All three are National Servicemen. Amongst the wreath layers was Mr.Robert Nisbet, of Wynnum, whose son, Chris, was one of the 26 Australians who died in Operation Surfers including the defence of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral in May and June 1968. The Service, attended by more than 100 members and official guests will become an annual one. Bayside Branch has been given a site on Darling Point, on the Wynnum-Manly foreshore for its National Service Memorial and has applied for grants towards the cost.

BEAUDESERT (Meeting: 1st Monday even numbered months 1030 hours. Venue: Beaudesert RSL.) Our branch continues to have a busy programme with our general meetings very well attended. Our branch was again a major sponsor of our local RSL’s “Australian Spirit Awards”, which provides bursaries to our local school students. Our President Russell Hartley presented one of the awards. Our members were saddened to learn of the death of our former Vice-president Rex Fox on the 20th July, we will miss him. On the 26th July our members enjoyed a BBQ in Jubilee Park. We provided a bowls team for the Brisbane South branches NASHO Bowls Challenge against the Sunnybank Bowls Club it was a great day. Our members took part in our local Vietnam Veterans Day parade and service. Our members are looking forward to our next “Dinner Dance” at our local RSL Club on the 19th September. The visit by the Gold Coast North Branch has been re-scheduled for early next year. A number of our members are attending the Hervey Bay Conference and look forward catching up with old mates.

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