Registered by AUSTRALIA POST NO. PP607128/00001 THE October 2008 VOL. 31 No.5 The official journal of THE RETURNED & SErvICES LEAGUE OF AUstrALIA POSTAGE PAID SURFACE ListeningListening Branch Incorporated • PO Box 3023 Adelaide Tce, Perth 6832 • Established 1920 PostPostAUSTRALIA MAIL Vietnam Veterans Day 2008 The President, Mr Gaynor, said that he was “Well pleased that the Veteran Community and in particular Vietnam Veterans and Peacekeepers in their contribution to The Listening Post in remembering Vietnam Veterans Day. The Vietnam Vets are now coming forward and are making a welcome contribution to the administration of our Sub-Branches and other ex-service organisations (ESO’s)” Denis Connelly AATTV Advancing WA Week Memorial to Victory October Service at the 20-26 Memorial 2008 Page Page Page 7 17 22 Rick Hart - Proudly supporting your local RSL BELMONT 9373 4400 COUNTRY STORES BUNBURY SUPERSTORE 9722 6200 ALBANY - KITCHEN & LAUNDRY ONLY 9842 1855 CITY MEGASTORE 9227 4100 BROOME 9192 3399 CLAREMONT 9284 3699 BUNBURY SUPERSTORE 9722 6200 JOONDALUP SUPERSTORE 9301 4833 KATANNING 9821 1577 MANDURAH SUPERSTORE 9586 4700 COUNTRY CALLERS FREECALL 1800 654 599 MIDLAND SUPERSTORE 9267 9700 O’Connor SUPERSTORE 9337 7822 OSBORNE PARK SUPERSTORE 9445 5000 VIC PARK - PARK DISCOUNT SUPERSTORE 9470 4949 RSL Members receive special pricing. “We won’t be beaten on price. I put my name on it.”* Just show your membership card! 2 THE LIstENING Post October 2008 Celebrate WA Week with AHG. AHGVisitAHG ahg.com.au -- Australia’sAustralia’s and download Largest lots of MotoringWA savings! Group -- BUYBUY NOW!NOW! Offers from: Retravision, AHG Driving Centre, Perth Racing, Gloucester Park, WACA. 14 BERRIMAN DRIVE, WANGARA WWW.NORTHSIDENISSAN.COM.AU MAKE A MOVE ON MAKE INTO A DUALIS THE ALL NEW MICRA THE ALL NEW 5 DOOR DUALIS ST • In 10 vibrant colours • 16” alloys • 6 airbags • Make sure you • Vehicle wash separately 5 DOOR Dynamic HATCH Control (VDC) # # LIMITED $15,290 $25,990 STOCK DRIVEAWAY #Manual. Metallic colours $395 extra DRIVEAWAY #Manual. Metallic colours $395 extra IT’S A GREAT MOVE NAVARA TURBO DIESEL TIIDA ST NAVARA ST-X 4X2 • ABS brakes • 126kW/403Nm torque • Dual front • 3000kg towing capacity airbags • Dual SRS airbags • 6 speed • ABS brakes manual # # NAVARA SEDAN $15,576 OR HATCH $38,909 DRIVEAWAY #Manual. Metallic colours $395 extra DRIVEAWAY #Applicable to TPI card holders only. Manual. 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Above prices include GST but exclude govt statutory charges. 08050873 THE LIstENING Post October 2008 3 THE October 2008 VOL. 31 No.5 Deadline for next edition: 24th November, 2008. for contributions to next edition If possible, submissions should be typed and double-spaced. Preferred method of receiving submissions is via email. Photographs can be black and white or colour. This is your journal and contributions are welcome. Listening Post Address to: Publishers STATE EXECUTIVE The Managing Editor, The Listening Post The Returned & Services League 2008-2011 RSL, PO Box 3023 Perth Adelaide Terrace, WA 6832 WA Branch Incorporated Email: [email protected] State PresideNT ANZAC House Opinions expressed by contributors in articles and reproduced articles are the 28 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000 Mr William Gaynor OAM RFD individual opinions of such contributors or the authors of such reproduced Telephone: (08) 9287 3716 State Vice PresideNT articles and are not necessarily those of the RSL. Mr Graeme Sherriff Reproduction of articles (or extracts) contained in The Listening Post are PO Box 3023, Perth Adelaide Tce, WA 6832 State treasUrer welcomed, provided the source is acknowledged. The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject, sub-edit and re-arrange material submitted for publication. Email: [email protected] Facsimile: (08) 9287 3732 Mr Paul Rengel Website: www.rslwahq.org.au WA Country Callers: 1800 259 799 committee Mr Peter Aspinall Publishing of Listening Post Mr Dilwyn “Digger” Cleak, OAM CONtact DIRECTORY Mr Campbell Cornish 'The Listening Post' is published 6 times a year, printing 10,000 copies to members, subscribers and Unit & Kindred associations. Departments at ANZAC House Mr Ross Davies Mr Damian Dixon Membership: Kathy Clark 8.00am-3.30pm Mon-Thurs Mr Ray Galliott 9287 3705 Mr Charles Lammers Welfare: Margot Harness 9.00am-3.30pm Mon-Thurs Mr Oliver Lovelle 9287 3707 0412 009 191 Mr David Messer Senior Advocate: Jim Boland 8.00am-4.00pm Mon-Fri 9287 3708 Mr Ken Parish Mrs Donna Prytulak Restaurant/Bar: Nigel Von Bergheim 9287 3714 Mr Arthur Rae Finance Service Officer: 9.00am-3.00pm Mon-Wed Mr Ray Ward 9287 3703 trUstees Mr Don Blair RFD ED Editorial Information Mr John Cox OAM JP Executive Editor: Nola Keen Asst Editor: Denis Connelly (08) 9287 3716 Mr Wayne Tarr RFD ED Admin/Asst: Caitlin Harnwell Advertising: RSL Advertising (08) 9381 7999 Mr Duncan Warren AM RFD Graphic Design: Type Express Printer: Rural Press Mr Kevin Trent, RFD ActiNG state secretarY Executive Editors Note Mr Gary Sutherland OAM A big thankyou to those Sub-branch members and interested parties who took assistaNT state secretarY the trouble and effort to forward photographs and articles to 'The Listening admiNistratioN Post' for inclusion in our special edition on 'Vietnam Veterans' Day' Mr Denis Connelly Nola Keen. assistaNT state SecretarY proJects Secretaries and Contributors are reminded that "cut off" dates for inclusion Mr Gary Sutherland OAM in the Listening Post are to be strictly adhered to, as articles are being refused EXecUtive AssistaNT for publication due to being late arrivals, or lack of room. Nola Keen Denis Connelly, Assistant Editor THE LIstENING Post October 2008 while the second part was endorsed the media and of its capitalisation. At by Congress our Congress, following passionate speeches by the Secretary of the From the War Widows right of Repatriation Commission and the Travel. President of Narrogin Sub Branch, the motion was voted down. It was necessary to withdraw this President’s Pen motion as it was a State Issue and Well, the same motion that we needed to be taken up with the WA defeated was sent to National New CEO/State all services and for all conflicts. Some proved very popular with the troops State Government. Congress for approval by Victoria Secretary Appointed of the points already identified are a and we receive very positive feedback – and it was passed – without debate simplified Membership Application from the recipients. Congratulations British Atomic Tests !!! Following several months of processing Form, a common Membership Card, go to the Osborne Park Sub Branch applications for the position of CEO/ conducted in Australia a National Membership Data Base who donated $500 to the Trust Fund 1952-57 Priority List for 2009 State Secretary of RSLWA we are and a valued added Card that will that supports the distribution of the – 2010 Budget pleased to announce the appointment produce real benefits and discounts parcels. There were two motions on this subject of Mr Kevin Davidson MVO OAM put forward by WA and essentially From the National Congress to members. If State Licensing Laws deliberations the following items as the successful applicant. With the can be simplified then reciprocal Awards called for the implementation of the generous assistance of professional Clarke Review recommendations. were approved for submission to rights of entry and associated benefits Government as RSL’s Priority List. recruitment firm Ledger Corporate to interstate License RSL Clubs may Two Highgate members have been Both Motions were fully supported. who conducted the selection process also be possible. If some of these awarded National Certificated of 1. Indexation at no cost to the League we believe initiative can be achieved it will Appreciation for their services to the ADF Mental Health That Military Superannuation we have secured the services of a certainly be ‘The Way Ahead.’ RSL ‘Lifestyle Package’ under DFRDB and MSBS highly qualified person with strong William R. (Bill) Wilson MBE schemes be indexed with reference administrative skills gained from This motion sought to redress the to Male Total Average Weekly service in the Australian Defence National Presidential For Service as Sub-Warden at the exclusion of pre Vietnam War Veterans Election State War Memorial. Earnings (MTAWE). Forces and private enterprise. We from benefits associated with delayed 2 Maintain the Value of Pensions anticipate he will take up duties in In accordance with the National Kenneth Jones PTSD entitlements. Unfortunately, in the light of Carbon Trading late October after receiving a full Constitution and following due