Registered by AUSTRALIA POST NO. PP607128/00001 THE OCTOBER 2006 VOL. 29 No.5 ListeningListeningThe official journal of THE RETURNED & SERVICES LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA PostPostPOSTAGE PAID SURFACE WA Branch Incorporated • PO Box Y3023 Perth 6832 • Established 1920 AUSTRALIA MAIL Australian Troops Arrive in Afghanistan Australian Reconstruction Task Force soldiers disembark an Australian C-130J Hercules on the ground in Southern Afghanistan. Decommissioning of HMAS Westralia Page 7 Australian Reconstruction Task Force Lieutenant Josh Mickle An Australian Bushmaster provides protection for an Australian (far left), Lieutenant Tim Mogridge (center left) Lieutenant As a member of the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) C-130J that delivers vital stores and equipment to the Matthew Ford (right) and Lieutenant Von Lambert inspect their for Afghanistan, Captain Nickki Orr checks her equipment as she Reconstruction Task Force troops in Southern Afghanistan. ammunition prior to going out on patrol in Afghanistan. waits for her turn on the weapons range. 90th National Congress “Australia commits to assist Afghanistan achieve a Page 12 stable and secure future" A contingent of 200 Australian years to work on reconstruction and The majority of the task force was The Australian protective force Defence Force personnel arrived in community-based projects as part of drawn from the Darwin area and made was provided by the Brisbane-based Afghanistan as part of a Netherlands- Australia’s commitment to assisting up of personnel from the 1st Combat Motorised Infantry of the 6th Battalion led Provincial Reconstruction Team Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure Engineer Regiment, which will provide Royal Australian Regiment, equipped under the NATO International future. combat engineers and tradesmen with Bushmaster vehicles; the 5th/7th Security Assistance Force's stage (carpenters, plumbers, electricians and Battalion of the Royal Australian III expansion into southern The Australian contingent will prepare plant operators) that will undertake the Regiment (5/7 RAR), also with the Afghanistan. the camp, for conducting planning, majority of the construction activities. bushmaster; and the Darwin-based 2nd Retired Sub-Wardens Australia's contribution, known as the construction and trade training projects, This includes skills training for the local Cavalry Regiment with ASLAV light Remembered Reconstruction Task Force, is a mix and setting up the logistics supply chain population to ensure the benefits of armoured vehicles. Command, logistics Page 20 of engineers and security personnel for when the main body arrives later in the deployment continue well after our and support elements have come from deployed to Afghanistan for up to two the year. personnel have returned home. the Darwin-based 1st Brigade. 2 THE LIstENING POst October 2006 FULLY LOADED DEALS DRIVE AWAY NO MORE TO PAY $40,973* Metallic paint (as depicted) $240 extra. (Price applies to ‘05 build models) * NISSAN X-TRAIL ST-S $ , PATHFINDER ST Manual 40th Anniversary Special Edition 27 336 2.5 TUrbo DIesel PETROL AUTOmatIC 7 SEAT • Powerful 2.5L DOHC engine • Dual SRS airbags • ABS brakes • 128kW of power/403nm Torque • 3,000kg towing capacity PLUS Free alloy wheels • Free sunroof • Free fog lamps (trailer with brakes)• Alloy wheels • 5 speed automatic FREE ALLOY WHEEL, POWER WINDOWS * $ drive away AND LUXURY SEAT TRIM. LIMITED TIME ONLY 40480 + tray Metallic paint (as depicted) $240 extra. patrol 4.2 T/dsl st caB chassis * Powered by a turbo intercooled 4.2L diesel with 114kW of power TIIDA ST-S $ , plus 360Nm of torque, dual fuel tanks, coil suspension, CD SEDAN OR HATCH MANUAL 16 463 player, full electrics and LSD differential • 6 speed manual transmission • Air conditioning • CD player • Remote keyless entry • Dual SRS airbags PLUS A BULL BAR, TOW BAR AND DRIVING LIGHTS FOR ONLY $500 MORE * * from $30,340 $41,745 PATROL WAGON ST COIL NAVARA ST-R 3.0L 3.0L TURBO DIESEL MANUAL • Powerful 118kW, 380Nm turbo diesel manual • 3,200kg towing capacity • 7 seats • Dual SRS DUAL CAB • 2,800kg towing capacity (trailer with brakes) airbags • Alloy wheels • Rear Limited Slip Differential • Sports bar and side steps • Alloy wheels •Drivers airbag •Full electrics. PLUS A BULL BAR ALL NISSAN VEHICLES COME WITH 3 YEAR/100,000KMS WARRANTY AND 3 YEAR 24 HOUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE *Prices are TPI prices only. TPI customers exempt for GST and stamp duty. www.northsidenissan.com.au % 14 BERRIMAN DRIVE, WANGARA 9409 0000 Prices valid until October 31, 2006. *CONDITIONS APPLY. DL 0811 THE LIstENING POst October 2006 3 THE OCTOBER 2006 VOL. 29 No.5 Contents Page From the President’s Pen 4 Listening Post Country visits to eastern goldfields 5 Tanks and ARV's Arrive 5 FULLY LOADED DEALS Publishers National award for Perths Air Force Reserve 5 The Returned & Services League WA Branch Incorporated Official opening of RSL Care Menora 6 ANZAC House * 28 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000 Perth strategy group 7 & 10 DRIVE AWAY NO MORE TO PAY $ Telephone: (08) 9287 3799 40,973 PO Box Y3023 PERTH WA 6832 STATE EXECUTIVE Decommissioning HMAS Westralia 7 Email: [email protected] Facsimile: (08) 9287 3732 2005-2008 Website: www.rslwahq.org.au WA Country Callers: 1800 259 799 State President Bush Wireless 8 Mr William Gaynor OAM RFD Straight from the horses mouth 9 Editorial Staff State Vice President Mr Graeme Sherriff Managing Editor: Len Copley Navy ships on service 9 Deputy Editor: State treasUrer Editorial Co-Ordinator: Heather Anderson Ph: (08) 9287 3799 Mr Paul Rengel Sub-Editors: Olga Greig OAM, Bob Mercer AM RFD ED, Ken Morrison Summer chamber music 10 AFSM CD, & Bill Tate APRIA. committee Mr Peter Blenkinsopp Citrawarna Malaysia 2006 11 Membership Enquiries: Kathryn Clark Ph: (08) 9287 3705 Mr Len Copley Printer: Colour Press Mr Laurie Fraser MBE Mrs Olga Greig OAM RSL 90th National Congress 12 Graphic Design: Type Express Mr Alan Gronow Metallic paint (as depicted) $240 extra. (Price applies to ‘05 build models) Mr David Messer Membership & youth committee report 13 Mr Ian Mulholland Deadline for next edition: 17th November, 2006. * Mr Ken Parish Navy divers at the Perth Royal Show 14 NISSAN X-TRAIL ST-S $ PATHFINDER ST for contributions to next edition Mr Arthur Rae 27,336 Mr Mike Tonks If possible, submissions should be typed and double-spaced. Preferred method of Manual 40th Anniversary Special Edition 2.5 TUrbo DIesel PETROL AUTOmatIC 7 SEAT Mr Ray Ward Sub-branch News 15 receiving submissions is via email. Photographs can be black and white or colour. Mrs Donna Prytulak • Powerful 2.5L DOHC engine • Dual SRS airbags • ABS brakes • 128kW of power/403nm Torque • 3,000kg towing capacity This is your journal and contributions are welcome. PLUS Free alloy wheels • Free sunroof • Free fog lamps (trailer with brakes)• Alloy wheels • 5 speed automatic trUstees Hollywood Private Hospital revamp 15 Address to: Mr Don Blair RFD ED The Managing Editor, The Listening Post Mr John Cox OAM JP Notices 16 FREE ALLOY WHEEL, POWER WINDOWS * RSL, PO Box 3023 Adelaide Tce, PERTH WA 6832 Mr Robert Mercer AM RFD ED drive away $ Email: [email protected] Mr Wayne Tarr RFD ED Puzzles and recipes 17 AND LUXURY SEAT TRIM. LIMITED TIME ONLY 40480 + tray Mr Duncan Warren AM RFD Opinions expressed by contributors in articles and reproduced articles are the individual opinions of such contributors or the authors of such reproduced state secretarY From the bunker 18 articles and are not necessarily those of the RSL. Mr Shane Seers OAM JP Reproduction of articles (or extracts) contained in The Listening Post are assistant state Off the shelf 19 welcomed, provided the source is acknowledged. The Editor reserves the right to secretarY admin accept, reject, sub-edit and re-arrange material submitted for publication. Mr Geoff Dunne Sub wardens remembered 20 assistant state Please direct all advertising enquiries to RSL Advertising 9381 7999. SecretarY proJects Jo's foot notes 22 Mr Gary Sutherland OAM Metallic paint (as depicted) $240 extra. patrol 4.2 T/dsl st caB chassis * Powered by a turbo intercooled 4.2L diesel with 114kW of power TIIDA ST-S $ , plus 360Nm of torque, dual fuel tanks, coil suspension, CD SEDAN OR HATCH MANUAL 16 463 player, full electrics and LSD differential • 6 speed manual transmission • Air conditioning • CD player • Remote keyless entry • Dual SRS airbags PLUS A BULL BAR, TOW BAR AND DRIVING LIGHTS FOR ONLY $500 MORE * * from $30,340 $41,745 PATROL WAGON ST COIL NAVARA ST-R 3.0L 3.0L TURBO DIESEL MANUAL • Powerful 118kW, 380Nm turbo diesel manual • 3,200kg towing capacity • 7 seats • Dual SRS DUAL CAB • 2,800kg towing capacity (trailer with brakes) airbags • Alloy wheels • Rear Limited Slip Differential • Sports bar and side steps • Alloy wheels •Drivers airbag •Full electrics. PLUS A BULL BAR ALL NISSAN VEHICLES COME WITH 3 YEAR/100,000KMS WARRANTY AND 3 YEAR 24 HOUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE *Prices are TPI prices only. TPI customers exempt for GST and stamp duty. www.northsidenissan.com.au % 14 BERRIMAN DRIVE, WANGARA 9409 0000 Prices valid until October 31, 2006. *CONDITIONS APPLY. DL 0811 4 THE LIstENING POst October 2006 an out of budget arrangement. Thanks At National Congress the following are extended to that group, for their motion was passed: ‘That the RSL urge contribution to ensure that veterans have the government to review Australian From the ready access to quality health care. Immigration Policy, to make the learning of the English Language compulsory Gold Card during the first two years of arrival in Australia. President’s Pen National Congress also confirmed that Qualifying Service was an essential Within a week the government With Annual Congress now ANZAC Day 2007 also able to assess the needs of the local criterion for access to the Gold Card. It announced the proposed change to have behind us I would like to express communities, with respect to the conduct did, however, not preclude issue of the English Language proficiency – within my appreciation to sub-branches, We are pleased to announce that Celebrate of ANZAC Day Commemorative Card to other deserving groups, but only four years! Delegates and members who attended WA, in association with RSL, will be Services in their localities.