Registered by AUSTRALIA POST NO. PP607128/00001 THE February 2009 VOL. 32 No.1 The official journal of THE RETURNED & SErvICES LEAGUE OF AUstrALIA POSTAGE PAID SURFACE ListeningListeningWA Branch Incorporated • PO Box 3023 Adelaide Tce, Perth 6832 • Established 1920 PostPostAUSTRALIA MAIL RSL Australia Day Awards From Left; Cadet Sergeant Ashley Duckling - Australian Air Force Cadets. Cadet Petty Officer David Thatcher - Australian Navy Cadets. Cadet Under Officer Hannah Walker - Australian Army Cadets STOP PRESS Trooper The Victoria Donaldson VC Cross Library Marching in at ANZAC Perth ANZAC Day Ceremony at House 2009 Kanchanaburi Page Pages Page 8 5 19 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 February 2009 14 BERRIMAN DRIVE, WANGARA www.northsidenissan.com.au IT’S A Great moVE maKE Into A DualIS TIIDA ST THE all new seDan or DualIS st H atCH LIMIteD stoCK # # • ABS Brakes • Dual Front Airbags • Dual Airbags • CD Player $15,500 • 6 Speed Manual , $23990 • Air Conditioning # DRIVeawaY Applicable to TPI card holders only. Manual. Metallic colours $395 extra DRIVeawaY# Applicable to TPI card holders only. Manual. Metallic colours $395 extra NAVara 4.0LT Petrol V6 ALL NEW MURANO ST NAVara THE ultImate urBan ST-X 4X2 CrossoVer Free nuDGE Bar, tow Bar & DRIVING LIGHts # # • ABS Brakes • Dual SRS Airbags $32,490 • 198kW/385Nm Torque $40,330 • Full Leather • 2000kg Towing Capacity # DRIVeawaY# Applicable to TPI card holders only. Manual. Metallic colours $395 extra DRIVeawaY Applicable to TPI card holders only. Manual. Metallic colours $395 extra new patHFINDer patrol st PatHFINDer st-L turBO • 2.5lt turbo diesel DIesel • Side steps • Alloy wheels • Dual airbags • ABS brakes # # • 3.0lt Turbo Diesel • 3200kg Towing Capacity $41,990 $43,990 • 7 Seater • Dual airbags • ABS • Alloy Wheels • Cruise Control DRIVeawaY# Applicable to TPI card holders only. Manual. Metallic colours $395 extra DRIVeawaY# Applicable to TPI card holders only. Manual. Metallic colours $395 extra livering over 200 new & qu Your one stop shop! De ality used COMPLETE FINANCE vehicles online at AFTER CARE www.northsidenissan.com.au SERVICING ANY MAKE AND MODEL PARTS SELL YOUR CAR 1300 303 314 1300 303 314 A/H: BEN DAGLIESH 0423 251 723 www.northsidenissan.com.au ENTRY OFF BERRIGAN DRIVE DL 0811 Prices applicable until March 31, 2009. Pictures for illustration purposes only. Prices not valid with any other offer. Above prices are exclusive to T.P.I. card holders only. Applies to all 2008 built stock only except the Murano. 021009-226 THE LIstENING Post February 2009 3 THE FEBRUARY 2009 VOL. 32 No.1 Deadline for next edition: 2rd March, 2009. 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 Listening Post black and white or colour. This is your journal and contributions are welcome. STATE EXECUTIVE Publishers 2008-2011 Address to: The Editor, The Listening Post The Returned & Services League WA Branch Incorporated STATE PRESIDENT RSL, PO Box 3023 Perth Adelaide Terrace, WA 6832 ANZAC House 28 St Georges Tce Mr William Gaynor OAM RFD Email: [email protected] PERTH WA 6000 Opinions expressed by contributors in articles and reproduced articles are the Email: [email protected] STATE VICE PRESIDENT Poistion Vacant individual opinions of such contributors or the authors of such reproduced Website: www.rslwahq.org.au articles and are not necessarily those of the RSL. Telephone: (08) 9287 3716 STATE TREASURER Mr Paul Rengel Reproduction of articles (or extracts) contained in The Listening Post are Facsimile: (08) 9287 3732 STATE EXECUTIVE welcomed, provided the source is acknowledged. The Editor reserves the right WA Country Callers: 1800 259 799 to accept, reject, sub-edit and re-arrange material submitted for publication. PO Box 3023, Perth Adelaide Tce, WA 6832 Mr Peter Aspinall Mr Dilwyn “Digger” Cleak, OAM Mr Campbell Cornish Publishing of Listening Post CONtact DIRECTORY Mr Ross Davies 'The Listening Post' is published 6 times a year, printing Mr Damian Dixon 10,000 copies to members, subscribers and Unit & Kindred Departments at ANZAC House Mr Ray Galliott associations. Membership: Kathy Clark 8.00am-3.30pm Mon-Thurs Mr Charles Lammers 9287 3705 Mr Oliver Lovelle To all Presidents & Secretaries Mr David Messer I was disappointed at the lack of response to our request for Welfare: Margot Harness 9.00am 3.30pm Mon-Thurs Mr Ken Parish 9287 3707 0412 009 191 articles and photos of Christmas activities for publication in Mrs Donna Prytulak ‘The Listening Post’. Denis Connelly, Editor Snr Advocate: Jim Boland 8.00am-4.00pm Mon-Fri Mr Arthur Rae 9287 3708 Mr Ray Ward The Listening Post and Sub-Branch Signal Restaurant/Bar: Nigel Von Bergheim Hours 9am to 4pm 9287 3714 TRUSTEES Att: Presidents and Secretaries Finance Service Officer: 9.00am-3.00pm Mon-Wed 9287 3703 Mr Don Blair RFD ED As we are endeavouring to update our records on our oldest Sub- Mr John Cox OAM JP Branch, could you please forward the 'Date of Issue' of your Mr Wayne Tarr RFD ED 'Charter of Membership' to Assistant Secretary Denis Connelly Mr Duncan Warren AM RFD Editorial Information at ANZAC House? Mr Kevin Trent, RFD Editor: Denis Connelly (08) 9287 3716 To date, we have approximately 50% of ‘Date of Charter’ from Executive Editor: Nola Keen (08) 9287 3716 CEO/STATE SECRETARY Mr Kevin Davidson MVO, OAM Sub-Branches Administration Assistant: Caitlin Harnwell Mr W Gaynor, State President Receptionist: Emily Lovett AssISTANT STATE SECRETARY ADMINISTRATION Advertising: RSL Advertising (08) 9381 7999 Secretaries and Contributors are reminded that "cut off" dates Mr Denis Connelly for inclusion in the Listening Post are to be strictly adhered to, Graphic Design: Type Express EXECUTIVE AssISTANT as articles are being refused for publication due to being late Printer: Rural Press Nola Keen arrivals, or lack of room. Denis Connelly, Editor YOUR LAWYERS We are proud of our long association with the RSL and are pleased to provide members with the following services Probate and Deceased Estates David Miller Coneyancing and Settlements Emma Leys Enduring Powers of Attorney David Miller Family Law Tony Milne Motor Vehicle Accidents and General Personal Injuries Tony Milne WILLS AT SPECIAL RATES Telephone: (08) 9321 3755 Facsimile: (08) 9321 3465 Level 8, AMP Building, 140 St Georges Terrace, Perth 6000 Website: www.kottgunn.com.au Email: [email protected] THE LIstENING Post February 2009 Insurance Matters New Sub Branch It has been drawn to our attention We are pleased to announce the From the that our Volunteer Workers presentation of a Sub Branch Insurance covered members Charter to the Turkish Sub undertaking voluntary work Branch. Having finished its President’s Pen for the RSL up to the age of 80 probationary period the group has Years. We are pleased to advise demonstrated strong growth with a Welcome to 2009! I trust you recipients of awards, in particular Services are presented. that following negotiations with potential to expand its operations. were able to enjoy the festive those who have association Deeming Rates Lowered our insurers we have been able to The Sub Branch will meet in the with the veteran and ex-service put into effect an increase to the East Victoria Park RSL Hall after season and are now looking Many veterans with investment community. age limitation to 85 years at no completion of satisfactory tenancy forward to what will be a income will benefit from a lower extra cost. There are, however, arrangements. very challenging year. It was We honour Edward D, Graham AM income test deeming rate to certainly a great start with and CDRE Robert (Bob) Trotter Sub Branches that may require apply from 27 January 2009. The an extension of that 85 year Cadet Efficiency Trophy Western Australian based SAS OAM who were instrumental in reduction in the rate reflects the The 2008 Awards have been the finding of HMAS SYDNEY. limitation to a further period of Trooper Mark Donaldson VC ongoing reductions in interest perhaps up to 100 years. We are finalized and the following groups being the first recipient of an Neil O. McPherson OAM, a rates and the impact of the global currently in discussions with our have been awarded the Annual Australian Victoria Cross for Second World War PoW is financial crisis on investments. insurers to provide us with a range and Perpetual Trophy and a cash distinguishing himself on the recognized for his work with the It is anticipated around 40,000 of options for Sub Branches who prize of $1000 jointly donated battlefield in Afghanistan. Burma-Thailand Railway Assoc DVA pensioners will benefit may require this facility. As soon by RSL and Australian Defence The RSL has offered in the education programs that when the deeming rate is reduced as we have some details we will Credit. from five to four per cent for congratulations and extended address facts associated with that advise the membership and the Navy: TS VANCOUVER an invitation to him to lead era of the War. financial investments over Sub Branches of the terms that $41,000 for a single pensioner Army: Christ Church Grammar the 2009 ANZAC Day March Susan Glasfurd’s OAM is awarded may apply and additional costs School in Perth if he is available.