Southern Highlands Vietnam Veterans' Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association Inc.

NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2015

DINNER MEETING 2ND SEPTEMBER Bundanoon Bowling Club 6pm for 6:30

Venue is Bundanoon Club located in Erith Street adjacent to the oval where Brigadoon is held each year. Coming from Moss Vale, not far after the welcome plinth, take the first turn on the right and go over the railway line, you are then in Erith Street, the club is about 1km further down, on the right. Boys - there is old beer on tap, the chef has cooked at the Surveyor General & was also Alan Jones's personal chef. Should be a great night. If you are coming - RSVP to Bob or Noelene Ph 4862 3741 by Monday

LADIES VIP LUNCH Wednesday 16th September at 12 Noon

STUMPS at BRADMAN OVAL Please RSVP to Julia Billows Ph 4872 1727

VIETNAM VETERANS’ DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE

The Highlands turned on one of its finest spring days - a welcome relief from the wind and rain of recent times. The Memorial Service was well attended by Vietnam Veterans, local dignitaries, including Mayor Duncan Gair and Pru Goward, state member for Goulburn, most high schools and the public. For the first time HMAS Albatross provided the Honour Guard, it was good to have the RAN directly represented and very much appreciated. The catafalque party did a great job and joined us for drinks and dinner afterwards. They are keen to participate next year. With another first the RSL Rural Commemorative Youth Choir entertained, sang during the wreath laying and led the singing of our National Anthem. OJ Rushton animatedly conducted the choir and the singing during the wreath laying ceremony was most fitting. Our own Lt. Colonel (Retired) John Innes, as Guest Speaker, spoke about the war in Vietnam, its relationship to the Cold War and its importance in maintaining stability in South East Asia. Norm Austin addressed the Centenary of ANZAC with a moving account of his mother's grief over her loss of his uncle, 100 years ago, during the Battle of Lone Pine.

Chloe Golding from the Southern Highlands Christian School spoke of the sacrifice and cost paid by our veterans and the heartfelt appreciation of the community for their service to our nation. Duncan Reay, from Bowral High School, hauntingly sounded the Last Post and Revellie. Both did an excellent job. A big thank you goes to these individuals and groups who participated as they made the service more memorable. Thanks go to the Mittagong RSL for its support by printing the program and hosting the evening function. Thanks to the Council staff who prepared the grounds. Congratulations to the Sub-Committee for a well organised Service and finally the setup & demolition team. For a great video of the service, which includes the speeches, and a slideshow, which features the wreath laying ceremony go to our website: www.shvva.com and then to NEWS - RECENT EVENTS - VIETNAM VETERANS' DAY

NEXT DINNER MEETINGS

7th October, Porterhouse, Moss Vale Hotel

NEXT VIP LUNCHES 21st October - Shaggy Cow, Mittagong

50TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER We will be definitely holding a dinner concert on Saturday 20th August 2016 at Mittagong RSL - please put it in your diary. Also if you have any ideas or suggestions as to how we can make this a most memorable occasion please contact one of the Sub-Committee: Phill Moscatt, Bruce Boffinger, Terry Lemcke and Norm Austin who are working on this.

FUNDRAISING Bunning Sausage Sizzles - we have been allocated two days: Sunday 20th September 2015 and Saturday 2nd January 2016. The Sizzles have the potential to raise in excess of $500 per day. However, to be successful we need VOLUNTEERS. Each day will require eight people to operate efficiently. Bunning's will provide the equipment, direction and guidelines and we provide the sausages, bread, drinks and the sizzle. It is definitely on and volunteers could be individuals or couples prepared to donate about 4 hours on the day. We have less than one month to go.

VOLUNTEER NOW Please contact Phill - Even if you have already mentioned your willingness to him - would you please ring to confirm - Phill Moscatt 4872 1727

INVITATION TO BONG BONG RACES We have over 20 starters for the The Bong Bong Picnic Race Club - Centenary of ANZAC Races on 20th November, 2015. A ggood response - this should be a great outing and perhaps a chance to back a winner. Bob Bailey is co-ordinating.

PROPOSED THEATRE PARTY - LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS This show offers lively entertainment by local artists. We are hoping to get a group together to see it at the Mittagong Playhouse from 4th to 19th September. Cost is about $30. Last chance for this - we do not have enough starters - yet - to make up a theatre party. This will be a great show. If you would like to go give Norm a ring ASAP on 48691772

VETERAN'S HEALTH WEEK Veterans' Health week is in October. Bob Bailey has been working on an outing for for members and wives. The idea is to go to Bowral Club (Bowling Club) on Friday 16th October for a "healthy" lunch, which will be designed by the chef. Bob has applied for a grant from DVA to cover come of the costs of the event, which if successful, will reduce the cost to about $5 to $10 per head. Put it in your diary now.

AUGUST DINNER - BOWRAL THE LION RAMPANT

Another well attended and enjoyable evening in Mittagong. About 20 sat down to dinner in the dining room and judging by the chatter and involvement all had a great time. Thanks to Allan Swift for donating the lucky door prizes. As you can see - Bruce and Julia shared a joke - that was it Bruce?

WEB SITE

I have changed the password to the members area to "XXXXX" (DELETED FOR SECURITY) please email me if you are having problems - normanbaustin@yahoo.com.au

Our Welfare Co-ordinator, Ray McCan has prepared the second part in his series "Planning Ahead". It is on page 4 - PTO Norm  Austin,  

     

Editor  and  Webmaster      PLANNING  AHEAD  2    This  is  the  second  in  a  series  of  Planning  Ahead  articles  aimed  at  helping  our  members  and  their  families  prepare  for  bereavement.    The  first  article  covered  preparation  of  a  Planning  Ahead  Kit.    This  article  covers  Wills,  Powers  of  Attorney  and  Enduring  Guardianship.      A  Will  is  a  document  that  clearly  sets  out  your  wishes  for  the  distribution  of  your  assets  after  you  die.  It’s  important  to  realise  that  specific  legal  requirements  need  to  be  followed  for  a  Will  to  be  valid.    If  you  die  without  a  Will  (that  is,  intestate)  your  assets  or  estate  will  be  divided  according  to  government  legislation.  In  other  words,  if  you  don’t  have  a  Will  you  don’t  have  a  say.  This  may  not  be  what  you  wanted,  and  the  process  may  cause  hardship,  delay  and  expense.  If  your  only  living  relatives  are  more  distant  than  cousins,  your  estate  will  be  paid  to  the  government.    Firstly,  you  should  make  a  list  of  your  assets  and  the  people  you  want  to  leave  them  to.  Secondly,  you  need  to  choose  a  responsible  and  competent  Executor  such  as  a  solicitor  or  a  trusted  relative.  We  recommend  that  you  seek  professional  advice  if  your  affairs  are  neither  simple  nor  straightforward.    It’s  important  to  have  an  executor  who  understands  the  financial,  taxation  and  legal  implications.    If  there’s  the  added  complication  of  a  dispute,  it’s  particularly  important  to  have  an  independent  executor.  Being  the  executor  or  administrator  of  a  Will  carries  serious  obligations  and  can  be  a  complex,  time  consuming  and  demanding  job.  The  NSW  Trustee  and  Guardian  or  your  solicitor  can  provide  this  service  as  well  as  preparing  wills.    You’ve  made  your  Will  and  looked  after  the  future  of  your  assets,  now  what  about  yourself?  Your  Will  ensures  that  your  assets  will  be  distributed  according  to  your  wishes  after  your  death.  A  Power  of  Attorney  lets  you  appoint  someone  to  assist  in  managing  your  assets  and  financial  affairs  on  your  behalf  while  you  are  alive  should  you  require  it.  A  Power  of  Attorney  is  just  as  important  as  your  Will,  and  in  NSW  it  applies  to  financial  or  legal  matters.  Enduring  Guardianship  covers  health  and  accommodation  issues.  An  Enduring  Guardian  is  the  person  you  appoint  to  make  health,  lifestyle  and  medical  decisions  for  you  when  you  are  not  capable  of  doing  this  for  yourself.      You  can  simplify  matters  by  completing  your  Will,  Power  of  Attorney  and  Enduring  Guardianship  at  the  same  time.        This  article  is  based  on  information  taken  from  the  NSW  Trustee  and  Guardian  website  www.tag.nsw.gov.au