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Chairman’s Report It’s been another busy time for the Victoria Branch of the Order of Australia Association and maybe I’m a bit old fashioned but if I receive correspondence I like it to be an original signature and I’m still very much in the space of enjoying opening up a letter. With that in mind, I signed 157 letters to recipients from AustraliaDay congratulating themand inviting them to joinour Association.

Our Association is all about people and two people in particular for this report that I would like to mention are at opposite ends of the scale; one with some sadness with his health and the otherwithagreatcelebration,infactamagnificentmilestone.

Bill Horman AM APM is an amazing gentleman who either Chairs or takes a place on more committees than most of us could imagine, and sadly recently had a mild stroke. I am pleased to report with extensive rehabilitation and because he is of such strong mind and body, his health is heading in the right direction. As a snap shot, Bill was a very senior police officerwithVictoriaPolice formanyyearsand thenbecameChief Commissioner of Tasmania, Chief Commissioner Vanuatu,headofSecurityforCrownEntertainmentComplex,and now is a consultant to many major companies. Bill all of your friends not only in Victoria but across Australia wish you a speedy recovery.

Another amazing gentleman is Richard Rozen OAM who recently celebrated his 80th birthday which was such a happy time for him, his family and his extended group of friends. Richard has suffered in life through the Holocaust and other associated events in history that we can only read about and hear about through Richard’s presentations. Most of us would have no idea what it was like during those times. Richard, continued luck, health and happiness and thank you for everything you do for the Association Australia wide, particularly being the General Manager of merchandise.

Recently I had the pleasure of being asked to work with our Governor General Sir Peter CosgroveAKMC and LadyCosgrove when they attend the opening of the Anzac Walk and AnzacPlaceinthebeautifulsuburbofEmerald.TheRSLandthe community got together to create a beautiful garden area andpavedwalkwhereonecanspendsometimeinreflectionand sparing a thought for the men and woman who have served and are currently serving in the protection of Australia.

Sir Peter Cosgrove is an exceptional gentleman and I know he has full support for the Order of Australia Association and hopefully during his term as Governor General he can attend some of our events and perhaps be a key note speaker at a national conference.

In relation to the National Conference, I was overseas at the time however Paul Wheelton OAM, our Deputy ChairmanMetropolitan for Victoria Branch attended in my absence as did Christine Unsworth AM and Richard Rozen OAM, and from all reports it was a very successful and enlightening conference. I congratulatemycolleagueBarryNunnAORFDandhisteamfor taking on the task of staging a national conference I know from ours in 2014 it is not an easy task.

Congratulations to all the members who were elected to executive positions within the national body and in particular to Bill Galvin OAM being elected Chairman.

We at the Victoria Branch look forward to working closely, as we have done in the past, with all members of the National Committee and feel very comfortable that there is good governance and vision for the future well in place.

Bringing it very much back to Victoria, we have set up a strategicreviewofStateBranchundertheleadershipofDianeJames AM and Cathy Roth OAM who have put together sub committees and over the next twelve months we hope to have a very good look at where we are, where we want to be, and how we will get there. Not only for State Branch and Regional Branchelectedofficialsbutmostimportantlyforourmembers.

This will be a very in-depth review, and in the early stages some amazing ideas have come up that will be put into place, and this review will help secure our future for many, many, years to come.

My thanks go to all delegates at the conference who supported the Association in purchasing merchandise and I encourage all State, Territory and Regional Branches to review the revised merchandise list and contact Richard Rozen OAM or Neil Soullier OAM to place orders, that in turn will generate good profits for yourbranch, andvia theVictorianBrancha50%profitsharetoNational.It’sbeenoneofthebigadvancesinafinancialsensetohaveanextensivemerchandiserange,andwe will be continually updating the list with items that are relevant,ofgoodqualityandverywellpriced.

Onafinalnote,Iwouldliketomentionaquietachieverwhoprobablyforthefirsttimewillreceivethisacknowledgementwhen she is reading “The Order”, but she really is my right handhelperinVictoria.MarionLauOAMisalwaysthereformymany calls, emails and updates and is a key part in organising functions such as the AGM, the annual luncheon, the new recipients function and helping with other State Branch events throughout the year. Marion takes on all of these extra duties along side being the Secretary which takes up many hours each week. Many thanks Marion for everything you do.

We have a most amazing array of committee members for Victoria and I thank each and every one of you, and once again I emphasize that we have succession planning well and truly in place. We are already courting a few other ladies and gentlemen to come on board by the end of the year to State Branch.

The Victoria Branch acknowledges the ongoing and generous support of the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria in presenting this report.

Thanks to our ongoing supporter RACV who help us with this newsletter and our e-newsletters and have been a proud supporter of the Order of Australia Association Victoria Branch for many years. They are well and truly a national company now with their resorts business and of course car and home insurance, member assistance and magnificentaccommodation facilities accompanied by the finest infood and beverage restaurants. May we never ever take our supporters for granted and continually acknowledge them whenever we get a chance.

david g. Mann oaM chairman – Victoria state Branch order of australia association

VictoRiA

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melbourne WinTer masTerPiecesThe Victoria Branch will be organising a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria to see the exhibition “Masterpieces from the Hermitage : TheLegacyofCatherinetheGreat”.Theeventwillconsistofalecturefollowed by entry to the exhibition and lunch. The visit will be on Thursday 15 October and if members and guests are thinking of attending please register your interest with Julian Stock at jbstock@bigpond.net.au.hewillkeepyouinformedasmoredetailsarefinalized.

easTern suburbs reGional GrouP The Eastern Suburbs Regional Group has planned an interestingprogramfortheyearaheadwiththefirstactivitybeingamorningtour of the Shrine of Remembrance with lunch in the Botanic Gardens on 28th April. The second activity will be a tour of Victorian Parliament House followed by a luncheon in Parliament House on 16th June. In July the traditional ‘Christmas in July’ luncheon will be held on 28th July at the Bucatini Restaurant in Mitcham.

For the remainder of the year a reception for 2015 Australia DayandQueen’sBirthdayOrderofAustraliaAwardrecipientsresiding in the Eastern Suburbs will be held on 7th Octoberin conjunction with the Boroondara Council. Following this functiontheEasternSuburbsRegionalGroupAGMwillbeheldon 4th November at theWhitehorse-Manningham Library atNunawading with a guest speaker.

AllESRGmembershavebeenmailedwiththedetailsofthe2015functions with reply slips for registering attendance for the tour of the Shrine, the tour of Parliament House and the luncheon at the Bucatini Restaurant.

Membersof theEasternSuburbsRegionalGroupcanaccess thewebsite www.oaaesrg.org for information on the Regional Group andactivitiesprogrammedfor thecomingyear.Forenquiriesonthe ESRGprogramcontactDotBrowneOAMon98742501oremail dotandcol23@bigpond.com

barWon reGional GrouPobituary: Geoffrey betts am mbe (1920–2015)

Geoff Betts was born in Sydney and started business there following World War II service. He moved to Geelong in 1949 and eight years later in partnership with John Wade acquired Lindsay’s discount store,their partnership grew the retail business and within eleven years had 14 stores around Victoria at which timeMyerEmporiumLtdrecognisingthe potential for growth bought the business and the company became LindsayTargetPtyLtd. In1973 thestores became Target Australia Pty

Ltd,todaytheTargetdivisionAustraliawideemploysover23,000thisis testament to Geoff’s vision, hard work, staff and loyal customers. He wasManagingDirectoruntilhisretirementin1976;priortoandsinceretirement he also found time to give back to the greater Geelong community in many ways.

Geoff was a member of the Rotary Club of Geelong for 52 years, PastPresident,DistrictGovernor,PaulharrisFellowandrecipientof Rotary International’s revered Service Above Self Award. In 1981 he was invited to be a member of Australian Rotary Health, became a foundation member of the fund and board serving ten years includingfiveasViceChairmanandthenChairforwhichhewasawarded life membership.

InJune1982GeoffwasanMBEOrderoftheBritishEmpire–Member(Civil)recipientinrecognitionofservicetocommerceandDefenceForce Welfare.

Geoff over a 40 year span was an outstanding contributor to many organisations including being the inaugural President of The Geelong College Foundation, a member of the College Council, convener of theFinanceCommitteeandwasappointedaLifeGovernorof theCollegein2003,plusaGeelongandDistrictCommunityChest(now

tradingasGiveWhereYouLive)CampaignDirector,ChairedregionalTAFECouncilsandwasViceChairmanofBarwonhealthFoundationplus led a public fundraiser for upgrading of Eastern Beach andsponsorship of promenade planks along the boardwalk.

June 1995 Geoff was an Order of Australia recipient for service to the community,commerceandtothewelfareofmembersoftheDefenceForce.

Geoff certainly gave back to the greater Geelong community and when his health allowed found time to attend OAA Barwon Regional Group events and always had his wife of 72 years Betty by his side. One of Geoff’s sons Michael Betts was guest speaker at the Barwon RegionalGroupAustraliaDayReceptionin2012.MichaelatGeoff’sfuneral acknowledged that even though his father was a busy man he was a fantastic father who ensured he had time for his family including his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Barwon Regional Group acknowledges and thanks Geoffrey Betts AM MBEforhiscontributiontoourregion–atrueAustraliangentleman.

Primary school award Members, family and friends have been invited to the Barwon Regional Group inaugural Primary School Award presentation and morningteaonThursdayMay14attheGeelongRSL.Thewinningschool and their “pride in Australia citizenship” project will be acknowledged in the next edition of The Order.

our commitment to communicating with all barwon regional Group members We appreciate not all our members have email however if you have access to email via a family member, friend or your retirement village/nursing home please email Secretary Helene Bender OAM helenebender@westnet.com.au with the email address for your Order of Australia Association (OAA) Barwon Regional Group and OAA Victoria Branch communication. This will assist in the reduction of overhead stationery, printing and postage costs; for 2015 Barwon Regional Group will mail local and state newsletters and invitations to all our members.

reTiremenT of lonG serVinG board membersA memorable evening was spent in the elegant Atheneum Club dining room when the Victoria Branch committee said farewell toretiringmembersWellingtonLeeAMOBERFD,BrianStahlOAM JP and Richard Williams OAM. These gentlemen have given many years of valuable service to the Branch. Another special guest was Max Chester OAM who takes responsibility forthearrangementsfortheannualFlagLoweringceremonyattheShrineofRemembranceonAustraliaDay.

ChairmanDavidMannOAM presented each gentlemanwith aframedCertificate ofAppreciationwhich had been prepared byBranch member Neil Soullier OAM.

The evening was generously hosted by Paul Wheelton OAM.

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imPorTanT noTice To all VicToria branch membersDidyoureceiveinearlyAprilyourVictoriaBranchElectronicNewsletter?Ifyoudidnot,itwillbebecauseeitherwedonothaveyour e-mail address OR we have the incorrect address. To rectify this situation please either contact your local group secretary or president,ore-mailTonySmith,theVictoriaBranchMembershipOfficer,atoaavicmbrsec@theorderofaustralia.asn.au

souTh WesT VicToria reGional GrouP

ausTralia day ceremony: TheSouthWestgroup,inpartnershipwiththeWarrnamboolRSL,againconductedtheir“LoweringtheFlag”ceremonyonAustraliaDay, timed to coincide with the Victoria Branch ceremony atMelbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. Participants in the Parade andCeremonyincludedtheWarrnamboolPipesandDrums,413Squadron Air Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Secondary and Primarystudents, Brauer College Choir and talented vocalists. A SW member, Professor Dr. Geoff Quail, delivered the Australia DayAddress. Positive comments by the media, SW Group and RSLmembers,localMayors,invitedguestsandthepublicconfirmedthattheceremonywasafittingwaytocelebrateournationalday.

A reception for members and guests, held in the adjacent RSLClub, followed the ceremony providing great fellowship for the more than eighty people present.

auTumn funcTion: The autumn function for the SW Group was held in mid April at “Dalvui”thehistorichomeofourRegionalGroupPresident,Dr.Peter Habersberger AM. The home is also renowned for its extensive heritage listed gardens. A report of the function will appear in the next edition of The Order.

SW Group President, Dr Peter Habersberger AM RFD addresses the Australia Day audience, accompanied by the catafalque party from 413 Air Cadet Squadron.

souTh cenTral suburban reGional GrouPThe shrine of remembrance - a VisiT To remember Members and guests of the South Central Suburban Regional Group were joined by members of the Northern Suburbs Regional Group when they visited Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance on 26th March.

They were privileged to have the Shrine Chief Executive OfficerDenisBaguleyleadthemthroughtheamazing$45millionredevel-opmentofthismostmagnificentmemorialtothemenandwomenwho have fought for Australia since the First World War.

Transformed with a major new auditorium, education lobby andexhibitionspace,visitorsquicklyrealise thatanhouranda half tour is just a prompt to visit individually, spending many hours to take in the dozens of audio visual displays, specificfeatures depicting records of the First and Second World Wars andsubsequentconflictsinvolvingtheAustralianForces.

Over 50,000 school children visit the Shrine each year as part of a school excursion, with enlarged facilities to ensure they come awaywitha realunderstandingof the sacrificesmadeby theirforebears.

GeneralSirJohnMonashGCMG,KCB,VDconceivedtheconceptof the Shrine as a memorial to the men and women of Victoria who served in World War I and is now a memorial to all Australians who have served us so well. Appropriate then that we started our tour at his bust.

Amongsomanyfeatures,butasafittingpreviewtotheCentenaryofANzAC inApril, thedisplayandaudiovisualpresentationofthe Gallipoli landing boat, one of only two in the world, was an experience to remember.

Pictured: Ian Perdriau AM, Regl Grp Chairman Lt Col Garry Spencer AM, Shrine CEO Denis Baguley, Regl Grp Vice-Chairman Ross Newton OAM

Historic Gallipoli Landing Boat

ThENATIONALMAGAzINEOFThEORDEROFAuSTRALIAASSOCIATION

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member ProfilePaul WheelTon oamPaul Wheelton OAM, the Vice Chairman of the Victoria Branch is aferventbelieverinCORPORATESOCIALRESPONSIBILITYandpractices what he preaches.

A focus on philanthropy - The Wheelton Group: from Budget to Bali and beyond

For some organisations, charitable activities may fall into the ‘nice to do’ category, but for the Wheelton Group, generating the funds necessary to provide philanthropic support to the less fortunate is a key purpose of the business.

Australia’s largest Budget rent-a-car franchise, with 12 locations in VictoriaandQueensland,theWheeltonGroupgives20percentofits net income each year to selected charities in Australia and over-seas, with a particular focus on children’s wellbeing and education.

“I believe in the ‘living will’ – that is, giving now to make a difference, notaftermypassing,”saysChairmanandCEOPaulWheeltonOAM.

“Our commitment to ‘giving back’ is the cornerstone of our business.”

The Wheelton Group, which has approximately 40 years’ expe-rience in the rental vehicle industry andhas also diversified intoresort and property management and ownership, has donated and fundraised millions of dollars for charitable causes. It began philan-thropic work in Bali some 30 years ago, but this took on real dimen-sion following the devastation caused by the Bali bombings in 2002.

“I found that 66 orphanages existed on the small island and all were in a very bad state,” Mr Wheelton says. “Management was often non-existent and their survival was a day-to-day proposition.”

The Wheelton Group established the Bali Children Foundation (BCF), whichcurrentlysupportsfiveorphanages(hometo200children)andvillage education programs that support approximately 1000 children.

“The majority of our work now is in enabling education to remote villages in northern Bali. In these areas, the children would rarely gettogotosecondaryschoolandwouldendupinthefieldat10years-old working with their parents.

“In each of the villages, we build or rebuild a community centre wherewe provide English teaching and computer skill training.Tourism is the largest employer on the island and having these two skills virtually guarantees employment and therefore income back to the community.”

Mr Wheelton was awarded the Order of Australia in 2010 for his services to children through charities such as Life EducationAustralia, Variety, Marsh Foundation and BCF. The Wheelton Family CharitableTrust,throughtheLordMayor’sCharitableFoundation,is also involved in long-term major projects with both domestic and overseas organisations.

Mr Wheelton is concerned about the state of giving in Australia and believes that one of the barriers to philanthropy here is ‘the tall poppy syndrome’ and people’s embarrassment to declare what they give.

“In the US, virtually every school and medical facility will carry the namesofsignificantcontributorstothefunding.InAustralia,theyaremore likely to carry the name of a past principal or a doctor of note.

“When people give anonymously, they miss out on the ability to educate their family and

friends on the key benefits of giving.”

He also believes that there are too many charities and that the large numbers “create confusion, lead to duplication in services and provide an uneconomic framework to achieve positive outcomes”.

“Iamafirmbelieverinnotreinventingthewheelbutfindingotherorganisations that can provide the service we need and supporting them to get results.”

To help encourage leadership in philanthropy, in 2013, Mr Wheelton teamed up with his alma mater Camberwell Grammar to take a student group to Bali on an “alternative schoolies” program, where they worked at Wheelton’s orphanages and village project“ I know that each of the boys was left with a deep and moving expe-rience that will translate to them being very important contributors to their own communities as they move through life.”

Mr Wheelton advises those keen to embark on their own philan-thropic path to make sure that “those around you are involved in the journey and that you are really having a little fun on the way – I am!”

“When people give anonymously, they miss out on the ability to educate”

Paul and friends

morninGTon Peninsula reGional GrouPRegionalChairmanBrianL.StahlOAMJPwasGuestSpeakerattheAustraliaDayCitizenshipCeremonyheldinRosebudhall.

The ceremony saw 57 receive Citizenship from 10 nations including some family groups. As usual, it was a joyous and memorable occasion for the recipients and their families.

Our group will provide Guest Speakers on the occasion of another 5 Citizenship Ceremonies in 2015.

norThern suburbs reGional GrouPThe Northern Suburbs Regional Group would like to invite members to consider becoming one of the Group Committee. We needtofilltherolesofConvener,TreasurerandChair.

DoreenAkkerman,AMishappytohelpanyonewhoisinterested.The Group meets at the Darebin RSL Club. Doreen may becontacted at doreen.akkerman@gmail.com or 0419 305 918.

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shePParTon luncheonThe most recent function was a luncheon held at the Goulburn Valley Hotel in Shepparton in November when there were two speakers. They were representatives of Afghan and Sudanese refugee groups who are now living in Shepparton.

ThepopulationofSheppartoncontainsabout10%indigenousand10%refugeepeopleand is a good model of a multicultural community living in harmony.

One speaker, a young Afghan woman, is now studying at university and indicated that she aimedtoworkintheDepartmentofImmigrationongraduating.

The young man, who suffered ten terrible years in a refugee camp in Africa now works as a nurse and has achieved his own home. The audience was silent and incredulous as they told their stories.

norTh easT VicToria & Goulburn Valley reGional GrouP The group meets three times a year and it usually takes the form of a Sunday luncheon with a topical speaker. Venues are chosen from across the region in order to share the travelling and gain exposure for The Order.

Personal files collaTionForsomeyearsnowourgrouphasbeengatheringpersonalfilesofthelifeandachieve-mentsofourawardrecipientsandcompilingthemintoCompendiums.EachfinancialmemberreceivesaCompendiumatthefirstfunctionthattheyattend.

These become a valuable reference for our members in getting to know of each other’s community contributions and will also provide a wonderful history of the “doers” of the NorthEast&GoulburnValleyRegion.

buildinG The “order of ausTralia” brandTheRuralCityofWangaratta,whichisonethemunicipalitieswithintheNEGVOAARegionalGroup,isgivingourbrandgoodrecognition.

OnAustraliaDayalistingoftherecipientsinthemunicipalityisprovidedtotheCouncilwhichformsthebasisoftheofficialAustraliaDaycelebrationinvitationmailout.Partner’snamesareincluded.

AttheAustraliaDayeventfrontrowseatsarereservedforusandourpresenceisprominentlyacknowledgedatthebeginningofformalities.

The Council also invites members to Civic Receptions throughout the year.

Wangaratta has a relatively new Performing Arts Centre which has become the centre of many functions, events and performances. In the foyer of the building where people gather the Council has erected an attractive display of the various Order of Australia medals. Alongside it is a modern style of honour board listing the recipients of the municipality. This is updated annually.

This might be a useful model for Regional Groups to encourage other Councils to do likewise.

ad2015 aWardsIn themost recentAustralia Day awards,eight residents were recognized in the Order of Australia honours list. We look forward to meeting them at our next func-tion, a luncheon in the border town of Mulwala on April 19th.

John Brown AO - Chair

member inTerVieW sessionsAt recent functions we have conducted a member interview session aimed at familiarising the guests with the achievements of the member and facilitating a better understanding of what inspires those around us. The sessions have proved popular and help to build a united group.

The practice will now be part of each luncheon.

cruden farm Picnic morninGTon PeninsulaThe annual Cruden Farm Picnic was held on Sunday 15th February 2015 in glorious summer weather and was attended by around 100 adults and children including members from Melbourne.

The Westernport Regional Band provided the day’s entertainment and although there were fewer attendees than were expected all who attended enjoyed looking through the beautiful gardens of the LateDameElisabethMurdoch’shome.

Funds raised on the day go towards the Annual Schools Awards Program and the Roy Ward Prize.

Thefollowingeventshavebeenplannedforthenextquarter.

saturday 25th april 2015: AnzacDayServiceMemorialGardenCanadianBayRdMtEliza.

friday 8th May 2015:ReceptionforAwardRecipients(QueensBirthday2014/AustraliaDay2015)6pmBriarshomesteadNepean Hwy Mount Martha.

sunday 7th June 2015: Interfaith Festival 12.30 -5.30pm P C Theatre Wilson’s Rd Mornington.