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WBB District Digest page
RSL (Queensland) Wide Bay & Burnett District Branch Inc
District Digest
NEWS—NOTICES—REMINDERS—INFORMATION—LAUGHS Issue No 03/16 (December) Editor: Allison Webb
www.rslwidebay.org www.facebook.com/rslwidebay/
INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s note & District reminders…....p 2
TIP COURSES/ATDP……………….…...p 3
Sub Branch stories………………………..p 4
Remembrance Day in pictures…………...p 8
Grant recipients & reports…………..…..p 10
Christmas time….………………………p 11
What is WVNA?......................................p 13
2017 Planning calendar………...……….p 15
Mini Directory………………..……...….p 16
DISTRICT NEWS CHANGE IN DISTRICT BOARD During October the District Deputy President resigned leaving a casual vacancy. The Board appointed Vice Presi-dent Don Davey to the position and then appointed Neville Tarry to fill the casual vacancy of Vice President.
Neville has been put to work straight away assisting Mt Larcom and Eidsvold to become Chapters.
Great hospital-ity still exists in Mt Larcom though we decided not to camp on the floor this time.
VETERAN’S SERVICES PLANNING SESSION RSL QLD Veteran Services Manager, Rob Skoda, District Support Services Manager, Deanna Romain, VSO’s Alan & Alison, District PAWS Officer and District President & Sec-retary met in September to look at the veteran services needs in the District to develop a business strategy for 2017. Rob & Deanna visited all Districts to ensure the plans are responsive to the needs in each District. At this stage no further details have been provided following the discus-sions.
DISTRICT GENERAL MEETING The final meeting took place in Nanango on the 26th No-vember. 27 Sub Branches were in attendance. Guests at the meeting included RSL QLD State President, Deputy President and Director, Roy Cunneen. Roy presented the
draft of the new consti-tution. The final ver-sion of the draft will be presented at the next District meeting, that being the AGM 11 March.
WBB District Digest page 2
From the
President’s desk
According to Wikipedia Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual festival commem-orating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most commonly on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is prepared for by the season of Ad-vent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which histori-cally in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night; in some tradi-tions, Christmastide includes an Octave. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrated culturally by a large number of non-Christian people, and is an integral part of the holiday season, while some Christian groups reject the celebration. In several countries, celebrating Christmas Eve on Decem-ber 24 has the main focus rather than December 25, with gift-giving and sharing a traditional meal with the family.
With the festive season fast approaching, this District Di-gest gives me an opportunity to pass on some of the hap-penings since May. The District Board has met each month and there has been a number of Veteran Welfare Projects supported along with support to the Cadet Units around the Wide Bay & Burnett District. The full list of the support provided by the District will be given at the AGM in Gym-pie in March, 2017. It was great to see so many Sub Branches attend the State AGM in Townsville. These gatherings of Sub Branches is an opportunity for those attending to meet old acquaintances and meet new representatives from around the State. I know that it is a place to network and find out that other Sub Branches are having much the same issues as we are. The good attendance of our Sub Branches at Maryborough and Nanango District Meetings show that our members are interested in what goes on around the District. The comments and questions from Sub Branch representatives on how the District Board and State Board are going about the business of the RSL is important to the members. There has been the distraction of the unsigned e-mail which has taken up many hours of our time, but the wel-fare work still continues. Members were critical of Anzac House not responding. State President Stewart Cameron spoke on this subject at the Nanango meeting and he will be responding in the RSL News. Office of Fair Trading had asked for a response to the e-mail and Anzac House felt it best not to respond to the members before OFT had spo-ken to the State Board. OFT attended the last State Board meeting and are happy with the response and what the State Board is doing to address the unsigned e-mail. I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and wish you the best wishes for the festive season. Neil Burrows
Grant writing workshops will be arranged across the District in the new year. The presenters will be from DVA and will help you to unlock the mysteries in applying for grants. If you are like the District Treasurer you will be surprised at what money is out there for you to access. The first session will be at Goomboorium (between Gympie & Tin Can Bay) on Wednesday 1 February, 10.30-2.30. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. Refer to the registration notice for more details. OFFICE CLOSURE Due to the requirement to reduce accrued leave the Dis-trict Secretary will be taking regular holiday breaks dur-ing 2017. This commences next week. The office will be closed from Monday 12th December and will re-open Monday 16th January. During this time if a Sub Branch requires anything that the Secretary would normally as-sist with or requires RSL QLD action the process will be to address your enquiry to ANZAC House in the first in-stance. Contact details will be either 3634 9444 or [email protected] Alternatively contact the District President. In particular if there is the death of any Life Member the District Pres-ident needs to be notified. All membership forms can be sent straight to the mem-bership team at [email protected] For record keeping purposes it would be appreciated if the District Secretary be cc’d into emails that do go to ANZAC House for action. VETERAN SERVICES OFFICER A reminder that Alison Cox is now on leave and will re-sume in February working part time Tue-Fri. If you re-quire any veteran service support contact ANZAC House or email [email protected]
WBB District Digest page 3
The DVA website advises “TIP is being replaced by a new Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP), which is the next evolution of TIP and focuses on a more contemporary approach to training.” There are a number of courses on the program for next year for those CURRENTLY TIP trained and wanting to upgrade to the next level.
The question asked was if a practitioner has to undertake RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) for ATDP then is attend-ing a TIP course a waste of time? ATDP is a national program the delivery of courses will be shared around the country and may not meet the needs in QLD immediately. Courses will commence in March but as ATDP will be rolled out, timing will be a factor. With ATDP you will have to wait for the courses to be ready which may be some time. Once you are TIP qualified you can practice under VITA (but would only work within your knowledge). To apply for a course go to the TIP website http://www.tip.org.au/index.php, head to QLD then select the course you’d wish to ap-ply for and complete the onlnine application course. Applications close 28 days prior to the course. RSL QLD Veteran Services Manager suggests that practitioners wishing to upgrade attend the TIP courses and RPL’ing if the Sub Branch determines that it needs the capability and the practitioner is comfortable with the approach. When the ATDP is established you can have recognition of prior learning to transition to ATDP qualification so if TIP trained you would be able to practice through TIP and then ATDP much sooner and become more proficient sooner rather than waiting for an ATDP course. RSL QLD VSO Alan Birkenhead recently attended the RPL course and indicated it was nothing to be afraid of. If you are confident with the work you do then transitioning will be no problem.
So, what is ATDP? “The Advocacy Training and Development Program, or ATDP for short, is the next evolution of the Training and Information Program and replaces TIP. The ATDP has been developed as a partnership between the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), ex-service organisations (ESOs) and the Depart-ment of Defence. The ATDP will introduce a nationally accredited training program and, through com-
petency based training and development, will help to ensure a consistent standard of advocacy services is provided to veterans and their dependents. “ For those wishing to undertake RPL and training visit the website www.atdp.org.au/atdpMain.php and complete an online application form. You are encouraged to register to give an indication of numbers and where courses are required.
Course Location Start date Day Status
GARP User Online course Online Fri 1st Jan 2016 Open
MRCA (Advanced) Online course Online Fri 1st Jan 2016 Open
Welfare Level 2 New Farm Wed 8th Feb 2017 3 Open
MRCA (Level 2) course New Farm Tue 21st Mar 2017 2 Open
Welfare Level 2 Tweed Heads Tue 4th Apr 2017 3 Open
SRCA (Level 2) Course New Farm Tue 18th Apr 2017 2 Open
VEA Pension (Level 2) course Ipswich Tue 9th May 2017 2 Open
Welfare Level 2 Bundaberg Tue 13th Jun 2017 3 Open
WBB District Digest page 4
Editor’s Note: one could think that the newsletter is the Hervey Bay Sub Branch news as many articles are from Hervey Bay. All Sub Branches are encouraged to send in articles to share your good news stories, as it also gives ideas to other Sub Branches on what can be done. Thank you to Hervey Bay for their articles that demonstrate how they meet the objects of the League through various projects.
MARY VALLEY Kev English Family Memorial Clock RSL Member Kev English has gen-erously donated on behalf of his family, a Memorial Town Clock which has been erected in the newly refurbished Kandanga Me-morial Park. This magnificent piece of crafts-
manship has been greatly admired
by one and all. Dave Hetherington
of Goodyear Jewellers in Mary Street Gympie chased up
Toowoomba 3rd generation clock maker Rob Smith to
help in making the clock of which one hadn’t been made
in over 20 years. The stainless steel clock face and the
hand painted “Lest We Forget” and Rising Sun were done
by a retired gentlemen. The battery operated movement
was said to have come from Europe and has a 3 year life.
Several craftsmen had a hand in making this magnificent
clock which stands proudly in its timber frame construct-
ed by the Gympie Regional Council. As there were
holdups in getting the clock finished it was a commenda-
ble effort by the Council to have the clock in its frame
erected in place by 2pm the Friday before Anzac Day.
GYMPIE Another successful race day with the “Diggers Cup” presented by Peter Maddocks Vice President and his wife Geri Maddocks to “Leaps and Bounds” winning $10,000, apprentice jockey Corey Bayliss, trainer Daryl Gardiner. Three ladies are representatives of the own-ers and trainer.
Mary Valley members had a busy month helping at the Gympie Muster and running a Barefoot Bowls Day at the Imbil Bowls club during Veterans’ Health Week. As well as bowls there was lunch, raffles and a nutritionist giv-ing cooking demonstrations.
WBB District Digest page 5
HERVEY BAY
YOUTH SUPPORT: Australian Air League requested as-sistance with travel for the cadets to travel to Brisbane and from there they went to Ballarat. The trip was worthwhile with the group winning at the National com-petition.
The Hervey Bay Squadron of Australian Air League flew to Ballarat on Friday 30th September 2016 to compete against other squadrons at the bi-yearly Federal Review on 1st October. Over 400 Cadets competed at the event, travelling from Qld, NSW, Vic and SA. Although the Cadets only started drumming earlier this year, LCdt Joanna Sims and Cdt Shae Gilmour achieved 1st in Snare and Tenor respectively in the Girls 8-11 years category. Cdt Patrick Robinson was against stiff competition in drum-ming with the NSW boys who have much more experience. Cdt Patrick Robinson achieved 2nd in the aircraft model scale 1:48 competition for boys 12-14 years. In the essay com-petition girls 8-11 years, LCdt Joanna Sims(pictured) achieved 1st and Cdt Callum Langille received a Certificate of App in the boys 12-14 years cate-gory. The Cadets also competed in Drill competitions marching with cadets from other squadrons with the Wing Section achieving 3rd and Qld Group achieving 2nd on the March. Hervey Bay Squadron would like to thank Brian Tidyman, President of the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch and Steve from Atkinsons Shuttle Service for arranging transport to
and from Brisbane Air-port. Thanks also to Ste-ve’s drivers, Brian and Allan for making the trip enjoyable. We really appreciate the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch’s help in enabling our cadets to have this experience.
YOUTH SPONSORSHIP Back in July 2016 the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch spon-sored Sophie Denham to attend a three day course at the National Pipe School in Canberra. Sophie attended all the workshops including Introduc-tion to Piobaireachd, 2/4 and 6/8 March playing, Tuning methods and techniques and, Strathspey and reel play-ing. The three days concluded with a massed band
RALLY FOR A CAUSE The Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch and Hervey Bay RSL & Services Memorial Club have sponsored Brian Semler’s car in “Rally for a Cause” known as the “Dunga Derby” for the past two years. The Dunga Derby takes place around August each year with all the money going to people in the Wide Bay area who are in need of assistance be-cause of unfortunate medically related circumstanc-es. The Rally has helped many with assistance by way of accommodation when needed at city specialists and any other problems they inevitably experience. The Rally raised well over $200,000.00 this year. The presentation night at the Hervey Bay RSL & Services Memorial Club was one of acclaim and thanks from peo-ple we have helped so far. The Dunga Derby is typical of other rallies with cars all done up from another era. A good time is had by all in a well organised and safe journey over 4 or 5 days. Break-downs are part of the classic run with Brian’s car being presented with a “Didn’t Make It” pendant, much to his chagrin. They don’t make gearboxes like they used to!
where all pipers and drum-mers played some tunes to-gether. Sophie said “Hearing top pip-ers as well as meeting new pipers has given me renewed enthusiasm to learn new tunes and to become the best I can be. It was a real surprise and privilege to find out on the last day that I had won the encouragement award for my level. I know that I will continue to develop the skills that I learnt so that I can continue to grow as a piper.” Well done Sophie from all of us here at the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch and we look forward to your continued participation in our activities.
WBB District Digest page 6
ANZAC COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD The Sub Branch wishes to acknowledge those Australians in today’s society who have excelled in service to our community. To this end a system of Awards is proposed in which each of the seven Emergency Service groups operating within the boundaries of the old Hervey Bay City Council will be asked to nominate one person from their organization who, in the view of their peers and colleagues, have shown outstanding devotion to duty, achieved with distinction and brought credit to their or-ganization and benefit to their community by personal endeavour. In addition they shall have demonstrated a positive approach to a belief incorporated in the RSL Code of Citizenship – ‘that every citizen should uphold the social value of high personal standards of responsibil-ity, conduct, performance and integrity’. Nominations were received from the Hervey Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, Queensland Ambulance Service, Queens-land Fire & Rescue, Queensland Police Service, Volunteer Marine Rescue, Rural Fire Services Maryborough and the State Emergency Service. At the RSL Sub-Branch General Meeting on 5th Novem-ber 2016 presentations were made to Jill Barclay (Volunteer Marine Rescue, Hervey Bay); Colin Fitzsum-mons on behalf of Barry Hamilton (Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade); Darren Horton (Hervey Bay Surf Lifesaving Club); Wayne Harvey on behalf of Gerard Meijer (State Emergency Service); Andrew Eason (Queensland Ambu-lance Service / Hervey Bay Surf Lifesaving Club). The winner, by unanimous decision, was Darren Horton,
Club Captain of the Her-vey Bay Surf Life Saving Club. Darren’s nomina-tion was put forward by the Club President, Sue Murray. She noted: Darren has been with HBSLSC for 10 years & since joining with his fam-ily he has been actively involved in many areas of
the club. The past 5 years he has been Club Captain which involves coordinating water safety for Nippers & Juniors on a Sun-day morning. Added to this he co ordinates the water safety for Triathlons that take part in Hervey Bay which includes the Wide Bay & other championships that are held here. Darren is an active Patrolling member who also attends his patrols and willingly fills in on others who are short.
END OF BATTLE OF THE SOMME COMMEMORATIVE EVENT
The Hervey Bay 9th Battalion WWI Re-Enactment Group in conjunction with the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch com-memorated the end of the Battle of Somme at Freedom Park on Friday 18 November 2016 at sundown.
About 400 people and 140 school children attended the event which included live cannon fire, the Hervey Bay RSL Pipe Band, and a heartfelt address by French Repre-sentative, Gaelle Caresmel. The nurses with the 9th Battalion WWI Re-Enactment Group assisted with wreath laying and participated in a re-enactment of troops leaving the trenches to a smoky filled night. It well de-picted a short win-dow in the 141 days that is known as the Battle of Somme. The event received support from RSL QLD Branch through the RSL & ANZAC Centenary funding program.
Darren sets the Patrol Rosters each season coordinating 9 groups to patrol the 6 months of the Surf Lifesaving season. He is well respected within our club & Surf Life-saving fraternity. Darren is also an active member on the Board at HBSLSC & has held this role for 5 years. Darren & his lovely wife Valerie has 3 girls who are in-volved in Surf Lifesaving too & are always there to sup-port them in events they enter but most of all make sure they are having fun! Darren volunteers his time along with other members on a Saturday afternoon to open the Bar for our members & guests. We are fortunate at HBSLSC to have Darren as he is a valuable member of our club.
WBB District Digest page 7
PRESENTATIONS With the RSL Centenary there has been a steady flow of special certificates heading Sub Branch ways. This year those members turning 75 have been honoured with special birthday certificates and all members received a Centenary certificate.
Mundubbera member Jim Trott receiving his centenary certificate.
RSL ANZAC OF THE YEAR AWARD Two ladies from the Nanango area were awarded the prestigious RSL ANZAC of the Year award in September at ANZAC House. Usually the award is presented at the State AGM but the ladies were unavailable to attend. A small ceremony was held in ANZAC House with the State President making the presentation. The award was in recognition of the work done by the ladies in researching WWI veterans from the South Burnett area and produc-ing a book “We will remember them” Congratulations to Daun Clapperton and Robyn Petersen.
RSL provided support to the Military Brotherhood Cooloola Coast Motorcycle Club at the opening of the new Veteran’s Assistance centre located in Curra (near Gympie). The centre was named after local lad Ashley Birt killed in Afghanistan 2011.
The RSL Caravan was also on site for the opening despite the wet condi-tions. We are lucky in the District to have a TIP trained Lv 3 Advocate available to drive the van around the
area to promote the RSL and reach out to those who may not generally contact the RSL. Tiny is preparing a touring itinerary for 2017 and is keen to hear from any Sub Branch that would like the van in the area to attend a festival, show or similar. To make the necessary book-ings contact Tiny on 0427 633 622.
GIN GIN hosted an end of year RSL Centenary dinner for members and community supporters. RSL QLD Vice President, Ewan Cameron was in attendance, along with the District Vice President Brian and District Secretary.
WBB District Digest page 8
REMEMBRANCE DAY IN PICTURES
MONTO: Memorial and planting a bottle
tree in memory of fallen comrades
GLADSTONE: Catafalque par ty features Em Glossop, Gladstone
Vice President and first female qualified infantier in Queensland
MUNDUBBERA
HERVEY BAY
WOODGATE BEACH
WBB District Digest page 9
ADF SUPPORT All requests for ADF support for any of the
armed services are to be sent to
Phone: 3332 6447 Fax: 332 6093
Form available online www.defence.gov.au/ceremonial
Top row: Nanango
Above row: Gympie
Left: Tin Can Bay
Right Mary Valley service at Imbil.
Below: Rainbow Beach
The WWI Re-enactment group were also busy helping sell merchandise during Legacy Week. A unique way of attracting attention and no doubt boosting sales.
WBB District Digest page 10
VETERAN WELFARE PROGRAM Since the last newsletter the following Sub Branches have received grants. Hervey Bay: support for disadvantaged students to attend school trip Mundubbera: computer purchase Rainbow Beach: support for member to attend National competition
CADET FUNDING All cadet funding has been expended with applications from Rosedale & Biloela carried over to 2017. Kingaroy– Memerambi: 135 ACU Wondai—camera Bundaberg: TS Bundaberg—travel Bundaberg: 18 ACU—Australian Honours & Awards dis-play board Report from Gympie: Sometime ago the Gympie Sub-Branch became aware that the Gympie Naval Ca-dets wanted to start a drum corps. They had bor-rowed instruments to practice with and had someone to instruct them. Due to a lack of finances they were unable to get their own set of drums. After going through the appropriate chan-nels, Gympie Sub-Branch presented the cadets with just under $8,000. They were then able to purchase the re-quired six drums and carriers. Thursday nights are the normal training night with 25-30 attending. However in addition to those, cadets wishing to learn the drums attend for 2 hours on Monday nights. The photo shows 3 of the drums with cadets, instructors and Gympie Sub-Branch President, Mr Ivan Friske OAM on 6th October .
Tiaro: Dishwasher Various individuals for welfare support Tin Can Bay: chairs Mary Valley: school breakfast club Cooroy-Pomona: Vietnam Veteran Day lunch Reports from Rainbow Beach based on successful grant applications. TABLET For many years the Sub Branch had used a number of CD players and discs to broadcast music, hymns, prayers and so on at our three main ceremonies each year, An-zac Day , Vietnam Veterans Day and Remembrance Day and also Merchant Navy Day on occasions. That equip-ment has become outdated, cumbersome and some-times unreliable. The tablet we received from District is now the source of all those programmes saved to the hard drive which can be varied so much easier to suit the occasion. In addition the tablet can be used as a word processor and as a source to the internet for a myriad of purposes for research, information and re-porting etc.
MARQUEE The marquee was seen as a much needed additional source of shelter and also a very visual form of advertis-ing for the League. Its size and presence are very impres-sive. As well as commemorative days the Sub Branch loans the shelter for school functions and surf carnivals hosted by the local Surf Club and assisted by Sub Branch members in uniform, which again is a great form of ad-vertising and a reminder to all of our community involve-ment.
NATIONAL BOWLS COMPETITION One of the members recently received a grant of $1500 from the Veteran Welfare Assistance Fund to offset some of his anticipated expenses to represent RSL State in the forthcoming RSL National Bowls Champion-ships in Adelaide. The Sub Branch’s members morale is naturally lifted to have one of our members from a small traditional Sub Branch represent the State at a national event. One of my mem-bers compared it to an outsider being selected in the Olympics. The money was presented to the mem-ber following the Remembrance Day ceremony.
WBB District Digest page 11 A parent's night before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the
house
I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.
Instructions were studied and we were inspired,
In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required."
The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,
While Dad and I faced the evening with dread:
A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!
And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!
We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat....
Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!
Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;
If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement!
When what to my worrying eyes should appear,
But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,
With each part numbered and every slot named,
So if we failed, only we could be blamed.
More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,
All over the carpet they were scattered about.
"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!
Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."
"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."
And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact
That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact
To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night
With "assembly required" till morning's first light.
We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,
Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin
Before we attached the last rod and last pin.
Then laying the tools away in the chest,
We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out,
"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.
Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,
And not have to run to the store for a thing!
We did it! We did it! The toys are all set
For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!"
Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went,
Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-
deluded….I'd forgotten that batteries are never included!
CHRISTMAS PARTIES IN FULL
SWING ACROSS THE DISTRICT
The Gympie treasurer raised his glass at the Gympie Christmas
function. President Ivan and Vice President Peter enjoying
themselves.
Toogoom look like they had a lively time.
Rainbow Beach had a great
time at the surf club as always.
WBB District Digest page 12
2017 State Congress/AGM is taking place in Brisbane from Friday 23-Sunday 25 June, 2017. The venue for all activities (including the Welcome Reception) is the Brisbane Convention & Exhi-bition Centre. Accommodation for Delegates will be spread across Rydges and Man-tra South Bank.
Registration will once again be online with the majority of information re inclusions etc. available on the web-site. More information next year.
Did you know that you can arrange Certificates of Ap-preciation for League and non-League members from either RSL QLD or National? These can be arranged through the MMS. The Kilkivan Sub Branch recently ar-ranged a number of certificates to present to members and supporters and all were well received by the recipi-ents. EULOGY REQUESTS During the period November 2016 to June 2017, the National Archives of Australia (NAA) will be relo-cating records to the new National Archives Preserva-tion Facility (NAPF). While this is happening there will be disruption to Defence's access to the NAA collection. Defence will be unable to borrow records which are stored in Canberra after 30 October 2016. Access will become available again from 1 July 2017. Fortunately, NAA has established arrangements that will enable emergency access to records for a range of purposes including for Eulogy purposes for deceased former ADF members. However, during the period of November 2016 to 1 July 2017, it is anticipated that it will take several days for the NAA to provide the records Defence Archives will require for Eulogy purpos-es. During this time period Defence Archives will continue to do its best to meet requested timelines for Statements of Service for Eulogy purposes; however, there will likely be some cases where requested timeframes will not be met. If a Statement of Service is not able to be provided in time for a funeral, unless ad-vised otherwise, Defence Archives will complete the Statement of Service and provide it to the requestor
for commemorative purposes. As a result try to provide as much lead time as possible when requesting a Statement of Service for a Eulogy. Please see the following link for a list of records current-ly in the custody of the NAA that will be affected by the transfer: http://www.defence.gov.au/Records/ExService.asp
EULOGY REQUESTS Available through the defence website is an eulogy re-quest form. This can be completed and emailed to de-fence records. It is requested that in the subject line of the email include the text URGENT EULOGY and the due date. http://www.defence.gov.au/Records/EulogyRequests Commemorative Eulogies: where the funeral has already been held, commemorative eulogies are available and are to be submitted via email using the Eulogy Request Template, noting on the template that it is for commem-orative purposes. Phone: 1800 DEFENCE ie 1800 333 362
Email [email protected]
FUNDRAISING If a Sub Branch is fundraising ie. selling badges and pop-pies and are Incorporated, then the Sub-Branch should have its own Sanction under the Collections Act to allow them to fundraise. If the Sub-Branch is unincorporated and sell badges and poppies, they will fall under the umbrella of State Branch’s sanction to be able to fundraise– hence the permit that is received each year. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Yes it’s that time of year again when the membership renewal period is open. Due to a system upgrade the member online portal is not available so all members are encouraged to contact their Sub Branch to renew their membership. Remember to renew auxiliary members and also currently serving members through the MMS. For non-league members please send a list of names to the District Secretary for 2017 renewals. SUB BRANCH PHONE/INTERNET RSL QLD still has the option available to provide phone/internet service and an email address to Sub Branches if required. To find out how contact District.
WBB District Digest page 13
WOMEN VETERANS
NETWORK
AUSTRALIA Article supplied by Roz Robertson
About WVNA
WVNA is a network helping wom-
en veterans connect with each oth-
er to share information, social con-
nection and access to services. Our aim is to provide a cohesive
and engaging environment for Australian women veterans to
network effectively on social media and in local groups.
WVNA groups are inclusive of all ranks who are currently
serving or have served in the Navy, Army or Air Force, either
in a full time or Reserve capacity, regardless of whether they
have deployed or not.
WVNA support all organisations who help veterans and intend
to work together to establish peer support networks focused on
the specific health and wellbeing needs of women veterans to
ease transition, isolation and assist with readjustment problems.
Why WVNA?
Women have unique transition challenges because of their role
in the military and society. They experience deployment and
reintegration differently than men. The cost of military and
combat service is unique to each woman. They are strong and
resilient however, because of the magnitude of the challenges
faced, they may well need support during post-military read-
justment periods.
The number of women in the ADF today and their evolving
roles in our national defence continue to rise – which means a
greater number of women experiencing transition in the future.
The absence of a network of support for women veterans brings
a heightened risk of social isolation and exclusion, which is
unacceptable at a time when the world commemorates the cen-
tenary of WWI.
All women veterans are welcome to join WVN groups to con-
nect with others, in both local and national forums, for net-
working and support in a respectful, encouraging and consider-
ate environment and connect with other women veterans via
Closed Facebook groups.
Get Involved
Join our regional WVN Facebook Group – Women Veterans
Network Wide Bay - Burnett to:
Share information about local activities and services
Ask questions and discuss issues
Meet up and enjoy a social connection with other women who
have served.
Also join the Women Veterans Network Australia Forum
Closed Facebook group to get involved in the national discus-
sion, share information and ideas, ask questions and tackle is-
sues important to women veterans.
Visit the website www.wvna.org to find the links to all the
groups and more.
With your help, we hope to move forward
the conversation around women veterans in
Australia for all women who have served,
are currently serving or will serve in the
future and help create the future of women
veterans today.
For further information please contact the
WVNA Wide Bay-Burnett Coordinator
Roz Robertson – 0421 276 401
VETERAN APPRECIATION STICKER CAMPAIGN The Bundaberg Sub Branch were out dis-tributing stickers gen-erously provided by MP Stephen Bennett. Due to the demand Stephen’s office had no more stickers but re-ferred me to the web-site for more details. Quoted from the web-site “I am honoured as
a veteran, and a veteran-owned business to be sup-porting and supplying the stickers for such a great initia-tive led by Jasmin Carmel. It is Spadix Print & Design's mission to make it possible for all current and former service members to display their service and the com-munity to thank them also for their service. I wish to thank Steven Dickson MP of Buderim Queensland, Ste-phen Bennett MP of Burnett Queensland, State Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson, State Member for Kat-ana Jarrod Bleijie, Diggers Rest, Trexray Pty Ltd and ex Navy veteran Paul Boulton, for your pledges and sup-port. …... Due to overwhelming support, we have opened a page at www.spadixdesign.com to enable those who wish to purchase these stickers in support. Individual orders as well as bulk orders are available to support Jas Carmel in her mission to thank our current and former service members of the Australian Defence Force. Your purchase covers production and distribution costs to make these stickers possible. http://www.spadixdesign.com/thank-you-for-your-service.
WBB District Digest page 14
Tools as explained by a retiree DRILL PRESS A tall upright machine
useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.
WIRE WHEEL: Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in
about the time it takes you to say, 'Oh sh --' PLIERS Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.
HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper
BAND SAW: A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.
PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the vacuum seals un-der lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.
STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER: A tool for opening paint cans. Some-times used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws and butchering your palm
PRY BAR: A tool used to crumple the metal sur-rounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.
HOSE CUTTER: A tool used to make hoses too short. HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of
divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent to the object we are trying to hit.
UTILITY KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the con-tents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liq-uids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts.
Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use. Son of a b*tch TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the gar-age while yelling 'Son of a b*tch' at the top of your lungs. It is also, most often, the next tool that you will need.
SHORT CHRISTMAS JOKES
What did Adam say on the day before Christmas ?
It's Christmas, Eve !
How do you make an idiot laugh on boxing day ?
Tell him a joke on Christmas Eve !
What do you have in December that you don't have in any other
month ?
The letter "D" !
What does Father Christmas suffer from if he gets stuck in a
chimney ?
Santa Claustrophobia !
What do you call a letter sent up the chimney on Christmas
Eve ?
Black mail !
Who delivers cat's Christmas presents ?
Santa Paws !
Why does Father Christmas go down the chimney ?
Because it soots him !
How many chimney does Father Christmas
go down ?
Stacks !
WBB District Digest page 15 2017 PLANNER JANUARY
Agenda items for District AGM & District General meeting close at District on 3rd Friday (20 January)
Prepare for Sub Branch AGM – give due notice and ensure nominations/nominees are financial, prepare books for Au dit, write President report & Welfare report. All voting members should be financial.
Appoint Welfare & Pension Officer practitioners at AGM. Complete letter of authorisation for all Appointed Welfare & Pension Officers & send copy to District
Appoint Delegate for State AGM and Representatives to attend District meetings
Enter member renewal payments into the MMS FEBRUARY
Following Sub Branch AGM forward Office Bearer returns, AGM minutes, Presidents, Welfare & Audit reports to District.
Sub Branch Welfare report due at District before 28 February (regardless of your AGM) for compilation of District wel-fare report
State AGM Registration online portal opens
District AGM Registration due at District by 4th Friday (24 February).
Contact unfinancial members and remind them their membership is due
Consider the District AGM & District General meeting Agendas at your meeting.
28 February: Membership renewal period closes
RSL QLD Branch District & Sub Branch Welfare Fund closes (28 February)
Sir Raymond Huish CBE Memorial Grant to be sent to District by end February (to lodge with RSL QLD by 1 March) MARCH
AGM minutes, Presidents, Welfare & Audit reports to District by end March
WBBD AGM & District General meeting 11-12 March, Gympie
Register online for State AGM
Confirm online ANZAC Service listing for RSL QLD advertising APRIL
Agenda for next District General Meeting closes 7 April MAY
Applications for ANZAC Day Trust Grants close end May
District General meeting 3rd Saturday (20th May)
Register online for State AGM JUNE
State AGM 23-25th June, Brisbane
Agenda for District General Meeting closes last Friday in June (30th)
RSL QLD District & Sub Branch Welfare fund closes 30 June JULY AUGUST
Registration for District General Meeting due Friday 11 August
District General Meeting 3rd Saturday (19th August)
RSL QLD Scholarships through AVCT opens 18th August SEPTEMBER
Agenda for next District General Meeting closes last Friday (29th September) OCTOBER
RSL QLD Scholarships close 31 October
RSL QLD District & Sub Branch Welfare fund closes 31 October
Confirm online Remembrance Day service listing for RSL QLD advertising NOVEMBER
Registration for District General Meeting due 10 November
“Important Items” package arrives from District. Put District AGM & District General Meeting business on the Agenda for Sub Branch meeting for those not meeting in December.
District General Meeting (3rd Saturday) 18th November DECEMBER
Renewal period commences (1 Dec -28 February). Begin entering payments into the MMS If not meeting early January – deal with District AGM items (motions, nominations, awards, general business) ONGOING Send articles & photos to District for inclusion in District newsletter Send Veteran Welfare Assistance Fund & Cadet funding applications to District
WBB District Digest page 16
WBB Sub Branch Contact Info
Agnes W-1 Lillian TURNER 4974 5251
PO Box 254 AGNES WATER 4677
Biggenden Alex McNAUGHTON RFD 0427 127 779
PO Box 44 BIGGENDEN 4621
Biloela Aotea ONEKAWA 4992 1511
PO Box 263 Biloela 4715
Boyne/Tan Mike ROBBINS 4973 2448
PO Box 3347 TANNUM SANDS 4680
Bundaberg Rudy VALZAN 4132 6512
PO Box 2216 BUNDABERG 4670
Burrum Jim POWERS 0428 180 131
District PO Box 6 HOWARD 4659
Calliope Darryl SAW OAM 0447 417 746
PO Box 237 CALLIOPE 4680
Cooloola Terry MURPHY 5486 4340)
Cove PO Box 195 TIN CAN BAY 4580
Cooroy- Jo DYCE 5442 4723 (H)
Pomona 25 Maple St COOROY 4563
Eidsvold Andrew ROTH 0419 226 317
52 Moreton St EIDSVOLD 4627
Gayndah Tracy TAYLOR 0447 612 448
PO Box 330 GAYNDAH 4625
Gin Gin Joy CULEY 4157 8346
1 Kestrel Rd BUCCA 4670
Gladstone Peter YOUNG 4972 8372
PO Box 26 GLADSTONE 4680
Goomeri c/- Murgon
Gracemere Jean ROBINSON
PO Box 151 GRACEMERE 4702
Gympie Helen GARRETT 5483 7707
217 Mary St GYMPIE 4570
Hervey Bay Robert NEY 4197 7477
PO Box 3042 PIALBA 4655
Isis John BUCKINGHAM 4126 1354
55 Churchill St CHILDERS 4660
Kilkivan Gloria BAILLIE 5484 1415
PO Box 109 KILKIVAN 4600
Kingaroy-M Warren COCKBURN OAM 4162 1755
PO Box 161 KINGAROY 4610
Maryborough Ebony BLACKWOOD 4122 2321
PO Box 12 MARYBOROUGH 4650
Mary Valley Ian STUBBINS 5484 5245
PO Box 203 IMBIL 4570
Monto George WANDERS 4166 3195
P O Box 151 MONTO 4630
Mt Larcom Brian KESSNER 4975 1254
267 Darts Ck Rd DARTS CREEK 4695
Mt Morgan Mike JOHNSTON 4938 2213
PO Box 18 MOUNT MORGAN 4714
Mt Perry David ROFE 0458 563 580
PO Box 94 MT PERRY 4671
Moura Bill TAYLOR 4995 7049
PO Box 234 MOURA 4718
Mundubbera John OGDEN 4165 4242
PO BOX 192 MUNDUBBERA 4626
Murgon Louise THOMPSON 0427 031 483
PO Box 34 MURGON 4605
Nanango Bert STEVENS 4163 2211
PO Box 34 NANANGO 4615
Orchid Beach Col BELL 0417 287 490
1755 Tin Can Bay Rd GOOMBOORIAN 4570
Proston David CECIL 4168 9166
28 Nelson St PROSTON 4613
Rainbow B Joe CASEY 0422 546 042
PO Box 97 RAINBOW BEACH 4581
Rosedale c/- District
Theodore Shelley O’DONNELL 4993 1432
PO Box 222 THEODORE 4719
Tiaro Peter KELLY 4129 6270
PO Box 205 TIARO 4650
Tin Can Bay Maureen COSTELLO 5486 2557
PO Box 25 TIN CAN BAY 4580
Toogoom Jack CROOK 4129 5609
138 O’Reagan Creek Rd TOOGOOM 4655
Wondai David SCRIMGEOUR 4169 0943
PO Box 70 WONDAI 4606
Woodgate Cheryl JONES OAM 4126 8982
PO Box 269 WOODGATE 4660
Wowan John LAW 4937 1214
C/- Post Office WOWAN 4702
WIDE BAY & BURNETT MINI DIRECTORY