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‘Lest We
Forget’
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Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel |
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President Vice Presidents Secretary Treasurer Editor |
James
Curtis-Smith Noel
Roach Vic
Meller
Bob
Young Larry
Smith |
Email address’: |
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NEWSLETTER NUMBER # 25 * April 2009
PRESIDENTS REPORT –
APRIL 2009
The
month of April has started a very busy time for us at the Sub Branch.
Our
first Medical Mission was held on Saturday 18th April at Mabalacat
and was very successful. Vice President
Noel Roach as Chairman of the Charities Committee with Vice President Vic
Meller did a power of work in preparation, getting the medicines and vitamins
direct from wholesale suppliers in
A
total of 520 children were registered from the under privileged population of this
Barangay and photos of the mission are on the website. A big thanks to those fella’s who turned up
and acted as the Pharmacy dispensers, and also particularly to those doctors
and nurses who gave of their time. To the wives partners and girl friends who
did the big job of penciling and checking prescriptions also a big thank you.
As
I have stated before the involvement of RSL in their distinctive RSL shirts,
not only gives us a satisfying purpose but endears us to the community in which
we now live. The money spent is of
course raised principally by the Sub Branch through Australia Day Fiesta
activities and our weekly Shano’s raffle, and to our expat community and
foreigners who visit here and support our fund raising activities a big thanks
and I hope you also get a kick out of giving.
Similarly to our sponsors, who provide so willingly and regularly, the
prizes for the raffles.
As
this Newsletter goes to print we are planning (have planned) our annual ANZAC
Day commemoration which is next Saturday (April 25) and we are assured of a big
roll up. Our Remembrance Service starts
at
JAMES
E CURTIS-SMITH
President
EDITORIAL
April of course is the month that we
commemorate ANZAC Day on the 25th. Angeles City RSL will follow
previous years with our service and refreshments.
Our Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, Alan
Griffin has been busy and in this newsletter I have reproduced FOUR of his
media releases. For editorial space, I
have edited them a small bit without losing their meaning.
Also, in accordance with the Minister’s
release about the battle of Binh Ba, I have reproduced an article by Captain
Mike Battle, of 5 RAR about the battle. I downloaded his article after a Google
search, and I thank him putting it up for general viewing.
As editor, my view of the newsletter
content is to give it a mixture of RSL, Military and Veteran’s Affairs matters
and then liven it up with a little bit of humour. When we got the webpage up
and running, the need for brevity became somewhat relaxed and my efforts to
keep content down to about six pages due to the cost of photo-copying became moot.
I do not want the newsletter to become too cumbersome for our members to read.
I also like to put in some advertisements for our sponsors and supporters free
of charge. These are included on a ‘space available’ arrangement.
It will be good to see Reg Tulip from
Sydney back again in August to conduct some more TIP training for our Sub
branch.
A message from Secretary dallas
Drake
Dallas has run into a few problems when emailing to some members. The emails are either returned as ‘cannot deliver’ or there is no response.
He feels that this could be either of two things, the member has changed email address without notifying him, or your SPAM filter is too tight and your computer thinks the email is Spam.
SO, Dallas asks that if you have recently changed your email address then please notify him so he can make the appropriate changes. He also would like members who have not received any email for awhile to check their Spam file and if his emails are in there, to adjust the filter to allow them into your ‘in box’.
The Sub branch relies on emails to keep those members not residing in Angeles City informed of what is occurring and to forward newsletter notifications. Ed
PLUS
NEW NATIONAL RSL
MEMBER CARDS
We now have the NEW National RSL Member Cards for all financial members. This
is a hard Plastic card that members sign on the reverse side. Card also has a
National Membership Number as well as Sub Branch name and Branch name. Please
contact Dallas Drake for your card.
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Reading our newsletter on the web
Our
Webmaster, Gerald Slide publishes our newsletter on our webpage in two
formats, Word and PDF.
By
far the better presentation is in the PDF format. When read in the Word format,
the webpage spreads the content out and it is sometimes a bit scatty and not presented
in the manner that I, as editor would prefer.
For
those unable to read in the PDF format, there is an easy solution. Adobe
Acrobat has a free download of the PDF format and I encourage all readers to
access this service. Go to: http://www.pdf-deluxe.com/ and look for the download icon. It will ask
you whether you want to RUN or SAVE.
Click save, and the download will commence. Once download has been
completed, click on the icon and press RUN.
That will enable the computer to install it permanently so that all you
have to do in future to read the newsletter is click on the ‘Downlaod PDF
format’. You will be pleased that you
have done this. Ed.
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NEW MEMBERS
Our Sub branch would like to welcome on board the following new
members: Craig Swanson * Darryl Whitby *
Russell Peters * Bob King * Conchita Caslaucan * Allan Johnstone *
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PASSING PARADE
For those who knew him, Angeles City RSL member from
1996 till 2003 and again 2006 till present, B.K.
(Hub) Hubbard passed away
on 28 March in Pattaya Thailand, where he has apparently resided for many
years.
According to Dallas Drake, Hub wrote the history of
our Sub branch from Incorporation until 2003. Further details are not known. RIP Hub
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TIP Training Visit AUGUST 2009
Details are yet to be firmed up, but arrangements are
being made for our friend from Sydney, TIP trainer, Reg Tulip to visit us again
and conduct some more Welfare and Pensions Officer training. It is being
co-ordinated to tie in with Vietnam Veteran’s Day on 18th August.
We will be canvassing for members who wish to attend this training to enhance the members already trained and doing work for the Sub Branch. More later.
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Left is the Australian
Coat of Arms with two of our most
recognizable animals facing each other, the Kangaroo and the Emu. Do you know why those two animals were chosen
for our coat of arms. Was it because:
a. Aboriginals
said they were good eating.
b. There are
plenty of them.
c.
Neither of them
can go backwards.
d. They were the
first thing that came to mind, or
e.
None of the
above.
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Of
course the proper answer is C, because
they cannot go backwards, and Australia is the same, it cannot go
backwards. We must never forget that!!!!
Ed
The Barfly
Bar Fly has been buzzing around and has
learnt Roy’s Bar has been sold again !!.Walls have fallen and windows installed
to open things a little and the bar will become bigger. The three new bars
being built by Gerard (of ABC fame) next door to Walk About are progressing
well and should open by August. Two new bars are close to ready next door to
Sunshine Bar, say another two months.
Electric Blue Bar next door to Happy Rock
is proving popular already and maybe one of the few places to consider a
matching theme name to the dancers out fits. The Girls are dressed in Electric
Blue outfits. Well done Darryl.
Steve
of Emotions has been away for a well earned holiday giving Vidar (Eruptions )
Ozzie (Fire & Ice ) Jimbo (Stampede ) and Rune (Dr.Holms) a bit of a rest
from the Bar
Owners
drinking team, however Dr De Guzman will still be injecting Vitamin B into all
of them.
Owner of Eager Beavers and Honey Pot, Ray is away on Holidays to the wonderful land of OZ and it's rumored he may be retiring.
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Shano’s new owners are well into
renovating and changing the style of the Irish Pub to something else, still be
a sports bar, more screens to view, plus some card tables. Rio's is up for sale
at some ridiculous price, so I guess nothing will change until someone stupid
comes along. Blue Book advertisement advises potential buyers beware of Crazy
Horse being on the market as litigation is still in process. **** ****
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**** **** Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Mailing List. VA016 Monday 30 March 2009 $50,000 to commemorate 40th anniversary of Binh ba
The 40th anniversary of one of the most significant Australian battles of the Vietnam War will be commemorated this year with the assistance of a $50,000 grant from the Australian Government, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin announced today.
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Mr Griffin said the Battle of Binh Ba, which occurred 6-8 June 1969, involved more than 330 Australians in close quarter fighting, yet miraculously only one Australian was killed in action and 11 wounded.
“It is a battle not widely known outside military and historical circles, yet it is a testament to the superb fighting qualities of Australian forces,” Mr Griffin said.
On 6 June the 1st Australian Task Force Ready Reaction Force assaulted Binh Ba from the west and heavy fighting followed as they encountered fierce North Vietnamese opposition. The fighting was of an intensity rarely matched in any other period of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
“Like the Battles of Long Tan and Coral/Balmoral, the Battle of Binh Ba resulted in Battle Honours being awarded to Australian units involved in the action,” Mr Griffin said.
“I am pleased the Government can assist these veterans in commemorating this important milestone and help draw attention to the story of the Battle of Binh Ba.”
The Battle of Binh Ba Commemorative Planning Committee, established by representatives of the units involved, are planning a number of activities during June this year including a commemorative service and a combined Association dinner.
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For more information on Anniversary activities, contact the Planning Committee Chairman Roger Wainwright on 0409 588 935 or roger.w@netspeed.com.au or Committee Secretariat Jan Properjohn on 0410 488 729 or jproperjohn@internode.on.net
TWO
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Mailing List VA014 Thursday, 19 March 2009 2009 ANZAC DAY IMAGE UNVEILED |
Australia’s efforts in restoring peace to East Timor have been immortalised in this year’s Anzac Day commemorative poster.
Unveiled by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, the poster features a striking image of Australian soldiers patrolling in the streets of Dili, on 2 October 1999.
One of the soldiers featured in the poster, former Private Paul Everett, joined Mr Griffin at the Australian War Memorial today.
“This year marks ten years since Australia led the INTERFET operation in East Timor ‑ restoring peace to a territory torn apart by political violence,” Mr Griffin said.
“East Timor was a milestone in Australia’s military history.
“It is there that the work of people like Paul Everett made a real difference to the lives of our near neighbours.
“I am pleased that this poster will draw attention to the service of our younger veterans.
“These young Australians may not yet see themselves as veterans, but with more than 25,000 troops having deployed overseas since 1999, the number of younger veterans is growing.
“It is clear that our proud Anzac traditions are in good hands.”
Mr Griffin also noted that tomorrow marks 93 years since the first Anzacs arrived on the Western Front from Gallipoli.
This year the Government will again hold an official Anzac Day Dawn Service on the Western Front. This now annual service will join those also organised in Gallipoli, Hellfire Pass, Sandakan and Isurava.
“I
encourage all Australians to attend a local Anzac Day service or march. If they are travelling abroad, I ask them to
consider attending a service in the country they are visiting,” Mr
Griffin said.
More than 85,000 copies of the poster will be distributed around Australia and overseas.
For more information on INTERFET and to download a copy of the 2009 Anzac Day poster, visit www.dva.gov.au/media/mainme.htm. For information about Anzac Day services in Australia and overseas visit www.dva.gov.au/commemorations/
Sorry,
I had to close up the punctuation of this letter to conserve space. It is still
readable. Ed
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THREE
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
CUTTING RED TAPE FOR VETERANS AND ADF
PERSONNEL
Delivering on a key election promise, the Rudd Government has cut red tape and delays facing veterans and ex‑service personnel trying to access their entitlements. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, and the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, said today the Interdepartmental Working Group had been established and was already reducing the bureaucracy involved in making claims.
“Prior to the election I was approached by many veterans and ex-service personnel frustrated by the administrative burden created by dealing with multiple Government agencies. I promised to establish an Interdepartmental Working Group to address this issue and am pleased to report it is already having a positive effect,” Mr Griffin said.
The Interdepartmental Working Group has already:
· Reduced the medical reviews veterans must undertake;
· Commenced information sharing across DVA, Centrelink and ComSuper ‑ resulting in around 250 DVA
disability pensioners already being exempted from further ComSuper reviews;
· Published a practical transition handbook on accessing interdepartmental entitlements;
· Listed the ADF Identification Card as an acceptable Proof of Identity document across Government; and
· Commenced a trial to expand the final Defence medical examination to cover the requirements of a
liability claim to DVA or ComSuper, and eliminate the need for further medical examinations in most
cases.
Delivering on another election promise, the establishment of a Special Claims Unit at DVA has reduced average times taken to process claims. A comparison of the two financial years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, shows processing time reductions of 15.7 per cent in VEA claims, 7.8 per cent for SRCA initial liability claims and 30.9 per cent for MRCA initial liability claims.
“The process of accessing entitlements should place minimal additional stress upon veterans and ex-service personnel, particularly as many of the people claiming are older veterans who were injured during their service,” Mr Griffin said.
“Reducing the burden of government bureaucracy on these people is an important objective.”
Mr Snowdon said he welcomed efforts to end the duplicate – even triplicate – medical examinations that separating personnel need to undergo to access entitlements.
“A successful trial to expand the role of the final Defence medical examination will reduce the complexity and delays facing some of the personnel leaving the ADF each year,” Mr Snowdon said.
Mr Snowdon added while some initiatives are about simplification, like listing the ADF Identification Card as a Government Proof of Identity document, others highlight the critical importance of inter-agency co-operation.
“The protocol developed by Defence and DVA to follow in the event of a death in service or serious injury on deployment has been expanded to include Centrelink and ComSuper, ensuring senior level case management across all agencies. This means that relevant agencies are able to co-ordinate the full range of Government assistance that is available in these circumstances,” Mr Snowdon said.
The working group brings together representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Defence, Centrelink, the Department of Human Services and Comsuper. Representatives from the ex-service community have also been consulted by the working group.
Mr Griffin said: “There are still issues to address, but I’m pleased we’ve already started to get results from this process.”
FOUR
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Mailing
List VA019 Wednesday,
8 February 2009
GOVERNMENT MOVES TO REVIEW MILITARY
COMPENSATION
The Rudd Government is acting on another of its election commitments by commencing its promised review of military compensation arrangements. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, emphasised the importance of the review in ensuring the Government is providing appropriate support and compensation to Australia’s veterans and ex-service personnel.
“This review is a significant step by the Government towards addressing long standing issues with military compensation, including disparities and perceived inequities between systems and difficulties encountered by those transitioning out of the services or making claims,” Mr Griffin said.
“The Government has already moved to address some of these issues, but this review is critical in identifying solutions for wider problems relating to military compensation and support.”
The review will examine the operation of the current military compensation schemes, with specific reference to the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.
“The review is especially timely as the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 – intended to incorporate the best elements of the two earlier systems – has not been examined since its creation in 2004.
“This work is in response to numerous concerns expressed by the veteran and ex-service community about the operation of, and support provided by, the current military compensation system.”
The Minister today released the Terms of Reference for the review and called for interested members of the public and organisations to make submissions.
The review will be undertaken by a Steering Committee of senior Commonwealth Government officials and members of the community with appropriate expertise, and chaired by the Chair of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission. The Committee will report directly to the Minister.
“The review will make recommendations around any legislative and administrative changes that may be needed, as well as compensation available for members of the Australian Federal Police who have deployed overseas,” Mr Griffin said.
“We
want to make sure that the arrangements we have for rehabilitation,
compensation and support are appropriate for the nature of modern service.” Submissions close 30 June 2009.
AN INVITATION
The Royal British Legion
Thailand is inviting any Angeles City or
Subic RSL members who may be in Thailand or may wish to visit there in April
next year to join them in the commemoration of
ANZAC Day with a pilgrimage to Hellfire Pass and the Bridge.
It is a couple of days for the trip, starting in
Pattaya. Barry Britton, who lives in Pattaya will be attending ANZAC Day in
Angeles this month will pass on more information.
For those on the internet, read more about it in the
Legion’s newsletter and headlined ANZAC DAY Itinerary is at: www.tropicalberts.com/legionletter.htm
Scroll down a page or two and the notice is in a left
column.
Incidently, not
too many veteran’s would be aware that
the RSL and the Royal British Legion are fully affiliated with reciprocal rights
in (70+) countries.
However, where there is a Royal British Legion
organization, the RSL cannot set up shop, and vice versa. Anyone who served
from Commonwealth countries and former allies are eligible to join Angeles City
RSL as service members and those with relatives, ancestors etc of those who
served are eligible to join as Affiliate members.
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RAISE A GLASS APPEAL
MIRIAM Zariffa will never forget the week
that changed her life. Filled with joy and tragedy, it left her facing an
uncertain future until an unexpected hand reached out.
By 2007, Miriam and husband Peter had been trying to
have a baby for two years. Then, one Monday, she discovered she was pregnant.
The couple were naturally thrilled - but just three days later Peter
was dead, the victim of a simple accident at home. Miriam's world came
crashing down around her.
"I was five weeks pregnant,'' said Miriam, now mother to Isaac,
11 months. "I felt so alone.''
A work colleague of Miriam's knew Peter had served with the
army as a medical officer in East Timor and put Legacy in touch.
Like many Australians, Miriam had "never heard of Legacy".
But she recalls: "They contacted me and just knew that I needed help,
not just financially but socially.
"I just would have locked myself away and thrown away the key. I
didn't want to see or talk to anyone.''
Miriam, 32, is
just one of the 120,000 people Legacy supports around Australia.
The organisation helps families of defence service men and women who have
died during or after their service.
It will be there for Miriam and Isaac for years to come.
Yesterday, a unique fundraising campaign was launched to ensure the support
continues.
The Raise A
Glass Appeal -
announced by General
Peter Cosgrove -
was developed by the RSL and Legacy in partnership with VB.
The Daily Telegraph is a proud supporter of the appeal, which aims to contribute more than $1
million to support serving and ex-service men and women, fallen veterans and
their families.
"I urge all Australians to show support,'' General Cosgrove said.
"The RSL and Legacy continue to be relevant and important welfare
providers to the community.''
As Miriam can testify.
After Peter died she met monthly with her group of Legacy widows and readily admits it "was a
life saver".
That support will continue through Miriam's and Isaac's life.
The Raise A
Glass Appeal, which will
also tell stories of Diggers and mates to whom they would love to "raise a
glass", starts on April 1.
You can find out more - including telling
your story of a lost mate - at www.raiseaglass.com.au
I have had a look at
the webpage above and it is great.
Listen to the stories of people reflecting back about their mates and
partners. Read their stories. I highly recommend you do have a look at it. Take
their hint and raise a glass to the memories of past mates no longer here. Editor
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INCREASE TO
PENSIONS
Everyone receiving a Veteran’s and Aged
pension would have noticed an increase in their pensions, paid over two
paydays, as a result of indexation increases.
The indexation was effective from March 20th but only a few
days of the increase was payable on payday 26th March. The full flow-on was paid on payday 9 April
2009. A condensed list is shown below.
For a complete list of all pensions levels, go to www.dva.gov.au
VETERANS’ AND WAR WIDOWS’ PENSIONS INCREASED
Indexation will deliver Veteran and War Widow pensioner’s up to an
extra $14.10 a fortnight, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin announced
today. Some 365,000 veterans, their partners and war widows will benefit.
Minister Griffin said pensions will increase from 20 March, paid
from pension day 26 March.
“For the first time, the Special Rate (TPI) Pension is more than
$1,000 a fortnight at $1,011.90,” Mr Griffin said.
The increases are based on a movement of 0.9 per cent in the
Consumer Price Index (CPI) and a top-up of $2.60 per fortnight to bring the
single Service Pension rate to 25 per cent of Male Total Average Weekly
Earnings (MTAWE). All disability pensions are indexed by reference to both CPI
and MTAWE. This resulted in a 1.4 per cent increase.
|
Pension |
Old fortnightly rate |
New fortnightly rate |
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Special Rate (TPI)
Pension/ MRCA Special Rate Disability Pension |
$997.80 |
$1,011.90 |
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Extreme
Disablement Adjustment |
$550.70 |
$558.50 |
|
100 per cent
General Rate of Disability Pension |
$354.50 |
$359.50 |
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Intermediate Rate
Disability Pension |
$677.00 |
$686.60 |
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Service Pension –
single |
$562.10 |
$569.80 |
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Service Pension –
couples |
$469.50 each. $939.00 couple |
$475.90 each. $951.80 couple |
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War Widows/ers
Pension |
$598.70 |
$607.00 |
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Income Support
Supplement |
$167.80 |
$170.20 |
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If you have had a ride in a Caribou aircraft, you would understand this cartoon
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I don’t totally agree with the cartoon left. I have
flown many thousands of kilometers in Caribou aircraft. We used to call them ‘gravel trucks’ as they
were about as comfortable as one, but they got you there. Ed |
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OPERATION HAMMER |
Battle of
Binh Ba 6 - 8 June 1969
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Back at Nui Dat, between ready reaction tasks, company operations, convoy protection and other operational tasks, 5 RAR were enjoying their 'break'. A Company was in 'Vungers' (Vung Tau) making sure their break was not wasted resting, C and B Companies were involved with training, and D company was Ready Reaction Company on the morning of 6 June. 1 ATF Ready Reaction Company was part of a force which included a Centurion Tank troop and an APC troop. This force was always at thirty minutes notice to react against any major enemy threat to the population centres of Phuoc Tuy province. Binh Ba village some three miles north of Nui Dat base is on Route 2. Its population of one thousand is made up mainly of farmers and rubber workers of the surrounding Gallia Plantation. Most of the houses of the village are sturdy structures of concrete and tiles. At 0810 hours (8.10.am) a tank and an armoured recovery vehicle moving through to the 6 RAR Fire Support Base further north, were fired on by an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) from one of the houses. Initial intelligence said that there were two enemy platoons in the village and consequently the commander 1 ATF decided to deploy the Ready Reaction Force. After briefing, the force was assembled by 1030 hours (10.30.am) just south of Binh Ba. Although the District Chief of the Duc Thanh District had requested 1 ATF assistance, he had not given his clearance as he wanted to satisfy himself that all civilians had been evacuated from the town. Since Binh Ba was in 6 RAR's area of Operations, command of the Ready Reaction Force was initially invested in the CO of 6 RAR. At
1120 hours (11.20.am), when D Company came under heavy RPG fire it was evident
that there was more than two platoons in the village and the District Chief
did not hesitate in telling the force to At
1200 hours (midday), the CO 5 RAR deployed his tactical headquarters
comprising himself, the intelligence officer and two signallers, forward to
the district post of Duc Thanh, north of Binh Ba. C Company reacted
against another enemy attack against Hoa Long on the south of the Nui Dat perimeter. B
Company was also reacted to Binh Ba. The CO 5 RAR was given control of the
Binh Ba Battle and placed B Company in a block on the east of the village.
A
light fire team (RAAF Bushrangers) reported enemy movement south and west of
the village. After an hour one tank was forced to withdraw west with the
other two tanks immobilised by crew casualties. By 1400 hours (2.00.pm) the force had formed up west of the village and started their second sweep with infantry leading and the tanks close behind flanked by the APC's. The village was ominously quiet. Contact was made again as the detailed house clearing commenced. The enemy in the houses fired through the doorways and then jumped into underground bunkers built by the inhabitants for use in time of attack. Fortunately these usually had only one entrance. A pattern developed. When the enemy fired on the infantry, the 'Diggers' returned fire until a tank could get into position. The tanks then blew a hole in the concrete wall, put a canister round through the hole then sprayed the area with machine guns. The infantry then cleared the house room by room and then threw grenades into the tunnels. Many face to face confrontations with the enemy occurred inside the houses Throughout
the operation the soldiers showed remarkable courage and control. On several
occasions they held their fire and exposed themselves to their front as some
civilians were still in the village unable to escape. When fire was directed
at them the identity of the occupants of the house was determined. The raw
leadership of the soldiers was outstanding. Of the twenty one rifle sections
involved, twelve were commanded by private soldiers. Two platoons were led by
sergeants and one by a corporal. Some of the civilians being evacuated were
found to be enemy soldiers dressed in civilian clothes taken from deserted
houses. This sweep stopped at last light with the whole force exhausted after
eight hours of continual contact. That night the village was still not
secure. C Company killed two enemy trying to break out of the village. (cont
page 13)
Meanwhile at 0950 hours (9.50.am) D Company with a platoon from C Company swept through the western half of Binh Ba from the west. PF forces were blocking enemy escape to the north, B Company and armour were blocking to the south and east. Three prisoners were taken and evacuated. Spasmodic contact only was made with small groups of NVA still in the village. At approximately 1300 hours (1.00.pm) heavy firing again broke out in Duc Trung. The District Chief reported that the PF platoon had been overrun by an estimated one hundred enemy resulting in four PF killed and seven wounded. Artillery was effectively employed to the north-west of Duc Trung and was observed by an air observer to fall in the midst of the enemy and within twenty yards of the houses. Again a Light Fire Team was most effectively employed around this village. B Company with a tank troop were ordered to sweep Duc Trung. After crossing their start point, the District Chief received word that a number of civilians were still intermingled with the enemy, and the force was halted. As a PF force moved in to do the sweep, the enemy withdrew to the north-east and north-west continually harassed by artillery and Light Fire Teams. At 1500 hours (3.00.pm) D Company continued to clear Binh Ba. That night the companies blocked around both villages. Next morning, 8 June, the action at Binh Ba concluded at 0900hours (9.00.am), the Australian Civil Affairs arrived at Binh Ba to assist in the resettlement of the villagers. In
this vicious battle, a large enemy force was defeated by rapid reaction,
skill, courage and fire power. The 'Battle of Binh Ba' ranks as one of the
major military victories of the Australian Force in Vietnam. **** **** **** **** **** **** |
7.62 mm L1A1 SLR (Self
Loading Rifle)
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Type: Battle rifle |
FOR ANYONE SURVIVING ANZAC DAY
AT THE SWAGMAN NARRA
Jimbo at Stampede
Bar is offering an ANZAC Day Special.
Commencing at 3.00 p.m. (that’s 1500 hrs to us military types)
Local Drinks at 50 peso, Ladies Drinks at 100peso and IF enough people, will
put on a show .
Corps Insignia of the Australian Army
( Final )
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Australian Army Psychology Corps |
Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps |
Royal Australian Army Dental Corps |
Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps |
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Royal Australian Electrical & Mechanical Engineers |
Royal Australian Corps of Military Police |
Royal Australian Army Pay Corps |
Australian Army Legal Corps |
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Royal Australian Army Education Corps |
Royal Australian Army Chaplains Department (Christian) |
Royal Australian Army Chaplains Department (Jewish) |
Australian Army Public Relations Service |
GOLD CARD PENSIONS - ADDITIONS TO ACCEPTED DISABILITIES.
BY COURTESY OF NOEL McLAUGHLIN
Posted
on 26/7/2007 at 18:41:50 by Noel McLaughlin
Over the past 18 months or so I have been asked for advice from a
number of quarters including the National President of the RSL, on a developing
but unusual and very worrying trend - that of veterans lodging claims for a new
disability under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. This may not of itself
sound unusual.
However, my concerns which have prompted me to post this message
stem from the fact that the lodgement of claims for a new disability are being
lodged by veterans who are in receipt of a General Rate Disability paid at 100%
of the General Rate (Gold Card). It has also featured in some veterans
attempting to have a previously rejected disability accepted again even when
receiving 100%.
Additionally I have had cause to provide advice in respect of veterans
who although in receipt of the Special Rate (TPI) Pension also have commenced
action to lodge a fresh claim for a new disability or one that has been
previously rejected.
The risks to 100% veterans or Above General Rate (Intermediate or
TPI) Pension Veterans doing this are manifest; viz
1. They will be subject to a complete review of every accepted
disability as part of the assessment process.
2. If currently receiving 100% they run a real risk of having
their Medical Impairment and Lifestyle ratings readjusted to the extent that
their current entitlement may very well end up being de-rated to less than 100%
with its attendant effect on the veteran.
3. If Intermediate or TPI, they run the risk of having their
capacity to undertake remunerative work re-assessed also.
4. Should a pension at Intermediate/TPI levels - in particular
TPI - be de-rated, bang goes the automatic War Widow's entitlement - not to
mention a possible diminution in Service Pension and a potential loss of
entitlement to funeral benefits and bereavement payments.
As you can see, such a course of action is fraught with risk and
the potential for damage is significant.
This will result in the usual stress on a veteran and his family
and force him into the appeals system in what is becoming an increasingly
adversarial process. There is nothing the Repatriation Commission likes better
than to review a veteran's situation and this is grist for their mill.
Gold Cards entitle a veteran to coverage for all medical matters
other than accepted disabilities. There is no requirement for a veteran who has
a Gold card to lodge a claim for another disability regardless of whether it is
a new condition or one previously rejected. The Gold card redresses that
imbalance. That balance runs a great risk of being very badly disturbed and can
create a very dangerous precedent that can have a terrible blow-back effect on
all Gold card recipients or potential applicants.
The simple advice: DO NOT GO THERE.
If you need to talk this over I urge all members to discuss with
their respective Advocates. If members know of anyone in our family who is a
Gold card recipient and is considering this action, please ensure he is aware
of the risks.
Regards,
Noel Mc Laughlin
Advocate
NB. Being a Pensions Officer for many years I fully support
Noel’s comments above. Ed
“The price of liberty
is eternal vigilance”