In line with current public health advice and the demographics of our membership, the committee has decided to cease operations at Beatty Street with immediate effect.  We believe we do not have the facilities or capacity to ensure the health and safety of both volunteers and visitors.

Unless the health situation changes, we expect to remain closed till Friday 8 May 2020.  We hope to have a clearer picture of the health issues before the end of April and any decisions on re-opening will be communicated asap.

This means;

•  The committee meeting of 20 March has been cancelled.  The next meeting is tentatively set for Friday 15 May.
• The Greek Night of 8 May will be rescheduled.
• The Regimental Dinner (given organisational logistics) will be postponed indefinitely.

Dear ESORT members,

The Australian Government has today made the difficult decision to cancel all Australian-led overseas Anzac Day services this year. The Minister’s media release can be found online.

Australia is well-prepared in its response to Coronavirus and has focused on measures to slow its spread, ensuring the health and wellbeing of Australians as the highest priority. The decision to cancel these services was made in close consultation with health authorities and with host nations, taking into account advice regarding visitors and large gatherings, the welfare of staff and contractors as well as the welfare of Australians and other visitors travelling overseas.

We are now contacting all registered attendees for these services to ensure they are aware of the Government’s decision. Our website and social media will also be updated.

Anzac Day is an important day in our national calendar to honour the more than 102,000 Australians who have died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. While many of the domestic services are not open to the public, we will be exploring opportunities to ensure all Australians can pay their respects and reflect on the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

The AWM is planning to nationally broadcast a private Anzac Day commemorative service on 25 April at 5.30am, to support individual reflection on this important day. This service will not be open to the public. We will continue to work closely with you and our state and territory colleagues to explore how we can best commemorate Anzac Day in a meaningful way in your local communities. We will continue to keep you updated on these arrangements in our weekly telephone calls.

Regards,

Liz

Chester release – Health and Stimulus packages support veteran community

Minister Chester media release – Veterans to be counted on 2021 Census

Details here  Malaya Reunion

Registration here Registration-Form-Malaya

In this edition of Army News

 https://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/

Please be aware of this pending publication

book_flyer01a

Developing a Rehabilitation in the Home (RITH) Program

Fred Fairhead has completed an updated account of the battle.

Details are here Flyer

Infantryman December 14.12.2019

The Client Satisfaction Survey is a key tool for DVA to learn more about our clients’

experiences so we can improve the way we serve veterans and their families.

As per previous years, I am writing to provide you with notice of the release

of the DVA Client Satisfaction Survey results via the Minister’s announcement on today

29 October 2019.

Attached is a copy of the survey results in the form of:

• a two-page Factsheet showing a high-level summary of overall satisfaction,

and;

• the Results Summary report, a more detailed breakdown of all survey results.

These are now available on the DVA website: www.dva.gov.au/survey.

The results from this survey and future surveys will continue to help inform DVA on

where we can focus services and supports for veterans and their families, to ensure

we are responding and adapting to client needs.

If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please contact the

Survey team directly, at Client.Survey@dva.gov.au.

DVA CSS 2019-Fact Sheet – FINAL Published

DVA CSS 2019-Results Summary – FINAL Published (1)

Some Questions Answered.

ESORT – Questions and Answers for Partner Service Pensions – eligibility alignment

100719 version REDRESS OF DFRDB PENSION INJUSTICE FOR FORMER ADF PERSONNEL

Latest release is here 190815 Media release – Minister Chester – Outgoing Australian War Memorial Director thanked

VA064 – Minister Chester – Australia marks Reserve Forces Day

VA061 Minister Chester Statement – Veteran Treatment Cycle

This is the current issue of the Infantryman

Infantryman August 2019

Below for April 2019

Infantryman April 2019

Below for December 2018

Infantryman December 2018 FINAL

Below for August 2018

Infantryman August

Below for March 2018

Infantryman final 2 March 2018

Below is December 2017

Infantryman December 2017 Dec 4

Below is the August 2017 issue

Infantryman August 2017

I have posted a number of videos on Youtube of film that I took on 6RAR’s second tour in 1969-70. Each video is about 5 minutes long.  There is no commentary, just appropriate sounds of aircraft/guns/armour and background music. I originally did these for the National Vietnam Veterans Museum so they could be used on a free standing TV operated by the viewer alongside the museum item on display (eg, film of guns firing next to a 105mm howitzer).

One special film is when I went on a flight with Jade 8 (between operations) and witnessed an airstrike by Canberra bombers from the air. Years later after contacting Chris in Texas, he said he had taped the cockpit conversations between the Forward Air Controller (himself) and a flight of Canberra bombers on a similar airstrike. I have included that to add to the authenticity. I believe the film of the bombs dropping from the Canberra is unique in that can only be done from the perspective of a Forward Air Controller.

Vietnam War Aussie Armour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FATinuPC4Aw

Vietnam War Aussie Artillery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7mDAMNvPYY

Vietnam War Aussie Airstrike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au0W75-aTOs

Vietnam War Aussie Infantry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9tpxCqskFE

Vietnam War Aussie Hueys    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtoTbN3BHhI

Vietnam War Aussie Navy      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdS926B_xVU

Vietnam War Aussie R&C Vung Tau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdAe0lZhSnM

Yet again, a highly enjoyable and successful Dinner with fabulous food, great friends and wonderful comradeship.

A selection of photos below

Greek Night – 4 May 18.

A highly successful evening with more than 65 guests enjoying a feast provided by Tim, Tas, Con & Sia.

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What a great afternoon of eating drinking and generally making merry with wonderful friends along with our two very learned wine experts in William Smidmore and Mike von Berg.  Of course without the wonderful team of workers who made it all happen and come together  and of course the Caterers who did a fabulous job and making life a little easier for the team – if I mention names then sure as eggs somebody will be left out and we cannot let that happen.    

So a great day had by all. Cheers. Mrs. Vice (aka Lynn Graham)

And photos – courtesy of Penelope & Bruce Forster – below, as always, click on photos for better viewing and captions.

Here are a few photos of our highly successful dinner.  As always, by selecting a photo you will be able to view a better photo as well as the caption for it.

And some nostalgic memories of our May 2013 Regimental Dinner