Some Questions Answered.

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

RARA-SA News October 2019

The Government of South Australia and Veterans SA is pleased to be presenting the 2019 Veterans’ Information Day on Friday November 1^st, 2019.

Following the success of last year’s Premier’s Town Hall Meeting, it was decided that a similar event would be held in 2019.  During the planning process for this year’s event, a number of opportunities were presented that we felt would be beneficial for the entire veteran community and as such the Veterans’ Information Day has evolved.

The program for the day includes:

• The public launch of the SA Veterans Employment Program, which will also incorporate a presentation by The Princes Trust Australia;
• A presentation from Dr Mark Hinton and Jane Nursey from the Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health;
• A financial education presentation from the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation;
• A forum focused on The Partnerships Hub, at which we will present a summary of the successes of the first 18 month and will allow feedback to be provided by the veteran community; and
• The Premier’s Town Hall Meeting, at which the Premier will update the community on the progress of policy commitments relating to the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio, as well as to discuss any matters affecting the veteran community.

We are pleased to advise that lunch and refreshments will be provided for $5 per person (optional, to be paid in cash at the event).   All proceeds from lunch will go to Operation K9.

Veterans SA would appreciate your assistance in the promotion of this event amongst your members and networks. We are pleased to provide the attached resources that are available to use in the promotion of this event, including:

• Social media graphic in sizes suitable for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn
• A3 poster for printing and display at your facility

Please link to the following event page on our website: https://veteranssa.sa.gov.au/event/2019-veterans-information-day/

This event is open for registration to all current and ex-serving ADF personnel, families and carers, ex-service organisations and anyone who has an interest in the veteran community.  Attendees can opt to attend some or all events throughout the day.

Those who would like to attend can register here: https://2019veteransinformationday.eventbrite.com.au

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 8226 8552 or veteranssa@sa.gov.au.

Many thanks,

Bec van Reesema

Engagement & Commemorations Officer

http://armynews.realviewdigital.com/#folio=1

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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

Details here

DVA SA relocation flyer

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

There are strong reasons to support this campaign.

https://chuffed.org/project/protecting-the-rar

Duty First

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.

a

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

Click on the image for improved viewing, 1967 I think.

Join Army

Please view the latest news on the RCB campaign here RCB Update

There is an extensive history to this campaign under the Advocacy tab (above).

The Casualty List has been off line for some time, here it is revived.

Note by clicking on the sub-headings, unit or coy/pl for example, you can then filter your searches.

http://www.thecasualtylist.com/

Here is the April 2017 edition Infantryman April 2017

You can view the November 2016 edition here Infantryman November final 16.11.2016

the August 2016 edition here Infantryman August

and the April 2016 edition here Infantryman+April+2016

There are numerous excellent articles and a list of activities at HQ for the foreseeable future.

Archived Infantryman are under the Infantryman tab.

Courtesy of the 5RAR website, here is some historical information which may help revive a number of fading memories

http://www.5rar.asn.au/history/information-book-for-nashos.pdf

An interesting article concerning Jock Buchan, KIA 11 December 1969, his ashes found in Scotland!

You can read it here  Buchan Article

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Further to the above article, comments and a link from Paul Jackson, Jock’s Platoon Commander.

Hi Fred, 

What a special journey. It is hard to believe that after almost 50 years we have finally completed Jock’s story. We have come so far over the past year or so. A little over 12 months ago those involved in the action, Jock’s closest mates, did not even know where his body had gone after watching him being wrapped in a hutchie, tied on to a jungle penetrator and then winched slowly up to the hovering Dustoff chopper. Due to the tireless and dedicated work of a group of committed brothers-in-arms, Jock’s sacrifice has now been properly recognised, first with a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial and now with your special service at his gravesite in far off Scotland. 

Most of you reading this email would not be aware that Jock Buchan’s death holds a very special place in our Vietnam war history. On the day of the action, an official Army photographer was moving with the company and took a series of photographs immediately after the contact. Of the many thousands of photographs taken during the Vietnam War, these are the only ones that actually record the death of an Australian soldier. For this reason I believe that Jock’s death has become symbolic of all those Australians who lost their lives in that conflict. Too graphic and politically sensitive to be publicly released at the time, the images are a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. 

The importance of this series of photographs is also well recognised by the AWM who have been corresponding with me recently seeking help identifying other members of the platoon captured in those iconic images. With your agreement Fred I would like to send your article to the Head Curator, Photographs, Film and Sound at the AWM. She has already expressed interest in the Dundee ceremony. I believe that this would also be an appropriate place for ‘Jock’s Story’ to be recorded.   

On behalf of all Jock’s 12 Platoon brothers, well done and thank you. 

Regards 

Paul 

ps For those interested, the AWM link to those photographs is attached below: 

https://www.awm.gov.au/search/all/?query=11+december+1969&submit=&op=Search&format=list&section%5B0%5D=collections&filter%5Btype%5D=Photograph