Gallery 2022
A snapshot of the events and milestones in our 2022 calendar
January
Australia Day Awards – RSLWA
The Australia Day Achievement Medallion
Each year the RSL participates in the Australia Day Achievement Medallion Program that recognises the contribution of individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the Veteran and Ex-service Community in Western Australia.
RSLWA presents 3 awards in the following categories:
- Sub Branch Award
- Individual Award
- Community Group Award
The Award is sponsored by the Australia Day Council and has Australia wide recognition. The awards are presented at RSLWA’s Australia Day Function in January each year.
On Friday 28 January this year Awards were presented to:
- North Beach RSL Sub-Branch as the best Sub-Branch in the State, and for the effort we have all achieved during 2021,
- Paul McGuinness was awarded the Australia Day Medallion for service to veterans and the community.
The nomination for the Awards were confidential and not to be broadcast prior to the presentations.
Well done the North Beach RSL Sub-Branch
February March
With no meeting in January and Covid restrictions in place, our February and March meetings have been quiet, with numbers down.
However, our activities have not stopped with our walking, kayaking, cycling and coffee groups very active from Hillarys Marina twice weekly. Our kayaking group is increasing in size, which is good to see. Because of the increased participation, the Gazebo meeting place at the Marina has been reserved for us by Marina Management between 08:00 and 10:15 each Wednesday and Friday. For this we thank Hillarys Marina.
Social Activities Coordinator Paul McGuinness has just completed organising the 2022 Kalgoorlie Tour of Duty which left Perth on March 16 and returned on March 21.
An action packed Tour was organised in conjunction with the Kalgoorlie RSL Sub Branch President Robyn Steenbach.
Paul was presented at the March meeting with his Temporary Acting Lance Corporal half stripe in recognition of his effort, as well as recognising alleged service in Exercise Barra Winga, Qld 1966 and Canungra Qld 1967. (his mates will tell another story)
Always the showman.
Secretary Koch and President Rolfe
WW2 Veteran Bill Fielding and Chaplain Martin Heffer
The best behaved table of the night – well done
Activities Coordinator – Paul McGuiness
Kalgoorlie Tour of Duty
16 to 21 March 2022
On 16 March 39 Sub-Branch members travelled by Prospector to Kalgoorlie for the 2022 Tour of Duty. The Tour of Duty was organised by Paul McGuinness, with on the ground logistics managed by Robyn Steenbach, President of the Kalgoorlie Sub-Branch and RSLWA Board Member.
We are privileged to have Robyn’s guidance and support, and much of the success is due to her local knowledge.
An action packed stay included all of the key areas of interest around Kalgoorlie, Boulder, Coolgardie and Gwalia.
April
The ANZAC Football Match at the North Beach Football Club. A very well attended match with all paying their respects.
A now traditional match and commemoration, much appreciated by the North Beach Football Club and the North Beach RSL Sub Branch.
Lest We Forget
ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the North Beach Memorial.
The Service was attended by 2000 members of the community, veterans and serving members of the Defence Force.
Councillor Tony Krsticevic. and North Beach RSL President John Rolfe
A well attended Dawn Service with a broad range of the community attending
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June
At our June meeting Greg Gough received his Certificate of Life membership for service to veterans and our Sub-Branch.
July
During an overcast but fine day in July, thirty members of North Beach RSL Sub-Branch took the opportunity to tour the Leighton Battery and Tunnels – an important part of Western Australia’s military history.
Coastal defences, known as “Fortress Fremantle”, protected the harbour at Fremantle since the first battery was installed at Arthur’s Head in 1906. This was expanded in the 1930s and WW 2, and stretched along the coast from Cape Peron, Garden Island, Rottnest, Leighton and Swanbourne. During WW2 this was particularly important as Fremantle, following the fall of Singapore, was home to the largest submarine base in the Southern Hemisphere.
President John Rolfe handing over the kayaks to Lt Paul Clinton of T S Marmion
August
TS Marmion Kayak Handover
The official handover of the Kayaks to TS Marmion took place at 10:00am Sunday 14 August, 2022. It was well attended by our members as well as the Cadets from T S Marmion.
Following the handover, the Cadets launched them for a kayak around the Marina – so well done to all those involved from our Sub-Branch and T S Marmion.
READ HERE THE EXPOSURE WE GAINED IN OUR DVA ONLINE NEWS ARTICLE.
Jess Welfare Reports From Crete
“I managed to get to the Suda (Souda) Bay War Cemetery today via the hop on/off tourist bus which does a 40min drive around various sites in Chania but in Greek time somewhat longer!! Had to wait awhile for the return to Chania so tried to hitch a ride back. People just smiled and waved so obviously didn’t understand the hitch a ride gesture or I’ve lost my touch!!! Too old!!
The cemetery overlooks the bay where the cruise ships call in. The site is surrounded by olive trees & is a very beautiful setting. Another European family were also there & equally touched to see so many graves of dead young men. I asked their daughter to put a koala bear on one of the NZ graves to honor our mates across the pond. I found a Sapper to place my little kangaroo. He was only 19. I still had some poppies left from El Alamein so placed those around.
Of the ANZACS 274 Aussies killed & 671 NZs. It was nice to bring a little something from home to leave with them.”
ANZAC Club Lunch – August 31, 2022
A group of members had lunch at the ANZAC Club and were joined by State President Duncan Anderson and CEO Vince Connolly. Following the lunch the group were lucky to be conducted of a tour of ANZAC House facilities.
A good time had by all with most enjoyable food. Highly recommended.
September
National Flag Day
This year’s National Flag Day on 3 September marks 121 years since the Australian Flag was first officially flown in 1901 at the Royal exhibition Building in Melbourne – the site of Australia’s first Parliament.
Australia’s National Flag Day is an opportunity for all Australians to observe this anniversary by flying or displaying the flag.
The date of 3 September also marks Merchant Navy Day. We remember the Service and sacrifice of thousands of Australia’s merchant mariners during wartime operations.
Cervantes Day Tour
Wednesday 21 September a hardy group bussed to Cervantes via Lancelin for a tour of the Lobster Factory, followed by lunch at the Lobster shack. An interesting and enjoyable day had by all.
On Thursday 22 September President John Rolfe was invited to Bill Fielding’s home and greeted by Bill’s wife Jen, and family members Peter Fletcher and Leonie Anderson.
Peter and Leonie generously donated to our Sub-Branch a framed Limited Edition of that well known photograph of 11 Battalion taken on Cheops Pyramid prior to embarking to Gallipoli.
Their generosity is very much appreciated, and the photo will form a valuable part of our Collection.
Thank you to Peter and Leonie and also to Bill and Jen for helping to organise it.