Minutes General Meeting 13 May 2024

May 14, 2024 |

MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING

North Beach RSL Sub-Branch

13th May 2024.

MEETING OPENED at 17:00, President John Rolfe welcomed 106 members and recited the Ode.

HOMAGE FOR MAY

I take a moment to remind us of just one event from May in Australia’s military history.

Leading Aircrewman Noel Ervin Shipp, RAN, arrived in Vietnam in September 1968 with the second contingent of the RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam. 

Operating as a door gunner, Shipp completed more than 25 missions into hostile territory.  In November 1968, he was awarded the US Air Medal for Valour, for distinguished meritorious achievement during 12-17 September 1968.

On 31 May 1969, five miles west of Dong Tam, Dinh Tuong Province, Shipp was door gunner in the lead gunship escorting troop-carrying helicopters of the Republic of Vietnam’s 11th Regiment, 7th Division.  The troop-carrying helicopters came under heavy ground fire and the gunships were ordered in.

In order to engage the enemy more closely with his M60 machine gun, Shipp hung out from the helicopter, which was encountering intense fire.  During the course of the action his helicopter was hit, crash landed and burst into flames with no survivors.

Noel Shipp, who was the only Australian in the crew, was seen to continue firing at the enemy until the moment of impact.

In August 2013 the RAN honoured Shipp by naming a recruit school division and accommodation block at HMAS Cerberus after him.

LEST WE FORGET

Members Toasted Absent Friends.

APOLOGIES

21 noted by the Secretary by RSVP emails and advised in the register recorded by attending members.  Many thanks.  

NEW MEMBERS/VISITORS / GUESTS. 

Debbie and Alister Oram combined RAAF careers 38 years, and Craig Dixon RAAF Apprentice, 481 WG, 75 Sqn Avionics, all signed on following attendance at our Dawn Service.

Cheers to All and Heartily Welcomed.  

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING.   

Minutes of 8th April 2024, having been available by email, website, and hard copy, considered as read.    

Moved by our Helen Burgess and Seconded by Keith Jones, that “the Minutes of the previous meeting be accepted”.   

Business arising as below and actioned as appropriate in Committee Reports.  

Noted, All in Favour & Carried.   

Secretary, 0407 478 963, reminder that easy access to current and recent minutes,  Welfare links and contacts are readily available via our website: www.northbeach–rsl.asn.au   

CORRESPONDENCE IN & OUT 

Includes – Pending/Reciprocal/Agenda items included below from our Executive Management meetings.  Pending and current matters are being monitored and cleared as promptly as compliance and assistance allows.   

  • RSLWA Sub-Branch Signal and associated information updates, Listening Post, broadcast items of interest.
  • Anzac Evaluation Report to be expertly meshed from start made by Treasurer David Potter and Peter Bowring and Brian Jennings for timely submission.
  • Thank You’s 704 Airforce Cadets and others coming in.
  • Welfare Flowers to June Gorddard. Welfare Plaque expenditure ok and below.
  • Xmas in July Peter Bowring and Lez Young, very good  menu options, bar billing from 12:00, Flyer distributed at meeting and by Email.
  • Excellent ANZAC debrief, added recognition Certificates, Plaques to City of Stirling, Perth Audio Visual, Scarborough Police, IGA Marmion, and invite North Beach Bowling Club to our Xmas in July.
  • DVA Guest Speakers: After Meeting Follow up only to be advised from/to Chair.
  • Secretary. to summarise Schools attendance, very pleasing and we are capable and in favour of the natural expansion outside of our zone.
  • We are also receiving referrals for membership which would normally go to struggling Scarborough.
  • State Congress 6 July, Secretary to check with Treasurer and others re attending as Sub-Branch is eligible for 5 delegates.  No notices of motion, and required to submit attendees by COB Friday 21 June.

Acknowledgement of Correspondence matters. Moved by Tony Filardi and Seconded by Steve Fletcher.  Carried.    

TREASURER’S REPORT.  

Acting Treasurer Wayne Koch provided a comprehensive Statement of Income and Expenditure of our monthly finances and provided a copy for each table.  An explanation of financial transactions and account balances was provided.  

  • Secretary shall and advise Treasurer of progress for the closure of the now defunct CBA Account as previous GM and Exec Minutes.
  • Treasurer and Management Committee.  *Bulk of 76 North Beach Bowling Club Social Memberships selectively handed out; process well received.  

Sub-Branch Membership Badges also collection from the Pool Table, collect your mates too!!

Mal Dwyer has requested a replacement Membership Card as it was traded-in, in Tasmania in exchange for a phone#?

Moved by our Peter Hodgson and Seconded by Barrie Morgan, that “the Treasurer’s Report be accepted”.  Carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

Welfare:   

Greg Gough Updates: “RAP” – Latest news concerning a number of our men down, Mick Gledhill now recovered and Travelling.  Progress report given on Terry Pryer, Ken Braidwood, Eric Aitkins, Pete Connelly, Peter Macander, Terry Barrett, Bob Payne and Rod May.

Contact Greg 0417 911 173 or Secretary/Peer Health Wayne Koch 0407 478 963 for details, as visits are encouraged.

Anzac Day 2024:

Peter Bowring: Reiterated extremely well attended and success due to co-operation by the many including the Gun Fire Breakfast greatly assisted by the North Beach Bowling Club and substantial donation from Mr. Sing of IGA Marmion.  Mal Dwyer magnificent in voice, RIP Couston Sgt at Arms, recognition and thank you Shields/Certificates to Perth Audio Visual, Scarborough Police, and others as appropriate.

Well done all round and reminder Remembrance Day Monday 11th November preparations commencing and note our monthly meeting has already been scheduled for the 4th November.  

Appeals/Collections Officer:

Peter Hodgson (0458 583 869). Thanked all for the great support and teamwork at our many venues.

Advised that we have encouraged RSLWA to have better quality merchandise for Remembrance Day and ongoing or we may have to access better “offsite” suppliers.

Guest Speakers:

After Meeting follow-ups to be advised from/to Chair. Intro/Fit in halftime/Intro from David Lewis.

Peter King is the DVA Deputy Commissioner of WA (peter.king@dva.gov.au). As such, Peter is the most Senior Departmental Officer in WA. Elisabeth (Liz) Hayman.  She is the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner and comes from an extensive range of other DVA Departments, which places her well suited to address the Topic.

Great literature on hand and further talks/visitations/Emails to be arranged, many issues but importantly, Transition into Aged Care, at home and moving, TPI and White Card issues, Partner Entitlements, Planning Ahead/Financial Services, and Bereavement.  Importantly early enquiry then individual preparedness.

Website/Admin and Publicity:

Brian Jennings, Helen Burgess:

  • All good, with ongoing updates and increased links accessible from www.northbeach–rsl.asn.au 
  • Advised re articles and reports to DVA E-News/RSLWA Listening Post/ Perth Now, City of Stirling and interested Media.
  • Plaques requests proceeding, including the late Alf Orton HMAS Yarra WW2, his story is on our website under Member Stories, and a recommended read.
  • Homage Research Officer(s) being requested to take on Homages for monthly meetings – refer to Brian Jennings.
  • Helen outlined a review of the website and the development of a strategy for ongoing content management and website development and administration.  Initial enquiries to Helen or Brian.

Peer Health: 

Wayne Koch 0407 478 963:

  • Happy 90th Birthday to our John Whitford – Smith, in attendance and looking sharp, heartily acknowledged by All.  Well played JW-S.
  • Mike “the Moose” Sweeney advised that his 4’s were runners-up National RSL Bowls Champions, great effort.  Barefoot bowls social events under consideration, stay tuned.
  • Mike also advised he has 2 new Affiliates lining up to join.
  • Donated quality book Storage/availability options still being sought for our growing collection.
  • Work in Progress – NBRSL Stickers available – TBA. Secretary Wayne Koch / Paul McGuinness

Social Activities and Events:  SAC Portfolio Hand Over – In Progress:

An outline of Events for 2024 is on our website/notice board.

North Beach Events – North Beach RSL Sub-Branch (northbeach-rsl.asn.au)

JR advised that he has vacated the “Memorial Warden” role, which is now being undertaken by Les Young.  This is an Executive appointed position.

Les Young will also continue in his role of one of our 2 elected Wardens.

  • Prelim update 2024 outings.
  • Police Museum Highgate now Friday 31 May, being organised by Helen Burgess and Deb Thatcher
  • Xmas in July Wednesday 24 July being organised by Peter Bowring and Les Young.
  • RAAF Bullcreek Wednesday 23 October being organised by Helen Burgess and Deb Thatcher.

GENERAL BUSINESS: (refer to reports, and below):

  • Rip Couston advised that next 4WD excursion to the Holland Track will be from Sunday 8th September, contact him mardon7@iinet.net.au and 0467 960 552 to join the adventure.
  • Individual matters to Chair for further consideration, Executive, and Meeting Friday 7th June 2024, further input welcomed.

MEETING CLOSED – 18:08.

NEXT GENERAL MEETING – Monday 10th June 2024 at 17.00 

106 attended this meeting, with 72 members paying for meals.  Thanks to our Gate Sentries, Bill Kynaston, Debbie Thatcher and Jess Welfare. 

Dinner Arrangements –Ladies and Older Veterans were given the usual courtesy of first “Big Serve” from our Caterer Kenny’s “Chicken schnitzel, mashed potatoes peas gravy”, not to by-pass the bewt and boldly buttered breads.

Thanks go to our Trolley Guns, Trevor Beegan, Lez Young and Peter Hodgson; serving/butterers, and clean up members, Peter Gorddard, Bill Kynaston, Frank McGrath, Mal Dwyer, Ron Brown, Michael Healy, Jeff Edwick and David Willock; plus microphone “courier” Jon McKenzie  

Also, our stalwart Raffle Warden Arthur Smith, and Worthy Winners, Derek Gardner, Roger Thompson and John Riley.  Well played All.    

Note from Secretary, 0407 478 963: ph./Voice Message/Txt 24/7.

Members are advised that details of the Joondalup Hub are on our website, along with other providers of Advocacy support.   Joondalup Hub is contactable 24/7 on 0437 378 498.