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MEETING OPENED at 17:00, President John Rolfe welcomed 109 members and recited the Ode.

HOMAGE FOR JULY

This past month in Australian Military history we remember the Syria-Lebanon campaign.  Syria became a battleground in June/July 1941, when British forces launched Operation Exporter; an invasion to eliminate the pro-Axis Vichy French in the Syrian Republic and in French Lebanon.  Australian troops, from the recently established 7th Division, formed the bulk of the main advance of the combined Commonwealth ground force totalling approximately 34,000 men of which 18,000 were Australians, 9,000 British, 2,000 Indian and 5,000 Free French.  The five-week long campaign represented the first occasion that the Australian 7th Division, was committed to action after being formed less than 12 months previously.

For the thousands of Australians who were serving, the Syria-Lebanon campaign was a hard-fought, desperate fight involving a series of bloody fierce battles over rivers, hostile rugged mountainous terrain and steep-sided upland valleys.  During the five-week campaign, 416 men from the 7th Division were killed and 1136 were badly wounded.  Hundreds more were taken sick with malaria.  A ceasefire ended fighting on 12 July.  On 14 July, Allied and Vichy representatives signed an Armistice which brought Operation Exporter to an end.

(Courtesy member Ron Parker.)

Sadly, we advise the passing of our Esteemed Member Stephen Jones 26/2/1950 – 30/6/2024. Army 514103, 1971 with 17 Const. SVN. Funeral arrangements and other details to be advised.

LEST WE FORGET

Members Toasted Absent Friends.

APOLOGIES

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

NEW MEMBERS / VISITORS / GUESTS 

Again pleasing to be coming on board: from WA Police: Shaun Staples welcomed as an Associate, Andrew Meredith transferring from Nollamara, “RAAFies” Christine and Steve Leonard, and a pair of young bloods Luke Hamson and Darren Royle. Cheers to All and Heartily Welcomed, with more in the pipeline.

Also, pleasing to note and welcome to the Meeting retiring CEO Vince Connoly and new WA CEO Steve Barton, both well (and favourably) known to us. They responded and reciprocated with their commitment to Sub-Branch membership and activities. Further comments indicate that the position of CEO will be in safe hands, and we wish them both well in a challenging and rewarding future.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING.   

Minutes of 10^th June 2024, having been available by email, website, and hard copy, considered as read.     

Moved by our Helen Burgess and Seconded by Drury Heath, that “the Minutes of the previous meeting be accepted”.     Business arising 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. Veterans Interaction Survey:    You can complete the 10 minute surveyhere or via the link on the DVA website. The survey is open until 19 July 2024, including:

• RSLWA Sub-Branch Signal and associated information updates, Listening Post, broadcast items of interest.
• Hillarys Marina Gazebo Permit being renewed.  
• HYC Venue/Xmas in July Peter Bowring and Lez Young, very good menu options, bar billing from 12:00, flyer distributed at meeting and by email.
• Certificate received to commemorate Bill Fielding 100^th – due 21/9/24.
• Guest Speaker: Vario Health Clinic, ECU, Joondalup. Excellent presentation from Emma Wilson.  Please follow up contact after meeting and direct: emma.wilson@ecu.edu.au
• Secretary to summarise Schools attendances.
• State Congress 5-6 July, Minutes and report to come.
• Individual matters to Chair for further consideration, Executive, and Meeting Friday 7^th August 2024, further input welcomed.
• North Beach Stickers here again!!

Acknowledgement of Correspondence matters. Moved by Lez Young and Seconded by Peta Connolly. All in Favour:  Carried.    

TREASURER’S REPORT.  

Treasurer David Potter provided a comprehensive Statement of Income and Expenditure of our monthly finances and provided a copy for each table.  Treasurer also advised the meeting that: Refer to YTD Summary, Asset Register updated, Acquittal’s Anzac GST etc good. Admin costs contained to 4%.

$2000 donation to the “Mayday Appeal” was matched $ for $ by Gina Rhinehart for Advocacy support.

From General Business last meeting and Agreed by Executive: At maturity of our current Military Bank Term Deposit 14/6/2024, the principal be increased by $10,000.         

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

COMMITTEE REPORTS   

Welfare:    Wayne Koch.

Wheelchair purchase for Craige Daniel completed, $2151. Visit Wednesday 10^th.  Following an enquiry from Craige at last month’s meeting we were able to arrange a custom-made chair from his first choice supplier “Motobility” Joondalup, from our Welfare funds. Very pleasing all round and Craige most humble and appreciative of the assistance from the Sub-Branch. We are visiting Craige and will provide a further report. Acknowledged by All.

Other “RAP” Updates:  Steady ship A.T.M. with many stable and on the mend.

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

Remembrance Day, Monday 11 November 2024: 

Peter Bowring advised Remembrance Day Monday 11^th November preparations commencing and note our monthly meeting has already been scheduled for the 4^{th of} November. Memorial area booked.

Also submissions under way to City of Stirling re Memorial surrounds, Play area and CCTV proactive surveillance.

Suggestions canvassed re a suitable “Life Like” Statue be incorporated  in the Memorial Precinct, Project Vigilance “Female Soldier with Dog” with Grant support.

Website, News and Publicity: 

HB, WK, PH – Brian Jennings reported members’ stories for Ian Goyder and Kevin Ryan have been completed.  Members who have not yet had their photo taken for our Rogues Gallery to see him following the meeting.  June Newsletter distributed and accessible from www.northbeachrsl.asn.au  

Other from Exec meeting 5 July:

• Advised re articles and reports in DVA E-News, RSLWA Listening Post, Perth Now, City of Stirling and interested Media.
• New RSLWA Style Guide and Logo received, and stationery updated.
• Toolbox no longer on RSLWA Website, however accessible from link.
• Homage Research Officer(s) was requested to take on Homages for monthly meetings, 10 years on file plus easy access to fresh compilations.  Ron Parker was thanked for taking on this role.
• Our book of Members Stories has now been deposited with the National edeposit scheme with the National and State Libraries. 
• Rewrite is in process of the website.    Going well with progressive reports being provided by Helen to the Executive. Existing site will always be retrievable as a Rollback Point, nothing will be lost.    Executive will Test from Monday Mon 5 August to confirm whether it meets the needs of the Sub-Branch prior to approval to go live early September.
• Helen advised that at least 2 members are required for ongoing Website Content, as Brian will be “retiring” when the new site is fully operational.  Brian will provide website support as required and focus on News, members Stories and Sub-Branch Publicity. 

Peer Health:   Contact Wayne Koch 0407 478 963.

Election Reminder:

President John Rolfe has confirmed he shall not renominate this year. Well played John and all pleased that you will still be with us.

Lez Young as Returning Officer advised that for AGM on Monday August Aug 12^th the Nominations Received for positions being vacated are:

• Peter Hodgson for position of President,
• Peter Bowring for Vice President,
• Rob Sweet for Warden.

Nominations for the three vacancies close Friday 12^th July 2024

Nomination forms are available from and as per front notice board:

• Returning Officer Lez Young             0407 082 438 or lezyoung12@gmail.com
• Secretary Wayne Koch  0407 478 963 or northbeach.secretary@sb.rslwa.org.au
• Website:  AB-By-Laws-Annexure-2024-06-09.pdf (northbeach-rsl.asn.au)  Page 53

Social Activities and Events.

• Deb Thatcher provided an outline of Events for 2024 and is on our website/notice board. North Beach Events | North Beach RSL Sub-Branch (northbeach-rsl.asn.au)
• Ongoing updates for 2024 outings. Also Sandakan Sunday 18/8 organised by Carine Senior High School, RAAF 25/9, Chidlows 23/10, East Timor Service to be advised.
• Tour of Duty, Adelaide 16 – 25 March 2025. Accom flights etc as per Peter Hodgson report and comprehensive information flyer and “Tour-de-force” Trip 2025 Sub-Committee, (Inc. Burgess, Thatcher, Welfare, Fletcher and Morgan), 5/7 report to Executive re Maj Tom Fisher Csqn 1 Armd Semaphore 0433170324 nemo911@live.com. 
• $500 initial deposit due to Tour of Duty account by 31^st July.
• Personal insurance IMPORTANT if needed. Yes a T-shirt and some meals provided.
• Xmas in July Wednesday 24 July being organised by Peter Bowring $1500 Bar Tab, and Lez Young with HYC.  Peter reiterated Table Captains’ action required also direct contact to Lez with your table participants and payments. Pleasing response from recent new members.
• RAAF Bullcreek Wednesday 25 September and Chidlow 23 October being organised by Helen Burgess and Deb Thatcher. Expressions of interest now.

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

President JR: was most pleased to announce that our Sub-Branch was again successful in being awarded the prestigious “Newdegate Cup” for our activities in the past year.  All thanked and heartily acknowledged.  

Individual matters to Chair post-meeting for further consideration, to Executive, and Meeting Friday 9^th August 2024, further input welcomed.   

MEETING CLOSED – 18:03

Coming Up:

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Monday 12^th August 2024 at 17.00

NEXT GENERAL MEETING – Monday 12^th August 2024 at 17.45

109 attended this meeting, with 73 members paying for meals.  Thanks again to our Gate Sentries, Debbie Thatcher, Steve Fletcher and Jess Welfare.  

Dinner Arrangements –Ladies and Older Veterans were given the usual courtesy of first “Big Serve” from our Caterer Kenny’s “Gourmet Sausage, Potato with Peas and Gravy,” and by-chance, the bewt and boldly buttered breads. Thanks go to our Trolley Guns, Stuart Young, Stewie Davies and Trevor Beegan.

Serving and cleaning were Peter Rowles, Barrie Morgan, Gavin McIntosh, Denzel Simeon, and Bill Kynaston, with Butterers Jeff Edwick, Tom Bateman and Andy Robinson. Plus microphone Runner Lez Young.

Also, our stalwart Raffle Warden, Athur-Smith, with Worthy Winners circle hogged by John Riley AND John Riley, with Chris Rampant allowed a sniff.