(For a Printable Version Click Here)
MEETING OPENED at 17:00, President John Rolfe welcomed 120 members and recited the Ode.
HOMAGE FOR MARCH
I take a moment to remind us of an event from March in Australia’s military history.
3 RAR, arrived in Borneo in March 1965 and served in Sarawak until the end of July. During this time the battalion engaged in four major contacts with Indonesian units, and twice suffered casualties from land mines. Its replacement, 28th Brigade, 4 RAR, also served in Sarawak from April until August 1966.
The 28th Brigade also operated on the Indonesian side of the border and was involved in clashes with Indonesian regulars.
Two infantry battalions, two squadrons of the SAS, a troop of the Royal Australian Signals , several artillery batteries, Royal Australian Engineers as well as the Navy and RAAF were involved in the Confrontation.
Negotiations between Indonesia and Malaysia ended the conflict, and the two sides signed a peace treaty in Bangkok in August 1966. Because of the sensitivity of the cross-border operations, which remained secret at the time, there was very little coverage in the Australian press.
23 Australians were killed during the Confrontation, and eight wounded.
Also, I would like to mention the passing of lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon of the 2nd Commando Regiment who suffered critical injuries at the Royal Australian Air Force base in Richmond following a parachuting accident during a military drill.
Lest We Forget
Members Toasted Absent Friends.
- Rob Sweet has attended to State, Australian and RSL Flags at the Memorial for Commonwealth Day, today, 11 March 2024.
APOLOGIES
29 noted by the Secretary by RSVP emails and advised in the register recorded by attending members. Many thanks.
NEW MEMBERS/VISITORS / GUESTS.
Transfers: Kathleen Vine from Nollamara, Liam Staltari from Kalamunda, Philip Buckland RAF and Australian Army, Chris Giddens Sigs and Engineers, Jamie McDonald Sigs, John Reis from Interstate will join next meeting and hopefully repeat guest with member Mary Vassalo David Bogdanich.
Cheers to All and Heartily Welcomed.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING.
Minutes of 12th February 2024, having been available by email, website, and hard copy, considered as read.
Moved by our Arthur Greaves and Seconded by Peter Gorddard, 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, our By-Laws/Annexure, social events, community involvement, 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.
- Christmas Hamper thank you letter from Joyce Henderson.
- Defibrillator and Medical Kit updated including new Batteries and Pads.
- Membership List updating continues including Next of Kin/Emergency Contacts. Advise if not sure if your details are accurate or if they have changed.
- Report and DFRB pending actions, Dave Lewis. RSLWA awaiting condensed “presentation”.
- ANZAC Day correspondence as per Report and follow up volunteer requirements.
- John Rolfe – Karrinyup Rotary Guest Speaker for Tuesday 23 April at MAAC, Marmion.
- SCAM Alerts continues with members receiving emails supposedly from President John Rolfe. All advised to be vigilant when receiving unusual emails with links or requests. (members are encouraged to right click on sender’s email address to determine the origin of the sender, then delete email and clear from Deleted folder. If in doubt, delete.)
- Schools – formal requests slim and vague dates, EAST WANNEROO a current priority, (now sorted, Arthur Greaves, Shane Hazell to attend), Wednesday 24th or Friday 26th April 9 or 11am. I have some names but more Expressions of Interest to the Secretary please.
- Rob Sweet “Wounded Hero’s to be researched.
- Proceed to contact Qld Sub-Branch outlet for supplementary “Memorabilia” reasonable budget ~$500.
Acknowledgement of Correspondence matters. Moved by Keith Jones and Seconded by Peter Hodgson. 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. An explanation of financial transactions and account balances was provided.
- Secretary and Treasurer will proceed with the closure of the now defunct CBA Account as previous GM and Exec Minutes.
- Treasurer arranged appropriate ANZ Account adjustments re economy of fees whilst maintaining the integrity of the Welfare Account.
- Treasurer to approach NBBC for Social Membership “adjustment”. Most welcomed.*
- $1000 Legacy Children’s Catering Grant: (Donated back for Camp 2025)
*UNDER REVIEW BY EXECUTIVE – Annual Memberships April 2024, & $15 N.B.B.C. Social Memberships. Allows us to use these premises with limited overheads. Check with Treasurer and Management Committee.
Moved by our Alex Lennox and Seconded by Helen Burgess., that “the Treasurer’s Report be accepted”. Carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Welfare:
Greg Gough Updates: “RAP” – Mixed news concerning a number of our men down, Ray Carroll, Terry Pryer, Peter Macander, Ken Braidwood, Bernie Egan and Stewie Young.
Contact Greg 0417 911 173 or Secretary/Peer Health 0407 478 963 as visits are encouraged.
Anzac Day 2024. Peter Hodgson (0458 583 869)
- Collection volunteers now called for, Peter Hodgson’s List distributed to tables and will be ongoing. Peter Bowring full update in progress, for next meeting 8 April and as required.
- Anzac Merchandise – Order reasonable budget Qld. Initiative as per Exec Meeting 8 March 2024.
- Treasurer and Peter Hodgson – collection/squares officers. Treasurer and Peter Hodgson will coordinate step-by-step-training.
Website/Admin and Publicity:
- Helen Burgess advised all good, with ongoing updates:
- Kevin Ryan turning 100 on 14 March 2024 – RSLWA advised and President and Secretary coordinating presentation, with assistance from Doug Simpson.
- Plaques request via Catherine Marsden, re Charles Marsden and Alfred Orton – WW2 veterans and long-term North Beach residents who passed away some years ago. Further research and work commenced with daughter of Charles Marsden.
- RSLWA Website has been redesigned and is a work in progress. Enhancements are ongoing.
- Home page of our website has links to latest information from DVA as well as articles on our activities and events.
Peer Health.
Wayne Koch 0407 478 963 reported:
- We have an accumulation of quality and historic publications for cataloguing and offsite accessibility. Including 36-page folder re 1968 Tet Offensive, “A Night in the Year of The Monkey” by Peter Scott 2017 (C.O. 3 RAR 2nd Tour Vietnam 1971). Available on top of Memorabilia Cabinet, suitable for copying.
- General recreation gatherings Wed/Fri as per website and newsletters continue at Hillarys Marina.
- Rip Couston 2024 4WD Bush Bash possibly the Holland Track in September. Enquiries to Rip on 467 960 552. The Picnic type 4WD close to Perth.- 6 vehicles happily completed Wed. 6 March.
- NBRSL Stickers available – TBA.
Social Activities and Events:
Paul McGuinness provided a brief outline on planned events for 2024. An outline of Events for 2024 is on our website. North Beach Events – North Beach RSL Sub-Branch (northbeach-rsl.asn.au)
- Tour of Duty Hobart 15-22 March has a full complement. President advised details re Friday 15th departure and other travel matters.
- Prelim update 2024 Wednesday outings – Police Academy and lunch at MAAC Marmion 22 May; Xmas in July, 24 July; SAS 28 August; RAAF 25 September; Chidlows 23 October.
GENERAL BUSINESS: (refer to reports, and below):
- Helen Burgess advised of a Buddy Up film function this Saturday 16th March at the Como Theatre, “Courage to Speak”, re Services and first responders. Attendance urged and further information to come.
- Individual matters from the floor noted by Chair for further consideration, Executive Meeting Friday 5th April, other input welcomed.
MEETING CLOSED – 18:00.
NEXT GENERAL MEETING – MONDAY 8th APRIL 2024 AT 17:00
120 attended this meeting, with 80 members paying for meals, “Card “payments going well. Thanks to our gallant Gate Sentries, Bill Kynaston, David King and David Potter.
Dinner Arrangements –Ladies and Older Veterans were given the usual courtesy of “First Dollops” of our Caterer Kenny’s Gourmet Sausage with Mashed Potato, Peas, Gravy, by chance, blessed by blatantly buttered breads.
Thanks go to our Trolley Guns, Les Young, Stewie Davies and Peter Dales; serving and clean up members, Peter Gorddard, Frank McGrath, Peter Rowles, Andy Robinson, Ron Brown, Mal Dwyer and Michael Healy; the bread butterers David Willock and Jeff Edwick, plus microphone “courier” Jon McKenzie
Also, our stalwart Raffle Warden Cyril Robinson-Goodwin, and Worthy Winners, Russel Cooper, Alan Gronow and “Grumpy” Graham Connor. 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.