Minutes of General Meeting 14 June 2021

MEETING OPENED at 16:00, President welcomed 124 members and recited the Ode.

 HOMAGE:

I take a moment to remind us all, of just one of a thousand stories of sacrifice that occurred during June.

The Battle of Binh Ba, Operation Hammer, occurred on 6–8 June 1969 when D Company, 5 RAR, fought a large, combined force of the People’s Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong who were attempting to capture the village of Binh Ba, 5 kilometres north of Nui Dat in Phoc Tuy Province. 

The battle involved close-quarter house-to-house fighting by 5 RAR, supported by armour, helicopter gunships, heavy artillery and air bombardment.  Heavy losses by the communists forced them to temporarily leave the province.

Jack Panossian was part of the Mobile Advisory Training Team attached to the ground forces of the South Vietnamese military bordering Binh Ba.  Kingsley McGuire was with B Squadron 1^st Armoured during this Battle.  During mid-August, Paul Risinger of the same Squadron was involved in a midnight offensive that prevented the reformation of an attacking force. 

From Binh Ba we remember Private Wayne Teeling of 10 Platoon, D Company, 5 RAR who was killed on 6 June 1969, after less than 1 month in Vietnam, and the 10 other diggers who were wounded.

Also, we remember 25 years ago on 12 June 1996 the crash of Black Hawk 1 and Black Hawk 2 from the Army’s 5^th Aviation Regiment that were carrying members of SAS on an anti-terrorism exercise at the High Range training area near Townsville.   As a result 15 SAS and 3 Aircrew were killed 

This disaster remains a sobering reminder of the inherent  dangers faced by Australia’s armed forces as they train for the unthinkable, the communities that support them, and the terrible price that can be paid.

LEST WE FORGET

We remember our member “Bertie” Albert Beaumont who passed on 28 May 2021.

Members toasted absent friends.

APOLOGIES:   as Advised:

Greg Young, Graeme Edwards, Denzil Simeon, Neville Woodberry, Peter Gorddard, John Petrie, Bob Keatch, Bill Henderson, Frank Pierucci, Stewart Davies, Bill Mott, Mike Ruffin, Bill Mamauld, David Potter, Arthur and Ros Whitney, Brian Meade, Jess McKenna, Dario and Ruth Raspa, Dave Mallett, John Misztal, others as per Welfare Report.

Awards Recognition: President John was greatly pleased to acknowledge and present awards resulting from the recent RSLWA State Conference and todays Queens Birthday Honours:

Alex Lennox and Greg Young – Medal of the Order of Australia.  Both well known to us with many years of exceptional service to our Sub-Branch, but also to Veterans and their families and the wider community.  Well Done Those Men!!

Rob Sweet – RSLWA Life Membership Award.  Our former long serving Secretary and still tireless member of distinction.

RSLWA 50 Year Membership Certificates.  Awarded to Wayne Koch, Des Pryce and Don Ranford.

The warm words from John and the typically hearty response from the floor was humbly received by the recipients.

 VISITORS  – None Noted.

 NEW MEMBERS

New Members introducing themselves:

• Mick “Moose” Sweeney, moving from Tasmania, 7 years Navy, Stoker and fine record.
• Paul Brabazon, introduced by Bernie Egan, long term Army and Reserves, 10^th Light Horse on, to Wo2 and dark side Commission.
• AND, Tony BEEKWILDER, handed in his Transfer Form from Ballajura Sub-Branch.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Minutes of meeting 10 May 2021 were read.

Moved by Bernie Egan and Seconded by Arthur Greaves, that “the Minutes of the previous meeting be accepted”.  Carried.

 CORRESPONDENCE IN & OUT

In

• Several – RSLWA State Congress Memo’s Motions, Attendance and Agenda.
• Several – St Johns Red Cross- Info and confirmation of First Aid Training.
• Several – Darwin Tour of Duty – Travel, Accommodation, Meals, Tours, et al.
• Tour of Duty “Sit Rep” – thanks to Peter Bowring.
• Mobility Scooter “offer” RSLWA.
• Website URL Activity report. Helen Burgess/Brian Jennings.
• Partial update RSLWA – re Membership Contributions.
• RSLWA – Annual Insurance Questionnaire for completion.
• Thank you from RSLWA for our prompt but scarce reply to our Serving Members activities.

Out

Replies as required to:

• RSLWA – All Matters
• Darwin Tour – All Matters.
• St Johns Red Cross – All Matters.
• Confirmation of our Submission to the Veterans Royal Commission.

Business Arising from Correspondence:

• All above and outstanding matters are being dealt with in the herein Agenda and following reports.
• Again, assurance from the Chair and the Executive that these matters shall be strongly pursued to completion by the delegated responsible members.

Acknowledgement of Correspondence matters, Moved by Jim Muscat Seconded by David House.

Carried.

Business Arising from Minutes and Correspondence can and is monitored on our user friendly Website:  https://northbeach-rsl.asn.au/

TREASURER’S REPORT

Acting Treasurer Steve Fletcher provided a comprehensive report and Balance Sheet of our finances and provided a copy for each table.  An explanation of financial transactions and account balances was provided.

Moved by Jack Meyer and Seconded by Greg Sells.                   

Carried.

Business Arising from Treasurers Report

A couple of minor transactional queries relating to “contra” entries raised by Barry Gillett were clarified to the satisfaction of all.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS

 Welfare.

Greg Gough advised:

• Jeff Fogarty had a small operation today, under control.
• Frank Pierucci was ok but has developed a kidney infection and still hospitalized.
• Terry Pryer still soldiers on, increased to walking exercises in hospital.

Members again advised to advise Greg, Welfare, or others on the committee re the health of members to be followed up, no matter how minor it seems.

 Peer Health. 

Alex Lennox advised:

St John First Aid Courses, for 16/17 June filled to capacity and Wayne Koch to confirm the final 20 participants, and an email re first day attendance and “Assembly” details.

Wayne Koch can arrange late entries, and members were advised to see him after the meeting.

 RSLWA State Congress held Saturday 12 June – President John.

Congress

Attended by Messrs., Rolfe, McGuinness, Koch, Lloyd and Bowring.  Opening formalities handled better than previous with positive statements from RSLWA Exec but in particular WA Gov Kim Beasley.  Recognition of the forces returning from Afghanistan and other areas of conflict highlighted.  Problems of integrating within RSL’s Dad’s Army “perception” acknowledged, similarity to returned Vietnam Vets sighted, and RSLWA have a dedicated board member of the right vintage to move forward to this next chapter.  John and others herein have put their hands up to be involved in this committee process.

Ours and other motions were handled with pleasing vigour and respect and resolved positively, e.g., First or other Nation recognition/welcome/acknowledgements are to be implemented purely by the particular Sub-Branch as to their discretion.  The sacred parts of services retained, other matters, flags, songs, language are NOT required to be changed or added to, however “Council” venue requirements may intercede.

A proposed innovation may be Sub-Branch Presidents/Secretaries are to meet during the year, Zoom for country, with RSLWA, seen to pre-empt matters going to congress that are easily resolved.

Full Minutes of meetings from congress will be obtained.

 Darwin Tour

President confirmed what has been circulating from the floor and further references here, that the Tour was thoroughly enjoyed.  All 40 members of the tour participated, both on the camaraderie front, and life experience level.

Wildlife and like tours were of great interest and diversity, but the Military and Services aspect remained the focus, particularly our surprise invasion of the highly secretive Robertson Barracks – 2 Troop Tunnel/Combat Engineers that Greg Gough was able to round up for us.

Rapport with this younger edition developed almost at once and a full tour of latest heavy machinery, personal weapons, explosives, Dog teams and even a taste of a current “C Ration” pack was enjoyed.

Ended all too soon but a mass “team photo” including 2 Troop is a memorable trophy worth an appropriate pride of place.

Future participation in our Sub-Branch’s “Tour of Duties” is highly recommended.

 Social Activities Coordinator

Paul McGuinness reported:

• Darwin Tour of Duty – very successful as per President’s report, as well as hospitality noted from Robertson Barracks personnel, (4WD Vehicle use), and tour operator Karen post tour. Additional thanks to Ron Brown, Brad Harrison, Peter Bowring and Brian Jennings in assisting with tour success, even though they were unable to attend.
• Next outing – Friday 13 August to the Army Museum Fremantle – see our Paul to confirm attendance, lunch after at Ciccerellos at own cost.

Christmas Lunch

Paul McGuinness reported:

• The venue for next year now confirmed for Wednesday 24 November, at Hillarys Yacht Club, will be enhanced by another exciting format “revision”.

Memorial Warden: David House/Tom May:

Re our Bertie Beaumont, due to a family only funeral and other matters, the above presented, moved and seconded, a suggestion that Welfare provide a Memorial Plaque for Bertie as well as arrange an appropriate farewell drink in his honour.  Further details shall be advised ASAP.

Carried by all unanimously.

GENERAL BUSINESS

General

• Ted Leunig DVA Advocate Training: A most welcome update as Ted progresses with his training with the resources of the Joondalup Hub.  Ready now for advice and will arrange appointments at the appropriate level. Please contact on 0408 177 193 and leunig@oracle.com to get or keep the ball rolling.  Details also on our website-  https://northbeach-rsl.asn.au/
• Brian Richards, and confirmed by others: Bookings at RSLWA are being handled poorly as recent experience RAAF Wives of Vietnam Vets and others have experienced. Eligibility queries and pushing for an additional $50 RSLWA Associate Membership requested.  This continuing unsatisfactory treatment will be strongly followed up by the Executive.

Ken Braidwood – Microphone Mobility Enhancer: Ken will assist in the recruiting, retention and improvement of this most needed service as audio capacity of members “diminishes”.

Dinner Arrangements – Ladies and Older Veterans to be given the usual courtesy of “First Serve” of our Caterer Kenny’s excellent Shepherd’s Pie and Vegetables.

Thanks again go to Trolley Guns, Young & Dale; and serving and clean up members McGrath, Robinson, Dwyer. Healy and Kitchen Gopher McGuinness.

Raffle Winners: Smiling Faces noted of: Owen Vladich and Andy Robinson.

MEETING CLOSED – 1710 hrs

 NEXT MEETING – Monday 12^th July 2021 at 16:00,