Meeting Minutes Oct, 2025
General Meeting
Meeting Started: October 13, 2025 5:00 pm, The President, Peter Hodgson, welcomed 130 members and recited the Ode.
Homage for Oct, 2025
Read by David House:
In September 1967 the RAN guided-missile destroyer HMAS Perth had just joined with ships of the US 7th Fleet to run the gunline in the Gulf of Tonkin.
On 17th October Perth was running about 13 kms off the coast with the USS Newport News when they were fired upon by North Vietnamese shore batteries. Perth responded with evasive action and some serious counter battery fire. She was hit by a semi-armour-piercing shell, which glanced off the aft 5-inch gun turret, penetrated the upper deck, and exploded in the confidential book vault causing a fire. The fire was rapidly extinguished helped by the fact that the shell had ruptured the fire-main in the same compartment. It was subsequently learned that at least 12 North Vietnamese shore batteries had fired about 200 rounds during the engagement, mostly concentrated on Perth.
This was the only time an Australian warship suffered casualties from enemy fire during the Vietnam War; 7 sailors were injured, two seriously, who needed to be evacuated by helicopter. The Gun Turret Captain was later awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his actions in response to the attack and the Officer of the Watch was mentioned in despatches for courage and calmness under fire.
LEST WE FORGET
Sadly we advise the passing of our esteemed Member Bob Freeman, sincere condolences to his family and close friends. Funeral at Simplicity Funerals Joondalup was held this afternoon and well attended by members.
We also acknowledge the passing of David Bogdanich – donor, supporter and guest of our Sub-Branch, and father of our member Mary Vassallo.
Warm words and reflections from Sue Ratcliffe for support in the recent passing of her Husband Alan.
Members Toasted Absent Friends.
Apologies: 37, noted by the Secretary by RSVP emails and advised in the register recorded by attending members. Many thanks.
NEW MEMBERS/VISITORS / GUESTS:
A magnificent cohort attended from all services, except Navy (hah), Police and the Sciences. Introductions and camaraderie welcomed from Daren Bethrell, Peter Moy, Steve Brown, Michelle Barrett from RSL Active, Julie McLean-Phillips, Eric Boelen, Anton Michelini, Paul Miller and maybe a couple of others who snuck in under the below mentioned radar. Well played All.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Minutes of our meeting held at the North Beach Bowling Club, 8 September 2025, having been available by email, website, (notice board), and hard copy, considered as read. Moved by Helen Burgess and Seconded by Wayne Sprylan, that “the Minutes of the previous meeting be accepted”.
Business arising as below and actioned as appropriate in the following Committee Reports. Noted, all in Favour & Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE IN AND OUT
Other correspondence includes Pending/Reciprocal Agenda items included below from our Executive Management Meeting Friday 10 October.
- Recent and “Special” Newsletter editions, re Sunday 19 October BBQ, Emergency contact/NOK self-recording details.
- Advice from our member Brian Buzzard, Stephen Skehill, re Dilution of Honors and Awards Tribunal, Members and RSl’s strong lobbying.
- Listening Post BJ plus “Media Reflections RSL-WA, Sub-Branch Signal, Minutes, Broadcasts.
- NB Bowling Club – advanced “storage availability,” Books/et al. November 11 after service function agreed satisfactorily.
- DVA – “Bereavement” enquiry assistance to members and in general. David Lewis, Greg Gough, Wayne Koch, Brian Jennings.
- ACNC “Charities” Updated Commissioner’s Statement.
- RS – membership cards to include Life Members and other post nominals, advised to RSLWA.
- Veterans Health Week – DVA financial assistance withdrawn.
- Poynter Primary School Students, successful presentation. Pending investigation re “Working with Children.”
- RSLWA Sub-Branch Signal and associated information updates, The Listening Post, broadcast items of interest, Vietnam Veterans “Contact” Newsletter, others communicated widely.
Refer to Committee Reports for other Correspondence and any Business arising from herein.
Acknowledgement of Correspondence matters: Moved by Graeme Merton and Seconded by Jeff Edwick. Carried, all in favour.
Refer to Committee Reports.– for Business arising from Correspondence
Treasurer’s Report
- Treasurer David Potter provided a comprehensive Cash at Bank Report of our monthly finances and provided a copy for each table. Membership dues being followed up.
- ANZAC 2026 Grant application Lotterywest, near completion and submission to RSLWA.
- Members approval for 2025/26 RSLWA Insurances $3629.91. $3700 for budgeting – Moved Deb Oram and Seconded Bob Lyon.
- RSLWA Membership updates. Processing, further regular updates from RSLWA being encouraged. Partial Sub-Branch credits received, monitored as above.
General matters carried forward to next Executive Meeting 7 November. Business Arising – Nil
Moved by Steve Fletcher and Seconded by John Rolfe, that “the Treasurer’s Report be accepted”. Carried.
President’s Update
Presentation of Motions
if there are any motions from the floor, this is where to record them.
Committee Reports
Welfare:
Greg Gough 0417 911 173 Greg’s advised a fairly positive report on many of our members Hendrik Hurkens, Jim Greenacre, Graeme Edwards, Neville Woodbury, Peter Harris, Best Wishes and Stay Safe All.
Peer Health:
Wayne Koch 0407 478 963. Still investigating – Update/Refresh – First Aid and CPR Training, consideration of Trainers and Venues, ( HillarysYC n/a), Local Surf Life Saving Clubs most likely.
Walking frame donated by Bob Snape has found a new home with the family of Stuart “Sprunga” Leake.
Commemorations:
Peter Bowring/Executive. Remembrance Day Tuesday 11 November, Brochures ready, further preparations to complete as per PB “Duty Statement”.
- Alister Oram, issued a Call to Arms re Collection Venues, and requested members to add their names to the venue list now – contact Alister on 0434 793 128
- Secretary to advise shortly re attendance and Wreath Layers and availability of Schools.
Memorial Warden – Research into the cleaning and maintenance of Memorial Plaques continues.
Website and Facebook Administration.
Helen Burgess fine tuning updates in hand and continuing, including to do a “Facebook” link to boost activities, eg our forthcoming Sunday BBQ.
Publicity and News Officer.
Submissions continue to be submitted to RSLWA and DVA, with advertising on social media, radio, and newsletters. Excellent PowerPoint presentation from Teacher Lucas Pereria regarding Poynter Primary School “ANZAC Letters” played at meeting.
Social Activities and Events Sub-Committee:
0458 583 869.
- Rottnest Tour – exceptionally enjoyed by all participating – fantastic itinerary and hosting by our Drury Heath. More to see and encore appropriate. Refer to Newsletter, Facebook and Website.
- Sunday 19 October: Vets Health Week. Open Day and BBQ Sunday 19 October. Brochure on tables, also for family and friends to attend. Lions Club doing the Chef work and other Ex-Service Groups will be in attendance.
- March 2026 Tour – Albany re-visit, progressing. Please contact and advise even if potential participation to Greg Young 0427 194 052.
- Refer also to website for future events, and Secretary will advise members of upcoming events and confirmed details,
General Business
MEMBERS Item of Interest:
David House provided information and insight into a Schools Mentoring and Wellness project (Ed Connect), citing worthwhile personal and volunteer benefits. Well covered and received with further information provided by David after the meeting and on 0409 317 411.
GUEST SPEAKER:
\An entirely entertaining and informative presentation for our Darren May at the end of our meeting, “ADF use and involvement” in the Space Program. Questions from the floor and Darren remained available for discussion after the meeting and ongoing.
We have retained the PowerPoint slide presentation which will be added to our backdrop files. Aerial views of locations of earthly and stellar interest, security and environmental. A strong and mutually beneficial relationship with our Allies evident and growing.
Very well received in a main speaker role and roundly acknowledged by all.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Refer correspondence and Committee Reports. Please provide input for Executive Meeting Friday 7 November. Thanks again all for attendance, and to all Helpers. Further information, please advise Executive via Email: [email protected] or Mob: 0407 478 963.
Meeting Closed: October 13, 2025 6:00 pm
NEXT GENERAL MEETING – Monday 10 NOVEMBER 2025 at 1530hrs.
An initiative of the North Beach and Cottesloe RSL Sub-Branches
Guest Speaker Lambis Englezos AM commencing 1530 hrs.
Topic – How your DNA may identify unknown war dead.
130 attended this meeting, with 97 meals paid for. Thanks again to our Gate “Sentries” Lez Young, Steve Fletcher and Julie Dayhew getting the bumper crowd in.
Thanks to Raffle Wardens Bill Kynaston and Greg Young. Meat Raffle all claimed with hot sauce, Arthur Whitney, Gavin McIntosh and Norm Fitzpatrick. Cash raffle winners grinners, Lez Young, Arthur Smith and Alister Oram.
Drinks Trolley scootered along by Trev Beegan, and Stewie Davies. Dinner Arrangements – Ladies and Older Veterans were given the usual courtesy of “First Serve”, from Caterer Kenny: Sausage wrapped in Pastry, Mashed Potato, Gravy, with the banged-up buttered Breads.
Thanks also to the many serving/buttering and catering “Crew”, Leading Hand Tom May and young Flyn May, Andy Robinson, Lez Young, David Willock, Victor Kaiser, Barry Morgan, Greg Young, Bill Kynaston along with Microphone long distance “Runner” Jon Mack with a PB in metres covered.
Thanks to All and Stay Safe.