Meeting Minutes Dec, 2024
General Meeting
Meeting Started: December 9, 2024 5:00 pm, The President, Peter Hodgson, welcomed 122 members and recited the Ode.
Homage for Dec, 2024
1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment arrived in South Korea on 6 April 1952 to join the 28th British Commonwealth Brigade.
The Battalion moved into the line in July and was subject to heavy shelling and mortar attack but continued to control the immediate area with aggressive nightly patrolling. There were a number of major operations aimed at capturing a prisoner or destroying enemy defences. In the first month the cost was 11 KIA, 32 WIA and one MIA.
Operation “Fauna” on night 10/11th December was a company attack to capture a prisoner, identify the enemy units and prevent the Chinese from advancing by destroying their bunker system. Although they destroyed an enemy position the Chinese defence was stronger than expected; the force was ordered to withdraw on the 12th December without any prisoners, as the number of casualties from gunfire and grenades resulted in one third of the attacking force being wounded. Operation “Fauna” was the Battalion’s last action before returning to Australia and was relieved by 3 RAR on 29 December 1952.
1 RAR suffered 42 killed and 107 wounded during their combat operations in Korea. The following decorations were awarded: two Distinguished Service Orders, two Officers of the Order of the British Empire, three Members of the Order of the British Empire, seven Military Crosses, one British Empire Medal, 21 Mentions in Despatches and three Commander-in-Chief Commendations.
Pleased to report that all members of our sub-branch remain safe and well this month.
Members Toasted Absent Friends.
Apologies: 32, noted by the Secretary by RSVP emails and advised in the register recorded by attending members. Many thanks.
NEW MEMBERS/VISITORS / GUESTS:
Jeff Sparrow RAN, Lorraine Rind RAAF “signed on” and Lee Boyd transferring from Osborne Park, all heartily welcomed.
Christmas Ham and usual Raffles, magnificent response.
Presentation of “Barman” Badge to our Alex Forgie – received proudly and well received by all. Proud and receptive response from Alex.
.MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Minutes of our meeting held at the North Beach Tennis Club, 4th November 2024, having been available by email, website, (notice board), and hard copy, considered as read.
Moved by Debrah Oram and Seconded by Lez Young, 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
- Includes – Pending/Reciprocal Agenda items included below from our Executive Management meeting of Friday 6 December 2024. All Executive Minutes are Annexures herein.
- Nil Notices of Motion or formal General Business matters advised.
- RSLWA Sub-Branch Signal and associated information updates, The Listening Post, broadcast items of interest, others communicated widely.
- Advocate Training under way: Deb Oram, Steve Leonard, Chis Giddens, Colin Benporath, and Geoff Escott. Office Space enquiries continue.
- Scam Alerts reiterated to all.
- Progress being made with RSLWA re submissions, including Newdegate Cup and other Congress Awards.
- Refer to Committee Reports for other Correspondence and any Business arising from herein.
Acknowledgement of Correspondence matters: Moved by David House and Seconded by Helen Burgess. 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. An explanation of financial transactions and account balances was provided. Again reiterating Welfare Expenses/Revenue for Remembrance Day, Xmas Hampers, member hearing aid, will be well covered from donations. Questions called for.
- Confirmed increased payments per annum to Navy, Army and RAAF Cadets to $1500.
- GST refund sorted re Christmas in July.
- Refer to Tom May for $65 ordering for the new water resistant “Weather Jacket”. Unpaid members please catchup with Tommy.
- RSLWA Membership updates, still delays re manpower and tech problems. Card issue problems continue.
- BBQ net cost $450 well invested.
- “Affiliates” memberships received. Pleasing level of new memberships noted.
- Diligent consideration of transfers from other Bub-branches continues.
- 2025 Financial and Events Budget well under way.
Routine matters carried forward to Executive Meeting 07th February 2025. Business Arising – Nil.
Moved by Greg Young and Seconded by Jon Mackenzie, that “the Treasurer’s Report be accepted”. Carried.
Presentation of Motions
Our current reporting period was free of motion submissions.
Committee Reports
PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
Peter Hodgson announced the recipient of this year’s Presidents Award to David King. Continued record noted and well responded to by “King David”. Roundly responded to by all.
Recent RSLWA CEO and other meetings: IT Hacking Prevention/Staffing issues. Increased leasing of ANZAC House to reverse current annual losses. Family BBQ, successful and thanks to all who helped the impressive setup and those attending. Modified format more regular
Welfare. 0407 478 963. – Greg Gough advised those within the “RAP” and about to emerge going ok. Glen Curtis a steady recovery as a result of what doctors do best. Members who are aware of any of our fellow members who are not travelling as well as they should be, please advise Greg.
Best Wishes and Stay Safe All.
Peer Health: Wayne Koch reported: renewed thanks to Ruth Raspa, Deb, Jess and Owen with the Remembrance Day planting and retrieval at the Kings Park War Memorial. Peter Rowles, Peer Health nominee now joining Eric Aitken and the Executive. Heartily welcomed by All.
Tommy May reminded all re the importance of regular health checks – including PSA checks.
Kayaking and other activities enhanced by a favourable turn in the weather. SmartRider concessions well received. NBRSL Stickers available on the Sec/Exec table,
Poppy Day 2024/Ceremonial. Debrief by Peter Bowring, Alister Oram and Peter Hodgson. Positive debrief all areas noted and thanks to all. Anzac Day 2025, already in prep stages. Continued reference to our Commemorative Calendar.
Website Administration. Reports Due to Executive: Helen Burgess, Drury Heath, Alistair Oram. Development and updating of the website continue. Please visit: Welcome To North Beach Sub-Branch (northbeach-rsl.asn.au).
Many important links as well as highlights from The Listening Post and more. Members’ Submissions always welcomed. Still under notice is the revised email “Hosting” from RSLWA.
Publicity and News Officer. Brian Jennings provided an update on our Newsletter, and expressed that a Sponsor to help cover printing costs would be beneficial to help distribute the Newsletter to those of our members who do not have access to email. Business Cards for the Executive will be progressed when RSLWA email hosting has been arranged. Work is continuing with members’ stories and updating the Virtual War Memorial Australia. The Library Catalogue has been completed and further news will be provided to members. Also, our Centurian Bill Fielding was welcomed back from Brisbane where he and his wife Jen were the invited guest of the Fort Lytton Museum, due to Bill’s comprehensive knowledge of the site and radar stations during WW2.
Social Activities and Events – Peter Hodgson, Deb Thatcher, sub-committee:
- Payment 4 due, $550 Adelaide Tour of Duty, travellers keep your TOD Committee informed best by your “TOD” specific group Emails. Medical details form Adelaide “TOD” to be completed and returned. Rex Airlines update as applicable…
- Members also reminded to advise the Secretary and Membership Officer of current Next of Kin details, forms from Deb Thatcher for completion and return.
- Future events, details and under notice:
General Business
GUEST SPEAKER JOANNE MACLEAN FROM DVA.
Most informative and ever timely presentation from Joanne, passionate in her DVA roll Wellness Support and Strategic Programs.
Highlighted many of the important areas covered in the DVA publication, “Planning Ahead/Preparing and Coping with Bereavement”. Emphasis on Will preparation, Executors, Asset Locations, Power of Attorney, Health Directives, appointing a 3rd party to deal with DVA: form D9325, Overseas visit requirements, and more.
There is an 8 page tear out section of the above book for completion re the above matters and other individual and family preparations. Joanne took many enquiries from the floor as time would allow, and was available well after the meeting concluded.
A follow-up presentation independent of a General Meeting was considered most worthwhile with emphasis on spouses/partners/carers attending, and will be followed up early in the new year by the Committee. Relative DVA contact: csa.wa@dva.gov.au 9366 8339
Heartily acknowledged by All.
Thanks again for attendance and generous attendance from our “Revive Gym” crew, ever ready for a chat after the meeting. Well done boys.
Other “General” from the floor matters inserted post meeting for above committee reports to remain under notice and correspondence, moving forward.
Meeting Closed: December 9, 2024 6:18 pm
NEXT MEETING GM – Monday 10th February 2025 at 1700 hrs.
122 attended this meeting, with 98 meals paid for. Thanks to our Gate Sentries, Debrah Thatcher, Jess Welfare and Steve Fletcher. Also our Raffle Wardens David King and Bill Kynaston, who well served the Raffle Winners, Alister Oram, Santo Sturniolo, and the tireless Steve Fletcher. Special raffles will continue next year, with a pro-signed Tennis Racquet available. Beer Trolley scooters Peter Dales, Stewie Davies and Lez Young, sterling delivery.
Christmas Ham Special Note: Suggested by Arthur Whitney and drawn by Ros Whitney and magnificently provided by Barry Lloyd. Congratulations to Winner Wayne Sprylan
Dinner Arrangements – Ladies and Older Veterans were given the usual courtesy of “First Serve”, being a Combo by our Barry Lloyd and Caterer Kenny: Crumbed Chicken, Mixed vegetables with Gravy, and Sliced Glazed, burnt honey, whiskey and orange leg ham and best buttered Breads.
Also the serving/buttering and catering “Platoon”, Barry Lloyd, Bill Kynaston, Barrie Morgan, Greg Young, Rip Couston, Rick Johnson, Stewie Davie and Andy Robinson. Thanks to Microphone Carrier Pigeon Jon Mackenzie.
Christmas and Holiday wishes and care expressed by those present looking forward to the year ahead.
Thanks to All and Stay Safe.