people sitting around tables during meeting
North Beach RSL Sub-Branch

Meeting Minutes Mar, 2025

General Meeting

Meeting Started: March 10, 2025 5:00 pm, The President, Peter Hodgson, welcomed 141 members and recited the Ode.

Homage for Mar, 2025

From May 1965 to May 1966 the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, distinguished itself in the conduct of military operations in the Republic of Vietnam.  The Battalion was attached to the 173rd Airbourne Brigade of the United States Army as its third Battalion.

In March 1966, 1st Battalion participated in Operation Silver City, a combined operations mission by the 173rd Brigade, 1st Brigade US Army and the 10th ARVN (Army of Republic of Vietnam) Division to destroy the Viet Cong’s Military Region headquarters.  Two soldiers from 1st Battalion were killed in this operation, Corporal Leslie Charles McDonnell from Geraldton, WA, on March 9th and Private Lionel James Baxter from St George, Queensland, on March 15th.

Operation Silver City was the last operation for 1st Battalion before completing their tour and returning home.  During the tour 1st Battalion casualties were 23 KIA and 130 WIA.  Members of the Battalion also received the following decorations two DSOs, nine MMs and seven MIDs.

The US awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation to 1st Battalion for exceptionally meritorious achievement in the performance of outstanding service and the Republic of Vietnam also awarded the Cross of Gallantry with Palm unit citation.

LEST WE FORGET

No members have been lost this month

Members Toasted Absent Friends.

Apologies: 33, noted by the Secretary by RSVP emails and advised in the register recorded by attending members. Many thanks.

NEW MEMBERS/VISITORS / GUESTS:

Pleased to have in attendance visitors and Guests:

  • Colleen Adleigh Veterans Engagement Officer from RSLWA, already a valuable resource.
  • Interesting and valuable resumes from guests of Vince Connelly, Padre Gary Stone with his son Rick.
  • Lindsay Rollo, Steve Shultz, RAAF,
  • Adam Hart 16Bn, Rick Masten 66/68, Brad and Tony at the back bar, and
  • RAN Elf Telffer
  • Also taking the plunge joining “Transferees” Norman Day RAAF, Yogesh Ywani from Central, and Charles Buck RAN. traditional heartily welcomed accorded.
  • Our member Liam Staltari acknowledged for his success in Saturdays State Election.
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Minutes of our meeting held at the North Beach BOWLING CLUB, 10th February 2025, having been available by email, website, (notice board), and hard copy, considered as read.    Moved by Helen Burgess and Seconded by David House, 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.

CORRESPONDENCE IN AND OUT

  • Includes – Pending/Reciprocal Agenda items included below from our Executive Management meeting of Friday 7th MARCH 2025. All Executive Minutes are Annexures herein.
  • Discount Florist available, order by 1 April wreaths WA Florists Erindale Rd Balcatta.
  • Membership meeting, RSLWA CEO re Admin issues, particularly Membership register, fee acknowledgement, Card issue and other shortcomings.
  • Extensive School Talk requests, spread, 11 April, 30 April, to Thursday and Friday 1st and 2nd May, more to come.
  • 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, Chris Giddens, Colin Benporath, going forward. Office Space enquiries fruitful.
  • Scam Alerts reiterated to all.
  • Progress with RSLWA re submissions, including Newdegate Cup.
  • Refer to Committee Reports for other Correspondence and any Business arising from herein.

Acknowledgement of Correspondence matters:  Moved by Greg Young and Seconded by Debra Oram.  Carried, all in favour. Nil Notices of Motion or formal General Business matters advised.

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.

  • Confirmed increased costs, but remain subsidised, Lost Badges $10, $45 Shirts, Caps $20.
  • RSLWA Membership updates. Processing delays and Membership Card issue problems continue.

Routine matters carried forward to Executive Meeting 11 April 2025. Business Arising – Nil.

Moved by Arthur Greaves and Seconded by Geoffrey Colin Benporath, that “the Treasurer’s Report be   accepted”.  Carried.

Presentation of Motions

There were no motions from the floor.

Committee Reports

PRESIDENT’S UPDATE

Further to: Executive Management meeting of Friday 7th March 2025. Again reported the vigorous “despatch” of a proposal to install a community Basketball Court in the vicinity of our Memorial. Developments proceeding.

Reiterated robust and fruitful meeting at RSLWA re the state of membership records and administration overall, results expected and being monitored for resolution pre 2025 annual congress.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welfare

Greg Gough 0407 478 963

In Greg’s absence the Secretary advised JIM GREENACRE in hospital for minor surgery, and Alan Radcliffe soldiering on. Others, those within the “RAP” and about to emerge going ok.  Best Wishes and Stay Safe All.

Peer Health:

Training for Beverage Trolley, recruits needed as notified to avoid the trolley with no beer, and

Wayne Koch reported: Kayaks remain secure notwithstanding revamped “technique” and trailer is prepped for relocation as required. Peter Rowles Peer Health acquisition already effective, RSLWA “COO” to visit Hillarys Marina re additional, Running, walking, Cycling tba.

Anzac Ceremonial

Peter Bowring, Alister Oram and Peter Hodgson. Positive debrief all areas noted and thanks to all.

More collection volunteers needed, as well as fresh supplies of Rosemary. PB reminded All for appropriate items for our display area.

Anzac Day 2025, Breakfast via NBBC Catering, Continued ref to our Commemorative Calendar. Executive Management meeting of Friday 7th 2025 refers, including fixturing of the Annual Graham Edwards NBFC Anzac Match, on Anzac Day 25th. A cleansed “Dog Park” with capacity for 500 also available alongside our Memorial. Comprehensive brochure to be prepared, thanks to all so far, more names needed for the Collections’ Venues.

Website Administration.

Full Reports HB to Executive: Helen Burgess, Drury Heath, Alistair Oram. Development continues. Gallery/Memorial Page – Many important links as well as highlights from The Listening Post and more. Members’ Submissions always welcome. Addition items available for Schools presentations. Bill Fielding YouTube video, at the Fort Lytton Museum in Brisbane. He recently was flown over to Queensland by the Museum to contribute to its living history. Amazing Centurion.

Publicity and News Officer

Brian Jennings advised that Newsletter in progress.  Library books have been catalogued and are available for loan, and a copy of the Catalogue is available from Brian. Accessible and secure storage is needed for the Library – work in progress.

Social Activities and Events 

Peter Hodgson, Deb Thatcher, PB. Sub-Committee:

  • Annual Luncheon – clarification and work in progress
  • Completed – Wheelchair for Kids Factory tour was successful.
  • Barefoot Bowls NBBC this Friday 14 March 2025, COST $10 pp – time 630 – 1730 for Bowls, Bar and meals opens at 1730 (at own expense). Partners are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
  • Updates
  • Adelaide Tour of Duty, travellers keep your TOD Committee informed best by your “TOD” specific group Emails. Medical details form Adelaide “TOD” Shirts Tuesday 11 March 2025.
  • Members also reminded to advise the Secretary and Membership Officer of current Next of Kin.
  • Future events, Annual Luncheon, Maritime Museum, Veterans Health Week/BBQ, details and under notice: Executive Management meeting of Friday 7th MARCH 2025.
  • September Rotto looking great. TBA.

General Business

GUEST SPEAKER – 2025 SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2025

Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM. Co-Founder, Wheelchairs For Kids – The Secretary will provide details in order to Volunteer at the Wangara Factory.

Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett AM co-founded Wheelchairs For Kids in 1996 to provide adjustable wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries, free of charge.

Since then, more than 60,000 custom-built wheelchairs have been gifted to children in over 80 countries.

Brother Ollie at our General Meeting

With over 250 retiree workshop volunteers, Wheelchairs For Kids is one of Western Australia’s largest (and with an average age of 74, one of Australia’s oldest) volunteer-led charities. A further 550 people from aged care and community groups sew covers for wheelchair soft supports, and crochet rugs and soft toys.

Olly also spearheaded the development of an innovative, low-cost wheelchair design to World Health Organization standards that grows as the children do – a world first.

Wheelchairs For Kids is just one way that Olly has improved the lives of others. For 26 continuous years, his life-changing community service has ignited a ripple effect of kindness and generosity.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

Item of interest: President notified from floor, proposed financial matters, will be briefed by executive to the individuals as appropriate.

Thanks again all for attendance. Further information reply to Secretary

Mobile. 0407 478 963

Email. Northbeach.secretary@sb.rslwa.org.au

Meeting Closed: March 10, 2025 6:14 pm

NEXT GENERAL MEETING  – Monday 14th April 2025 at 1700 hrs.

140 attended this meeting, with 91 meals paid for. Thanks to our Gate Sentries, Debrah Thatcher, Jess Welfare and Steve Fletcher. Also our Card Raffle Warden Arthur Smith who well served the Raffle Winners, Ray Warton, Doug Simpson, and David House.                                                                             Yes, the Meat Raffle swamped Bill Kynaston and popular winner Helen Burgess. North Beach Butcher Shop commended. Beer Trolley scooters Peter Rowles, Stewie Davies and John Azzaro ensured prompt delivery. Training of new Trolley Recruits to begin.