Meeting Minutes Nov, 2024
General Meeting
Meeting Started: November 4, 2024 5:00 pm, The President, Peter Hodgson, welcomed 92 members and recited the Ode.
Homage for Nov, 2024
This week we remember 77 Squadron RAAF; deployed to Korea in October 1950, equipped with Mustang aircraft, to support the United Nations advance into North Korea. The squadron conducted its first combat air missions against Chinese forces on November 1 and provided ground attack support to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on November 5 at Pakchon. Following a counterattack from North Korean and Chinese troops, the squadron was withdrawn to Pusan on December 3, 1950, and then to Japan in April 1951, re-equipped with Meteors and continuing combat air and ground attack operations over Korea until the war end in 1953. The squadron casualty rate was twenty-five percent killed or captured. Forty-one pilots died, thirty-five from the RAAF and six on exchange from the Royal Air Force. A further seven pilots became prisoners of war. Aircraft losses totalled almost sixty.
On November 1, 1951, 77 Squadron received a Republic of South Korea Presidential Citation for exceptional, and meritorious service and heroism in Korea. Awards for service included a Distinguished Service Order to the Squadron Commander and a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire to the Squadron Operation Officer. Also awarded were six Distinguished Flying Crosses, along with two Distinguished Flying Medals and thirteen Mentioned in Dispatches. Awards were also given to attached RAF pilots, including a Distinguished Flying Cross and two Mentioned in Dispatches.
LEST WE FORGET
No members were lost this month.
Members Toasted Absent Friends.
Apologies: 38, noted by the Secretary by RSVP emails and advised in the register recorded by attending members. Many thanks.
NEW MEMBERS/VISITORS / GUESTS:
We were all guests at this new venue, and it won’t be the last visit, rarely no formal “inductees” to come forward on this occasion.
.MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Minutes of 14 October 2024, having been available by email, website, and hard copy, considered as read.
Moved by Helen Burgess and Seconded by John Rolfe, 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 1 November 2024. 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.
- Including the many “Change of Venue” communications, dare we say highly successful.
- Advocacy referrals to Ted Leunig continue, overflow being managed, and is being addressed as per later noted herein. Secretary has applicants under notice for timely commencement.
- Sub -Branch Executive RSLWA meeting 24 Thursday 24 October, email/web hosting/Cyber Security, being addressed along with other areas of concern and RSLWA correspondence remain reciprocal and pending with the Executive.
Refer to Committee Reports for Business arising from Correspondence.
Acknowledgement of Correspondence matters: Moved by Alister Oram and Seconded by Jon McKenzie.
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. Reiterating Welfare Expenses for Remembrance Day will be well covered from donations. Questions called for.
- Safety Jackets received and issued, and “duplicate order placed.
- Refer to Tom May for $66 ordering for the new water resistant “Weather Jacket”.
- Other “Merchandise” available, $5 Army Museum glasses, see Alan Hornby at meetings end.
- “Affiliates” please report to David at end of meeting.
Routine matters carried forward to Executive Meeting 06 December 2024. Business Arising – Nil.
Moved by Frank McGrath and Seconded by Greg Young, that “the Treasurer’s Report be accepted”. Carried.
Presentation of Motions
There were no motions submitted this month
Committee Reports
Welfare report
Wayne Koch reported: Our Greg Gough somewhat flushed after gallbladder clearance but getting the “all clear. So too Hon.Sec ready for a Wednesday expulsion courtesy of some “colonoscopy”! Greg Sells having his “dickie knee” done, and any others within the “RAP” you know of please advise anytime.
Note from Secretary:
Our Advocate Ted Leunig has a new email address:
northbeach.advocate@sb.rslwa.org.au
Best Wishes and Stay Safe All.
Peer Health
Wayne Koch reported: Welcomed on board to assist with Peer Health and related matters Peter Rowles who brings expertise, flair and “pizzazz”, joining Eric Aitkens and the Executive. Heartily welcomed by All.
Kayaking and other activities enhanced by a favourable turn in the weather. NBRSL Stickers available on the Sec/Exec table,
- Reminder from our Paul McGuinness re National Servicemen and who did not serve overseas, to direct enquiries to him in relation to the “Nashos Fair Go” campaign, 0417 181 025.
Poppy Day 2024 / Ceremonial
Updates by Peter Bowring, Alister Oram and Peter Hodgson. Venues booked and rolling, Warwick Train Station Friday 1 November great start and rostering close to being filed being, see Alister at the end of the meeting to add your Name. Further details re sites Friday, Saturday, Sunday 8th 9th 10th at designated venues, and Service Monday 11th shall be promulgated again. WK/Sec/Others – INVITES/Venue Roster, Chairs, attendee requests under notice. Family Invites/Plaque Service: plus invites special guests and broadcast list under control.
Training all on Wednesday 6 November venue Peter Hodgson’s Sorrento 2-4pm – Captains “selected”. Call Peter Hodgson, 0458 583 869 and Roster info hard copies from Alister Oram at end of meeting.
Mon 11 Nov. assemble 10.25: Guests, Flag Marshals, Parade Marshal, Anthem, Bugler, Seating, Ode, Cadets, Fly Over, Wreaths, and Plaques Service arranged. After NBBC for light refreshments.
Website Update
Helen Burgess, Drury Heath, Alistair Oram. Helen advised further success of launch of redesigned website. Please visit:
Welcome To North Beach Sub-Branch (northbeach-rsl.asn.au).
Work is continuing on the background design. Many important links as well as highlights starting from the Home Page, including Sub-Branch Signal, The Listening Post and more. Members’ Submissions always welcomed.
Helen also advised that further to a suggestion from David Lewis, a “Memorial Page” featuring passed members is now incorporated. Also under notice is any revised “Hosting” underway from RSLWA.
Executive again reminds old & new members that easy access to current and recent minutes, our By Laws and Annexure, social events, community involvement, Welfare links, your Executive contacts and more, are readily available via our website: www.northbeach–rsl.asn.au
Social Activities Updates including Tour of Duty
Peter Hodgson and Deb Thatcher:
Peter Bowring advised re BBQ Sunday 24 November at Charles Riley Memorial Reserve for serving and ex serving ADF personnel, Peacekeepers and Emergency Service workers and families. Refer to flyer on tables, Website and our Facebook page/Jon McKenzie. Don’t forget to like and follow our page.
Peter requires a Utility/Pickup vehicle to assist gear transport for the BBQ. Please invite one and all for a friendly get together. Fantastic opportunity for new contacts.
- Events noted as very successful as per Web and Facebook reports, particularly Chidlow, Blackboy Hill. Chidlow’s Tavern recommended to all for your social outings.
- 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.
- Members also reminded to advise the Secretary and Membership Officer of current Next of Kin details, forms from Deb Thatcher for completion and return.
- Current details, and next TOD $550 instalments advised. Third payment by end November.
- Future events, details and under notice:
General Business
President Peter Hodgson, confirmed updates concerning progress with Advocacy, Premises issues, 24 November BBQ event and Promotion. Also RAAF function Wednesday 4 December,
Well done Ruth Raspa, Jess Welfare, Deb Thatcher and Owen Vladich planting knitted poppies at Kings Park Memorial, Also on sale in Perth, London Court Venue, – more hands needed for removal Friday 29th November.
Reiterated our thanks to the North Beach Tennis Club for the venue and a “we shall return” warning issued particularly to support their socials and fundraising, noted Saturdays 16th and 23rd November, “Open Days”.
Other “General” from the floor matters inserted post meeting for above committee reports to remain under notice and correspondence, November/December, and herein.
Meeting Closed: November 4, 2024 5:47 pm
NEXT MEETING GM – Monday 9th December 2024 at 1700 hrs.
92 attended this meeting, with 64 meals and considerable “takeaways” paid for, (with Hon.Treasurer enjoying “first serve with relish!). Thanks to our Gate Sentries, at the “net post”, Debrah Thatcher and Lez Young. Also our Raffle Warden Stuart Young, who well served the Raffle Winners, Christine Leonard, Mike Keogh and Geoff Edwick.
Dinner Arrangements – Ladies and Older Veterans were given the usual courtesy of “First Serve”, being an “Ace” of our Caterer Kenny’s: Mobile, “Single” Sausage, cable “wrapped” in Pastry, Mashed Potato, Mixed & “disturbed” vegetables, with Gravy, and surviving Breads.
Many thanks to the Tennis Club Volunteer Bar Staff with the “Two ticket” system working a treat and worth a run back at the NBBC. Also the mobile serving/buttering and catering “Platoon”, Barry Lloyd, Bill Kynaston, Barrie Morgan, Denzil Simeon, Frank McGrath, Greg Young, Gavin McIntosh, Graeme Bourne.
And also to recommence, when back at NBBC for meeting of Monday 9 December 2024, a centralised Executive table, with any speakers from the floor to approach the “chair”, the above time saving is noted and appreciated.
Thanks to All and Stay Safe.