News Review May 2023

Message from the President

Welcome to our News Review.

We have just completed our ANZAC Day commemorations that included the 30^th Annual Graham Edwards Football Match between the North Beach Tigers and Kingsway on Saturday 22 April.  This achieved wide exposure in Perth Now edition of 20^th April and the Club, and our Sub-Branch had great attendance at the match.

Prior to the start of the match the North Beach Football Club had its ANZAC Service that our Sub-Branch was privileged to be part of.  So, thank you to the Football Club, the Carine Army Cadets, Graham Edwards and all of our members and guests who were present on the day.

The weekend prior to ANZAC Day also saw our members collecting at Shopping Centres and Bunnings Balcatta, and the result was most pleasing.  A huge thank you goes to all of those members who put their time into this, and also to the organisations that made it possible.  Many schools invited our Sub-Branch to their ANZAC Services, and once again our members responded and were all very impressed with the involvement of the schools and their community, and the respect shown to the occasion, and our members.

I am very pleased that our Sub-Branch has a very active Facebook managed by Jon McKenzie, and even if you are not a member of Facebook, you can still access the postings that Jon keeps up to date.  Our website managed by Helen Burgess and edited by Brian Jennings contains a wealth of information and news that will benefit members.

I encourage you to keep up to date with your Sub-Branch by checking on Facebook and our Website, attending meetings on the second Monday each month (except January) commencing at 5:00pm.   I also encourage and welcome feedback on issues that are important to you, or about activities that you would like our Sub-Branch to undertake or to be involved with.

Feedback relating to our Sub-Branch, or other related issues can be directed to:

President John Rolfe:                          0439 934 036              northbeach.president@sb.rslwa.org.au

Secretary Wayne Koch                       0407 478 963              northbeach.secretary@sb.rslwa.org.au

I would like to thank all our members for their participation, you make the Sub-Branch what it is.

A special thanks go to Barry Lloyd for all the work in making our Dawn Service happen, and to Peter Bowring for organising the ANZAC collections leading up to ANZAC Day.

Reminder – each Wednesday and Friday we kayak, cycle and walk (not at the same time) from Hillarys Marina, followed by coffee from 09:00am under the gazebo on the southern side of the Marina.   Come and join us, even if it’s for a coffee and chat.

John Rolfe

What Has The Sub-Branch Been Doing

As usual, our Sub-Branch continues its twice weekly activities at Hillarys Marina with an increasing number of our members participating in walking, kayaking and cycling, followed by the mandatory coffee and conversation.

New participants are always welcome, even if it’s for coffee and conversation in the magnificent informal setting at Hillarys Marina.

Interested in joining in one of our groups?  Contact Wayne Koch in the first instance for information.  Wayne’s contact details are.

Email:             northbeach.secretary@sb.rslwa.org.au Phone:             0407 478 963
OR, just wander down and join the crowd for a coffee.  

ESPERANCE TOUR OF DUTY

Thirty six members of our Sub-Branch dug deep into their pockets to join the 2023 Tour of Duty to Esperance for four full days stay during late March.  After a 10 hour bus trip the group arrived in this seaside town’s Comfort Inn looking forward to a good night’s sleep and the adventures commencing the next morning.

They found that Esperance has a lot to offer, and after a hearty breakfast each morning the group set off on pre-arranged tours.  The tours included Stonehenge, Woody Island, the Museum, Bus tours of the local beaches and Cape Le Grand National Park.  Each day finished with a meal and refreshments at the Pier Hotel.

The highlight of this Tour was a BBQ on the Saturday night with the Esperance RSLSub-Branch, where they were joined by Kalgoorlie Sub-Branch President and Board member Robyn Steenbach.  North Beach President John Rolfe said, “Our annual member funded Tours of Duty are a great opportunity for us to build a relationship with other Sub-Branches and members in an informal and friendly environment”. 

On the lighter side, North Beach’s Fines Master Mal Dwyer said, “I managed to extract a sizeable amount from Tour of Duty participants for minor misdemeanours, and this not only contributed to a good night by all, but supported the Esperance Sub-Branch.”.

Esperance and its people certainly impressed, and as a location to visit, is highly recommended.

As the Bus was preparing to leave for the 10 hour journey to Perth, Esperance Service Member Midge Dansey was there bright and early in the morning to farewell the Tour Group.  A gesture appreciated by all.  Thank you to the wonderful Midge.

Esperance and North Beach RSL Sub-Branches, plus Robyn Steenbach (Board Member) from Kalgoorlie

Deb Thatcher,  Midge Dansey (Esperance Sub-Branch) and Jess Welfare

ANZAC DAY

Leading up to our Dawn Service the Sub-Branch participated with the North Beach Football Club (The Tigers) to advertise the 30^th Annual Graham Edwards ANZAC Football Match, and an article over three pages was published in Perth Now on Thursday 20 April.

The West Australian’s photographer getting his photos for the article.

Ned Halley (North Beach Football Club), Craig Dalton (NBFC), John Rolfe (North Beach RSL president), Graham Edwards, Travis Ingleby, Bill Fielding, Peta Connolly and Mitchell Gill (Captain NBFC)

Photo Copyright The West Australian Newspapers Ltd 2023

To read the article in the Perth Now edition of 20 April 2023, click on this link, or go to the Homepage of our website:       www.northbeach-rsl.asn.au and follow the links adjacent to the photo of our members at the memorial.

Perth-Now-2023-04-2-pages.pdf (northbeach-rsl.asn.au)

AT THE MATCH

North Beach Football Club’s ANZAC service before the game

Ian Goodenough MP, John Rolfe, Travis Ingleby, Councillor Tony Krsticevic

Ian Goodenough MP with Jo and Mal Dempsey

In conjunction with the Match being played on Saturday 22^nd April and leading up to and after Anzac Day there were school services attended by our members, and our traditional ANZAC collection at shopping centres and Bunnings Balcatta.

These are just two photos of some of our Bunnings collection team, and a school service.

Deb, Lez, Jess, and Jim with Bunnings Staff member.

Ron White, Owen Vladich, Wayne Koch, Deb Thatcher in uniform, and Jess Welfare with children and teacher from Davallia Primary School, Duncraig

DAWN SERVICE

Air Force Cadets and The Lone Pine highlighted.

Before Dawn from under The Lone Pine

The community before dawn

Gunfire Breakfast

May the Force be with you

Our ANZAC Day was successful, and the Sub-Branch had good exposure in the Media – Perth Now, Channel 7 and Channel 9.

Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/northbeachrslwa/ is maintained by Jon McKenzie and contains up to date photos and stories that are relevant to our Sub-Branch.  Those who do not have a Facebook login, you are still able to access our Facebook Page to view.

Our Website https://northbeach-rsl.asn.au/ is managed by Helen Burgess and is maintained by Brian Jennings, it contains up to date news, Minutes of Meetings, information about our Sub-Branch, Links to support services, members’ stories and history.

A WIN FOR RSLWA

RSLWA won the 54^th National Bowls Carnival here in Perth, and our Sub-Branch members Allen Hornby, Mick Sweeney, and Leo Mola were part of the winning side.  Jeff Edwick also played, but was part of “The Allies” (Tasmania) to make up their numbers.   Well done to all who participated.

Four of the Winners

Sub Branch Members Leo Mola, Mick Sweeney, Allen Hornby, and Neville Costello (NBBC)

What Events are Planned

Care is being taken in the planning of these events, so ALL our members, should they choose to participate, are being catered for. 

This will also include our participation in Veterans Health Week later in the year.

More information, along with dates and itinerary, will be provided as soon as it is available, but the following Events are planned:

Australian Virtual War Memorial

The Australian Virtual War Memorial was originally an initiative of RSL South Australia and has now expanded to an Australian wide initiative.

To access this site, click on this Link:  https://vwma.org.au/.  Or enter in your search engine – vwma.org.au

VWMA’s aim is to be the outstanding national digital Memorial, acknowledged for its integrity and relevance; its respectful presentation of socio-military history and its capacity to engage and educate individuals and communities.  Its Mission is to provide a worthy home, in perpetuity, for the records and the personal experiences of all individuals who have served and the impact of this service on the individuals themselves, their families and communities.

It serves to commemorate all Australians who have served the nation in times of conflict commencing at the Boer War and Boxer Rebellion and the Great War, World War 2, Korea, Vietnam, all Middle East conflicts and all declared Peacekeeping and Peacemaking missions.

North Beach RSL Sub-Branch has entries on this site, both individual stories, and photos and description of the North Beach Memorial and the plaques within the Charles Riley Memorial Reserve.  Search for “North Beach” under Memorials.

This is a work in progress, so some detail and stories still need to be added.  Have a Look – it’s an interesting site and the Search Facility can generate relevant results. 

It also contains stories that were entered in “Remembering ANZACS” from several years ago.  Individuals may also lodge stories, subject to moderation by VWMA, that are of interest.  Should you be interest in this, contact Brian Jennings – contact details on last page of this newsletter,

Family Military and Service History

Searching for the military and service history of a family member can take time and effort.  These links are the more common ones available.  A digital copy of their service records may also be available, if not, then information is available on how to obtain them.

To obtain a copy of your own service records access this link, copy the form, complete it and send it in by either mail or email.  https://www.defence.gov.au/records/docs/Request%20for%20Records.pdf

Veterans’ Mental Health and Crisis Support

Mental health and suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and we all have a part to play – check in on a mate, ask them if they are okay, have a conversation and help them get the support they need.

Joondalup Hub – Advocacy and Welfare

A Veterans’ Support Centre (Veterans’ Support Centre Joondalup (VSCJ)) is  run by volunteers. The VSCJ is located at the Heathridge Leisure Centre and is open every Tuesday 1000-1600 and Thursday 1200-1800. 

The VSCJ 24/7 contact number is 0437 378 498

RSLWA    https://www.rslwa.org.au/

RSLWA Welfare can be contacted via  9287 3799  https://www.rslwa.org.au/services/welfare

RSLWA Advocacy can be contacted via  9287 3799  https://www.rslwa.org.au/services/advocacy

Our Sub-Branch can provide Advocacy and Welfare Support:

Advocacy                  Ted Leunig:

Mobile                       0408 177 193

Email                         ted.leunig@oracle.com

Welfare                    Greg Gough

Mobile                       0417 911 173

Email                         goughy46@iinet.net.au

Our Sub-Branch

What Can We Offer You:

Our members are from the Defence and Emergency Service and those who have a link to those who served.  Our Sub-Branch have members who have recently transitioned from the Defence and Emergency Services, partners of veterans, and those who have been members in excess of 50 years.

The Sub-Branch is socially active, and should you wish to join in, it:

• Meets twice weekly at Hillarys Marina for walking, kayaking, bike riding and talking over coffee.
• Has day tours of interest during the year.
• Undertakes an annual Tour of Duty – last year was Kalgoorlie, and this year was Esperance .  Planning for 2024 to Hobart is well underway.
• Participates in DVA sponsored Veterans Health Week .
• Commemorates ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day at its North Beach Memorial within the Charles Riley Memorial Reserve.

We can offer support, advice and information on how to contact services that offer professional help, but most importantly peer support and understanding.

COMPUTING:         BE Connected

If you use a computer (laptop, desktop, iPad, mobile phone) it pays to be aware of its capability, and also the risks involved.  This is particularly important to avoid your personal information being obtained by those who should not have it.

Teach yourself how.

Be Connected is an Australian Government based initiative empowering all Australians to thrive in a digital world.  It has online learning resources as well as a Network of community partners – the Be Connected Network – who offer support so you can develop your digital skills and confidence.

Find a local place for friendly help and advice, or join the Network to help others.

Be Connected (esafety.gov.au)

It pays to have good virus protection software installed on your device, apart from that inbuilt with your computer (such as the windows security), and also to be vigilant.

Emails, text messages, or phone calls seeking personal information of any kind need to be treated with concern.  Banks for example will never ring you to seek personal information or details of your accounts.  If in doubt, always ring your bank or institution directly, and not to any phone number provided in email, text, or phone call.  If you do online banking, log in to your account and check whether there are messages for you.  The same goes with emails or text messages, do not click on links or reply to the email or text if you are in doubt – just delete, and then clear your “bin” or “trash” folder.   Always clear your browsing history, including cookies.

If you feel that your personal information has been compromised, immediately change your passwords and / or pin numbers and contact your financial institution or DVA if you are a DVA client:

If you, or someone you know, has been approached by someone posing as a DVA representative please contact your nearest DVA office.

If you have shared personal information and believe you may be at risk, you can contact IDCARE, a not-for-profit organisation that provides assistance and support to victims of identity theft and other cybercrime. Visit idcare.org or telephone 1800 595 160.

For additional information about scams, visit scamwatch.gov.au – you can also subscribe to a free alert service to receive updates about the latest scam.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre also provides advice for individuals, a free alert service to help you understand the latest online threats and the ability to report online crimes via the ReportCyber page.

Office Bearers 2022 – 2023

Tune in to The Listening Post every Monday 1800-2000, Capital Radio 101.7 FM, Capital Digital and from anywhere via www.capitalcommunityradio.com  Perth’s only radio program specially for Defence personnel, past and present, their families and friends.

North Beach Review

North Beach Sub-Branch welcomes contributions and articles that may be used on its website and in the North Beach Review.

To discuss how you may contribute, contact:

Brian Jennings on 0413 605 612 or email on  jamjenb@gmail.com

Disclaimer

North Beach Review source material is edited to remove inappropriate content, and clarify, shorten or standardise where needed.  Although tests for accuracy are undertaken, readers should not rely on any of this material without conducting your own due diligence.  Opinions are not necessarily those of RSL North Beach Sub-Branch or RSLWA.