Message from the President

Welcome to our News Review.

Now that the weather is warming up, our Wednesday and Friday activities from Hillarys Marina, followed by coffee, are beginning to attract more of our members.

We meet every Wednesday and Friday on the south side of the Marina, under “our gazebo”. Look for our sign.

All are most welcome to join one of our groups – walking, cycling or kayaking – or just join us for the coffee and conversation from about 09:15.

Find out more by calling our Secretary Wayne Koch a call on 0407 478 963.

Our Annual General Meeting has come and gone, and we are pleased to welcome our new Treasurer, David Potter. That means that David King, a stalwart of the position for the last 10 years, will be taking a well deserved rest.

David King has done a remarkable job as Treasurer and Membership Officer, as well as the “Seller of Shirts and Caps.” We can’t underestimate the amount of work involved in this position, especially in a Sub-Branch as large as ours. So, Well Done David King, and thank you.”

On the following page is detail of the Executive Officers and Committee, and the key roles undertaken by members.

It is great that our members step forward and get involved, not only in the day to day tasks, but throughout the year.

We are most fortunate to have a comprehensive Website and active Facebook, so I encourage members to view these and stay up to date with our history, our stories and what’s happening. Our Facebook is continually up to date, and advertises events, news, and commemorations with many photos. The benefit of our Facebook is that you do not have to log in to view.

The prime focus of this Newsletter is to overview DVA Hospital and Day Procedure Guidelines and provide Contact details, so members can obtain the information they need. I encourage all members, especially DVA Card holders and their families to read, and should clarification be needed discuss further with one of the contacts provided.

I also encourage reading some of the information from the Welfare and Advocacy page of our website. There is a wealth of essential information. Welfare and Advocacy – North Beach RSL Sub-Branch (northbeach-rsl.asn.au)

John Rolfe

Annual General Meeting 14 August 2023

Positions of Secretary and Treasurer became vacant, and Wayne Koch (Secretary) and David Potter (Treasurer) were elected unopposed for a period of 3 years.

Sub-Branch Executive Officers and Committee

POSITION	NAME	TERM	PHONE No	EMAIL
President	John Rolfe	08 2024	0439 934 036	northbeach.president@sb.rslwa.org.au
Vice President	Peter Bowring	08 2024	0410 603 061	peter_bowring@yahoo.com.au
Secretary	Wayne Koch	08 2026	0407 478 963	northbeach.secretary@sb.rslwa.org.au
Treasurer	David Potter	08 2026	0498 233 263	northbeach.treasurer@sb.rslwa.org.au
Membership Officer	David Potter	08 2026	0498 233 263	northbeach.membership@sb.rslwa.org.au
Warden	Robin Sweet	08 2024	0417 654 533	robinsweet6@icloud.com
Warden	Les Young	08 2025	0407 082 438	lezyoung12@gmail.com

Who’s Who 2023 – 2024

President	John Rolfe 0439 934 036	Welfare	Greg Gough Welfare Support Officer 0417 911 173
Vice President	Peter Bowring 0410 603 061	Advocate	Ted Leunig 0408 177 193
Secretary	Wayne Koch 0407 478 963	Parade Marshall	Rip Couston 0467 960 552
Treasurer	David Potter 0498 233 263	Commemorative	Peter Bowring and Executive Committee 0410 603 061
Warden	Rob Sweet 0417 654 533 Les Young 0407 082 438	Poppy Coordinator	Peter Hodgson 0458 583 869
Memorial Warden	John Rolfe 0439 934 036	Revenue Steward	Jim Muscat, 0401 095 414 Bill Kynaston 0418 121 003
Peer Health	Wayne Koch 0407 478 963 Eric Aitkins 0419 954 972	Stewards	Stuart Young, Peter Dales, Stewart Davies, Trevor Beegan
Social Activities	Paul McGuinness 0417 181 025	Website Administrator	Helen Burgess (Contact Brian Jennings for website issues)
Annual Lunch	Peter Bowring 0410 603 061 Les Young 0407 082 438	Website and News Editor	Brian Jennings 0413 605 612

Korean War Memorial

The Korean War Memorial was unveiled in Kings Park on 27^th July and was attended by representative of our Sub-Branch. The Memorial stone was donated by the Government of South Korea, and was from the Kapyong Valley, the site of the Battle in April 1951 where 3 RAR was awarded the Presidential Citation.

Sandakan Memorial Kings Park

On 15 August each year, Sandakan is commemorated to remember the more than 2,400 Australian and British prisoners of war and the estimated 16 per cent of Sabah’s civilian population who died during Japanese occupation. This is known as Sandakan Memorial Day

From 1942 to 1943, some 2,700 Allied servicemen were interned at Sandakan and used as forced labour to build a military airstrip. Some were transferred but, by 1945, more than 1,000 had already perished.

In January 1945, with the imminent defeat of the Japanese Army, about 1,000 British and Australian POWs were sent on 3 separate forced marches from Sandakan to Ranau, a torturous 260-kilometre march through mountainous jungle terrain.

The men were severely malnourished, suffering from tropical illnesses and subjected to brutal ill-treatment and torture. About half died during these death marches and those who did survive succumbed to starvation and illness. The prisoners who remained in Sandakan died in appalling conditions or were executed. Only 6 Australians survived. They escaped with the help of local villagers, and eventually returned home to tell their story.

Sandakan remains one of the worst atrocities committed against Australians in war.

Carine Senior High School are the custodians of the Memorial in Kings Park and conducted a memorial service on Sunday 20 August. This was well attended by our Sub-Branch, and Graham Edwards gave a stirring address.

Vietnam Veterans Day

A commemoration service was held at the Perth War Cemetery, Karrakatta, to mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, followed by the annual paying of respect at the graves of Vietnam Veterans. This was also well attended by our Sub-Branch.

DVA Hospital and Day Procedure Guidelines and Contacts

All of us at some time need the care of medical and allied professionals, and the emergency ambulance services.

We are most fortunate in Australia to have a world class medical service available to all, irrespective of the type of health cover, whether it be private or public cover, or in possession of a DVA Card that provides health cover.

The purpose of the following is to provide an overview of DVA guidelines as it relates to health cover for card holders.

However, it remains the responsibility of all to be fully aware of your entitlements. This can be obtained from those within the Sub-Branch, RSLWA or DVA. Contacts are provided on our website and in this article.

Welfare and Advocacy – North Beach RSL Sub-Branch (northbeach-rsl.asn.au)

The DVA Website, under Menu Heading “Get Support”, has a broad range of information for veterans.

Get Support | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au)

Included is information relating to Hospitals.

If you do not have access to this information on a computer, ask a mate or family member to assist, or contact support from within our Sub-Branch, RSLWA or DVA.

Emergency Admissions

In an emergency, Gold Card (and White Cardholders with medical accepted endorsements) can be admitted to either:

the nearest public hospital where they can be treated as a private patient.
the nearest private hospital with an emergency department

Doctors with admitting rights can admit the patient to a contracted private hospital for treatment.

It is important to realise that the hospital to which a patient is admitted will depend on hospitals’ capacity at the time of the emergency, the severity, and the identified need for specialist medical intervention.

Wait time for an ambulance also depends on the assessed medical needs and priority of the patient.

Public Hospitals

DVA has arrangements with all state and territory governments to provide care in public hospitals.

Hospitals and Day Procedure Centres | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au)

Health support | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au)

When we will pay for your hospital stay | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au)

Am I Eligible

If you hold a Veteran Gold Card, a Veteran White Card (with DVA medical accepted endorsement), or DVA written authorisation for treatment you are eligible to receive hospital services under DVA’s arrangements.

DVA will pay for all hospital services that meet the clinical needs of Veteran Gold Card holders.

DVA will pay Veteran White Card holders hospital treatment costs required for:

Conditionally that holders of the Veteran White Card meet the conditions of service to be eligible for coverage of these conditions. Refer to DVA site:

Free treatment for cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au)

If you are a Commonwealth or allied veteran, please see Commonwealth and other allied veterans for eligibility and treatment information.

What hospitals can I be admitted to under DVA arrangements?

You do not require DVA’s approval to be admitted to a:

public hospital.
DVA contracted private hospital.
DVA contracted private hospital for mental health services; or
DVA contracted day procedure centre.

Under DVA’s hospital arrangements, your doctor must seek DVA’s approval before admitting you to a:

non-contracted private hospital.
non-contracted private hospital for mental health services; or
non-contracted day procedure centre.

Before you are admitted, be sure to confirm with your doctor that DVA has approved your treatment in a non-contracted facility. Without approval, DVA may not cover the costs.

You can be admitted to a non-contracted hospital in an emergency. Your doctor should seek approval from DVA as soon as possible after the admission.

A list of DVA contracted private hospitals, mental health hospitals and day procedure centres is available on the DVA website at: Hospitals and day procedure centres.

Can I choose which hospital I am admitted to?

Yes, however your choice will probably depend on if your treating doctor has visiting rights at your preferred hospital and if the hospital has the facilities necessary for your treatment.

If you choose to be admitted to a non-contracted private hospital your treating Doctor should contact DVA to seek approval before admission.

Do I need to pay for treatment during my hospital admission?

No, you will not have to pay for your treatment if you are being treated in a public or DVA contracted hospital. However, you will need to confirm with your hospital if non-medical items like phones, TV’s and newspapers are at your expense.

If you are billed for your treatment, return the account advising you are a DVA patient. Do not send the bill to Services Australia or your private health fund.

Can I have a private room at DVA’s expense?

Yes, if you are provided with a private room DVA will cover the cost. In an emergency situation, a private room may not be immediately available at the admitting hospital.

Can I choose to be treated as a private patient at a private hospital using my private health insurance?

Yes, but if you choose this option it is at your own expense and DVA will be unable to reimburse any out of pocket expenses that may occur. This may include costs for any intensive care and rehabilitation services that may arise. These costs could be substantial so you should discuss it with your doctor before making this decision. If you choose to be treated as a private patient instead of a DVA patient, make sure you tell the hospital before you are admitted.

What should I have arranged for my hospital treatment?

Before being admitted to hospital, you need to:

use the “Personal Services and Contact List” pages attached to this page to detail important information like your medical and medication history, your doctor’s details and details of your next of kin and/or family;
pack your DVA Veteran Card:
arrange transport (through DVA, if required); and
confirm that your care coordinator and General Practitioner (GP) know you are being admitted (if you are a Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) Program participant).

When being admitted to hospital, you need to:

show admission staff your DVA Veteran Card so they can confirm your eligibility.
provide the hospital with your “Personal Services and Contact List”.
ask if a Patient Liaison Officer, Veteran Liaison Officer or Discharge Planner is available for assistance.
ask how many days you will be in hospital.
inform the hospital of your living arrangements, like if you live alone, live with a carer who is frail, if you have dependants or pets or use aids at home.
ask your home services provider to postpone services that will not be required until you are discharged (this may include any personal care being delivered to you at home).
ask the admission staff at the hospital to inform your GP that you are in hospital; and
advise admission staff if you are a CVC Program participant.

Before you are discharged from hospital, you need to:

confirm with the hospital the discharge date suits you and your carer.
have the treatment you received explained to you (arrange for your carer or a family member to be present if necessary) and ask for a list of all your medications.
arrange transport home (through DVA, if required).
make sure that all the necessary nursing services, aids, home modifications (these can take several weeks) and home assistance is arranged for when you return home.
ask for review appointments to be booked with your GP and specialists for after you get home.
ask for details of a person from the hospital that you can contact if you have any concerns; and
if you are a CVC Program participant, confirm that your GP and CVC care coordinator have been advised you are being discharged.

When you are getting discharged, you need to:

ask for a copy of your discharge summary, including follow-up appointments and referrals to community services. The discharge summary will be provided to your GP.
collect your medication and scripts and make sure you have enough until your next appointment with your GP; and
ask for information about what you’re able to do during recovery (get information sheets if possible).

Who do I contact if I have a complaint about my treatment in hospital?

You should contact the hospital’s nominated Patient Liaison Officer or Veteran Liaison Officer if you were in a private hospital, and you have a complaint. Most complaints can be resolved by the hospital’s liaison officer. If the liaison officer cannot resolve the matter, refer your complaint to the State/Territory agency responsible for investigating complaints. Please also inform DVA in writing of any such problems.

DVA Contracted Private Hospitals

The site has a list of Contracted private hospitals Australia-wide. In WA, the contracted private hospitals are:

Albany Community Hospice
Attadale Rehabilitation Hospital
Bethesda Health Care
Glengarry Private Hospital
Hollywood Private Hospital
Joondalup Health Campus
Mount Hospital
Peel Health Campus
South Perth Hospital
St John of God Bunbury Hospital
St John of God Geraldton Hospital
St John of God Midland Private Hospital
St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital
St John of God Murdoch Hospital
St John of God Subiaco Hospital
Subiaco Private Hospital
The Park Private Hospital
Waikiki Private Hospital
West Leederville Private Hospital

Claiming out of Pocket Expenses

Claim out-of-pocket medical expenses | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au)

Further Information

DVA provides information relating to health services and programs on this link:

Health programs and services for our clients | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au)

These services include:

Contact Information

Our Sub-Branch

Welfare Support Greg Gough 0417 911 173

Advocate Ted Leunig 0408 177 193

RSLWA

Welfare 9287 3707 welfare@rslwa.org.au

Advocacy 9287 3799 advocacy@rslwa.org.au.

Veterans Support Centre – Joondalup Hub

Mobile 0437 378 498 vscjoondalup@hotmail.com

DVA

General Enquiry 1800 838 372

Public Hospitals Team DVA.Public.Hospitals@dva.gov.au

Western Australia DVA Office

Level 5, AMP Building

140 St George’s Terrace

Perth WA 6000

8:30am – 4.30pm Open Monday to Friday

GPO Box 9998, Brisbane QLD 4001

DVA Feedback Form Feedback form | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au)

Upcoming Events

Annual 4 Wheel Drive Adventure

Sunday 24 September-ish the intrepid 4 wheel drivers take off for another adventure somewhere through the Murchison and East Gascoyne.

Organisers are Jon McKenzie and Les Young, so if you are interested please talk to them or give them a call.

These 4 wheel drive trips have proved to be most successful, so get up and join in.

Jon McKenzie 0412 904 970

Les Young 0407 082 438

Government House Tour – ANZAC House Lunch Wednesday 27 September 2023

Tour of Government House

A couple of places are available. Meet at ANZAC House at 10:30am and then controlled stagger as a group across the road for the tour. Following the Tour, Lunch will be at ANZAC House.

ALSO

ANZAC House Lunch – 10 additional spaces available

Members not doing the Tour of Government House are invited to join the group for lunch – spaces are available.

Book your spot and more detail from

Paul McGuinness 0417 181 025 paulmcguinness1945@gmail.com

Chidlows WW 2 Sites and Lunch Wednesday 25 October 2023

Preliminary arrangements are being made for this tour, departing Hillarys Marina by Bus.

Book your spot and more detail from

Paul McGuinness 0417 181 025 paulmcguinness1945@gmail.com

Veterans’ Health Week 8 – 15 October 2023

Arrangements are being made for an activity during this time. Consideration is being given to incorporate a visit to the Jarrahdale Recovery and Restoration Veteran Transition Centre.

More details will be broadcast as soon as arrangements have been made.

Enquiries to:

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

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

Tour of Duty – Hobart Friday 15 March 2024 to Friday 22 March 2024

Planning is well advanced, and a wait list is available.

To add your name to the wait list, or for more detail contact:

Paul McGuinness 0417 181 025 paulmcguinness1945@gmail.com

Page 9 – The Listening Post – 100 years ago

Rockingham Naval Club

Point Peron Road, Rockingham, WA, Australia, Western Australia

(08) 9592 7997

For those who want to go to the Navy Club, Rockingham, this is an upcoming event. Ring the above number for bookings. John Rolfe on 0439 934 036 has further details.

Should be a good show in a great location.

Understanding your heart risk

As this edition of the Newsletter focusses mainly on Health related issues, the following is from DVA, and applies to us all.

DVA – Dated 21 August 2023

When it comes to heart disease there are a range of factors that may increase your risk such as age, family history, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and other lifestyle influences like if you smoke or how much exercise you do on a daily basis.

According to data published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the leading cause of death for veterans aged 50 and over is heart disease.

If you’re ready to improve your health but are finding it hard to get started, then our Heart Health program might be for you. Open to all veterans and peacekeepers who have not previously participated in a Heart Health program, the 52 week program will help you to increase your physical health and wellbeing through exercise, education, nutrition and lifestyle management support.

Another important way you can reduce your heart disease risk is by knowing if you are at risk. Finding this out means you can take preventative action, and access early interventions and treatment for your condition.

A good starting point is to find out your heart age. Your heart age is calculated by assessing your risk factors for heart disease; a younger heart age means your risk of developing heart disease is lower. It’s easy to find out your heart age by completing the Heart Foundation’s online :

Heart Age Calculator

The good news is even if you’re at risk of developing heart disease there are many ways to reduce your risk and prevent heart disease from occurring, including:

exercising regularly
eating well
connecting with others
quitting smoking
limiting alcohol
practicing mindfulness

For more information about the Heart Health program visit:

www.dva.gov.au/get-support/health-support/work-and-social-life-programs/heart-health-program

Battle for Australia Day

On the first Wednesday of September, we commemorate the Battle for Australia. We reflect on the bravery of those who served on Australia’s home front, and the islands, the seas and in the skies to the north. It’s an important reminder of a challenging time for Australians between 1942 and 1945.

“Just as Dunkirk began the Battle of Britain, so does the Singapore open the Battler for Australia. It is now work or fight as we have never worked or fought before. On what we do now depends everything we hope to do when this bloody test has been survived.”

[Prime Minister John Curtin, as quoted by the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Chris Moraitis, 2 September 2009]

Prime Minister John Curtin used the term ‘Battle for Australia’ after the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942. A few days later, the Australian mainland was attacked by Japanese aircraft during the Bombing of Darwin.

In response, thousands of Australians were engaged in multiple actions against Japanese forces between 1942 and 1943. These battles aimed to defend Australia and stop the Japanese from advancing further south.

Significance of the Day

The first Wednesday in September is when we commemorate Battle for Australia Day. This day represents the first defeat of Japanese forces on land during the Battle of Milne Bay. Japanese forces had evacuated Milne Bay by 7 September 1942.

This commemorative day is a time for us to recognise all those who served in the defence of the Australian mainland, and in sea, land and air battles in the Coral Sea, Papua and New Guinea. Their efforts contributed substantially to the defeat of Japan.

Lest We Forget

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 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 their own due diligence. Opinions are not necessarily those of RSL North Beach Sub-Branch or RSLWA.