Message from the President
Welcome to our News Review
I would like to thank all our members for their participation, and look forward to working with you.
Just a short story about myself:
Having joined the RAAF in January 1974 as a 15-year-old Apprentice, I travelled from Melbourne to Wagga in a C130 Hercules aircraft, my first flying experience and time out of Victoria. After graduating as an Electrical Fitter at age 17, I was posted to RAAF Base Point Cook, to work on basic trainer aircraft Wingeel and CT4s.
I completed Calibration Technician training at Richmond NSW, and was then posted to Butterworth in Malaysia, Laverton, Darwin and Edinburgh. In 1991, I was attached to RAF Brize Norton 101SQN in Oxfordshire UK for 6 months on exchange. The unit was undertaking frontline Air-to-Air Refuelling using VC10 aircraft and we travelled throughout the Northern Hemisphere to provide in-air fuel to RAF Fighter Jets. Along the way I was promoted through the ranks to Flight Sergeant and completed a Diploma in Electronic and Communications Engineering.
Commissioned in 1994 to become an Electrical Engineering Officer, I was posted to Support Command in Melbourne, Laverton, Wagga and Perth (RAAF Base Pearce). My final promotion was to Squadron Leader. At Pearce I was the Senior Engineering Officer at No. 2 Flying Training School and was responsible for a fleet of 41 PC9 Aircraft, used to teach trainee RAAF and RAN pilots to fly jets and graduate as Pilots.
In 2011, I transferred to the RAAF Reserves and was posted to 25 Squadron until retiring in January 2016 with service of 42 years . I worked with the City of Bayswater as their Senior Building Projects Officer for 13 years and retired last year. I joined the RSL and North Beach Sub-Branch in 2013, after being recruited by Graham Edwards.
Since retiring, I have become more active in RSL activities and was appointed the Sub-Branch Appeals Collection Coordinator and First Aid Officer. Those who attend our Wednesday and Friday activity groups at Hillarys Marina will know I am an avid bike rider. The many and varied Sub-Branch activities and events has my enthusiastic support.
I am looking forward to my new role as your President, and will actively ensure our Sub-Branch appeals to younger veterans so our organisation keeps growing into the future.
If you have any questions, suggestions or requests, please contact the Secretary or me, as we are always available.
President Peter Hodgson: 0458 583 8696 northbeach.president@sb.rslwa.org.au
Secretary Wayne Koch 0407 478 963 northbeach.secretary@sb.rslwa.org.au
Peter Hodgson
Our Elected Officers
Our Executive
Our Wardens
Our team members can be viewed on the website under “Our Team“
At our AGM and General Meeting 12 August 2024
What Have We Been Doing
July 2024
RSLWA State Congress was held on 5th and 6th July 2024, where once again our Sub-Branch was presented with the Newdegate Cup, for being the most effective Sub-Branch.
A real achievement to win this trophy two years in a row – well done all.
Our Members’ Annual Lunch – Hillarys Yacht Club
Wednesday 24 July 2024
120 members, partners and friends attended the Annual Christmas in July at the Hillarys Yacht Club. A great location for a get together –good company and some splendid prizes in the mega raffle. Well done to Peter Bowring, Lez Young and their team.
IODS 2024 DEFENCE & INDUSTRY DINNER IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BETTER TOGETHER BALL
The Indian Ocean Defence & Security (IODS) 2024 was held 25 July 2024 and some of our members helped support veterans and their families by attending the IODS 2024 Defence & Industry Dinner in collaboration with The Better Together Ball 2024.
It was held on the evening of Thursday 25 July, and was an opportunity to network with senior representatives from defence, industry and government while fundraising for an important cause. The Better Together Ball 2024 is presented in partnership between RSLWA, Legacy WA and Police Legacy WA as a major fundraiser to support defence and police veterans and their families through advocacy and welfare services.
August 2024
Three of our members, Kaye, Jess and Deb toured Vietnam, and took the opportunity to visit Long Tan with their tour organiser, Fr Vihn, of Perth. A service was held by Fr Vihn and poppies were left in remembrance.
Vietnam Veterans’ Day 18 August 2024
Vietnam Veterans Day is commemorated on 18 August every year The day was originally known as Long Tan Day, chosen to commemorate the men of D Company, 6RAR who fought in the battle of Long Tan in 1966.
On that day, 108 Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought a pitched battle against over 2,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops in a rubber plantation not far from the small village of Long Tan. The Australians prevailed, but only after fighting in torrential rain for four hours. They were nearly overrun, but were saved by a timely ammunition resupply, accurate artillery fire from the nearby Australian base, and the arrival of reinforcements by armoured personnel carriers. Eighteen Australians lost their lives and 24 were wounded, the largest number of casualties in one operation since the Australian task force had arrived a few months earlier.
The United States Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation was awarded to D Company 6 RAR for its role in the Battle of Long Tan.
We continue to honour the service and sacrifice of all Vietnam veterans on this day. 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, 3000 wounded, 521 killed with many more suffering long term effects as a result of their service.
At 1100 hours on Sunday 18 August 2024 a ceremony was held at our North Beach Memorial, Charles Riley Reserve, to remember and to pay respects for all those who served and died during the Vietnam War.
To those who organised this event at such short notice, thank you – it was respectful and well done.
General Meeting Dinner Arrangements.
Barry Lloyd and Bill Kynaston have ably taken on this role.. Members are encouraged to get involved and help Barry and Bill, as the meal is a great opportunity linger after the meeting to talk with fellow members and build the North Beach RSL Sub-Branch team spirit.
Website Review
Helen Burgess is refreshing our Sub-Branch website to bring it up to date in looks and layout, and also align it better with RSLWA style guidelines.
It has reached the stage of it being reviewed to provide Helen with feedback. Wayne Koch and Brian Jennings are coordinating this feedback.
Welfare and Advocacy
The following information was provided in our last Newsletter, but it is worth repeating as the wellbeing and welfare of our members is important to us all.
The Welfare and Advocacy pages of our website www.northbeach-rsl.asn.au contains information and links to services to support members. Our key contacts are:
We do have others in the Sub-Branch that may be able to provide support, so don’t hesitate to contact our Secretary, Wayne Koch, should contacts or support be needed
DVA Enquiry Lines
| Title | Phone Number | Hours of Operation | Description |
| Bereavement | 1800 838 372 | 8am to 5 pm | A bereavement payment is designed to help with the costs that may follow the death of a pensioner or a current or former serving member. The bereavement payment may depend on when the person who died was injured |
| Commemorative Grants | 1800 020 283 | Enquiries regarding Saluting Their Service Grants Program which aims to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage and to involve people throughout the nation in a range of projects and activities that highlight the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations. | |
| Community Nursing | 1800 838 372 | Community Nursing | |
| Defence Service Home Insurance | 1300 552 662 | available 24/7 for emergency claim assistance | Comprehensive home building insurance cover tailored to the Defence community |
| Defence Service Home Lending | 1800 722 000 | Housing loans to recognise the contribution of those who have served in the Australian Defence Force | |
| DVA Feedback | 1800 838 372 | 8am to 5 pm Monday to Friday | |
| General Enquiries | 1800 838 372 | 8am to 5 pm Monday to Friday | General inquiries (calls from within Australia) |
| General Enquiries – International | +61 2 6289 1133 | 8am to 5 pm Monday – Friday | General enquiries (for international callers.) |
| Nominal Rolls | 1300 780 133 | A Nominal Roll is a list of the names of veterans who have served in a particular conflict in which Australia has participated. | |
| Office of Australian War Graves | 1800 838 372 | 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday | Enquiries regarding war graves eligibility. |
| Open Arms National | 1800 011 046 | 24 / 7 | Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling |
| Prescriber Information | 1800 552 580 | ||
| Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) | 1800 550 457 | The Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) Enquiry Line exists to enable ease of access to prescribers, suppliers, clients and internal staff to submit RAP related questions, accounts and requests. | |
| Transport Bookings | 1300 550 455 | 8am to 5 pm Monday – Friday | This line allows veterans their representatives and health providers arrange taxi transport to medical appointments under the BCWD scheme. |
| Transport Claims | 1800 838 372 | 8am to 5 pm Monday – Friday | This line allows veterans and the representatives to contact Transport staff members to make enquiries regarding their travel reimbursement eligibility and to check on progress of claims previously lodged. |
| Treatment Card Inquiries | 1800 838 372 | Treatment Card Inquiries | |
| Use of the word Anzac | 1800 838 372 | All enquiries around the use of the word Anzac. | |
| VAPAC | 1800 552 580 | The Veterans’ Affairs Pharmaceutical Approvals Centre | |
| Veteran & Community Grants | 1800 020 283 | Information on the Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) Program which is to maintain and improve the independence and quality of life for members of the Australian veteran community by providing funding for projects that sustain or enhance health and wellbeing. | |
| Veterans’ Home Care Assessment | 1300 550 450 | Veterans’ Home Care Assessment Agency | |
| Veterans’ Review Board | 1300 550 460 | ||
| War Graves – Individual Commemorations | 1800 838 372 | War Graves, individual commemorations |
What’s on the Radar
General Meeting Dates
Meeting dates are on display in “Our Corner” of the Bowling Club, and also accessible from the Home Page of our website. www.northbeach-rsl.asn.au
(Our November General Meeting will be held Monday 4th November at 5:00pm)
Coming Soon
As detailed before, events and day trips are being organised now by Helen Burgess and Deb Thatcher. For all details read more at North Beach Upcoming Events | North Beach RSL Sub-Branch (northbeach-rsl.asn.au)
Events in October 2024–March 2025
Biking Group
Kayak Group
Walking Group
Biking Group
Kayak Group
Walking Group
General Meeting
Remembrance Day Service
Afghanistan Conflict Cessation (Australia)
December 8, 2024
General Meeting
Iraq Armed Conflict Cessation
December 18, 2024
Anzac Day Dawn Service
Wanted
The Sub-Branch always needs volunteers, and it’s not as onerous as sweeping the Parade Ground with a broom. We are for asking assistance, if needed, for:
- Barry Lloyd and Bill Kynaston with the General Meeting Meals’ set up, dishing up and clean up.
- Our Drinks Trolley Stewards if they are light on with help.
- Our Events and Social Coordinators Helen Burgess and Deb Thatcher when required.
- Remembrance Day coordination assistance to Peter Bowring.
- Our Appeals – ANZAC Appeal and November’s Poppy Appeal, currently organised by Peter Hodgson.
(With Peter as our new President, support in this role is critical) - School visits for ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day coordinated by Wayne Koch.
- Identifying potential members’ stories that need to be written and to initiate introductions for Brian Jennings.
(This can of course be your own story that Brian can help you write.) - Visiting and/or contacting our members who are not travelling very well, on behalf of the Sub-Branch, coordinated by Greg Gough. Visiting our fellow members in hospital or care is always most welcome by them, and rewarding.
- Identifying, for Greg Gough or Ted Leunig, those members who may need Welfare / Wellbeing or Advocacy support or support from our Welfare Account.
Remembrance Day 2024 – Monday 11th
The poem was provided by Kaela Welfare, via Jess, and many thanks go to Kaela and her family for allowing this to be published in our Newsletter.
Note from Editor:
Kaela did very well to reflect the conditions in the trenches of WW1. As a kid, I remember my Grandfather talking to a neighbour about WW1 when they thought I was not listening, both served in the trenches of Northern France. My Grandfather came home with a Military Medal, shrapnel wounds and lifelong effect of gas, and Kaela’s poem rekindled the memory of the conversation I was not supposed to hear.
Blast From the Past
From the Newspapers – North Beach RSL Sub-Branch – Always innovative
From the Listening Post
The Listening Post December 1921
The Cowra Breakout – 5 August 1944
The AWM records that:
By August 1944 there were 2,223 Japanese prisoners of war in Australia, including 544 merchant seamen. Of these 1,104 were housed in Camp B of No. 12 Prisoner of War Compound near Cowra, in the central west of New South Wales. They were guarded by the 22nd Garrison Battalion.
On Friday 4 August, in response to information that the Japanese were discussing a mass outbreak, notice was given that all Japanese prisoners below the rank of Lance Corporal would be transferred to the Hay Prisoner of War Camp. About 2 am on Saturday 5 August 1944 a prisoner ran shouting to the camp gates. Soon afterwards an unauthorised bugle was heard and prisoners, armed with knives and improvised clubs, rushed from their huts and began breaking through the wire fences. Sentries opened fire but several hundred prisoners escaped into open country, while others who remained set fire to the camp buildings.
On the night of the breakout three Australian soldiers were killed and another three were wounded. Privates B.G. Hardy and R. Jones, who were overwhelmed while manning a machine gun post, were posthumously awarded the George Cross. In the following nine days 334 prisoners were retaken. In all, 234 Japanese were killed and 108 wounded.
Note from Editor:
Back in the 1980’s when cleaning out a relative’s house after she died, I came across a “Tea Chest” filled with papers, dating back to 1918. So I put them aside to go through at a later date. Some of the papers included letters dating from WW2 when she corresponded with a number of servicemen, including a Corporal Mawby from Victoria, who in 1944 was an instructor with the 3 Australian Recruit Training Battalion based opposite the POW Camp in Cowra. (He was there at the same time as our late member Geoff Pope.)
In a letter dated September 1944 he wrote:
“I expect you have read in the papers about the big break the Japs made from the Prison Camp up here in Cowra. Nearly 300 of the ……………were killed and about 200 got away but were rounded up in a few days.
It sure caused a lot of excitement when the break was on, and believe me it was not so good getting pulled out of our warm beds at 2 o’clock in the morning. One poor Officer was battered to death and a machine gun crew were killed. They set fire to all their tents and a number of them threw themselves into the burning huts. Others jumped under trains, slit their throats, or hung themselves.
The people of Cowra and in the isolated farm houses were scared stiff but you can’t blame them for that can you.” Corporal Mawby’s service reflects that of our late Geoff Pope. Both were based in Cowra at the time. Both Corporal Mawby and Geoff, following further service including Borneo, moved to Moratai late 1945 before joining the Occupation Forces in Japan until 1947. Both were with the 66th Battalion and based in Hiro, just south east of Hiroshima.
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.