Those who would like to hear from Fellow ADGies.
Alan Atherton...........02-6687-5920
Paul Tuck....................02-4991-1964
Mick Brodie................ 02-9940-4340
Mick has been a little crook lately, but now is back to lining up for a beer or two.
Well fellas, this is a rather simple procedure,
Place the cursor over the image you wish to have as your desktop and right click from the box that has dropped down select save as wallpaper or save to your doc's, if you have saved the image to your doc,s then you will need to go to the control panel click on display then select background tab now click on brouse and select the image from where ever you have saved it to, then select whether you would like it centralised or stretched or tiled. Presto it is now done .
The POM
VA71 Friday 31 May 2002
$1.5M TO HONOUR KOKODA, PNG CAMPAIGNS
The Federal Government has allocated $1.5 million for three new war
memorials on the Kokoda Track, Milne Bay and Popondetta, to mark the 60th
anniversary of the Papua New Guinea campaigns during World War II.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said the Office of
Australian War Graves would establish a new memorial at Isurava, the site of
one of the best-known battles along the Kokoda Track.
"Isurava is one of the key points where the Australians dug in to try to
halt the Japanese advance across the Owen Stanley Range towards Port
Moresby," she said.
"It was there on 29 August 1942 that Private Bruce Kingsbury of the 2/14th
Battalion won the first Victoria Cross to be awarded in the south-west
Pacific theatre of WWII.
"Isurava will be a fitting location for this new memorial to those who
fought so valiantly on the Kokoda Track 60 years ago," Minister Vale said.
The Minister said the funding also would enable significant upgrades to
memorial parks on the east and north-east coasts of Papua New Guinea,
including the establishment of new memorials at Milne Bay and Popondetta.
"The Battle of Milne Bay in late August 1942 marked a concerted effort by
the Japanese to secure a base for naval and air support for the attack on
Port Moresby. The Allied defenders, including 4500 Australian infantrymen
and RAAF Kittyhawk fighters, drove off the enemy forces, inflicting the
first defeat of the war against a Japanese amphibious force.
"This was the site of another Australian VC, awarded to Corporal John French
of the 2/9th Battalion.
"Popondetta was the staging area for the Australian offensive against
Japanese positions at the northern beachheads of Buna, Gona and Sanananda,
the scene of one of the fiercest battles in Papua New Guinea.
"Since the 1960s, memorial plaques from the region have been incorporated
into a single memorial at Popondetta and these plaques will be included in
the new memorial, as an enduring tribute to the Australian forces," the
Minister said.
Minister Vale said work would commence immediately on the memorial works,
subject to gaining the necessary approvals from the PNG Government. The
Isurava memorial is planned for completion by late August, in time for the
60th anniversary of the battle. The other memorials are due for completion
by late October.
Media Contact: Rachael Thompson (02) 6277 7820 or 0417
265 289
Editor's note: Information about Kokoda, Isurava, Milne Bay and the Battle
for Buna follows.
Kokoda Track
The battle for New Guinea began with Japanese landings near Gona on the
north coast. The Japanese forces clashed with the Australian 39th Battalion
and the Papuan Infantry Battalion on 23 July 1942 near Awala and a few days
later the Allied troops were forced out of Kokoda itself. During coming
months the Australians staged a fighting withdrawal along the Kokoda Track
to Ioribaiwa.
The withdrawal ended on 17 September at Imita Ridge, north-east of Port
Moresby, with the Australians benefiting from reinforcements and the
Japanese forces at the end of a long supply line. Following reverses at
Guadalcanal, the Japanese commander was ordered to withdraw and the
Australians followed up the Track, retaking Kokoda on 2 November 1942.
Isurava
From 27 August 1942 the 2/14th Battalion had been holding positions on the
main line of the Japanese advance at Isurava about 13 kilometres past Kokoda
on the trail over the mountains. The Japanese attacked constantly and on 29
August they increased the pressure of the attack, threatening to capture the
battalion headquarters. Private Bruce Kingsbury, whose own platoon had been
decimated in the attack, joined another platoon that was about to launch a
counterattack. Private Kingsbury rushed forward, firing his Bren
machine-gun from the hip, clearing a path through the Japanese troops and
inflicting heavy casualties. He was killed by an enemy sniper, but his
actions saved the battalion HQ.
Milne Bay
On 25 August 1942, the Japanese attempted to seize Allied airfields at Milne
Bay to secure a base for naval and air support of an attack on Port Moresby
along the Kokoda Track. Believing Milne Bay to be defended by only a few
companies of infantry, the Japanese commanders sent a force of 2000 marines.
The base in fact was defended by almost 9000 Allied personnel, including
more than 4500 Australian infantrymen, supported by Kittyhawk fighters flown
by 75 and 76 Squadrons RAAF.
After the Japanese marines were landed in the wrong place, 11 kilometres
from the nearest airfield, they pushed westwards and finally reached the
first air strip on 29 August. After receiving 800 reinforcements, the
Japanese attacked the airfield on 31 August, but suffered heavy casualties
and were forced to withdraw. The Australians counter-attacked and by 6
September had driven the Japanese forces back to their main base.
During the fighting, Corporal John French was posthumously awarded the
Victoria Cross. Corporal French's section came under heavy fire from three
machine-gun posts. The Tobruk veteran single-handedly silenced two of the
posts with grenades, then attacked the third post with a Thompson
submachinegun. He was mortally wounded in the firefight but succeeded in
killing the enemy gun crew.
Buna, Gona and Sanananda
On 19 November 1942, Allied forces mounted attacks against the Japanese-held
beachheads on the north coast. The 16th and 25th Brigades, which had
advanced over the Kokoda Track, attacked Sanananda and Gona, while American
troops attacked Buna. The opening attacks cost hundreds of Allied
casualties for little or no gain. The battle bogged down into one of the
hardest and most costly of the Pacific war. The 18th, 21st and 30th
Brigades were also brought in but it would take almost two months of
fighting in mosquito-ridden swamplands for the Allies to capture all three
beachheads.
=====================================
VA72 Friday 31 May 2002
MORE CHOICE IN HOSPITAL SERVICES FOR WA COUNTRY VETERANS
Veterans in non-metropolitan Western Australia now have greater access to
quality hospital care and treatment, with the Federal Government forming new
partnerships with hospitals in Bunbury and Geraldton.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said DVA had signed four-year
"veteran partnering" contracts with the St John of God Hospitals in Bunbury
and Geraldton.
"Both of these hospitals have worked closely with the Department for a
number of years and have provided excellence in care to veterans in regional
Western Australia," Minister Vale said.
"From 1 June these two hospitals will have the same Tier 1 status under the
Repatriation Private Patient Scheme as all public hospitals in Western
Australia and the Hollywood Private Hospital in Perth.
"This will give doctors increased flexibility in obtaining the best possible
care for their veteran patients, by allowing them to admit entitled veteran
and war widow/widower patients to these veteran partner hospitals without
obtaining prior approval from the Department."
Minister Vale said the veteran partnering contracts would give veterans and
war widows access to high quality health care at locations convenient to
them.
"This is an important factor for WA veterans, given the considerable
distances involved when travelling between many regional areas and the
metropolitan hospitals in Perth," the Minister said.
"The Federal Government now has veteran partnering contracts with private
hospitals in all States and the ACT.
"Our experience since the introduction of veteran partnering shows that
veteran partnering can deliver more responsive and improved public and
private acute health care services for our veteran community in WA."
=====================================
VA73 Friday 31 May 2002
time out for vietnam veterans
The Federal Government has launched a pilot "time out" accommodation program
through the Vietnam Veterans' Counselling Service (VVCS), aimed at reducing
the risk of family break-up for Vietnam veterans.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said the Federal Government
had provided $1.7 million over four years for the program, which forms part
of the Government's response to the findings of the Vietnam Veterans' Health
Study.
"The health study highlighted the pressures being felt by families of
Vietnam veterans as they cope with the physical and psychological impact of
their wartime service," the Minister said.
"The Government has already introduced a range of initiatives to strengthen
the support available to Australia's 50,000 Vietnam veterans and their
families. This program recognises the need for further help, where there
may be an imminent risk of their family breaking up.
"The program will provide short-term accommodation for the veteran away from
the family environment, to give the veteran and family space to settle and
seek help and support from the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service," the
Minister said.
The pilot will run from 1 June to the end of November in locations around
Australia with high concentrations of Vietnam veterans. Veterans who
believe they need help will be able to contact the VVCS or the after hours
Veterans Line for an over-the-phone assessment.
"However this short-term accommodation has not been set up for veterans who
may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or at risk of self-harm.
These veterans need more specific treatment and support and the VVCS
counsellors can refer them to the help they need," the Minister said.
Minister Vale said the pilot would be reviewed at the end of the year with a
view to possibly expanding the program's reach nationwide.
Vietnam veterans can access the program 24 hours a day by calling 1800 043
503 in New South Wales, 1800 019 332 in Northern Queensland and 1800 011 046
in all other States and Territories.
====================================
VA074
Saturday 1 June 2002
Upgraded aged care facilities for Shoal Bay
Upgraded facilities at Harbourside Haven Nursing Home would mean improved
quality of life for residents and extra aged care beds in the Shoal Bay
area, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, and the Member for
Paterson, Bob Baldwin, said today.
Minister Vale officially opened the upgraded facilities, which were funded
in part by a Federal Government Veteran & Community Grant of $430,000.
The Minister said aged care was a priority issue for the Veterans' Affairs
portfolio, with the number of veterans and war widows needing aged care
services expected to increase by 80 per cent in the next 10 years.
Almost one-quarter of the residents of Harbourside Haven are veterans or war
widows.
"As our veteran community grows older, services such as those provided at
Harbourside Haven are becoming more important," Minister Vale said.
"Ensuring that veterans and their families receive the best available health
care is just one way that we can show our appreciation for their sacrifice
and service in defence of our nation and our way of life."
Mr Baldwin said the grant had helped fund the restructuring of existing
rooms and a new 22bed extension, which resulted in an extra 10 aged care
places, as well as providing greater privacy and comfort for residents.
"Improved safety systems, including a nurse call system are also important
advances, providing help at the touch of a button," Mr Baldwin said.
"Like communities and towns throughout Australia, the Hunter has contributed
many sons and daughters to the defence of our nation, and we owe them all a
debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
"I congratulate the staff of Habourside Haven for their efforts to provide
the best possible care for our local veteran community.
"Members of the veteran community, as well as the wider Port Stephens
community, will benefit greatly from this important project," Mr Baldwin
said.
===========================================================================
Starring Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup
Running Time: 2hrs 11mins
Rating: M
London, 1942. The world is at war. A seemingly chance encounter with a stranger on a train leads a young Scottish woman (Cate Blanchett) to consider enlisting in a special operation with the French Resistance. When her lover, an RAF pilot (Rupert Penry-Jones), is shot down in the line of duty, Charlotte joins the secret mission as a means to serve her country and find the man she loves. Assuming a new identity, "Dominique" parachutes behind enemy lines in Southern France, where she rendezvous with Julien Levade (Billy Crudup), the leader of the local resistance group. Posing as the new housekeeper for Julien's father (Michael Gambon), "Dominique" serves as a liaison between the British government and the resistance fighters, helping to thwart Nazi efforts to move munitions and abduct local Jews, while secretly attempting to learn the fate of her missing lover.
============================================================================
Starring Bruce Willis, Colin Ferrell
Running Time: 2hrs 18mins
Rating: MA 15+
Fourth generation military Col. William McNamara (Bruce Willis) is imprisoned in a German POW camp. Still, as the camp's highest-ranking officer, he commands his fellow inmates, keeping a sense of honor alive in a place where honour is easy to destroy, all under the dangerous, ever watchful eye of German Col. Werner Visser (Marcel Iures). Never relinquishing his duty as a soldier, McNamara is silently planning, waiting for his moment to strike back at the enemy. A murder in the camp gives him the chance to set a risky plan in motion. With a court martial to keep Visser and the German guards distracted, McNamara orchestrates a cunning scheme to escape and destroy a nearby munitions plant, enlisting the unwitting help of young Lt. Tommy Hart (Colin Ferrell).
============================================================================
Starring Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman
Running Time: 2hrs 5mins
Rating: M
You live the life you had always pictured: a thriving career, a beautiful house, and most importantly, a wonderful husband. Someone you love and know better than anyone else. But suppose everything you know - everything you trust - about him and your life together may be a lie. For Claire Kubik, that nightmare scenario has become all too real. Claire, a high-powered attorney, and her husband Tom, a successful contractor with his own business, lead the idyllic Marin County life. They're madly in love and planning to have a family. But a random crime - a bungled burglary - at their home triggers a chain of events that shatters their world. Soon after the burglary, FBI agents accost them and, to Claire's shock, arrest Tom. The charge: Under his real name, Ronald Chapman, Tom, as a covert military operative, murdered civilians in El Salvador, and has been a fugitive for the past fifteen years. Claire at first believes these charges must be a case of mistaken identity. But Tom admits he is Ronald Chapman and he was part of a clandestine operation that did result in a massacre for which Tom was blamed. But he assures Claire of his innocence and that the real perpetrators made Tom their fall guy because he alone could identify them as the men who gave and executed the order.
============================================================================
Released June 6th
Starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst
Orphaned at an early age, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) lives in Queens, New York with his beloved Aunt May (Academy Award nominee Rosemary Harris) and Uncle Ben (Academy Award winner Cliff Robertson). Peter leads the life of a normal student, working as a photographer at the Daily Bugle under the tutelage of publisher J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons), pining after the beautiful Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) and hanging out with buddy Harry Osborn (James Franco). On a school trip, during which Peter and his classmates are given a science demonstration on spiders, Peter is bitten by a genetically altered spider. Soon after, he discovers that he has unusual powers: he is endowed with the strength and agility of a spider along with a keen, ESP-like 'spider sense.' Meanwhile, megalomaniacal businessman Norman Osborn (two-time Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe), Harry’s father, is undergoing some changes of his own. An experimental formula has blown up in his face, increasing his intelligence and strength but also driving him insane. He is now the Green Goblin, Spider-Man’s arch-enemy, who will put young Peter Parker’s vow to fight crime and help innocent people to the ultimate test.
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Hi Bob,Iv'e been off line for some time.My New email address is.kerok@optusnet.com.au
Trust everything is going OK at your end of the world.
Kero
PS:The 9Sqn gunners roll I noticed,does not include yours truly
(Back row): M. Burgess, ? Anderson, C Millard, M. Baker, A. Wells, M. Bogan, M. Jones, K. O'Dale, B. Bradey, B. Warriner, K. Auld
(Centre row): D. Hammond, M. Jensen, J. Evans, G. Talbot, N. White, I. West, K. Cameron, T. Peach, D. Back, ?. Arthur, P. Sharper
(Front row): I. Rawson, S. Young, Cpl S. Balding, Cpl Lane, Sgt Bryson, Cpl Bourke, P.Rees, T. Gavin, M. Night, D. Rachow
Back row): K. Hanton, CPL D. Pyatt, B. Blake, SGT J. Steele, S. Fairweather
(Front row): M. Claxton, J. Lloyd, D. Stevens, J. Tremeer, C. Blakeley