Sick or not,Those who would like to hear from Fellow ADGies.
Alan Atherton...........02-66875920
Paul Tuck....................02-49911964
Mick Brodie................ 02-99404340
Paul Pannowitz...........02-49500306
Bushy Bill Trevethan..02-68290177
From: nrt_au
Date: Tue Jul 2, 2002 11:18 pm
Subject: Squadron Web Site
I just checked out the AFDS web site via the ADG home page.
http://www.defence.gov.au/raaf/1AFDS/index.html
I know I'm not up with the latest B/S the way the RAAF does things,
however, I some how feel slighted, what about all the blokes who
served as an ADG between 1966 and 1990. Didn't we exist. I know we
were used as street sweepers and rock painters but we was still part
of a squadron I thought.
An answer to your concern Tiny, we have (This site which includes all from inception to the latest graduates of ADG courses), so maybe it is them who are missing out not us.
Again all we can ask is that they and by that i mean all the rest of the Squadrons come on line with this site and help make it what it truely should be a combined site for all ADG,s past present and future.
The POM.
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G`Day Pom,
The Wheatbelt Vietnam Veterans Group has invited "All Veterans and their
families to Bruce Rock ( WA ) on Saturday 2 Nov 2002 to celebrate and
remember the Veterans of the Ouback".
The dedication of the Vietnam veterans Peace Window in the local Anglican
Chapel last year was a wonderful opportunity to not only catch up with some
old friends but to make new ones within the veteran community and it was a
great weekend.
I`d appreciate it if you put a notice on the ADG site for me and I would
advise that if anyone is contemplating attending that they BOOK NOW because I
think the pub is full.
There is a caravan park, byo `van or caravans and campers may use the Bruce
Rock recreational grounds where toilets and showers are available.
Bruce Rock is located 243 km east of Perth by road via York and Quairading
and has a population of about 550 / 600 but the hospitality of the people
far outweighs their numbers.
All the Best Mate,
Don Smithers
donandkerry@iprimus.
A week or two ago i posted up on site that we had Bushy Bill on site , but alas I was wrong as I rang Bushy last night and he confirmed that at this stage he is still not interested in being on the net. But said that if anyone would care to ring him then he could handle that.
Bushys Ph No .. 02 68290177
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VA82
Monday 1 July 2002
HAPPY NEW FINANCIAL YEAR FOR VETERANS, WAR WIDOWS
Thousands of service pensioners, war widows and veterans will be better off
in the new financial year, with the introduction of extended eligibility for
the Gold Card and the latest round of indexation for the pension assets and
income tests, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said today.
"From today, Australian Defence Force veterans who are aged 70 years or over
and have qualifying service from conflicts after World War II will be
entitled to receive the Gold Card," Minister Vale said.
"Australian veterans of conflicts including the Korean War, the Malayan
Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation, the Vietnam War, Gulf War and current
War on Terrorism, will be eligible for this substantial benefit when they
turn 70.
"The Gold Card provides access to free comprehensive health care, including
choice of doctor, optical and dental care and chiropractic services, as well
as pharmaceuticals at the concessional rate.
"The extension of the Gold Card scheme, at a cost of $93.1 million over four
years, delivers on a Howard Government election commitment and will provide
better health services for thousands of Australian veterans."
Minister Vale said many service pensioners and war widows also had a reason
to celebrate the financial New Year, with an increase in payments for those
receiving less than the maximum rate of the service pension or the war
widow's income support supplement.
"About 95,000 service pensioners and 2700 war widows will benefit from these
changes. An increase in the income test threshold will mean that most
service pensioners and war widows receiving less than the maximum rate of
pension will get an extra $41.60 per year.
"The increase in the assets test threshold will mean that most assets-tested
single homeowners will receive an additional $331.50 a year, while couples
will receive an extra $468 per year."
"These increases will be automatically implemented from today, and are part
of the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring the financial security of
veterans and their families," Minister Vale said.
=====================================
VA83 Monday 1 July 2002
IMAGES DEPICT TRAGEDY OF WORLD WAR II SINKING
A new exhibition at the Australian War Memorial brings to life one of
Australia's most famous naval battles of World War II, the Minister for
Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said today.
A Cruel Sea: The Sinking of HMAS Armidale, by well-known artist Jan
Senbergs, opens today at the memorial's Special Exhibitions Gallery.
"A series of 10 drawings dramatically depicts the battle and loss of HMAS
Armidale in the Arafura Sea on 1 December 1942," Minister Vale said.
"HMAS Armidale was a Bathurst Class Corvette and was attacked and sunk by
Japanese aircraft while transporting troops.
"The battle is famous for the actions of Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean, who,
despite being seriously wounded, strapped himself into his gun and opened
fire on the enemy planes as they strafed survivors in the water.
"He continued firing on the planes, even as the Armidale went down, and
probably saved the lives of many in the water. Seaman Sheean's bravery and
dedication to his ship and fellow sailors was recognised by the naming of a
Collins Class submarine, HMAS Sheean, in his honour.
"Forty Australian sailors and 60 Dutch and Indonesian troops were killed
during the battle. The survivors floated in an increasingly desperate
condition for over a week before finally being rescued," she said.
The ten drawings by Mr Senbergs evolved as a collaborative effort with HMAS
Armidale survivor and architect, Col Madigan. Mr Madigan is well-known for
his design of the National Gallery and High Court buildings in Canberra.
"Jan Senbergs' drawings begin with the attack on HMAS Armidale by Japanese
aircraft and conclude with the rescue of the survivors. The images give a
sense of narrative commentary and are a deeply personal interpretation of
these tragic events," Minister Vale said.
"The drawings were recently acquired by the War Memorial and will make an
excellent addition to its permanent collection," she said.
A Cruel Sea: The Sinking of HMAS Armidale will be on display at the
Australian War Memorial until 27 October.
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Pom and the Guys
I have added a photo album depicting various bits of kit that was
used by the regiment when I was a rock. I thought you might be
interested to see how weapons and other bits of kit differed.
I have also found a couple of 9 sqn photos which I have added to the
Default Album. If you want to lift them and add them to the 9 sqn
site then please do
All the best Fellas
Budgie
Well budgie has posted more pics up on the ADGie chat site, so call on over and have a bit of a perv at what the Regiment uses, weapons wise.
In years to come our future generations may get the chance to travel to these distant places click above and enjoy the views of deep space.
VA80 Tuesday 25 June 2002
$385,000 FOR FIRE SAFETY IN EX-SERVICE CARE FACILITIES
Organisations that provide residential aged care and support to NSW veterans
will receive Federal Government grants totalling more than $385,000 to
improve fire safety, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale,
announced today.
Minister Vale said five aged care facilities across NSW would use the
Veteran & Community Grants to engage a consultant to review fire safety and
develop a fire safety strategic plan.
"The bulk of the grants will go towards implementing the most urgent of the
recommended upgrades and modifications," the Minister said.
"Fire safety is an important issue for the facilities that care for older,
frail Australians.
"The Department of Veterans' Affairs, in conjunction with the Department of
Health and Ageing, has been actively encouraging ex-service organisations to
undertake free fire safety assessments of their aged care facilities.
"Due to recent upgrades of accreditation standards, many residential aged
care facilities have been left behind in the fire safety requirements for
certification.
"This funding will help these facilities meet the new requirements and
ensure the continued safety of residents.
"Australia owes a debt of gratitude to its veterans for their service and
sacrifice in times of war and their continuing contribution to the community
in peacetime.
"Through these grants we are helping ensure that older veterans get the very
best of care in a secure and safe environment, supported by an organisation
that is well-prepared to meet their needs," Minister Vale said.
The Minister said the grants would go to:
* Batemans Bay Ex-Service and Community Village
* Ballina Ex Services Home
* Twin Towns Services Hostel Association
* Port Stephens Veterans and Citizens Aged Care
* Vietnam Veterans Keith Payne VC Hostel
Minister Vale said the funding was part of $8 million in Veteran & Community
Grants allocated in the 2001-2002 financial year.
====================================
VA81 Friday 28 June 2002
STORIES OF THE DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA - 1942
In 1942 the people of Australia were called upon, for the first time, to
defend their own shores. Throughout that year, supported by their allies,
Australians fought to turn the initial defeats of 1942 into the beginnings
of victory in the Pacific. This series, issued by the Minister for
Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, to mark the 60th anniversary of the defence
of Australia, highlights some of the key events of those 12 momentous
months.
THE KOKODA TRACK - July-November 1942
On 21 July 1942 a Japanese invasion force landed at Gona on the north coast
of Papua. Its objective was the capture of Port Moresby, the main
Australian base in New Guinea, by an overland strike across the Owen Stanley
Range. These mountains, as described by Australia's official historian
Dudley McCarthy, were among the most rugged on earth:
They rose turbulently into the clouds. Forests covered them densely with
seas of green. Winds moaned through them. Rains poured down upon them from
clouds which swirled round the peaks ... torrents raged through their giant
rifts and foamed among grey stones.
The only way across the Owen Stanleys was by a jungle pathway known as the
Kokoda Track. From 22 July until 16 November 1942 Australian soldiers fought
with grim determination first to keep the advancing Japanese from reaching
Port Moresby, then to push the retreating enemy troops back over the range
to their north coast strongholds at Buna, Gona and Sanananda.
In late July, as the Japanese advanced towards Kokoda village, they were
engaged by forward elements of the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the
Australian 39th Battalion. Despite stubborn resistance, Kokoda fell and by
27 August Australian units had withdrawn over the mountains to Isurava. Here
the Japanese were temporarily held during an intense five day action
involving the 2/14th and 39th Battalions, with support from the 2/16th and
53rd Battalions.
At Isurava on 29 August, Private Bruce Kingsbury, 2/14th Battalion, was
killed as he rushed forward with his Bren gun, driving back the enemy in a
determined counter-attack. Kingsbury was awarded a posthumous Victoria
Cross, the first VC awarded during the New Guinea campaigns.
Through September, as Australian units withdrew down the Kokoda Track,
further stands against the Japanese were made at Eora Creek, Templeton's
Crossing, Efogi, Mission Ridge and Ioribaiwa. During those gruelling days,
great fortitude and personal endurance was shown by the walking wounded and
by Papua New Guinean stretcher bearers and supply carriers.
On 16 September, as his men dug in on a defensive position at Imita Ridge,
within sight of Port Moresby, Major General A S Allen, the commanding
officer of the 7th Division, AIF, informed his senior commanders that 'any
further withdrawal is out of the question'. By this time, however, the
Japanese were exhausted and, following setbacks on other battlefields, they
were ordered to withdraw. As Australian patrols pushed forward of Imita
Ridge on 28 September, they found that the enemy had slipped away.
For the next six weeks the Japanese moved back over the mountains, closely
pushed by men of the 6th and 7th Divisions and the 3rd Militia Battalion.
Significant actions were fought at Templeton's Crossing and Eora Creek. On
2 November Kokoda was retaken and by 18 November the Japanese had withdrawn
across the Kumusi River. The Kokoda Track campaign, in which 625 Australians
had been killed and 1,680 wounded, was over.
Sorry if you were embarrassed by the inclusion Joe, but at least it got a result, i just kinda hope that more ADGies take the time to have a chat to our Pommie Mates.
The POM.
----- Original Message -----
From: joe martin
To: Ozflea Australia
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2002 11:50 PM
Subject: Thanks
Hiya Pom,
Many thanks for the public embarrassment (I had forgotten about my Yahoo Profile. I made that one for Friends Re-united). You have reminded me that my Profile needs to be updated and sooner rather than later. I had an instant chat yesterday with Ron Munro. I can't get over the friendly welcome from you guys. Being the NBC (Natural Born Cynic) that I am , could it be that the cricket season is upon us and it is better to have a close up target that can be zeroed in for the Piss taking???
Anyway mate I am Proud to be a member of your community
Yours in Fraternity
Budgie