NINER NEWS

 

From the President’s Desk

 

Not one enquiry.   Not one nomination. Not one indication of interest.

It certainly reminds me of the story about Somebody, Nobody, Anybody, & Everybody.

 

    As many of the functions are being done, surely there is a member of the Association who could come forward and be prepared to carry out the role.   Please give us a call and we can discuss the extent of that role.

    As mentioned before I think it is imperative that we have a President to represent our Branch Association when we attend the Perth Reunion in November 2006.

    Secondly, how will we be able to discuss with any authority whether we want to host the next reunion when we can’t even elect a President?

   Over to you.

9 RAR Birthday Celebration Brisbane

28 October 2006

It is proposed that in lieu of the annual celebration held on the 13 November that we bring it forward to the 28 October.  We think that this year it is still appropriate to hold a small celebration in Brisbane as some of our members will not be attending the Perth Reunion and others who will be going, will not have left at that stage.

 

We will join together with 8/9 RAR Association for a joint celebration.    This will continue our strong ties with the 8/9 RAR Assoc.

Where:       John French VC Club (Rams Retreat).

Time:                       1500 hours

Meals:                     Barbeque

Drinks:                    Bar prices

Dress:                     Smart casual

 

Remember: You will need to get the photo ID at the pass office at the gate.

The Memorial Tankards will be used on the day.

 

ANNUAL 9 RAR WORKING PARTY

RAR National Memorial Walk, Enoggera.

 

Saturday 7 October 2006

Our usual date for the annual work party at the NMW is the first week in November but because many will be travelling to Perth for the Reunion it has been decided to bring it forward.    Therefore, this year it will be a combined work party with the 8/9 RAR Association on the 7 October 2006; from 7.30am to 10.00am followed by morning tea.

Mark it in your diary and come out and give us a hand.     Dad’s Army, and in particular, the NMW Caretaker Kiwi Gibbons are to be commended on a wonderful job. Truly keeping the spirit alive.

If you visit the NMW, you may ask “Who built it?” The reply will be “Dad’s Army”.  You may also ask “Why was it built?”  The reply will be “It was built to keep out the rabbits.

 

 

Come out and help Dan Penman, Barry Stalder, Mal Black, Rod Slater, and Allan Went finish it off.

 

 

 

Membership and Finances

 

1.       Membership Fees:

The Queensland Branch of the Association receives revenue from mainly two sources – from membership fees and from sale of merchandise.   Our current income is barely covering our costs.   We would extend an invitation to all those members who for whatever reason are currently not financial, would they please reconsider their situation.  If it is within your means you would be helping out the Association and others if you could forward in your outstanding fees.  Thank you.

 

For those financial members, please note that all annual fees are due 13 November 2006

 

See Below for details:  Thank you.

 

2.       Newsletters:

It is proposed that each financial member (one per household) will receive a full copy of the Niner News (parts will be in colour) and it will be produced quarterly.

It is also proposed that this is the last issue that will be forwarded to non-financial members; as a follow-up to this issue we will be writing to those non-financial members advising of this and asking for their support.   We will continue to place the articles from the Newsletter onto the website for any person to view.

 

 

3.       Donations:

If any member knows of anyone or any organisation that would be willing to donate monies or merchandise to assist us in supporting our 9 RAR family, would you please let us know.

 

 

4.       Current Membership stands at:

Life Members                                         6

Fully Paid-Up Members                 220

Financial Members                            60

Financial Supporters                         20

Non-financial Members                  116

Email List                                             115

 

 

5.       Address Unknown:

We have had newsletters returned as undelivered from the following members.   If anyone knows of their whereabouts could they inform the committee or have the member fill out a change of address form and send it in to us.            SEE Below FOR FULL LIST:

 

 

6.       Sick Parade:

We have not been notified of any members who have become ill.   Please keep us informed.

 

Follow-up:  Garry Mayer and Don Gow have advised they are making a great recovery after major surgery.

 

If we have missed anybody, our good wishes also go out to you for a speedy recovery.

 

 

 

*** Merchandise Special ***

Battalion Polo Shirt

We have some shirts that we would like to sell so we can improve our cash flow.   To assist us and to give you a great deal for the reunion in Perth the following special will apply for the next few months or until stocks run out.

 

BUY ONE POLO SHIRT AND GET A SECOND POLO SHIRT FOR HALF PRICE.

(That means two shirts for $45.00)

 

If I always do
What I've always done
I'll always get
What I've always had

Websites

 

** Australian Army War Diaries – South East Asian Conflicts   - these are scanned digital images of the commanders' war diaries for the Australian Army during the Vietnam War.  Not all are completed.

www.awm.gov.au/diaries/seasia/index.asp

 

** Vietnam Roll

www.vietnamroll.gov.au

 

** The Casualty List

www.thecasualitylist.com

 

** RAR Association (Qld):

www.rar.org.au

Check out the RAR Qld Noticeboard for current issues and photographs that are regularly updated.   Very informative to see what is happening with the other Battalions.

In Praise of the Infantryman

 

"Let me be clear about three facts;

First, all battles and all wars are won in the end by Infantrymen.

Secondly, the Infantryman always bears the brunt. His casualties are heavier; he suffers greater extremes of discomfort and fatigue than other arms.

Thirdly, the art of the Infantryman is less stereotyped and far harder to acquire in modern war than of any other arm.  The Infantryman has to use his initiative and intelligence in almost every step he makes and in every action he takes on the battlefield.

We must therefore put our men of best intelligence and endurance into the Infantry.

 

         Field Marshall Viscount Wavell          1945

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 RAR/NZ ANZAC Battalion

 

21 September 1971.  This is a significant day in Australian history as it is the date of the last major battle fought in South Vietnam by Australian troops before the withdrawal.  It was Operation Ivanhoe conducted from 18 September to 2 October 1971.

At Nui Le on this day the last Australian combat soldiers from Delta Company 4 RAR/NZ ANZAC Battalion died in South Vietnam, 5 killed and 30 more were wounded in contact with the highly trained 33rd Regiment, North Vietnamese Army.

Quote for a Queenslander:

“21 September 1971 was the 22nd birthday of 1736884 PTE Daryl John "Vic" Morrow, national serviceman, soldier, machine gunner and mate. It goes without question that his expertise with the GPMG M60 machine gun was a contributing factor in more lives not being lost on his birthday in 1971. Vic was wounded in action on this day.

21 September 2006 was to have been Vic's 57th birthday.  While you stand and pay homage to the soldiers above for one minute of your day we shall be laying Vic to rest in his home town of  Kilcoy.

   It was a simple funeral, not a state funeral, for a soldier of the Nation.”

There is a good article in the 4 RAR Association Newsletter “The Fighting Fourth” of July 2006 describing the events that took place that day.

 

 

Extract from the

 Army -The Soldiers' Newspaper

Latest combat badge

Non-infantry award

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

 

The evolving face of the battlefield has been recognised with the release of the new Army Combat Badge (ACB). The ACB recognises the service of non-infantry regular and reserve personnel who are force-assigned to a combat team or battle group and participate in war fighting against an armed enemy on warlike operations.

CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy said the decision to issue the ACB reflected how Australian soldiers were involved in a new type of warfare.

"We see now in our combined arms teams that infantry, armour and combat service support are all essentially doing the same job," Lt-Gen Leahy said.  "A good example of this was AMTG1, who I have just welcomed home. There, the infantry and the armour troops had been doing the same task. Battle groups and combat teams are now a part of the hardened and networked Army, a part of complex warfare and a part of combined arms warfare. So we can now recognise the performance of all of the people in those combat teams and battle groups."

The ACB is similar to the Infantry Combat Badge (ICB) and has similar qualifying conditions, but does not replace the ICB. Members who wear the ICB or are eligible to be awarded the ICB are not entitled to wear or be awarded the ACB.

The badge can only be issued once, and there is no retrospectivity, so issue will be limited to those personnel who were on qualifying operations at the time the badge was introduced. This includes the AMTG in Iraq and the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan.

 

There are also provisions for the ACB to be issued in special circumstances, such as when personnel become involved in direct combat during peacekeeping operations.  Details on eligibility and authority to wear the badge will be contained in a soon to be released Defence Instruction.

Lt-Gen Leahy said he was very pleased with the design of the new burnished-bronze badge, which features crossed swords over a laurel wreath. "It's fitting recognition for the service people have done in difficult and dangerous circumstances," he said. "I hope that soldiers will wear it with pride."

 

 

 

 

 

Common Questions answered by Barry Stalder

 

Q1) I lost my new glasses last week.  I have only had those 3 months - will DVA replace them?

What do I need to do? I have a gold card.

 

Q2) I live on my own and I am worried about slipping, tripping or falling. Is there anything DVA can do to assist with falls prevention? I have a gold card.

 

Q3) Will my gold card cover a private room in hospital?

 

A.1) DVA will replace lost glasses - you will need to provide a statement outlining briefly what happened.  Discuss with your optometrist.

 

A.2) Homefront is a DVA falls prevention program. You are entitled to a free annual assessment - this is a scan of your home environment.  DVA will contribute towards the cost of any recommendations. (up to $163 per year)

 

A.3) DVA will not automatically cover a private room. (unless there is a clinical need)

 

A.4) DVA's health promotion strategy has a focus on these particular issues plus others. (enquire about all programs at the DVA office).

 

 

39^th Anniversary National Reunion Perth 2006

 

“PLEASE NOTE THAT FULL PAYMENT OF $290 IS REQUESTED TO BE PAID BY THE 3^RD NOVEMBER2006.

 

Even though we will be sending out reminders of amounts owed if you can see your way by paying it earlier, it would be greatly appreciated, as we have to pay for everything up front. Cheques can take up to 10 days to be cleared. This dead line for payment is an oversight by the committee and we do apologise.

 

FOR ONLINE BANKING you can deposit your monies straight into our Commonwealth Bank A/C No 066 110 1012 2696
titled  9RAR WA  Inc
BUT PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR NAME DETAILS ARE ON THE DEPOSIT, as we won’t know from whom and where it has come!”

 

Other Activities in Perth

The following two activities have been planned and booked by us locally for any attendees who have spare time prior to and during the Reunion

 

Activity 1:

Perth’s Famous Wine Cruise

Thursday 16 November 2006

Departs 9.45am   Returns 4.45pm

$115.00 each.  Party booking has been made. We have 18 names so far.

Payment will be required by end of October.

See details on page 16 of magazine sent out with package. “Perth Western Australia”

Website:  www.captaincookcruises.com.au

Anyone interested in joining us please contact Dan Penman as below.

 

Activity 2:

The Army Museum of Western Australia

Artillery Barracks, Burt Street, Fremantle.

Saturday 18 November 2006

Open 11.00am

$5.00 for tour.  Party booking has been made.

Website:  www.armymuseumwa.com.au

 

Anyone interested in joining us please contact Dan Penman

Telephone:  07-3397 0087

Email: scribedk@bigpond.net.au

 

 

National Reunion Perth 2006 (continued)

Note don’t forget to take your medals and Battalion tie for the Service on Sunday.

Note the close-off date for ordering merchandise.    See for photos of bar mat and stubby holder.

Note if you order merchandise by the date you will be able to pick it up at the Greet and Meet on Friday.

Note there will be no supplies of merchandise available for purchase at the Reunion