ANZAC Defence Ministers meet

30 September 2009
The Minister for Defence, Hon. Dr Wayne Mapp, today met with his Australian counterpart, Senator John Faulkner, in Sydney to discuss a range of shared defence interests and security challenges.
While our two defence forces have always been close, successive deployments on combined and coalition operations have highlighted the importance of maximising our joint operational capabilities, interoperability and integration. These imperatives were reflected in the joint statement made by Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers on 20 August 2009.
Today the Ministers agreed that . . .

RNZA Association's profile updated

Read the Association's updated profile, right > > >

Viet Nam Veterans and Their Families Trust AGM

The AGM of the Viet Nam Veterans and Their Families Trust will be held at the Taradale RSA, Hawkes Bay, at 1.00 pm Monday 19 October 2009.
Read the Notice of Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RSVP required.

Enquiry: Gun Pit of Disappearing 6-inch Gun

Peter Gore, Treasurer of the Fort Lytton Historical Trust in Brisbane, asks:
Would it be possible for you to direct a query to whomever might have information about the Disappearing Gun at Fort Taiaroa? [Or Fort Takapuna as a comparison. Ed.]
Go here for the hard part . . .
Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated and acknowledged in our museum and publications.
Many thanks
Peter Gore
Treasurer FLHA
Phone:  +61 (0)733577751
e:mail: flhaguides@gmail.com

Reunion 2009: Register on-line after 30 September

• On or after 30 September, you may register for the reunion on-line, by clicking here and returning the completed form by email. Pay on-line through Internet banking.
• When you pay to confirm your attendance, the colour-coded list will show your name in (pure) gold.
• Judging by estimates so far, we could have over 100 taking part in a great weekend: relaxed, meeting old and new mates, chatting - with an interesting and entertaining programme, too. Be there!
  

Progress on replacement of the War Pensions Act 1954

On 9 September, Sir Geoffrey Palmer spoke to the RNZRSA Affiliates' Forum - the first time our Association has been represented there. The text of his address - here - brings you up-to-date on progress with the new Act to replace the War Pensions Act 1954.

Parkinson's disease and chemical exposure

VANZ recently announced that Parkinson's disease is now on the 'presumptive' list for Viet Nam veterans, due to chemical exposure.
Thanks to Margaret Burke, Auckland RSA, for pointing us to an article that explains the science behind the decision. Read it here . . .

Christchurch RSA AGM: For Pete's sake!

The Christchurch RSA AGM will be held this Saturday 26/09/2009 at the clubrooms starting at 9:30am. Again this year there will be elections for all positions except for Treasurer where the incumbent John Collins is unopposed.

I am standing for election in both the position of Vice President and Executive.

I have attached a short bio for your consideration in the hope that you will support my candidacy in these positions as I believe that in my year on the executive I have managed to make a difference and that I can continue to do so at a time when our Association needs strong and experienced leadership to continue to take us forward to ensure the survival and prosperity of NZ's "parent RSA".

Hopefully I'll see most of you at the AGM on Saturday.

Cheers

Pete Dawson

Cactus Kate gets prickly on that RTNZ issue

What Cactus Kate wrote about 'the writing's on the bomb':

1. Crazy isn't it? Will RSA's around NZ put out a statement in support of these kids? I couldn't care less what they write on the side of a bomb. The job they do most of us don't want to do so least we support them.
2. Crazy is not harsh enough to describe this. Sent home and any thought of careers ruined. RSA's are unlikley to say anything public about it, but they are steaming inside. Quasi service sites can though - see [Muzzle Flashes].
3. Whaleoil and I love the gunners! . . . As I said, they do things we aren't prepared to front up to do necessarily. Anyone who criticises how they do their job who has not and never wishes to front up to do their job, needs to be silenced with a large blog spank. Least we can do.

[For the full picture, read the original story here, and the over-reaction.]

Back in the day - Viet Nam 1965

And I said to Wayne, “Don’t write on our thousandth round as we could get sent home.” 

He said “Don’t be stupid.”


Thanks to Denis Dwane for this.

A STUPID DECISION

From 'The Veteran', on the blogspot ,'No Minister' 
It is not of my nature to criticise command decisions of the service chiefs but today I make an exception.
The sending home from Afghanistan of the three soldiers who chalked a message on a 2,ooolb bomb and attached a drinks sticker to it is a sad one made by a PC cowered hierarchy from the safety of their desks back in Wellington.
They need reminding that loyalty goes two ways ... up and down ... and there is no sign of the 'down' bit there.
Ok, the world has moved on since the writer took the 'shilling' but some things don't change and I suggest the military will reap what they sow.
Like it or not they are breeding the initiative and individualism out of today's soldiers to the point they will think twice before they fart and three times before they shoot.
The only people breaking out the champagne today are the Keith Locke's of this world in celebration of another wound inflicted on military morale.
And it was a self inflicted wound by commanders who should have known better.

Looking for the survivor

My name is Ed Cowley, ex 161 Bty and W2 Coy RNZIR, and I was attached to A Coy 6RAR along with Capt Peter Williams during 1966-67. During that period we had numerous people come out on operations with us to gain experience.
On one of these occasions over the period 3-5 October 1966 whilst we were returning to Nui Dat we had to cross the Soui da Bang. At that time the river was running swiftly from the local rain storms. The river was deep and flowing very fast and a line consisting of toggle ropes attached to trees on either side was organised. We then proceeded to cross.
Unfortunately one of our FO party lost his grip and was dragged under by the weight of his pack and the radio he had in it. (Who was that?) At that time an Aussie by the name of P.C.Smith dived in and found our man and got him to the surface but both were being swept down stream.
PC (as he is known) some how got hold of an overhanging bush and held on until help arrived. PC was awarded the Queens Commendation (QC) for his action. (I am sure our man would have drowned).

At this time I am trying to find the name and whereabouts of our man, as every ANZAC Day PC asks me if I know how to get hold of him.
PC Smith lives here in South Australia and is now on the sick list with bone cancer. I thought it was about time I started to do some looking. Who can name the man that PC saved on that day?
Can anyone help? I can be reached by email to ecowley@bigpond.net.au

Joe feared his wife Peg wasn't hearing as well as she used to and he thought she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach her, he talked to the family Doctor to discuss the problem.
The Doctor told him there was a simple informal test the husband could perform to give the Doctor a better idea about her hearing loss.
'Here's what you do,' said the Doctor, 'stand about 40 feet away from her, and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response.'
That evening, Joe's wife is in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he was in the den. He says to himself, 'I'm about 40 feet away, let's see what happens.' Then in a normal tone he asks, 'Honey, what's for dinner?'
No response.
So he moves closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from his wife and repeats, 'Peg, what's for dinner?'
Still no response.
Next he moves into the dining room where he is about 20 feet from his wife and asks, 'Honey, what's for dinner?'
Again he gets no response.
So, he walks up to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away. 'Honey, what's for dinner?' Again there is no response.
So he walks right up behind her. 'Peg, what's for dinner?'
[I just love this]
'Joe, for the FIFTH bloody time, CHICKEN!'

Man fires cannon into neighbour's house

9:12AM Saturday Sep 05, 2009
PENNSYLVANIA, United States - A Pennsylvania history buff who recreates firearms from old wars accidentally fired a one kilogram cannonball through the wall of his neighbour's home.
William Maser (54), fired a cannonball Wednesday evening (local time) outside his home in Georges Township. About 5 centimetres in diameter, it ricocheted and hit a neighbour's house 365 metres away.
The cannonball, smashed through a window and a wall before landing in a closet. Authorities said nobody was hurt.
State police charged Maser with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
Maser told WPXI-TV that recreating 19th century cannons is a long-time hobby.
He also said he was sorry and he would stop shooting cannon's on his property.

Consultation on the future of Defence

The Government is keen to obtain New Zealanders’ views on defence and has organised public meetings to provide members of the public with a further opportunity to contribute to Defence Review 09. 14 public meetings in 12 locations around New Zealand will be held, commencing in Auckland on 5 September. 
Check the schedule here . . .

44602 Gunner Rodney James Rameka, 161 Battery & 1NZATTV

Gareth Phipps, Viet Nam Oral History project, has been contacted by the daughter of a Vietnam veteran looking for information about her father – 44602 Gunner Rodney James Rameka, 161 Battery & 1NZATTV. If anyone has any photos or other information related to Gnr Rameka could they please contact Gareth at info@vietnamwar.govt.nz

The Vung Tau Ferry

HMAS Sydney (III)

Type

Majestic Class Aircraft Carrier / Fast Troop Transport

Commissioned

16 December 1948

More information on HMAS Sydney (III)

in her configuration as a Fast Troop Transport undertook numerous voyages to Vietnam between 1965-1972. This short video records the voyage undertaken between 15 November 1969 - 12 December 1969, during which she carried members of 8 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) to Vung Tau before returning to Sydney with members of 9 Battalion, RAR.

VANZ: Mayne Manson speaks his mind

Greetings,
I read with mixed feelings, the article a couple of days ago, about the minister trumpeting about the newly improved service we get from VANZ. I tried, but failed, to reconcile her ravings to my recent (and on-going) experience.
Compare this set of circumstances to what she said :
2009. Feb. Notice problem with hip. X-ray-ed and advised to see surgeon.
March. Request for assistance from Claims Panel sent to VANZ.
07 May. Panel meets and declines assistance. Letter prepared but lost in system/mail.
28 May. See surgeon and letter from him sent to VANZ. Unaware they had already dealt with request.
18 June. I send email to VANZ, starting to get p....of with lack of action.
Late June. Receive copy of 07 May letter from case manager.
18 Aug. Appeal papers prepared and sent to VANZ.
29 Aug. Receive letter from National Review Officer saying they had received my appeal papers. Advising that they have a "significantly large number" of similar appeals and " will take several months to be determined" . . . "your patience is appreciated."
What patience, I'm reduced to hobbling around on crutches and not impressed at all.
I fail to understand why, if VANZ have a problem and a "bottleneck" has formed, why don't they sort that out rather than expecting us (Vets) to sit around while they watch the problem get bigger.
I live in hope for this so-called improved service to start.
Regards to all, Mayne MANSON
It won't happen overnight, but it will happen! Soon, hopefully.

Jim Elliot

Trevor Pilcher advises that Jim is seriously ill in Middlemore Hospital.
Any of his mates can visit him there.

Another dream shattered!

From Frank Parry:

At last, someone has managed to photograph

the pot at the end of the rainbow.

Wouldn't you know it?

Pretty in pink

Kerry Lee asks:

In my collection of poppies I have a plain pink one which came from Auckland RSA. Does anyone know which year they were used?

Border collie wobbles

This interesting YouTube video records a ceremony on the India-Pakistan border. The British set the borders of the two new nations in 1947. From the beginning, they were fierce rivals. Contested land coupled with religious and cultural disputes led to violence.
But not all differences are acted out with violence. The Wagah border is the only road linking the two countries. And every night, the border is closed with a fascinating ceremony.
Hundreds of citizens attend the ceremony on both sides. Soldiers put on an aggressive show. They strut and stomp and chant and yell. This show of force is entertaining and serious at the same time. But there is an undercurrent of respect and cooperation. The ceremony ends with a handshake across the border.

VANZ improving services to Veterans

The Minister of Veterans' Affairs, Hon Judith Collins, speaking to the National Executive Committee of the RNZRSA, outlined what Veterans' Affairs is doing to improve services provided to veterans, and to reduce waiting times when processing applications. Staff changes within Veterans Affairs are already paying dividends.
All calls now go through specifically trained staff who provide information about general inquiries, send out forms, applications, etc, and make appointments when necessary.
This service has already significantly reduced the number of calls being put through to Case Managers, who now concentrate on dealing with applications.
The Minister said there has to be a better understanding by Veterans of the services being provided by VANZ. Although staffing has not been reduced, the number of enquiries and applications has exceeded all predictions over the past two years. New systems will assist staff to respond more quickly.
The Minister iterated that the Government has not placed a ‘funding cap’ on the level of funds available for War Disablement Pension support. The Minister asked that this be passed on to Veterans to raise awareness.