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LETTERS
OF APPRECIATION (To our team at
Leeuwin Advocacy Services)
Advocates:
Kevin Gleeson; China Hammal; John Jenkins; Ted Lincoln; Sally Low; Ian
McCutcheon; Trevor Robbins; John Anderson; Greg Smith; Philip Steele and special
thanks for the 3 volunteers staffing the phone and doing a great job as a “T.O.W.”
Mrs Kay Phillips; Mrs Val Gleeson and Ian Dunn. Also we must thank John Exley
(due to work commitments); John Glass (living too remote); Max Kellow (sick bay)
that they are unable to assist at the moment.
This
letter was written to our Patron.
Sir. First allow me to introduce myself, I retired from the Royal Australian Navy 29th May 98, after 20 years service as a Chief Petty Officer Store Naval, this was not by choice but due to a “Now” re-accruing disability I received in India in 1980 whilst serving in HMAS Melbourne.
Since leaving the Navy I have endeavoured to find employment on numerous occasions but unfortunately once my disability became apparent I was politely told I was not suitable for the positions available. As you could well understand, I was at my wits end, I had also approached Centrelink for assistance and once again told I did not qualify for any allowances, not even disability as I was already receiving a disability pension from Veterans Affairs of $ 32.00 (thirty two) per f/n (which was spent very carefully).
Being married and with four children to support, the youngest now one, this was all becoming a bit too much. Swallowing my stupid pride and the fear, that all sailors (at least the ones I know) have of being deemed a welfare case, I approached Veterans Affairs. I was told I need expert advise and was directed to Mr. China Hammal and associates at Leeuwin Barracks, after being told by other sources that any reviews of my disablement could take up to 6 months, I was astounded with what happened next.
I approached “China” on the 2nd of April this year with my dilemma and he immediately went into action organizing specialist appointments and the paper work for the Veterans Affairs review board, this all done before I left him on our first meeting. At every stage of this review “China” was constantly in contact with me and his constant reassurance that everything will be all right, eased the pressures of wondering what the final outcome would be. On Friday the 25th May this year I received a phone call from Veterans Affairs asking for my discharge papers to be photocopied and faxed to Veterans Affairs for proof of service, this had to be done within the hour or the review would have to wait until staff returned from leave in 4 weeks time. I need not have worried, on hearing of this “China” had already (with great foresight) got onto records in Canberra and had them fax the relevant paperwork through, (this in itself is outstanding finding someone at work in Canberra at 10 minutes to 5pm EST. on Friday afternoon). As a result of the care shown and the high degree of dedication to veterans and their families by “China” and his associates, I was informed at 3pm that I had been deemed T&PI, with back pay.
Sir, I would like now to commend to you the actions of “China” and his team in doing, which I thought, would have been impossible in such a short time frame. I would also like to thank you, as Patron to this fine team for allowing them to run this excellent operation from Leeuwin Barracks. The atmosphere in such a ideal location, I think, is also beneficial to veterans who can relax in quiet surroundings while waiting for appointments without the hustle and bustle of the inner city street mania and the constant worry of finding parking (if any) within a five mile radius. Once again Sir, I thank you very much and I am pleased to see that you are now the skipper of your own base, having not really seen you since I use to issue you flying clothing at HMAS Albatross " 84-88"
Yours
faithfully Paul David E... CSM
Please
accept my money order $200 as a donation for your associations Welfare Fund. The
Association was of great help to me with a claim against Veterans Affairs;
please pass on my thanks to the team (we had a “win”).
Yours Sincerely J.G.
K (Serving WOUWSM).
Hi,
how are you. Thanks for all your help with my TPI pension. I has all come at a
good time. My small donation is my first of many. I wish to donate over the
coming years. I have gone to Europe to see my family for the first time since
69’s. My grandmother is unwell so thanks again this opportunity has come in
good timing. I have notified the DVA about this trip. Centrelink has claimed
more than expected but I’m not concerned about this. They also have helped me
for many years. Regards and will come to visit you and the association in
approx. July 2001.
Regards with love. Andrea K. (WRAN — Gulf War Veteran).
I would like to thank your team for sorting out my claim for me. It was a terrific result and there is more to come. In the mean time please accept this small donation to help with the Association and your good work.
Regards Gordon J.
I wish to thank your team for your guidance & expertise in assisting me in obtaining my disability pension. As they say I would have been up the creek without a paddle”. I would again like to thank you for your assistance. Please find enclosed a donation of $100.
Yours sincerely Kevin S.
Just a short note to thank you for the excellent effort you put in on my behalf. Enclosed is a donation to the Welfare Association for $500 in appreciation of your great work.
Regards Russ S.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude on your efforts regarding my claim for DVA benefits. I believe I would not have been successful if it wasn’t for your invaluable guidance and assistance. Please find enclosed a donation of $500 to the association.
Again many thanks. Ryszard 0.
As you are aware, a decision has been made about my claim for a disability pension related to the consequences of my Vietnam service with the RAAF in 1969-70. I have received 80% of the general rate which I think is fair and reasonable. Some of my claims have been recognised and others rejected but overall I feel satisfied. It is a fact Ian, that if I did not have you as my ESO for advice there is no way I could have put forward as convincing and comprehensive a case as I did. So, this note is a thank you for your assistance. In appreciation, please find a cheque that will assist your association, who meet costs in you performing your voluntary duties as an ESO.
Peter H
I am still unable to find the words to thank you enough for helping me with my applications concerning the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. When you saw me in hospital, I had 70% but I was doubtful that I could go all the way. I am sure, without your help, I would not have been able to do it on my own. It goes to show that there is justice in the D.V.A. My wife Doris and I thank you also for your kindness and understanding, your perseverance and friendship and all the time and trouble you took for the success of my applications. It is without doubt you are a good shipmate. Enclosed please find a cheque for a small amount a for the Association. We would like to make further contributions to the Association for it’s rightful cause to help others in need.
Best regards.
Greg
& Doris S.
Just a short letter to thank you & your volunteers for assisting me in my disability claim with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. My wife & I truly appreciate the great effort you have given to my claim, which has been successful. Please find attached a donation to the Welfare Association as a token of our appreciation.
Yours sincerely. Fred & Pat H
Before I was introduced to the Association, I had tried for help and assistance to lodge a claim with DVA for problems I experienced from the first two trips to Vietnam in HMAS Perth. I was given the impression that what disabilities could you possibly get from being at sea in a ship, and without saying my claim was rejected. Since then, I have never worn my medals and marched on any Anzac Day until I was introduced to our Association. On Anzac Day, for the first time since Vietnam, I was marching down St.Georges Terrace holding back tears from my eyes and proud of my medals and proud of my duties in Vietnam. To top it off, last week my claim came through from DVA and I was granted a TPI pension. I thank you, you have now made me proud to be a Vietnam Veteran of the Royal Australian Navy. (My $50.00 taxi fare from Rockingham is well spent). Please find enclosed my donation to a well run Association and I am very proud to be a member.
Many thanks again. KenT.
I have enclosed a photo of Ian as you requested. My mother, brother and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, and the members, and their wives, who attended my brother Ian’s funeral, for their kind thoughts and support on the day, and also for the help and advice during this difficult time. Again “Thank you very much”.
Yours faithfully Malcolm McQueen.
Many thanks for your help with my claim. Please accept this cheque as a donation for the Association.
Eric P.
I would like to thank you all, for helping myself and my son Hamish since 1999 with pensions. Also these last few months since January 5th with Dons Funeral, also his Navy mates, who attended and also on 27th April with Don’s “Blue” ashes handed over to the Navy at Rockingham office to be taken out to sea on the HMAS Anzac when it sailed. China and members it was a nice send off for Blue. Hamish and Jeanette, myself enjoyed a few drinks at the Leisure Inn with ex sailors who Don knew. The small service was great. Thanking you all.
Yours
faithfully Mrs Lorna J Cumming.
P.S.
China would it be possible to write down all the X sailors that attended the
funeral and ashes services. Looking forward to read the next Logsup newsletter.
The
hard working team. Thanks for all the help with my claims and I hope this $200 will help assist other shipmates.
Thanks Jack & Deb V.
On behalf of Ann and I, we wish to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the assistance and guidance you gave me in obtaining my TPI status. Please find enclosed and accept for the Welfare Association a contribution towards the continuation of the great work you do.
Lenin Y.
It was good to meet up with you so long after our time together in HMAS Perth and at HMAS Stirling. Many thanks indeed for your assistance with the DVA. Actually I found them a pleasure to deal with. Please accept my donation to assist you in your endeavours for which many people are obliged. I arrived back on Cocos in time to get things sorted out before we were hit by Cyclone Walton. Lots of cleaning up after that but now all completed. Wish you luck with the two-up. Once again Bravo Zulu or in Island talk, BAGUS.
Yours aye Bob P.
CBE
Please accept my donation of $300 to the Association in appreciation for the help and support I received with the lodgement of my claim. Pat and I will visit you when we get back to the west.
Thanks for every thing. Graham P.
Your kind expression of sympathy will always be remembered with gratitude. Many thanks for your kindness, support during this difficult time, very much appreciated by me, Bruce, Mal and his family..
Edna McQueen
Thanks for all your help with my claim over the last 18 months. After me making mistakes in filling the forms in the first time, and getting knocked back a couple of times, I had given up hope of ever getting a TPI pension. But owing to your help and determination, perseverance and knowledge you finally got me thru. Thanks again, please find enclosed cheque to help others.
Lindsay B.
Please accept my sincere appreciation for your advice and assistance in my DVA claim. Please accept the enclosed donation to the Vietnam Veterans Welfare Association. I will be making a further donation shortly.
Sincerely John J.
I am writing in appreciation for all the help I have received since my husband passed away. Last week, my daughter was telling me that she was having some trouble with math at school. Suddenly I received a phone call asking if my kids needed any special tutoring in any subject. It was like someone was watching over us and knew exactly what we needed. I didn’t know that this service was available, and at no cost to me. My son will be needing some plastic surgery to his ear, to fix a small problem, and thanks to my gold card, it will be no problem at all. I was invited to the widows breakfast to receive my white ensign, and how proud I was to stand up and accept it on behalf of my late husband and my children. I am quite a bit younger than most widows being only 39, but nevertheless, I am always welcomed by everybody, especially China, Helen, Lyn and Vic Boreham. Thankyou everyone for your help and support, my husband sure held office with a great bunch of people.
Yours very sincerely, Jackie
Thompson.
My reason for this correspondence is to thank you and your association for the much appreciated help you forwarded to myself and my wife (Heather) in the successful pursuit of my TPI pension. Please find enclosed our small donation to your association. Furthermore I wish you and your association all the very best for your continued existence and help to other veterans and their families as you have been to mine. Once again, I thank you for your valued and genuine assistance in achieving our pension.
Yours sincerely John & Heather M.
Just a quick note mate, to thank you for your great effort with my claim last year. I enclosed a donation for your association, with an apology for being so long in acknowledging your wonderful services not only to myself, but to so many Vietnam Veterans. Again many thanks.
Regards Daryl S.
A brief note to go with the enclosed donation for your Welfare Association. It never ceases to amaze Gail & myself of your willingness to share your amazing knowledge of Veteran Affairs and generosity of your time in assisting veterans like myself to obtain a pension.
Again my sincere thanks. Tony H.
I wish to express my deep gratitude for your efforts in obtaining my special rate pension from DVA, without your specialized guidance I doubt if I would have been successful, thankyou. Enclosed is a cheque for $300. I hope you may be able to use it to aid another in need.
Yours faithfully David
M.