Advocates: - Kevin Gleeson; China Hammal; Sally Low; Ian McCutcheon; Trevor Robbins; John Sanderson; Philip Steele and special thanks for the 7 volunteers staffing the phone and doing a great job as a “T.O.W.” Mrs Kay Phillips; Mrs Val Gleeson, Ian Dunn, Les Aisbett, Anthony Samiotis, Spike Jones and Grattan Shimmen. Also we must thank John Exley (due to work commitments); John Glass, John Jenkins (living too remote); Max Kellow, Ted Lincoln, Greg Smith; (sick bay) that they are unable to assist at the moment.

 This letter was written to our Patron.

    Dear Sir, I’m putting pen to paper to thank you for your time as Patron of the A.N.V.V. Welfare Association. A brief history of why this letter comes about. In March of this year, I was discharged M.U.N.S., and while serving at Stirling over the previous year happened to read an article about you and the Association. This led to a call to China and the ex matelots who have steered me down the right path. These individuals combine with enthusiasm and tremendous drive to help serving and ex-serving members and their loved ones as you know. My experience of the fear of not being able to provide after separation, was set aside due to the professionalism of this group. As of the 20th March I was reassessed by D.V.A. and now receive a T.P.I. disability pension. This has removed a tremendous financial burden from this household. I understand that your time at Stirling is nearing an end. Best wishes for you and yours in the future, and I hope that Stirling’s next commanding Officer will consider taking on the position of Patron that you vacate. This I believe is vital, as serving members now have the care and support of this Welfare Association through the bridge that you have laid. Once again thankyou, for I’m sure that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the connectivity of the Navy News story.  

Yours Sincerely Kevin S.L. (Ex Seaman Petty Officer)

    Just a short note to say a big “thankyou” for everything you did to help make Reg’s funeral go so well. Reg would have been really touched at how big a part ‘The Navy’ played. The Navy was important to him and it was fitting that you gave him such a great send off. It was lovely to see so many people turn out to say goodbye. And even having the “admiral” there, it was great. Thanks also for all the extra things you are still doing — financial, ashes, his papers, and hopefully his son — thankyou for everything. Hopefully you have received the photo — I was wondering if I could have a copy of the magazine it will be going in. I’m pretty sentimental — sorry. 

Thanks again. Carole & Gary Bezant. (Good friend of the Late POWN Reg Moore).

    Please find enclosed donation of $200.00 to the Association to help you to keep up your good work in assisting the many veterans out there that need your valuable assistance. My special thanks to you and your team members for the friendly and professional way you handled my claim and for our favourable outcome. Once again thank you. 

Yours sincerely. Rick C.

     Thankyou for your time in helping me get my claim started. It took me 20yrs to reach this far. Without your Association, it might take me another twenty years. Please find enclosed $20.00 to the fund. 

Thanks again. Keith W.

     To the band of merry men and women, a little donation in appreciation of your assistance in making a trouble free claim through Vet Affairs. I called at the office on two occasions while in the big smoke to thank you in person, alas to no avail, as you were so busy. 

Once again many thanks. Mal A.

    Enclosed is a cheque to help with the “Welfare” of the Association, following the success of my claim. The service was very much appreciated. 

Yours faithfully John H.

 This letter was written to Colonel P. Noonan. (Commanding Officer of Leeuwin Barracks).

     Dear Sir. I am writing this letter to convey my support for China Hammal and his team at Australian Navy in Vietnam Veteran’s Welfare Association of Western Australia. They supply an important service to ex-members as well as current members of the ADF in their claims for compensation. I have recently been dismissed from the Army through injury in East Timor and have relied on China for advice on the matter of compensation through Veterans Affairs. It is important to understand that without the help of this Association, members of the ADF may short change themselves when it comes to their compensation. In closing, I would like to remind you that Australian Navy in Vietnam Veteran’s Welfare Association works on a voluntary basis, therefore is a non funded organization, and that their current location in Leeuwin barracks is an important one for them and more so the ADF’s serving members. 

Yours truly, Brad W. (DSM).

    Just a few lines to thank you and your team for your assistance in my application of claim to D.V.A. The help was much appreciated; it is a pity that the alacrity of D.V.A. and other sections of the RAN did not match yours. Attached find a cheque that I hope in some small way assist the Association continue its excellent work. 

Yours Phil I.

    As you would be aware, my claim for disability pension was successful. From memory you estimated that the claim would result in a pension rate of about 40%, so I believe that 50% was an excellent result and I do not intend to appeal against DVA ruling. Thank you both for your efforts and guidance in this matter, and I am enclosing a donation for the welfare association. It represents the first fortnight’s pension (rounded up a little bit) and I’m sure you can find a use for this amount. Thanks again. 

Yours sincerely Jim P.

    We take this opportunity to thank you for your assistance in my application for the TPI Pension. We truly are very grateful to you as I made many phone calls to ask questions or query forms each time you assured me not to worry just wait it will come. We were both impressed by your efficiency and knowledge of the process it certainly helped to keep us in a calm and stable relationship while waiting for our application to be approved. Please accept our donation enclosed as a good will thankyou, and so you can further your good work in helping others in the same situation as us. Once again many thanks. 

Yours sincerely, Warren S.

    Please find enclosed cash $50.00 for helping me with my disability pension with DVA. 

Thanks Tom D.
   

     A short note to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the efforts you have made on my behalf, the result of which was in my favour of an increase to TPI on my disability pension. This result has given me and my family peace of mind in relieving a great deal of stress. Once again please accept a small donation to the Association as my heart felt thanks and appreciation to help you continue your most valued and good work. 

Yours sincerely, Jeff C.

    On behalf of my wife and myself, please accept our cheque to further your good works. I wish to thank the team for all the time and effort they willingly gave when helping with my DVA claim. Thanks to them this has now been successfully completed. 

Thanking you. Frank S.

    Enclosed is a donation to say thank you for your assistance with my claim to Veterans Affairs. 

Thank you, yours sincerely, Jim J.

     I have received recognition for my Veterans Affairs claim, which I guess you are aware of the out come. This would not have been possible without your help, attention to detail and assistance. I am truly grateful. Les and I thank you so much for all the work you have put in for us both. Here is a small donation same as last time. Yes, we hope third time lucky. See you in August. God bless people like yourself. P.S. Les has been a member of your association since he first came to you. 

Thanks. Les & Heather P.

     Many thanks to you and the other advocates, co-ordinaters, helpers etc. etc. that have helped to make life easier for me after my discharge from the Navy. If the support I’ve had, hadn’t happened I believe my bollard would have slipped beneath the briny in the not to distant future. Having my claim for T.P.I. disability pension granted by DVA has put a whole new outlook on life and cemented my beliefs in the Naval community. Please accept this token of appreciation and may the donation of $600.00 go to aid those in need of the Associations services. 

Yours in retirement. Shady.

Our Patron wrote this letter.

     Dear China, I have recently received a number of letters from ex-members of the RAN expressing their sincere gratitude to yourself and your Association. In receiving such letters I am heartened by the sincerity of the writers and the obvious appreciation they have for your direct assistance. Your advice, integrity and proactive approach to their individual needs is first class. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing you in the very near future.

 Yours aye. Commander Vince Di Pietro RAN. 11 June 2001.