MESSAGE BOARD

If you wish to place a message on the board send it to ANVVWA for inclusion.

Messages received that may assist or be of assistance to ex-service/service personnel.
Back to News & Message page. Back to Update Page. Back to Guest Book - Site Map 

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Looking for Assistance

This is a long shot and I'm having trouble with my steam-powered computer. Half the addresses above may be old so I need your help in spreading the word.  

I have been diagnosed with reasonably heavy asbestos plaque on both lungs ( 8 years in steam boiler and engine rooms) which I'm taking legal action against Comsec (Fed Gov. legal representatives) to recover compensation for a lung capacity of some 70% for my age (73).  

The case is being handled by Turner and Freeman in Perth and I will be sitting in a room adjacent to my solicitor who will come back and forth with questions and I guess offers from a phone/video conference held with the defendants and her legal contact based in Sydney. This is planned for May 6th.

I have been given a rough estimate (which I wont divulge at this stage) but haven't a clue as to what Comsec are prepared to offer in such cases.  

Do I take my solicitor's advice and go for a quick settlement or fight on; for which I did to get TPI after 10 years of struggle.  

Can anyone help as to what I might expect, or be entitled to when compared to previous settlements.  

Thanks in advance Brothers

Gerry Patman

If you are able to assist with the following please contact Gerry Patman at email address:  patmandu@westnet.com.au

 

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   Film Looking at Leeuwin

                        We have received advice from John Perryman who is a historian with the Navy in Canberra 
                        (John is also an ex JR) and he has located a film on life at Leeuwin. This has been digitised and can be 
                        accessed on the following link at the navy's web site. The film runs for about 10 minutes and is of very high 
                        quality and gives a clear insight into Leeuwin at that time, you might even recognise a few faces. I have 
                        approached the reunion group with the view that the film be placed on the reunion web site or at least provide 
                        a link from there to the navy web site to access the film. I am sure you will all appreciate John Perryman's efforts 
                        in making this available.

http://www.navy.gov.au/Looking_At_Leeuwin 

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PMAC MEETING

G'Day

 I'd be grateful if you gave this message the widest distribution.  Thank you.
 
On Thursday & Friday the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on ex-service matters will gather for its next meeting.  Details of PMAC can be found at its website: http://minister.dva.gov.au/PMAC/index.htm
 
There is now a facility available which enables submissions to be made direct to the Council at that site.  If you are interested in matters affecting the Defence community the site is quite informative.  You can also talk with me via this email medium if you wish (fbenfield@optusnet.com.au).
 
Best wishes
 
Frank Benfield
PMAC
Brisbane

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HMAS HOBART & UFO QUERY  ......pdf 

 

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HEAVY OBJECT WEIGHTS

Huskisson RSL Sub Branch pension officers are trying to compile a list of all heavy objects that sailors have lifted in the course of their Naval Career.
We have some weights eg engineering tiffy's, some submarine gear but we would like to compile a complete list. This includes all ships since about 1940
We would appreciate if you could forward this email out to all of your readers

Alex Paton

If you are able to assist with the following request
 
please contact Alex Paton direct at E-mail Address:
 
 

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PROSTATE CHECKS


 Hi guys.
 The level of prostate cancer in ex-pussers is over the top, so get checked out properly especially if you were on the Sydney or her escorts in 'Nam.  Do NOT rely on a PSA test, this is inconclusive, so don't end up in the same boat as me. I was told I had an enlarged prostate with my PSA being ok, and after 8 months of agony, and 2 PSA tests showing nothing, I finally had a specialist diagnosis and a biopsy, it was too late. Full blown terminal cancer. So for your own good get checked out yearly!  It might be a worry, seeing the doc put the rubber glove on, but it is worth the hassle.
 Pretty uncomfortable, but when you consider the alternative it's nothing.
 It's great to find this site and seeing old oppos here, wish I hadn't taken so long!
Cheers guys.
Irish

Irish is a ex-Greenie and is just 60yrs.

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SAMPAN Incident

VUNG TAU  Harbour1967  

Seeking information or recollections of Harbour Patrol Craft activities in VIETNAM at Vung Tau Harbour on 21 April and 30 April 1967.  During Service operations on Australian Warship (Carrier) HMAS SYDNEY a small non-military craft (Sampan type?) was recalled as having exploded after being on fire, also a small military type Patrol Craft (nationality unknown) was recalled as being active in the same vicinity.

Australian and American military records of that time indicate no such type of incident with any such Craft occurred as no information was recorded or considered important enough to record during and around the time of Operation Market Time.  Declassified Intelligence from that date record “…heightened alerts in place against Viet Cong underwater swimmers…some ships were content to rely on local US Navy Boat Patrols for their defence…and use of Stun Grenade activity…”

Recollections, comments or records of those times and events will help establish credibility of recall and research for VIETNAM VETERAN.  

Please contact Sampan Incident at  jgodwinall@nor.com.au 

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True Blue Appeal

The Gallipoli Research Foundation’s True Blue Appeal was officially launched in the Greenslopes Private Hospital Foyer with a celebration of bush poets, and "billy tea, damper and cocky's joy (golden syrup) on Friday 30 May.  It was great fun and much appreciated by patients, staff and visitors.  The Foundation,  established in 2005 as a tribute to the veteran and war widow community, raises funds for medical research carried out on the Hospital campus.  For more information, please go to www.gallipoliresearch.com.au
The True Blue Appeal will run until Tuesday 30 September. The Foundation is very keen to encourage community support for the appeal which is only in its third year.

Individuals or groups (clubs etc) are invited  to conduct a True Blue activity at a time and date that suits them between now and 30th Sept.

Here are some ideas…..

·       Get a few friends together for a True Blue Barbecue, morning/afternoon tea or lunch, and make a small charge for catering, or

1       Encourage your club to make one of your regular meetings a True Blue event

2     Boil the billy, pass around the damper and “cocky’s joy”

4       Or, simply pass the hat and request a gold coin donation

5      Conduct a True Blue Raffle to benefit the Gallipoli Research Foundation

7       Wear blue for the day, or if you're brave, spray your hair with bright blue hairspray!

The Foundation can help with promotional materials including posters and brochures, receipt books (if required), media releases etc.

Please contact the Foundation on 3394 7284 if you would like to be involved or if you require additional information.  Even if you think your event will be small (just a few friends), the Foundation would love to hear from you.  Every True Blue activity will make a difference and you’ll be a part of that great Aussie tradition – helping your mates.

Regards
Robynne Milne
Executive Officer
Gallipoli Research Foundation
Greenslopes Private Hospital
Newdegate Street
GREENSLOPES Q 4120 
Ph:  3394 6776 Fax: 3394 7767 Mob: 0408 692 412
Enhancing today’s knowledge to find tomorrow’s cures, treatments and preventions, while delivering future hope for those with diseases that are currently incurable. 
REMEMBRANCE THROUGH RESEARCH

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HMAS Sydney Information Needed

I am an Advocate representing one of your Ex-Sailors.

Recently at a Veterans' Review Board hearing he was knocked back on a pension. The basic details are that as a 17 year old en route to Vietnam in 1965 he was locked in the meat freezer for around four hours whilst checking the temperature gauge inside the freezer during the middle watch.
The Services Member of the Board stated that there was an electrical emergency release button inside the freezer, even though it was a manual mechanical release arm and he stated that he never saw it or even knew of it's existence.

What I would like to know is:
(a) Was there an electrical emergency release button inside the meat freezer on board HMAS Sydney in 1965?
(b) If not, then was there ever an electrical emergency release button inside the freezer and if so when was it installed?
(c) Was there ever an emergency alarm button inside the meat freezer in 1965?

As an ARMY Artificer I can't imagine that a mechanical release arm was also an electrical release arm, although I can imagine there may have been an emergency alarm button. As I am appealing this matter to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal an early response can be posted to this forum or email me at
BrianFONeill@bigpond.com and please put HMAS Sydney in the subject box or call on 02 6680 2299.

Thankyou in anticipation.
Brian O'Neill
Advocate / Pensions Officer
RSL Brunswick Heads/Billinudgel 

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A Vietnam Veteran needs our help

http://www.wwwildcats.net/USAVV/skip.html
This link is about an Aussie Vietnam Veteran called Bruce "Skip" Eklom, he was badly injured whilst riding to The Wall in America to pay his respects to fellow soldiers who died in Vietnam. Have a look at it, and then, if you know of anyone who you think might want to read it, could you please forward the link on, and ask them to do the same.
Let
's see if we can get this out to as many people as possible.
Thanks in advance for your time and trouble in doing this.

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If you are able to assist with the following please contact
Debi Marshall direct at email address:  debim@ozemail.com.au
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
 
 
 I'm an author with a major Aust publishing company, presently writing a book about Derek Ernest Percy, ex RAN who murdered a 12 year old girl at Warneet in 1969. He was found unfit to plead and is in jail for life, grounds of insanity. I urgently need to hear from anyone who served with Percy at Cerberus or elsewhere in the 60s. He was at Cerberus in 1968 but I need further details: his job, what he was like, any stories, etc. Percy is a suspect for Beaumont children, Adl, 1966, Alan Redston, Canberra, 3 year old Simon Brook, Sydney, Wanda Beach murders, etc. Everywhere the boat went, and he was on it, kids were murdered.
Please - if anyone can help me - I would so appreciate. Info will be credited in book with your name unless requested otherwise, but please, it needs to be correct.
My email address is
debim@ozemail.com.au
Many thanks, all

Debi Marshall
[see also Guest Book]

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JR 24th Intake Reunion

Been looking around your site and would like to add a link to our group please.  We are trying to organise a 40th reunion next year

Thanks Ken

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmasleeuwinjrte24th1968/ 

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  Mobis Wanted

If you are an Ex-MOBI or know an Ex-MOBI - vintage 1962 to 1982 - living in or around the Maitland area could you please contact Nic Tatarinoff at email address:   

mobinic@bigpond.net.au

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Help Wanted - Looking For RAN Personnel Loaned to RMN

If you are able to help with the enquiry below please contact either Ian Pfennigwerth or Marty Grogan direct at the following email addresses: 

Ian Pfennigwerth - ipfennigwerth@kooee.com.au  

Marty Grogan - mgro4420@bigpond.net.au  

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My current writing project is a history of the RAN in Malaya and Malaysia between 1948 and 1972. From 1958 onwards RAN personnel were posted on loan to the RMN to fill a variety of billets to assist in the operation and development of the new navy. I've have decided to interview a representative selection of personnel from the RAN and RMN of that period to get their views on how the whole operation went.  

While it has proven possible to track down a number of the officers through the Naval Officers Club (of which I am not a member), we are having some trouble tracing the senior sailors. Dave Ruffin suggested you as the person most likely to be able to help on this.  

One difficulty is that we do not even have a complete list of who they were. Officers are listed in the records and in the Navy List, but sailors were often just referred to by their rank and category. I guess this is because most of the correspondence on the files came from DNOP and not from DSP. I have a few names, to wit: 

POSN R.F. Hankinson
CPO (SV) G.A. McMahon
CEC C.F. Mitchell
OAP O.H. Miller
PO EWR L.I. McKay
CPO SOP2 R. Crofton
CPO Rad W.A. Flynn 

But there must have been many others, of both Supply and Engineering categories. Are you able to circulate through your grapevine the news that I am eager to interview a selection of the survivors to put their information in my book? 

Best wishes,
Ian Pfennigwerth

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PHOTOS WANTED

If you can help with this request please contact John Raspe direct at email address:  

 cajunjon@adam.com.au 

I just need to ask you if you know anyone that may have photos like I have attached of the United States and South Vietnam Navy Swift boats, Patrol boats and or Coast Guard boats that came past or came alongside the Vendetta during our tour of duty in any of the coastal areas of Vietnam. I need copy's of their photo's if the owner will supply them (will pay for the copy's if posted to my home address) because the one's that did come alongside the Vendetta with prisoners etc is part vital to my DVA claim believe it or not.  

Regards to all
John Raspe
Ex_Vendetta_1969_1970

PS It is not necessary that the photo's of VC prisoner were taken from the Vendetta

                            

        

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CAN YOU HELP?

                    Hello Shipmates,

I am helping one of your Mates with his DVA claim. Aged 19, he injured himself at sea on a Destroyer and presented at the Sickbay for treatment. He was written up on a Sickbay chit and told to wait. Along came his Leading hand and ordered him back to his part of ship. When he went to leave the "SBA tiffy" said to him, ' if you leave without treatment, I'll tear up your Sickbay chit ' - which is what happened! Obviously there is no record of him attending for this injury.

How you can help.

I need some statements from independent persons to say that this sort of thing happened in the early sixties in the RAN. I do not require full details as I don't want to cause grief to anyone. If it happened to you or you know it happened to someone you know, please Email or write to me giving as much detail as you want to. I would particularly like to hear from any "SBA Tiffies" out there who are willing to state that they were instructed to tear up AM209z forms if patients refused treatment.

Such statements will help to achieve a just and proper outcome for one of your old shipmates in need of a pension.

These days we should all help each other - tomorrow it might be you who needs help.

Aye,

Ian Dunn

Email: ildunn@bigpond.net.au

Snailmail:  PO Box 69 .  Nth Fremantle. WA 6159

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HELP NEEDED

Need contact with any gunnery types on Duchess on her trip escorting Sydney to Vietnam 1971 re dva claim, or any crew who remembers a star shell shoot that went wrong just off Vung Tau. 

"Jamie" Jimmieson ABQMG. email: georgejimmieson@yahoo.com

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Low-priced computers available

I thought this may help someone so I am posting the link. Very cheap computers available only to people who carry a health, aged pension or disability pension card. They are based in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane but will deliver Australia wide except for larger items i.e. monitors.

http://www.greenpc.com.au/

Please share with your mates who don't yet have a computer, but would like one. 

Les Figg

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New website for ex-Greenies

To all the ex-Greenies out there in cyberspace there is a new website that has been created just for us.  You can find it at:

http://www.pussersgreenies.org/  (This link is now on our Links page)

Drop in say g'day.
Les Figg
ex-LEM(WR), R62259

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Our Association is calling for HELP !!!!

We need a person (man, woman or beast) to work in our Association's Office for 2 days (1000 to 1400) on the week leading to our General Meetings (GM), GMs are not less than 2 months apart - the next GM is 21st October 2003.
The job is to input data of all our operations accounts of "INGOING & OUTGOING" and set up the files.
This will cut down out cost for our annual auditing and at the last GM meeting it was passed to have this done.
So, if you can help or know some one who can, please help us. 
Please pass this request to as many people as you can.

Thank you.
China Hammal
Hon Chairman

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Help Required

Anyone who remembers Frank Simmonds chippy on H.M.A.S. Melbourne 1963-1964 and is willing to help in case against Commonwealth please contact me. Phone [08]92039399 or email Frank at franklyn@upnaway.com

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Thank you message

Thank you to the advocates who helped me with my claim. The professionalism and confidence in the outcome, which was right, most definately assisted in an early settlement.Thanks again and hope for the same results should they be required in the future.
Graeme MacDonald

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RETURNED SERVICE AND EX/SERVICE VETERANS. 

Mates, Volunteers and Health Educators - a Recipe for Health and Well - Being.

Veterans are at the forefront of a program which is aiming to raise awareness of men’s health issues by encouraging Veterans in the community to share the responsibility for managing their health and well being.

Veteran committee members from the (Men’s Health Peer Education Program), sponsored by the Federal Government through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Volunteer Facilitators now working to introduce their mates to the benefits of adopting a healthier lifestyle, if you are interested in coming to a meeting or talking with someone, its a chance to help yourself or your mates.

Back when we were in the Armed Forces, we stayed healthy because our lives depended on it. That hasn’t changed and staying healthy is probably more important now that we are all that little bit older, your wealthy if your Healthy.

Returned and Ex/Service Veterans and their Families can find out more from Men’s Health Peer Education website at  www,dva gov.au/health/menshealth

Or by contacting Facilitators
           
VOLUNTEER            Phill Quartermaine      on (08)94545065

Nick Maher Men’s Health Educator Program Coordinator.
DEPARTMENT of VETERANS AFFAIRS Phone 133254

Veterans Promoting Healthy Lifestyle For Veterans.

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Urgent Help required .... 3/8/03

VRB coming up soon.  URGENTLY need to make contact with RAN sailors who served with me on the Jeparit between 10 March, 1967 and 4 June, 1967.  Any help you could give with this would be greatly appreciated.  Email address:  brucermcneill@yahoo.com.au and phone number 0413 654300

 
Regards, 
Bruce McNeill

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FORCES REUNION WEBSITE .... 5/11/02

The Armed Forces Reunion Website: http://www.ComradesandColleagues.com has been running for over 6 months now, reuniting thousands of current and
ex-service personnel and raising over £400.00 for armed forces charities. It
is free to register and find out if any of your old friends have already registered, so please just take a minute to have a look at the site which is run by ex Navy Fleet Air Arm tech', Mike Hosking. There are no adverts, gimmicks or rip-offs on board, just a quality armed forces reunion site serving New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain.
(The above website address is also in our LINKS PAGE)
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VIETNAM VETERANS MORTALITY STUDY .... 31/10/02

At the 3rd Vietnam Veterans Mortality Study Consultative Forum on the 8th Oct. 2002, ESO's were requested to canvas their organisations for NAVAL personnel that may have served in Vietnamese waters on the following ships:    

1    Adams class guided missile destroyers (DDG's)
2    Daring class destroyers

3    River class frigates/destroyer escorts
4    32 small ships
 
Of particular interest would be COOKs, MEDICS and ENGINEERS (particularly those who maintained water distillation machinery). These personnel may be asked to form a FOCUS GROUP. Ideally from the Sydney or Canberra area. Focus Groups would most likely be held in November.
Anyone who feels they meet the requirements and wish to assist the investigation should contact:
 
Dr. Eileen Wilson
Research Study Section
Telephone: 02 6269 1110

Email: eileen.wilson@dva.gov.au 

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HMAS LEEUWIN 14th Intake Association .... 14/10/02

I would like to get in contact with any one from the 14th Intake (January 1966 to December 1966) who is not receiving our Newsletter.
We have been able to get in contact with 140 of the 186 and unfortunately we have lost 13 others over the years.
If you are one of those that is adrift please contact Terry Greaves,  email aussietg@austarmetro.com.au and I will send you a copy of our latest newsletter and get you up to scratch with what the Association has been doing and what we have planned for the coming year.

RegardsTerry Graves
R95263

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HELP WANTED .... 14/8/02

We are in urgent need of any of the following items for some of our members. If you can help in any way please ring Paddy Peard to arrange collection of your donation.
Items required are:-
                                (1)    Kitchen table and chairs 
                                                        or
                                (2)    Dining table and chairs
                                (3)    Washing machine (in working order)
                                (4)    Video recorder/player
                                (5)    Colour TV suitable to connect to video

contact Paddy on 08 9448 6441 or 0417187335. Thank you all for any assistance.

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ASSISTANCE REQUIRED .... 9/8/02

Yvonne Bence,  VLSVA Dioxins Co-ordinator, has been studying for some years the effects of dioxins on navy personnel who served in Vietnam. She is interested in contacting the sixteen veterans' who served on HMA Ships in Vietnam who have children with spina bifida or cleft palate. 
If you can be of any assistance to Yvonne, please contact her direct at the following E-mail address: 
ypbence@bigpond.com 

"Dioxins cross motor neurone cells and cause many disorders"

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A SHORT STORY,.......10/6/02

                               ON THE 8-9 OF MAY 2002 I WAS BEFORE THE AAT RE MY CLAIM TO HAVE MY PTSD ACCEPTED.. AFTER MORE THAN 3 YEARS OF SEEING DOCTORS AND PHYCOS MY CLAIM WAS REJECTED EVEN THOUGH I AM DIAGNOSED AS HAVING PTSD.. THE AAT WAS SATISFIED WITH TWO OF MY CLAIMS,,HOWEVER EVEN THOUGH THE BOARD WAS SATISFIED THAT THESE TWO CLAIMS MET THE SOP AS A SEVERE STRESSOR THEY WENT ON TO THE BUSINESS OF EXPERIENCING A SEVERE STRESSOR  THEY SAY THAT AT THE TIME IN THE TRIBUNALS OPINION AT BEST  I WAS SADDENED OR PERHAPS HORRIFIED AT A LATER DATE..AND I DO NOT FIT THE TEMPLATE OF THE DEFINITION OF "EXPERIENCING A SEVERE STRESSOR. 
I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE AAT CAN SAY WHAT MY FEELINGS WERE AT THE TIME OR AT A LATER DATE,,THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO. 
THE DECISION IS POSTED ON THE AAT WEBSITE IF ANYONE WISHES TO READ IT...THE MIND BOGGLES. 
IF ANYONE HAS ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS PLEASE EMAIL ME, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. 

JIM DREW.   LANCELIN  WA. 6044
EX 6RAR TRANSPORT  BHQ.
VIETNAM  1966-67             
EMAIL... jpd2@dodo.com.au

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LEEUWIN LADS REUNION .......3/6/02
 
Calling on 39th Stevo and Ramsey Division
Junior Recruits (April 1972) Attempting to organize a get-together..
Half a dozen of us found so far.. Please get in touch if you are one of us.. Or know the whereabouts of any of the lads..

Warm Regards
Eamonn 'Goz' Gosney goz@elvis.com 

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Message for ex Vendetta crew...... 17/4/02

Hello, just making an enquiry regarding anyone who was on the Vendetta 1964. 
My Name is Robert McAlister and my reg number is R62585 .
Could they contact me via email carbob@bigpond.com  
Thanks

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Message for Warren Jones (formerly of Tuart Hill)...11/4/02

Warren, please contact China Hammal at Leeuwin office on 93112719. If any member knows the where abouts of Warren could they pass the message or let China know.

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Message from Neil McLean....3/4/02

Road Runner's wanted?  All those brave sailors whom entered into the other world of Moran Division on 28th November 1964 contact John Glass, e-mail toyman3L@bigpond.com John is attempting to locate all the Road Runners and Admin Staff with the possibility of a reunion.

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Request from Phil Heeb....19/3/02

I am looking for any engineering personnel who served on HMAS KUTTABUL at F M P . CPOMTP JOHN DOOLEY was the regulating CPO at the time, this was during 1975.
Please ring Phli Heeb on 02-98334695. This is to help with a D.V.A. case. 
tar.      

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 THE VUNG TAU FERRY”

(HMAS SYDNEY)
and Escort Ships
(VIETNAM 1965 – 1972)

Rodney Nott & Noel Payne

The third edition of this book, which contains a nominal list of all those who served in the “Vung Tau Ferry” and her Escort Ships, has been expanded to include the names of the Ship’s Army Staff, the crews of Jeparit and Boonaroo and the RAN Band who toured Vietnam. It also records the composition and dates of each Transport Task Force Group to Vietnam. Personal accounts from sailors and soldiers who sailed in the ships at the time are also included. A number of archival documents are reproduced, providing evidence of the threat and dangers the ships and their crews were exposed to whilst in Vietnam waters and the struggle to have that operational service recognised. The book includes for than 50 photographs, charts and maps with most being published for the first time.

The book, published only in a Hard Cover high quality edition, is available for $33.00 including PPH. To order your copy please complete the mailing slip below and return with your payment to:

N & M Payne
PO Box 131, 
Nerang, Qld, 4211

Please mail...............copies of “The Vung Tau Ferry & Escort Ships” @ $33.00 = $............

(Please make cheque or money order payable to N & M Payne)

Name...........................................................................................Tel:................................................

Address..............................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................Postcode...............................................

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Subject: CPOMTP3* Laurie Horby

Laurie passed away in April last year and we are assisting his widow in pension matters. He was also a JR but a few intakes after us.( Possibly Jan 1965) He served in HMAS Brisbane during a Vietnam deployment in 1969, having previously served in Anzac and subsequently Sydney. Whilst a good mate of mine from the eighties on I have little knowledge of his service and mates prior to then, I served in frigates and he on the big
ships.
We are in desperate need of contact with mates of his, immediately prior to, during or after this Brisbane deployment which will assist in his widows pension claims.
Laurie Horby served on BRISBANE as a stoker throughout the first trip to Vietnam in 1969.
If you knew Laurie, please contact 

Tony (Pop) Pearson at baled@surf.net.au

Thanking you in anticipation of your assistance,

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Name:    Neil McLean
City:    Wallaroo SA
Country:
Email:   mclean@yp-connect.net
Date:    07/11/01


How many of you receive a benefit from the DFRB or ComSuper? Are you aware that a Senate Inquiry was completed in April 2001 in relation to (in the main) benefits being indexed to wages growth and not the Consumer Price Index as it is at present. Amongst other things the final report of the committee was that benefits be indexed to wages growth and despite the recommendation not one polly will commit to supporting the senate report, in fact in the marginal seats they have failed to respond to the SCOA'S (Superannuated Commonwealth Officers Association) requests for info. SCOA have also been working with the various Defence Assn's in an attempt to improve our lot. If you want your superannuation to support you into the future, I suggest you quickly contact your local member. More info at http://www.scoa.asn.au/index.htm and check out Whats New, SUPER TIME

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Greetings,                

    I seek information from anyone who served in DUCHESS during her deployment, in Borneo, during the Indonesian Confrontation.  I am assisting Brian Egan with his claim which is now due to come before the AAT. Brian needs supporting letters from those who served in the ship at that time (1965/66).  
   
Brian needs supporting information on incidents that occurred and the general conditions experienced while living on board the ship at that time. 
   
I ask if you could please circulate this as widely as you can.  The mental strain Brian is going through is not good.  I have seen this during my visits to see him.  The added strain of going through the VRB and the impending AAT hearing are adding to his anxiety.  
Any help would be greatly appreciated.  


Regards

Rocky Rankin
Welfare Officer VLSVA QLD 

Ph. 07 33504210
email: rockyrankin@optusnet.com.au

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