rsl january 2011 monthly newsletter
DESCRIPTION
RSL January 2011 Monthly NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
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Angeles City Sub Branch
Philippines
www.rslangelescity.com
‘Lest We Forget’
Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel
President
Vice Presidents
Secretary
Treasurer
Editor
James Curtis-Smith Rob Cairns Vivien Hart Dallas Drake Bob Young Larry Smith
Email address’:
Newsletter # 46 * January 2011 PRESIDENTS REPORT – January 2011
Happy New Year to all.
A busy time for us here in Angeles City. The Australia Day Fiesta kicks off with the Beauty Pageant on Wednesday
26th , just a couple of weeks away as I prepare this report. Lots to do and I hope our members here will join in and
make this a great week of events. I am assured that the Bell Ring on Friday 28th January at the Golden Nile will be a
really great night (starts at 6.00pm) up to the quality and high standard of entertainment that we are accustomed to at
the Golden Nile. See elsewhere in the Newsletter for more details of this great week.
On the 10th January just past, the Sub Branch was represented at the 66th anniversary commemorating the allied
landing at Lingayen Gulf at Pangasinan in World War II. This was the second landing and followed soon after the
initial landing by allied forces at Leyte. Members attending were myself, in company with Ron Parrott and Letty
Martin, Garry Kennedy, Danny Jiminez, and my son Jamie and his fiancée Aiko. The Australian Embassy was
represented by Lt Col. Gary Barnes, Deputy Defence Attache` also a member of the Sub Branch. A formal and
extremely well conducted event with lots of pomp and ceremony, a military band and colour parties etc etc, and my
thanks and appreciation to the Governor and his staff at Lingayen who treated our party as VIP‘s and ensured that the
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contribution by the RAN to the landing was foremost in the remembrance service. Following the activities at
Lingayen we had an R&R stop at FRA at San Antonio and overnight in Subic on the way back. A meaningful and
very enjoyable break. (Pictures are shown on last page)
On Christmas Day, I received a text from the Australian Embassy enquiring if I was aware of any person of Blood
Type A-. Following the setting up of our RSL Blood Register, I contacted Lindsay Drury who set the register up and
arranged the blood typing. Within 30 minutes we were able to respond positively that we had four members who were
the blood type required and arrangements were made for the donors to attend and be screened and donate. The patient
was an Australian at Sacred Heart Hospital here in Angeles City. The system works and is a big bonus for us to have
this register. A big thanks to Lindsay and the members who responded so quickly and effectively on Christmas Day !!
Thanks to Col Savage, a members and regular contributor of pertinent articles on our blog page for his donation of
paperbacks (pocket books) available for our members from the Club rooms.
Vale to one of our American members, Walter Wilkie, who passed away just before Christmas. Walter was also a
member of the VFW and was a regular contributor in a substantial way at our Friday night raffle at Emotions.
Condolences to his family and friends.
Finally this month, a reminder to expats holding an Alien Certificate of Registration
(ACR card) that they must attend Department of Immigration to do their annual report.
Cost ₱310 and is over and done within about 45 minutes at the most. Get there early,
the office opens 7.30am and is on the Base.
JAMES E CURTIS-SMITH
President
Wednesday 26th
to Sunday 30 th
of January 2011
This is a marvelous event which highlights Australia within the local community. It is the Sub Branch’s major fundraising activity of the year. This event and the special T shirts printed for the occasion is a stand-out advertisement for the RSL and Australia in general. So come along and enjoy yourself and join in the arranged activities.
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AUSTRALIAN DAY IS UPON US AGAIN
So here is a poem, just right for Australia Day
Australians are a funny lot, you'll often hear one curse, How things have started badly, and they'll probably get worse,
The weathers dry, the sun's so hot it's stolen all the water, The Government has never done the things we think they oughta'.
But if we hear a tourist say his home is much more grand, They had better be prepared to make a very solid stand.
For although we Aussies may complain at what's become our lot, When someone knocks this country, we defend with all we've got.
We may criticize some teenage brat, may even wish them failure,
But we stand behind them cheering when they're playing for Australia. Because, if this is home to you, the country of your birth, Then you back the native player to beat anyone on Earth.
When the cricket bats are swinging or when someone scores a try,
When a home grown horse has won the cup and made the owner cry, When some Paralympics athlete hits the front and sets the pace, You'll hear 'Aussie Aussie Aussie' as the crowd goes off their face.
And although we like to take a break in overseas locations, If you take the time to question this nomadic population,
They will tell you without blinking that wherever they may roam,
The best part of the journey was the last bit, ....coming home.
For the sun was never brighter on the beach at Waikiki, (????????) Than it is on all the sandy shores Australia has to see, The water never purer nor the air as fresh and clear,
The people never friendlier, than those that we have here.
If you venture to the outback where grass is scarce as snow, As you swelter you may wonder what it was that made you go,
But just look at the local’s who have lived there since their birth, And I know you will not find a better class of folk on earth.
All across this wide brown country from the Cape to Hobart town,
There are people who will help you when you find the chips are down, And if someone should abuse you, and does it just because,
Then that person's not Australian, and that person never was.
So when you feel disgruntled just remember this rendition, And never blame the country for the acts of politicians,
Look up and count your blessings when you see our flag unfurled, And be grateful that you live in the best country in the world.
Happy Australia Day -26th January
For a rendition of the origin of our flag, go to: http://www.larryhannigan.com/flag01.htm
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ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS WE WELCOME the following new members: Gordon Winzar (A/C) * William Roache (A/C) * Marites Pascual (A/C) * Peter Henderson (A/C) * Anthony Ilacqua (NSW) * David Dow (A/C) * David Invest (QLD) * Anthony Bond (A/C) * Leslie Greentree (NSW) * Peter Adams (SA) * Roger Stone (A/C) * Daryl Rudd (Zambales) * Terry Clarke (Mabiga) * Michael Hooper (Egham) * Lester Hendrickson (A/C) * Martin McLaughlin (A/C) * Kevin Hunt (A/C) * James Gillespie (Fife) * Welcome back to: Eddie Donnelly (VIC) * Jerome Lockwood (A/C) * WE WELCOME the following new Life Subscriber: Norman Weston (QLD) Location codes: A/C * Zambales * Mabiga * = Philippines * QLD * NSW * VIC * SA * = Australia * Egham = United Kingdom * Fife = Scotland
∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆
AUSTRALIA DAY FIESTA FACTS AND RULES Australia Day Fiesta Street Party Sunday 12 noon till dusk Jan 30th 2011
Curry Cook off Entrants are allocated a Half tent 2.5 x 5m (Entry Cost is ₱ 2,500.00 ) Tents with Chairs and Table are available for Private use to Sell Products OR do Promotions . Bookings Essential and Cost will be ₱2,500.00 for Full tent 5x5 meters with two metal bench tables and 8 plastic chairs. A Half Tent 2.5 x 5m will cost ₱1,500.00 and have one metal bench table with 4 plastic chairs. Booking is not confirmed until payment has been received by: Bob Young 09152834496, [email protected] Chairs must be returned to the central collection point at the end of the day.Failure to return chairs resulting in the loss means you pay for the loss. Additional Assistance with Bookings is available from: Rob Cairns 09083431416 [email protected]
2011 Sub-Branch Membership Fees can be paid online
For our members and in particular members residing overseas, 2011 Subs are now due and can be paid online through
PayPal. Simply go to our Website: www.rslangelescity.com click on Merchandise & Fees, then follow the prompts.
After payment has been processed and accepted by PayPal, please email PayPal receipt to Hon. Secretary Dallas:
[email protected] to advise him that your membership has been renewed.
You may also pay through our Commonwealth Bank account in Canberra. Details are BANK: Commonwealth Bank Curtin ACT Branch BSB: 062 905 ACCT #: 10153195 ACCT NAME: RSL Angeles City Sub Branch. Of course, cash is also acceptable, pay to Treasurer Bob Young or Secretary Dallas Drake.
Events Schedule February 2011 Tuesday Feb 1st * 1.30 pm Committee Meeting Ponderosa * 4.00 pm Social Tuesday Dr Holms, Eruption Tuesday Feb 8th * 1.30 pm Ponderosa * 4.00 pm Emotions, TOC. Tuesday Feb 15th * 1.30pm Monthly meeting, then Social Tuesday Ponderosa Tuesday Feb 22nd * 1.30 pm Ponderosa * 2.30 pm TBA Tuesday March 1st * 1.30 pm Committee Meeting Ponderosa * 4.00 pm Just My Luck
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011 Sub Branch Annual General Meeting was to be held in the Sub Branch room at Ponderosa Hotel on Feb 15th, however as Treasurer and Auditor will be overseas, it has been decided to postpone the AGM until March. This will enable the account books to be audited prior to the meeting. Monthly meeting in lieu. NOMINATIONS FOR SUB BRANCH POSITIONS ARE CALLED FOR NOW. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted on the day.
CLARIFICATION ON PREVIOUS ARTICLE
In our December 2010 newsletter there was an article about Australian Budget Airline JETSTAR commencing direct flights
Darwin to Manila on 9 Feb 2011. I gave the website address for anyone who wanted to look at their service.
The service was initiated by the Northern Territory Government as a way for their large Filipino residents to get a more direct
route of travel from Darwin to Manila. That is the way the scheme was designed.
If you try to get a flight from Manila to Darwin you will run into difficulties as any flight you choose will most probably show
booked out. You will probably have to contact Qantas in Makati (Jetstar is owned by Qantas) to get a booking.
This is probably designed so that you can travel Darwin/Manila by booking online but because of some licensing arrangements
between governments, Manila/Darwin cannot be booked on line. I don‘t know. I have been advised of this by a member and I
have tried it myself and a booking cannot be made. However you can still fly Manila to some destinations in Australia with
JETSTAR Asia (3K) via Singapore and onwards with Jetstar (JQ). Ed
Here is an interesting website for those members recently out of the Australian Defence Force (or
have been out for awhile). Good info. You could spend a lot of time trawling through it. Go to:
http://www.touchbase.gov.au/ AND ANOTHER INTERESTING SUBJECT
Those Australian members who are in receipt of Defence Force Retirement Pay (DFRB, DFRDB and MSBS) can read a private members bill which will be introduced to Parliament seeking fairer indexation of these schemes. Go to:
http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bd/2010-11/11bd055.pdf Please note, this is a private members bill only and must survive normal parliamentary procedures.
NEXT MEDICAL MISSION
The next Medical Mission will be conducted at the
basketball court, across the road from the Anunas
Barangay Hall on the 5th
of February. Assisting will
be 20+ Australian Nurses from Deacon University
Australia.
This is our first for 2011 so please take the time to
come along and give us a hand. A rough mud map
of how to get there is show ← left and at our
website under January 10. There is limited onsite
parking apparently, but you can park in an area
behind the basketball court.
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RSL ACT ‗STAND TO’ MAGAZINE
Our Branch Headquarters in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) magazine for the last quarter has
been published and can be read by going to our website: www.rslangelescity.com
Going to Gallipoli for Anzac Day in 2011?If you, your family or friends are
thinking about attending the Anzac Day commemo-rations at Gallipoli in Turkey this year, don’t forget to register.
Attending Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many Australians, and its important visitors come prepared to get the most out of this experience. Once registered, you will receive helpful information and tips on what to expect at Gallipoli in 2011, what to bring with you and other important updates closer to 25 April 2011.
From all appearances, the turn up for the final Sub Branch meeting of the year, followed by the
Presidents drinks was very well attended. If you wish to look at pictures of yourself enjoying a drink,
go to our website www.rslangelescity.com look under the posting for Dec 25 which will link you to
the pictures, or conversely go to the Image Gallery. Ed
Court to decide Vietnam honour
The Way To Go, Harry!!! Long Tan's unsung heroes to get day in court
December 31, 2010 (The Sydney Morning Herald) HARRY SMITH is again leading his soldiers from the Battle of Long Tan, this time taking their fight for battlefield honours to court. The lieutenant-colonel, who has been campaigning for 14 years to have his men appropriately honoured, said the recent recognition of a tribunal set up to examine the Long Tan awards controversy in 2008 as a statutory body under the Defence Act had opened the door for a class action on behalf of 11 of his men in the Federal Court.
DETERMINED: Colonel Harry Smith, 77, (right) is fighting for his soldiers'
recognition.
A key issue is the claim that high command manipulated the awards system to favour officers over the men who actually fought in the battle. It is understood two highly placed senior counsel have already offered to take the case pro bono. Colonel Smith, now 78, said his men had been denied their medals and bravery awards by the senior command's perception that Vietnam was not a ''real war'' and an honours system that was manipulated in favour of the higher ranks.
7 Of the 726 awards given out in the 10 years Australians served in Vietnam only 22 medals had gone to privates, he said. ''Many more went to major-generals, brigadiers, colonels and lieutenant colonels far from the action.'' He believes the Federal Court will reverse previous decisions by a succession of Defence inquiries and appeal hearings to deny the medals and commendations he had recommended. The colonel, who led 108 Australian soldiers against an estimated 3000 Vietcong regulars on August 18, 1966, is particularly passionate about the case of Second Lieutenant Gordon Sharp. Lieutenant Sharp, a national service officer shot and killed while directing artillery fire to protect his men, was put forward for a Mentioned in Dispatches. At the same time Colonel Smith's recommendations were refused, a postal officer at Vung Tau, a rest and recreation area near Saigon, was Mentioned in Dispatches for ''good administrative procedures'', he said. A sticking point in previous inquiries has been the absence of the recommendations filled out by Colonel Smith - then a major - the day after the battle. He believes senior officers had torn up his citations and replaced them with others of their own. Long Tan is now recognised as one of the Australian Army's greatest feats of arms. Colonel Smith said his men, who fired 10,200 rounds of ammunition in the three-hour battle, killed between 1200 and 1500 Vietnamese soldiers with the aid of intensive artillery and air support. While Colonel Smith is reluctant to publicly criticise his former commanders, there is little doubt any court action will focus attention on the two Distinguished Service Orders awarded to senior officers who did not take part in the firefight.
Gurkha Obituaries
Havildar Lachhiman Gurung, VC 7:07PM GMT 13 Dec 2010
Havildar Lachhiman Gurung VC; who died on December 12 aged 92, won the Victoria Cross while serving with
the Gurkha Rifles in Burma in 1945, in recent years he had been a prominent figure in the campaign led by the actress
Joanna Lumley to allow former Gurkhas to settle in
Britain.
Lachhiman Gurung VC, →
At the end of April 1945, the 89th Indian Brigade of 7th
Division was ordered to cross the Irrawaddy and destroy
the enemy north of the Prome-Taungup road. By May 9
the Japanese, after a series of desperate attacks, had
broken off contact and were withdrawing towards the
Taungdaw Valley. ―B‖ and ―C‖ companies of the
4th/8th Gurkha Rifles were positioned to block their
route at the village of Taungdaw, on the west bank of
the river.
When the Japanese arrived, the two Gurkha companies were surrounded and their lines of communication cut. On the night of May 12, Rifleman Gurung was manning the forward post of his platoon almost 100 yards ahead of the main company. At 1.20am, more than 200 Japanese attacked the company position. The brunt of the assault fell on Gurung’s section and, in particular, on his post, which dominated a jungle track leading up to his platoon’s position. Had the enemy been able to overrun it and occupy Gurung’s trench, they would have secured control over the whole of the field before them. One grenade fell on the lip of Gurung’s trench. He quickly grabbed it and hurled it back at the enemy. Almost immediately another grenade came over. This one fell directly inside the trench. Again Gurung snatched it up and threw it back. A third grenade landed just in front of the trench. Gurung attempted to throw it back, but it exploded in his hand, blowing off his fingers, shattering his right arm and severely wounding him in the face, body and right leg. His two comrades were also badly wounded and lay helpless in the bottom of the trench.
8 The enemy, screaming and yelling, now formed up shoulder to shoulder and attempted to rush the position by sheer weight of numbers. Gurung, regardless of his wounds, loaded and fired his rifle with his left hand
and kept up a steady rate of fire. The attacks came in wave after wave, but the Japanese were beaten back with heavy losses. For four hours Gurung remained alone at his post, calmly waiting for each new onslaught, firing into his attackers at point blank range, determined not to yield an inch of ground. His comrades could hear him shouting: “Come and fight a Gurkha!” The following morning, of the 87 enemy dead found in the company’s immediate locality, 31 lay in front of Gurung’s section. The Japanese made repeated attempts to break through, but the 4th/8th held out until May 15, when they were relieved. Gurung later said: “I had to fight because there was no other way. I felt I was going to die anyway, so I might as well die standing on my feet. All I knew was that I had to go on and hold them back. I am glad that helped the other soldiers in my platoon, but they would have all done the same thing.” Gurung was invested with the Victoria Cross by Lord Louis Mountbatten at a parade at the Red Fort in Delhi on December 19 1945. The citation declared: “This Rifleman, by his magnificent example, so inspired his comrades to resist the enemy to the last that, although surrounded and cut off for three days and two nights, they held and smashed every attack. His outstanding gallantry and extreme devotion to duty, in the face of almost overwhelming odds, were the main factors in the defeat of the enemy.” Partiman Gurung, Lachhiman’s father, then aged about 74, was carried for 11 days from his village in Nepal to witness his son being decorated. Lachhiman Gurung was born on December 30 1917 at Dakhani village in the Tanhu district of Nepal. He enlisted in December 1940 and after completing basic training was recruited into the 8th Gurkha Rifles.
Of small build (he stood just 4ft 11in tall), he was under the minimum height and would not have been accepted in peacetime. After the action in which he won the Victoria Cross, Gurung was evacuated to hospital, but lost his right hand and the use of his right eye. He continued to serve with the 8th Gurkha Rifles but transferred to the Indian Army after Independence in 1947. He retired in the rank of havildar (the equivalent of sergeant) in the same year. Gurung married soon afterwards and had two sons and a daughter. Later, after the death of his wife, he had two sons from a second marriage. He farmed a two-acre plot and owned several buffalo, oxen, goats and cows. In 1995 the VC and GC Association provided the Gurkha Welfare Trust with £2,000 donated by the Armourers and Brasiers’ Livery Company, and these funds were used to build a new house for Gurung and his family near the Gurkha Welfare Centre at Chitwan. In August 1995 Gurung was received at 10 Downing Street by the Prime Minister, John Major, who presented him with a cheque for £100,500 for the Gurkha Welfare Trust. In 2008 Gurung became closely involved in the campaign to allow Gurkhas to settle in Britain. The British government had refused entry to the 2,000 Gurkhas who had retired before July 1997, the date when their base was moved to the UK from Hong Kong. Five claimants — including a Falklands veteran, Lance-Corporal Gyanendra Rai; a Gulf War veteran, Birendra Man; and a Gurkha widow — launched a legal challenge, supported by Lachhiman Gurung and a fellow winner of the VC, Honorary Lieutenant Tul Bahadur Pun, then aged 87.
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9 Both men had been told that they would not be allowed to settle here because they had failed to “demonstrate strong ties” to the UK. In the High Court in September 2008, however, Mr Justice Blake said that the policy should be reviewed, referring to the “Military Covenant undertaken by every British soldier by which, in return for their pledge to make the ultimate sacrifice, they are promised value and respect”. He added: “Rewarding distinguished service by the grant of residence in the country for which the service was performed would be a vindication of this covenant.” As the judge rose after his ruling, Gurkhas and their supporters shouted their battle cry “Ayo gorkhali”.
In May 2009 the government announced that all Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 with at least four years’ service would be allowed to settle in Britain. Even as this victory was secured, however, Gurung was appealing to the Queen and the Prime Minister for his 20-year-old granddaughter, Amrita, who had been facing deportation, to be allowed to stay in Britain to care for him. “I have paid a great price for Britain,” Gurung said, “but I do not complain as I love this country as much as I love my family. However, in my last days I ask Her Majesty the Queen to help by allowing my granddaughter to be with me and at my side.” The Home Office relented, and granted her permission to stay. In 2008 Gurung had settled at Hounslow, to which he was formally welcomed at a ceremony led by the mayor and the council; he was later made a Freeman of the Borough. He attended many functions of the Nepalese communities in Hounslow and elsewhere, and was honorary
vice-president of the Chiswick branch of the Royal British Legion. He had recently moved into the Chiswick War Memorial Homes. Lachhiman Gurung attended this year’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Centotaph, and was also present at last month’s VC and GC Association reunion in the presence of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. One of Gurung’s sons subsequently became an officer in the 8th Gurkha Rifles. His second wife, Manmaya, survives him with his five children. Editorial comment. Anyone who has had anything to do with the Gurkha soldiers know that they are exceptional in everything they do. They gave exceptional service to the British Defence Force but they were not well treated by those that they served, as can be seen by the story of Gurung above. Ed
Hall of Valour to reopen in Canberra By Max Blenkin December 22, 2010 3:03PM TORMENTED by his experiences on Gallipoli, in debt and still suffering from war wounds, Hugo Throssell took his own life, a sad ending for one of Australia's bravest. His Victoria Cross medal and those of 63 other Australian VC winners and three British recipients have now gone on display at the Australian War Memorial's renovated Hall of Valour. With photographs and citations, there are now a number of artefacts linked to the VC winners and the battles in which they fought. There's a World War One uniform worn by Percy Cherry, a survival knife carried by Vietnam VC winner Peter Badcoe and a Luger pistol taken from a captured German officer by Albert Jacka who some believe deserved a second VC to go with the one he was awarded at Gallipoli. Also on display is Throssell's service revolver, which war memorial staff suspect is likely the same weapon he used to end his life. The Hall of Valour, renovated at a cost of $4.5 million, opens to the public on Friday and will be officially opened in February. War memorial head of exhibitions Katherine McMahon said the original Hall of Valour display was 30 years old and well past its use-by date. "The collection had grown beyond the capacity of the existing exhibition," she said.
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10 "We were after something dignified, noble, that would do justice to Australia's highest decoration and something intimate because it is about personal stories." Ms McMahon said the inclusion of artefacts was a new step. "What we have done is looked into the collection and brought out a whole lot pf personal objects related to VC recipients. Sometimes they relate to the battle in which they were awarded the VC." The new gallery features sandstone features from the same quarry on the Hawkesbury River where sandstone was obtained to make the main memorial building more than half a century ago. Architect Richard Johnson said working with the war memorial was always inspirational. "Nothing but the best is good enough, and so we are always pushed to the limits of trying to do the best to commemorate a really important set of ideas and concepts," he said. "Here there's nothing more heroic or huge as a story than the valour of the VC. But at the end of the day it gets back to that personal connection to the individual that made that effort."
VC CORNER
Rawdon Hume Middleton VC
402745 Pilot Officer Rawdon Hume MIDDLETON R.A.A.F.
Attached to 149 Squadron, R.A.F.
Night of 28th-29th November, 1942, in raid on Turin, Italy
Flight Sergeant Middleton was captain and first pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to
attack the Fiat works at Turin in November 1942. Great difficulty was experienced
on the way to the target and while over the target the aircraft was hit by anti-
aircraft fire. Flight Sergeant Middleton was badly wounded and his right eye was
destroyed. The second pilot was also badly wounded. The possibilities of
abandoning the aircraft or landing in northern France were discussed but Flight
Sergeant Middleton stated his intention to attempt to reach the English coast.
After crossing the Channel there was only sufficient fuel for five minutes flying.
Flight Sergeant Middleton flew the aircraft parallel with the coast and ordered the
crew to abandon the aircraft. Five of the crew left the aircraft and two remained to
assist him. The aircraft crashed into the sea and all remaining onboard were killed.
"Flight Sergeant Middleton was determined to attack the target regardless of the
consequences and not to allow his crew to fall into enemy hands. While all the crew
displayed heroism of a high order, the urge to do so came from Flight Sergeant
Middleton, whose fortitude and strength of will made possible the completion of the
mission. His devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds is unsurpassed in
the annals of the Royal Air Force".
Rawdon Hume MIDDLETON was born at Waverley, New South Wales on 22nd July, 1916. His commission as Pilot Officer was backdated
posthumously to 15 November, 1942. His body was washed ashore at Dover on 1st February, 1943, and he is buried in the Churchyard of St
John's, Beck Row, Suffolk, England.
NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL ADELAIDE (a continuing series)
DISCLAIMER The Angeles City Sub-Branch of the R&SLA, the Committee and the Editor take no responsibilities for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies contained in this newsletter.
Nor do they accept any liability for loss or damage suffered directly or indirectly for use of information contained in this newsletter. Nor do they warrant that articles or
opinions published in this newsletter are necessarily the opinions held by the Sub-branch, the Committee or the Editor.
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AUSTRALIAN SHRINES OF REMEMBRANCE (A continuing series)
The National War Memorial is a monument in the South Australian capital of Adelaide, commemorating those who
served in the First World War. Opened in 1931, the
memorial is located on the corner of North Terrace and
Kintore Avenue, in the heart of the central business district
and adjacent to the grounds of Government House.
Memorial services are held at the site throughout the year,
with major services on both Anzac Day (25 April) and
Remembrance Day (11 November).
First proposed in 1919, the memorial was funded by the
Parliament of South Australia, making it the first Australian
state war memorial to be confirmed after the war. The
design of the memorial was selected through two
architectural competitions. The first competition, in 1924,
produced 26 designs—all of which were lost before judging
could be completed after fire destroyed the building in
which they were housed. A second competition, in 1926,
produced 18 entries, out of which the design by the
architectural firm Woods, Bagot, Jory & Laybourne-Smith
was selected as the winner. The design—effectively a frame
for two scenes depicted through Rayner Hoff's marble
reliefs and bronze statues—shows the prelude and the
epilogue to war, depicting both the willingness of youth to answer the call of duty and the extent of the sacrifices
which they made. In this, the work is not displaying a material victory, but instead a victory of the spirit. Bronzes line
the walls of an inner shrine, on which are listed the names of all South Australians who died during the Great War.
OUR (other) article writer Col Savage has been looking back on 2010 and has the foresight to look
forward to 2011. This is what he has written. Ed
Looking Back – Looking Forward.
Yes, dear members – your elected committee members are busy, as usual. They are busy conducting raffles, raising
money for community projects, arranging and organizing events like the monthly medical mission, Christmas, New
Year and the forthcoming Australia Day celebrations among many other tasks.
One of the projects committee and other members are considering is the production, printing and distribution of a
hard copy type newsletter, formatted as a review of the R.S.L membership, achievements of a civic nature, present
and future goals. All things pertinent to the functioning of the RSL the year 2010 in review. It is hoped to have this
ready to roll in the early part of 2011 and copies available for distribution to the broader community, business as well
as private.
It is hoped the first edition of the R.S.L. review will take a
look at what has been happening within our membership,
(the Angeles City Sub-Branch of the Returned Services
League) throughout 2010, and the efforts of the members to
contribute in a civic minded way to the overall benefit of all
persons who reside in this very fast growing and developing
city.
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Many among us will remember the old Angeles City. Perhaps not all will recall that byegone era of riotous, nearly
non-stop party days with any degree of fondness. When Field Avenue and parts of MacArthur Highway took on an
atmosphere of a fairground as evening overtook Balibago.
In truth I would go so far as to suggest that most of the more reserved and refined citizens of the city were singularly
unimpressed by the title of ―Sin City‖ which was thoughtlessly bestowed by a much loved politician of the day. It was
a case of ―labelling‖ all who lived here with a much maligned reputation because of the conduct of a small proportion
of the overseas defence forces stationed at Clark Airbase, and some visiting foreigners… We should not lose sight of
the fact these were generally young men, away from home and family and whose attitudes and behaviour were not
universally outrageously unacceptable within the restricted conditions of military life.
Unfortunately, however, while other more nefarious activities such as the
atrocities carried out by the ―home-grown‖ Sparrows for example - are
more or less forgotten the unfortunate stain on the character of so many of
the local residents remained for many years. A stain undeserved by the
majority of residents…….
Thankfully Angeles City has ‗grown-up‖, matured if you will, to become a
much more modern thriving and somewhat prosperous metropolis. A more
tolerant and indeed more gracious city in which to live…. this is clearly
evidenced by the numbers of modern hotels, huge and very busy shopping malls and the growth and emergence of the
many small businesses which have sprung up to cater to the needs of the locals and visitors alike.
While members of the local sub branch of the R.S.L. readily see and accept an overview of Angeles City as an
emerging modern and thriving city, striving to shake off an undeserved reputation of a generation ago, they too are
anxious to shed any ill-conceived perception of themselves as less than worthy members of their adopted place of
living. The misconception that all Ex-Pats are low-life mis-fits never-sober womanizing individuals is as undeserved
as the title of ―Sin City‖ is for Angeles City. It all belongs to a past of a couple of decades ago and is truly best
forgotten.
The R.S.L. was formed first in Australia generations ago by our fathers and grandfathers as a forum and base to
provide support for returned servicemen coming back from the horrors of the First World War (1914-1918) since then
it has flourished to become an organization of many roles. It still engenders a primary role of support for returned and
serving servicemen and women their families and dependants. But with time and a rapidly changing world it now
undertakes many other functions as well.
The Angeles City Sub-Branch of the R.S.L. has achieved a significant degree of
progress in serving its members and the City which has become its adopted home.
The future holds the promise of much more which can yet be achieved. Both
Angeles City and the R.S.L can look back on the year 2010 with justifiable pride.
We of the R.S.L look forward to the coming years, to making a significant
contribution to the people – and to working closely with the citizens of this rapidly
modernizing and growing area to bring about some benefit to those in need.
The Angeles City Sub-Branch of the Returned Services League is a small group of
about 500 rapidly ageing members. We need your support to continue into the
future, and to enlarge our commitment and goals of reaching out to all in need of
our support.
A big thank you to our committee –
Col Savage… (contributor to R.S.L. Newsletter)
13
And Col has also sent in this missive..........
HAPPY BLOODY NEW YEAR.
TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE R.S.L. AND THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS..
YEAH – The old year is surely behind us now.. 2010 is relegated to the memory book and photographs. It don‘t
seem like a decade plus one has gone by since the eve of a new millennium, and all the dire predictions of the end of
the world and computers crashing world-wide. Oh well to some people those are the same things….
Now if yer anything like me, (and we can be grateful few are) you might have said goodbye to the old year in an
appropriate fashion (skunk as a drunk)…..and maybe like me you feel a touch of melancholy that another year has gone
by…but I try to see the bright side.. Now at my age I am bloody grateful to have seen another one out without too
much drama…..
Actually for me it has been a rather happy
and predictably quiet year with some
superhighlights – mostly with the focus on
birthday celebrations for me, my delightful
spouse, our two darling infant daughters with frequent outings to some of Angeles City restaurants and night spots.
Of course there have been the occasional bad times with the passing of a couple of good friends,
And that was 2010 for me – apart from a visit to Australia, where I had the extreme pleasure of seeing my three
beautiful daughters (and a couple of ex-wives). Oh and I had some not-so-hilarious times letting my distinguished
surgeon practice his art of cutting and shutting. Well life can‘t be all smiles, can it????
so I hope you all had a good year and that 2011 will prove
even better.
And might I add, that, hopefully your year began
somewhat healthier than mine. (self inflicted of course)….. I
can assure you that champagne and spicy shrimp at 2 a.m. –
after a heavenly evening of dining out, ―boom ka boom‖ rides
aplenty for the kids, fireworks and noise, noise, noise, is not a
desirable prelude to a healthy night‘s sleep and awakening ready
to run a marathon……. did you ever awake thinking yer gonna
die.?? Then an hour later you were afraid yer not gonna die??
And you know that feeling of a thousand millipedes all wearing
football boots are tramping rhythmically through your brain?? And the kids are shouting, running, blowing toy
trumpets, and screaming at you ―daddy, daddy, wake up.‖ Happy Bloody New Year!! Welcome 2011. Oh well with some sympathy and tender loving care from my ever thoughtful and mindful spouse I have managed to
survive the first part of the first day of the new year….my new year‘s revolution (pun intended) ―nothing exceeds like
excess‖ no more excessive jollification for this year. Arrgh sheet!!!!!
So Emily (my wife) - didn‘t I say she was thoughtful and caring? , has taken our two little terrorists to visit Lola for
the day and tomorrow.. Ahh bliss.
And now as the sun sinks slowly on this first day of 2011, my mind, somewhat faster to recover than my body, flirts
with the thought of the possibility of a cold ale, or several, at some restful watering hole in this fair city….. (Sheet who am i kidding. I can barely stand to look a weak cup of tea in the eye.)
Col Savage 1 January, 2011…….
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14
HERE IS SOMETHING FOR OUR AMERICAN MEMBERS AND READERS
For a story about a facet of the American War of Independence and the history of the Star Spangled Banner, and your
National Anthem, get on your computer and go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Iwa-lSVqA1M&vq=medium
You will not be disappointed.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Water
CONNECTION BETWEEN DRINKING HOT OVER COLD AFTER MEALS
This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about heart attacks.
The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time that we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal.
However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine.
Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal. Common Symptoms Of Heart Attack... A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting . Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.
www.beyondtheblackstump.com
Can any of our readers relate
to this cartoon???
15
TIME FOR A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOUR (I like the first one and who can relate to the second one???)
Couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering
things. During a check-up, the doctor tells them that they're
physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down
to help them remember.
Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his
chair. 'Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?' he asks.
'Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?'
'Sure.'
'Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?'
she asks.
'No, I can remember it.'
'Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should
write it down, so not to forget it?'
He says, 'I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with
strawberries.'
'I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it
down?' she asks.
Irritated, he says, 'I don't need to write it down, I can remember it!
Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for
goodness sake!'
Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, The old
man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon
and eggs.. She stares at the plate for a moment.
'Where's my toast ?'
TIP TRAINING
Subject to nominations, our friend from Sydney, Reg Tulip is planning another trip to Angeles to train more Sub Branch members in the art of compiling pensions for entitled members. Reg normally does this training as a lead up to ANZAC Day where he also participates with us. Anyone wishing to take on the role of Pension’s Officer in the Sub Branch please nominate yourself to Sec Dallas Drake. Dates at this stage are training days 20,21 and 22 April and administration day 23 April.
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16
LINGAYEN LANDING COMMEMORATIONS As mentioned by President Jim in his report, below are some pictures of the ceremony held at Lingayen on Jan 9th. (captions are above the shown pictures) Sorry about the text boxes. Ed
“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance”
A plague noting Australian War Ships President Jim and LTCOL Gary Barnes
Philippine Military Honour Guard The Province Capitol Building
Dining in Capitol Building Some of our RSL members who attended