CONTACT !

BMVVAF express their thanks to Senator the Hon Doug Cameron, Senator for NSW, for his support

to the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces Inc., particularly by allowing the

BMVVAF to use his communications entitlement for the production of this newsletter.

Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans

and Associated Forces Inc.

November - December 2016

January 2017

2

CONTACT !

Welfare Officers

Geoff Raymond (L2) - Blue Mountains Stafford Lowe - (L2) Welfare Officer Blue Mts Home: 02 4754 4327 Home: 02 4758 9808 Mob: 0473 496 218 Mob: 0415 635 058 Email: vvet@live.com.au (NB. V V not W) Email: stafford723”bigpond.com Ray Westwell (Advocate) - Blue Mountains and Lithgow Ron Glew (Advocate) - Inner West Sydney Mob: 0407222 937 Mob: 0418 261 528 Email: westwellray@hotmail.com Home: (02) 9818 7280 Email: glewie@bigpond.net.au

John Ronan (L1) - Blue Mountains and Penrith Bob Metcalfe (L2) - NSW Mid Nth Coast Home: 02 4729 1246 Home: 02 6582 6280 Email: john.ronan3@gmail.com Email: Bobm2444@iprimus.com.au Del Heuke (Advocate) - NSW Mid North Coast Home: 02 6557 0779 Email: delnfred@optusnet.com.au

Patron: yet to be named

Office address:

Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub,

104-108 Macquarie Road or Post Office Box 55

© JOURNAL OF BLUE MOUNTAINS VIETNAM VETERANS and ASSOCIATED FORCES INC.

incorporating

RAAF VIETNAM ASSOCIATION and the QANTAS “SKIPPY SQUADRON” ASSOCIATION

ABN 74 645 329 198 CFN 17276

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THOSE WHO SERVED IN ALL POST WORLD WAR II CONFLICTS

2017 Association Meeting Dates Meetings commence at 1000hrs

Blue Mountains Theatre and

Community Hub

Your Committee

President: Peter Jones 02 4751 8833

Vice President: Angus McDonald 02 4575 1997

Secretary : Chris McKay 0427 794 914 Treasurer: Craig Terrey 02 4754 1957

Welfare Coordinator: Ray Westwell 02 6352 1945

Yard Maintenance: John Pearson 02 4751 3554

Committee Member: John Pearson 02 4751 3554

Committee Member: Alan Braid 02 4754 3195

Committee Member: Roger Lawler 02 4754 4753

Association Padre : Colin Aiken OAM RFD 0417 203 722

Website Manager : Geoff Raymond 0473 496 218

CONTACT! Editor: Graham Glasson 02 4736 7070

Office Manager: Mrs. Wendy Humphrys : Phone (02)4751 8528, Fax (02)4751 8538,

Email: secretary@bmvets.com.au Web site: www.bmvets.com.au

Committee Meeting 12 February 2017

Committee Meeting 12 March 2017

Committee Meeting 9 April 2017

Committee Meeting 14 March 2017

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Xmas Report

I sincerely hope this report finds you all hale and hearty, and ready to take the

festive season full on.

Don’t forget we are not as young as we used to be, and our power of recovery is

low.

Thank you all for your support throughout the year.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

President

Peter Jones

WELFARE OFFICER’S REPORT

To date our Welfare Officer’s report as at 11 Dec 16 visited / assisted: 7 - VEA (Veteran Entitlement) on going 1 - MCRS on going (Military Claims) 5 - Home Visits 3 - Nursing Homes 2 - Hospital Visits While this seems to be a meagre number our teams are flat out. So, we have another year and we are still looking fore members to volunteer to join the Welfare Visitation Team to assist in the not so often thought of task. While I say ‘not so often‘ we are pleased with what we have; however, it would be invigorating to see many more visitors on the list. If you can help please contact the Springwood Office on 4751 8528. Please also remember that the Office will be closed between 20 Dec 16 until 17 Jan 17. Our Office is manned from 10am - 2pm, or check one of the Committee member’s contact number. Many thanks and please have a great Christmas to all those members that are carrying the Welfare burden, but wind the recovery ale down.

On behalf of the Welfare Officer

Editor

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PADRES CORNER

December 2016

Hello Everyone,

By the time you read this Christmas and the New Year celebrations may be over for another year. But the message of Christmas should remain with us not just in December but throughout the year. So it’s was that time of year again, local shopping centres were decorated for the holiday season, but not necessarily for the Christmas season. However once again the local anti-Christmas ogres have been at play with many shopping centres and local council areas, schools and pre-schools banning any public representation of Christmas for fear of offending non-Christians. In some areas they succeeded in others they failed. But their attempts to wipe out public Christmas celebrations should encourage Christians and non-Christian alike who support the Christmas spirit to stand up and be counted lest another of our proud traditions is done away with to support the views of the minority.

The Bible teaches us the real message of Christmas, is that God sent his son to earth for us; that

that Son Jesus was born in in a humble stable; honoured by wise men and shepherds alike; and

loved, served and praised by millions of men, women and children throughout the centuries as no

other person in history has been revered and loved.

An unknown author wrote these words which I believe reflect for us the true meaning of

Christmas.

Christmas is not just a season, Christmas is not just a day,

and Christmas is more than a reason for parties, presents and play.

For Jesus is the reason for the season, without Jesus in the season

there is no reason for the season.

I pray that we will all remember these words during the coming year? May I prayer for us all, as we enter 2017

May the forgiving spirit of Him, to whom we dedicate this season, prevail again on earth May hunger disappear and war and terrorism cease throughout the world

May people live in freedom, living and worshiping as they see fit, while loving and serving others. May the sanctity of the home be ever preserved

May the peace that only God can give be with you and those you love during 2017

Amen

I trust that you had a happy Christmas and wish you all the best for the coming year.

Colin Aiken Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Chaplain BMVV&AF

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CHRISTMAS RAFFLE RESULTS

Thanks to our voluntary group of ticket sellers we have managed to complete 2016 on a pretty good note. Despite the crazy weather, our sellers met all manner of weather, when they either dog paddled, sweltered or fried. A big thanks to those members who were out and about selling in such beautiful weather ! The monster ticket barrel is spun and spun and spun many times in the Dining Saloon of the Royal Hotel. The owners and staff of the Royal have always been great locals and staunch friends to the BMVV. This year the barrel has identified the following people as our 2016 winners, congratulations goes go to: 1st Prize of $1500.00 goes to Ticket Number 24235 Alan from Wentworth Falls 2nd Prize of $ 600.00 goes to Ticket Number 26215 Sylvia from Katoomba 3rd Prize of $ 400.00 goes to Ticket 22492 Eva from Blaxland NSW

a Supply Course

With all this training in supplies I was posted to a Q Store in

Engineering

specialising in defence projects. I have worked on numerous projects including the Navy

f my life, Karen, and have a daughter presently living in Hong

Presentation of the Commanding Officer’s Cup to 323 Squadron AAFCs On Sunday 18th December I had the privilege of attending the final Parade of the Australian Airforce Cadet Squadron, located at Glenbrook NSW. The SQN Paraded on the RAAF Glenbrook sports field, and in my experience of attending such parades I was very proud to see that the Parade was carried out in a spectacular fashion. The Parade was the final Parade for 2016 and allow the retiring Senior Cadets to show their military ground movement skills to a Senior RAAF Officer, in this case a Group Captain from RAAF Base Glenbrook. Following a congratulatory speech from the Blue Mountain City Mayor and the Reviewing Officer the Squadron proceeded to march off the Parade Ground only to be halted and to be challenged by the Local Area Police Superintend Daryl Jobson to engage Squadron’s right to request to the Ancient Honour of the Freedom of Entry to the City with swords drawn, drums beating and flags flying The response to the challenge was made by Warrant Officer Ashley Hawthorn by her presenting the Request parchment to the Police. This being granted the Squadron marched off to complete the presentation of plaques to the appropriate Cadets and to for me to present the best Squadron of the NSW AAFC and accepted by 323 Squadron Commanding Officer Flying Officer Michael Bros. The Squadron has won this trophy on several occasions and are looking forward to maintain the CO’s Trophy Cup for many more years to come. Well Done Well 323SQN Editor

6

VALOUR AWARDS

In this, the last, CONTACT! for 2016, I give you Mad Harry Murray

LIEUTENANT COLONEL HENRY WILLIAM “HARRY” MURRAY

VC, CMG, DSO (and Bar), DCM (1880–1966)

Born on 1 December 1880 at Evandale, Tasmania to a farming family. Harry joined the 16th Battalion AIF in 1914, not as a young man but as an experienced “Bushman”, he had a way with the younger men and admired by his “bosses” for his no nonsense and his mature and independent leader of men. He worked at Manjimup, Western Australia, employing sleeper cutters. He was very at home with a rifle and pistol, this skill had not gone un-noticed and he was I hired an armed escort for a mining company north of Kalgoorlie. His skills were noted by many walks of life. It was soon evident that he was also a natural soldier by Army recruiters and Harry joined the Army. Harry was soon bound for Gallipoli where he was promoted and awarded. Assigned to a machine gun crew, he served in the Gallipoli Campaign where he was wounded and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal . before their withdrawal from the peninsula despite his wounds. Along with the rest of his battalion they were sent to France for service on the Western Front, It was here that he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) during the Battle of the Somme. In February 1917, Murray commanded a company during the battalion's attack on the German position of Stormy Trench. During the engagement, the Company was able to capture the position of Stormy Trench. During the engagement, the company was able to capture the position and repulse three fierce counter attacks, with Murray often leading bayonet and bombing charges himself. For his actions during the battle he was promoted to Major and awarded the Victoria Cross. Shortly after he earned a Bar to his DSO during an attack on the Hindenburg Line near Bullencourt. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in early 1918, he assumed command of the 1 Battalion 4th Machine Gun, where he would remain until the end of the war. Evacuated to Egypt on 26 September due to dysentery he spent nearly six weeks in the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Ghe returned to the 13th Battalion in France on 19 October. Following a period of patrols and trench raids, the 13th was relieved by the 5th Battalion on 6 December, and marched back to Ribemont, where Murray was granted leave to England. On 4 January 1917, he was Mentioned in Dispatches. The battalion returned to the front in February, relieving the 15th Battalion at Gueudecourt. On 4 February, the battalion's commanding officer received the order to attack Stormy Trench; it was during this action that Murray would earn his Victoria Cross zireh, he re-joined the 13th Battalion at Gallipoli on 07 December, before leaving for the last time in the Allied evacuation later that month, returning to Egypt, the AIF expanded and was reorganised; the 13th Battalion was split and provided experienced soldiers for the 45th Battalion, while the 4th Brigade was combined with the 12th and 13th Brigades to form the 4th Australian Division Murray was promoted to lieutenant on 20 January 1916, and then to Captain on 1 March 1916. Evacuated to England aboard the hospital , and admitted to the 4th General Hospital, London, Murray was granted leave to England. ship Asturias On 4 January 1917, he was Mentioned in Dispatches. Rejoned the Battalion returning to the front in February, relieving the 15th Battalion at Gueudecourt. On 04 February, the Battalion's Commanding Officer received the order to attack Stormy

Trench; it was during this action that Murray would earn his Victoria Cross which read:

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the

undermentioned Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer: – “Capt. Henry William Murray, D.S.O. Australian

Infantry :- For most conspicuous bravery when in command of the right flank company in attack. He led his

company to the assault with great skill and courage, and the position was quickly captured. Fighting of a very

severe nature followed, and three heavy counter-attacks were beaten back, these successes being due to Captain

Murray's wonderful work. Throughout the night his company suffered heavy casualties through concentrated

enemy shell fire, and on one occasion gave ground for a short way. This gallant officer rallied his command and

saved the situation by sheer valour. He made his presence felt throughout the line, encouraging his men,

leading bombing parties, leading bayonet charges, and carrying wounded to places of safety. His magnificent

example inspired his men throughout. See the Henry William Murray Memorial Statue on next page

7

itÄx Kevin Sylvester 01/03/1938 - 10/10/2016 Royal Australian Air Force A218717 Sergeant 79 Squadron Vietnam Greg Tyler Sergeant 21648 07/08/1944 - 15/08/2016 Royal Australian Army 08/04//65 - 15/18/85 Vietnam

01/04/1966 - 06/02/1968

_xáà jx YÉÜzxà

WELCOME CRAIG

A warm welcome to our newly appointed Treasurer Craig Terrey and for those who have not met Chris before (comme moi) , he is more an angel than our previous gentle old penny pincher. Does that mean we must be careful of the quiet one ?

I started life as an accountant before being called up for National Service in February 1967. Did my recruit training at Kapooka, then on to Puckapunuyal to do a Supply Course and Advanced Supply Course. With all this training in supplies I was posted to a Q Store in HQ 5 Coy RAASC Vietnam. After thirteen months there I returned home to my old job. After ten years I felt it was time for a change so started studies in Electronic Engineering and after a couple of jobs in engineering logistics, settled down as a Project Planner specialising in defence projects. I have worked on numerous projects including the Navy FFG upgrade, over a billion dollars and the Millennium train project.

I am married to the love of my life, Karen, and have a daughter presently living

in Hong Kong.

8

Dear Members, The following letter, penned by our own, Maurie Green, was in response to the heart felt wordage from Dr.Elisabeth Huynh.

“THANK YOU FOR SAYING THANK YOU" On Sunday the 14th August 2016 I attended the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day ceremony held at Springwood, this year commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and we were privileged to have two members who survived that battle to be with us on the day. We had a good roll up of Vietnam Veterans from all branches of the ADF and we were also pleased to have a large number of our friends from the Vietnamese community who had been former members of RSVN military as well as many other members of the Vietnamese Support Groups (VSG) who have been long term supporters of our Association. The VSG members attending on the day included members of the ARVN Veterans Chapter of NSW, the Vietnam Sydney Radio Community and members of the Block 1706 Vietnamese Group who support freedom, democracy and human rights. It is not generally know that members of these VSG support groups have made substantial financial contributions to our association and to the Springwood community for a number of years and again more recently following the bushfires in the Springwood and surrounding areas, I am also advised that the VSG have for some time provided financial support to the costs incurred for our after ceremony reception. I believe that the operative word to describe the feelings of our Vietnamese friends who joined with us on the day at Springwood would have to be "Pride" almost all of the Vietnamese ladies attending wore traditional dress adorned with sashes featuring the colours of the Republic of South Vietnam flag, many male members attending wore RSVN military service medals and RSVN military dress, it was obvious that the VSG members and their family members were very proud to be with us on the day to share our Ceremony of Remembrance.

Following the ceremony at the Cenotaph, a reception was held at the Royal Hotel at Springwood and

in the closing stages of the reception the" Yellow Jacket Ladies" from the Vietnamese Community

made a presentation of 50 gift packages to commemorate the fifty year anniversary of the battle of

Long Tan. These gift packages were presented to every Vietnam Veteran in attendance to say "Thank

You". It was a wonderful and an unexpected gesture of thanks from the Vietnamese community and I

can assure you that those veterans who received the gift packages were not only grateful but in many

cases were emotionally moved by the thoughtfulness and the genuine friendship that accompanied the

presentations.

"Dear Sir/Madam"

As refugees and their descendants from the Vietnam War, we are forever thankful to the

Australian men and women who sacrificed, protected and opened their hearts to people like us.

It is because of you we are able to live in freedom.

Thank You, Dr Elisabeth Huynh, (Descendant, ARVN Air Borne)

&

"The Yellow Jacket Ladies".

(Nothing more needs to be said)

Maurice L Green APM

9

LIEUTENANT COLONEL HENRY WILLIAM “HARRY” MURRAY

VC, CMG, DSO (and Bar), DCM (1880–1966)

In April during the attack on Bullecourt Murray won a bar to his Distinguished Service Order. In October 1918

Murray was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and in May 1919 was promoted to CMG.

His service in the AIF ended on 9 March 1920 and he settled on a grazing property at Muckadilla in Queensland. The

following year he married Constance Cameron, but the marriage lasted just a few years and in 1925 he moved to

New Zealand where he married Ellen Cameron. The couple returned to Queensland in 1928 and purchased another

grazing property at Richmond. Murray enlisted for service during the Second World War and commanded the 26th

Battalion in north Queensland until August 1942. He retired from the army in early 1944. Regarded as a shy and

modest man, he was described as the most distinguished fighting officer of the AIF. Murray died of a heart attack

following a car accident on 7 January 1966.

On 21 July 1939, with the Second World War looming, Murray volunteered for military service and was appointed

as commanding officer of the 26th Battalion 11th Brigade, based in Townsville: he was mobilised for full-time

service on 21 October 1941. Murray's second-in-command of the unit during this time was Major Edgar Towner

who had additionally been decorated with the Victoria Cross in 1918. The 26th became an Australian Imperial

Force unit in 1942, and in August Murray was removed from his post by General Sir Thomas Blamey Commander in

Chief Australian Military Forces, on the grounds of his advancing age. He was instead appointed to command the

23rd Queensland Regiment, Volunteer Defence Corps which he led until his retirement from active duty on

08 February 1944.

On 06 January 1966, Nell was driving the family car with Harry as a passenger; they were going to the south coast of Queensland for a holiday. A tyre blew out and the car rolled on the Leichhardt Highway near Condamine . Murray was taken to Miles District Hospital with broken ribs. He had suffered heart trouble for some time, and the shock of the accident is believed to have caused his death the following day. Murray was interred at Mount Thompson

Crematorium with full military honours after a funeral service at St Andrews Presbyterian Church , Brisbane.

On 24 February 2006 in Evandale, Tasmania, the then Governor Michael Jeffery unveiled a statue of Murray by

sculptor Peter Corlett. This tribute was facilitated by a small group of volunteers who raised A$85,000 in two years.

The Henry Murray ward was Hollywood Private Hospital was named in his honour.

10

HMAS Sydney participants

Just as I thought the old saying was an old idiom, something we might say when we are up to eyes in it. But no, Just outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA there it is !!!

Somehow I just knew it was out there...somewhere. Now, if only I could find a roll of barbed wire and maybe a paddle !!!

NEW MEMBERS

The President and Committee of the BMVV&AF would like to accept and welcome Mr Greg Morris as an Honorary Member of the BMVV&AF for his recognition of our lot, and we also welcome new members: Mr Tom Humphries - Vietnam June 66 – July 67 Infantry D Coy, 6RAR Mr Eric Glover - Malayan Emergency October 53 - October 59 105 Field Battery Mr David Tracy - Vietnam HMAS Sydney and HMAS Perth March 66 -May 66, Sep 67, Apr 68, Sep 68, Apr 69, Gentlemen: in addition I would like to right a wrong ie, Editor Stuffed up. Mr John Guider and Alan Ennis have been accepted as Associate Members, not Full Members, as previously advised in the last CONTACT! Whilst they both had connection with the Defence Force but not on active service. Please accept my apologies to all members for the error.

11

ALL MEMBERS PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND

The Committee has proposed that a Special General Meeting be held in late February 2017 to vote on the proposed changes to the Constitution. Information on the proposed changes will be made available to all members in early 2017. Chris McKay

An important note for all clients

I am remiss in not picking up on the following important information earlier. As you may or may not probably know that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is currently conducting the 2016 Client Satisfaction Survey. DVA has recently become aware of a scam asking clients for their personal details from a caller claiming to be conducting a survey on behalf of DVA. Any such requests are a scam and are not legitimate. The official DVA survey will not ask for any personal information beyond confirming your name and, where a carer/or spouse is completing the survey on your behalf, their relationship with you. If you receive one of these calls do not provide any information request on any circumstance. Hang up the phone immediately and report the call to Scamwatch on 1300 795 995.

A warm welcome to our newly appointed Secretary Chris McKay and

for those who have not met Chris before (comme moi) , the following

describes his background.

Chris joined the Army as a Regular straight out of School at 17 and after Recruit Training and Infantry Corp Training was posted to 8 Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR) in Terendak Barracks in Malaysia for Jungle training as 8RAR was due to be posted to Vietnam. Chris served in “C” Company 8RAR in Vietnam from November 1969 until November 1970. After returning to Australia Chris was posted to 6RAR in Singapore. After serving 6 Years in the Army of which 4 Years was overseas Chris left the Army and Joined Total Oil as a Commercial Trainee studying Business at Wollongong University. In civilian life Chris held CEO positions in the Oil and Industrial services industries and started Lubrico Australia which became Australia’s largest collector and Re-refiner of Waste Lubricating Oils this was eventually sold to The Shell Oil Company of Australia. Chris enjoys his role with the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans & Associated Forces Inc. as Secretary. Chris enjoys Family life – Online Businesses and helping his Wife Gina in the marketing of her Lingerie and Bra shop in Katoomba. Thanks Chris, I hope that you have an enjoyable time as the Secretary at

12

The BMVV&AF teamed up with the Springwood RSL to apply for the $38,500 State Government grant in May, and were ecstatic to learn that the full funding had been approved. Early estimations indicate that the work will be completed by Anzac Day 2017. BMVV secretary, Chris McKay said “We are all very happy; it’s good to apply for something and

actually get it”. Springwood RSL Sub-branch President Jim McKinnon “We are looking

forward to meeting with council on Monday [December 5] and getting it all planned” The Blue Mountains City Council will manage the project and carry out the work including the hiring any necessary contractors. The upgrade will primarily make the memorial safer for visitors and more accessible for impaired visitors. The memorial was dedicated by Sir Walter Davidson in 1923, after which it was moved several times. The stone archway was destroyed by vandals in the 1980s and rebuilt in it’s current location opposite the new Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub’ The current memorial is located behind decorative gates that

are a memorial to the service of local doctor Joel Baxter.

Pictured behind the memorial from left are: BMVV Secretary Chris McKay, President Peter Jones, and Springwood RSL sub Branch members Shirley Greenaway and President Jim

A Few Strange isms/Quotes for the day

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote George Jean Nathan

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind Bernard M. Baruch

Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone hat they

have not first taken away from someone else.

Anonymous Editor

13

Rest on Arms Reversed

VP Glenn with E John engaging in pretty much nothing ie. GD just listens !!!

BLUE MOUNTAINS VIETNAM VETERANS & ASSOCIATED FORCES INC.

(ABN 74 645 329 198 CFN 17276) PO BOX 55 SPRINGWOOD NSW 2777

Phone: (02) 4751 8528 Fax: (02) 4751 8538 Email: secretary@bmvets.com.au

MEMBERSHIP/ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL APPLICATION

Please renew my membership/associate membership of the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans & Associated Forces Inc for………year/s Surname:…………….............................. Given names:………………………………………………………… Address:.....................................................................................................……............................................... Town:…………………………………………State:…………….Postcode:……………….. Home phone number:...................................Mobile:......................................Email:.............................……...

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY NOTES THROUGH THE POST

Annual Membership Fee: (BMVV&AF Inc.) $ 10.00 x……….year/s $

Car Stickers $2 each $

Long Tan Crosses $4 each $

Caps (with Logo) $15 each $

Caps (no logo) $7 each $

Donation: $

I enclose a cheque/money order for TOTAL: $ Cheque or Money Order – please make the cheque payable to Blue Mountains Vietnam

Veterans & Associated Forces Inc. and forward to the above address, OR Direct Credit - BSB: 032-837 A/C No. 138817

A/C Name: Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces Inc.

Reference: “your name”

Please Note: Please don’t forget to include ‘your name’ as the reference.

I agree to be bound by the rules of the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans & Associated Forces Inc. SIGNATURE:...........................................................................DATE:..........................…

Office Use Only

Direct Debit/Receipt number:........................Date:....................... Membership details updated:.......................... Remarks:...................................................................Membership card/clip:………..............................................

14

DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is produced for the membership of the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces Inc., complimentary copies are distributed to interested parties. Contact is written with care, in good faith and from sources believed to be accurate at the time of writing. Readers should not, however, act nor refrain from acting, solely on the basis of information in this newsletter about financial, taxation or any other matter. Readers, having regard to their own particular circumstances, should consult the relevant authorities or other advisers with expertise in the particular field. Neither the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces Inc., nor the management committee or

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The office team will stand down at 14:00 on 15 December 2016, and reopen, rain hail or shine on Tuesday 17 January 2017 at 10:00hrs

From the Editor and the Office crowd I wish you and your families a

VERY MERRY and PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY, HEALTH

PROSPEROUS 2017

To get into the Christmas spirit and to make sure I didn’t miss Santa, I ate a clock, it was OK but very time consuming, especially going back for seconds!!

G,Day to all members from your happy Editor

We have now seen just about everything that 2016 can throw at us, we have weathered the storm that had could have had all manner of problems for our quite significant hurdles for us to clear. With a great effort we can say that we are back level pegging and culminating in a magnificent Long Tan turnout. Our new Committee did a great job and I heard many of the onlookers kind comments. We have struck a good repour with Council, Police and the Hub Management and fingers crossed it stays that way. Our new Committee have survived the onslaught. I might add that without our Office Manger, we would have really struggled to maintain our heads above water, big special thanks to Wendy. The Royal Hotel also are have also maintained a great repour and have been super to our Association’s needs. A special request, just to appease the

Regimental Scrooge and his request for everyone to please return any unsold Raffle Tickets.

True story, the Government requires the unused tickets be returned and we can keep

smiling.

My turn now to apologize.

In the last CONTACT I reckon that I made about half a dozen stupid errors. Yes I check it all several times, but the last one was awash with error. It happens as w all know, I am trying to pick them all up and add the changes by phone, reruns or whatever. One in particular when the Sydney headed out on the first trip to VN. On the day a Caribou did a farewell flyover . What can I say, I just got confused with several book entries on Sydney’s movements and dates. But as a retired Caribou “framie”. I certainly believe the Caribou Captain, his Flight Log is never