D O I N G B U S I N E S S W I T H R S L

ANZAC House & Reception 28 St Georges Terrace, Perth PO Box 3023 EAST PERTH WA 6892 Website: www.rslwahq.org.au Email: rslwahq@iinet.net.au Tel: (08) 9287 3799 Fax: (08) 9287 3732 Country Callers : 1800 259 799

CEO / State Secretary Email: rslwahq@iinet.net.au Tel: 9287 3799

Executive Assistant Assistant to State President and CEO Email: rslwahq@iinet.net.au Tel: (08) 9287 3702

Membership Monday to Thursday Membership Enquiries Sub-Branch Enquiries Email: memberhip@rslwahq.org.au Tel: (08) 9287 3705

Welfare Welfare Applications WA Sailors, Soldiers & Airman Relief Trust Fund Applications. Overseas Pensions Email: welfare@rslwahq.org.au Tel: (08) 9287 3707 Mob: 0417 905 742

Advocacy Monday to Friday Email: rslwahq@iinet.net.au Tel: 9287 3799

Finance All Account Enquiries Sub-Branch Credits Sub-Branch Insurance Information, Claims Grant Application Assistance DVA & Lotterywest (ABN, tax) Email: helenb@rslwahq.org.au Tel: (08) 9287 3703 / (08) 9287 3718

Pensions Monday to Friday Email: pensions1@rslwahq.org.au rslwahq@iinet.net.au

ANZAC Club Facilities Bookings Catering & Hospitality Email: anzacclub@rslwahq.org.au Tel: (08) 9287 3714

Listening Post Editorial Staff Email: johna@rslwahq.org.au Tel: 0411 554 480

From the President’s Pen…

RSLWA Centenary Ball

Issue 2/2016

THE RETURNED & SERVICES LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA

WA BRANCH INCORPORATED

The Sub - Branch Signal

The RSLWA Centenary Ball is rapidly approaching and I’m pleased to confirm that Brendan Nelson AO BMBS FRACP (Hon) FAMA has agreed to be our keynote speaker. As you all know, Brendon is Director of the Australian War Memorial and is an excellent speaker. We are thrilled that he is attending on Saturday June 18 at Crown Perth. Brendon is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at ANU; a member of the Chief Scientist’s Advisory Council; Patron of Lifeline ACT; Patron of Trish MS Research; Patron of the Weary Dunlop Foundation; Patron of Legacy Australia; Patron of Soldier On and ambassador for the Reserve Defence Forces. Tickets to the ball are virtually sold out. For our country members, we know that many of you will already be attending Congress and we want to make sure that you don’t miss out on the Ball. Accommodation and other details are on our website www.rslwahq.org.au and for further information please call Sharon at ANZAC House on (08) 9287 3799. We are also continuing to seek sponsors for the Ball, with high-value packages ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. I’m pleased to also report on the continued good progress of the WA Aged Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Relief Fund Trust in caring for victims of the Yarloop fires. In last month’s Sub-Branch Signal, I referred to the Trustees Brian Cooper (Chairman) and Duncan Warren and our Welfare Officer, Ros Howat, travelling to the fire areas immediately after the disaster struck in January. In February Ms Howat also attended an interagency Mental Health meeting at the Shire of Harvey’s Council Chambers.

The purpose of the meeting was to ensure a coordinated approach to community wellbeing activities and mental health services. (The Sub-Branch Signal has further information about this on page 3) My congratulations also go to the Pinjarra and Cockburn RSL Sub-Branches for their combined operation this week to provide decent shelter for Matt Colebrook, an Afghanistan veteran who lost his home in the Yarloop fires. Pinjarra RSL Sub-Branch President Mick O’Donnell tells us that Cockburn has stumped up $2,000 for the raw materials to build a big shed on Matt’s property at Yarloop. The shed will be big enough to house his caravan and still provide outside shelter. It will be constructed by a group from the Pinjarra RSL, headed by affiliate member Brian Flatman. There’s certainly strength in numbers and it is so pleasing to see Cockburn, Pinjarra, Waroona-Hamel and Harvey Sub-Branches helping out fire victims in need.

Popular: RSLWA Centenary Ball

The John Fawcett Foundation Inaugural Charity Golf Day is on Thursday 2 June at

the prestigious Bali National Golf Club.

Come to Bali, play golf, have fun and help give sight to thousands of needy Indonesians.

Contact Lesley Beale on 0412 107 160.

Welcome to the West Another successful 'Welcome to the West' Family Day was held on Sunday February 21 at a new venue - the Gary Holland Community Centre in Rockingham. The annual event is usually held at Leeuwin Barracks to welcome newly posted Defence members and their families to Western Australia and to provide opportunities for them to link with both Defence support organisations and local community groups organisations. RSLWA had a busy stand with Wendy Moss, Andrea Hunt and CEO Philip Orchard - ably supported by City of Rockingham RSL's Ian (Ibby) Brook – in attendance.

>>2016 CONGRESS ENCLOSURES<< CONGRESS ENCLOSURES TO BE RETURNED BY:

Example Agenda Item Submission

- Due 6 May 2016 (Enc 1)

Remittance Advice and Delegate/Proxy/Observer Nomination Form

- Due 27 May 2016 (Enc 2)

Sub-Branch Competition Form

- Due 27 May 2016 (Enc 3)

Congress Reception Form

- Due 27 May 2016 (Enc 4)

ANZAC House project APP is making good progress on the business feasibility study for the redevelopment of the ANZAC House property in Perth. The company is investigating various options for the design of a new building. This includes a variety of accommodation and commercial options based around sustainability for the future. In the research of options APP has employed well known and respected companies to deal with engineering and design aspects as well as placing an ‘Expression of Interest’ to the market. APP report to the ANZAC House Reference Group chaired by the State President on a monthly basis while the CEO attends APP’s weekly progress meetings. Regular updates will be provided to RSLWA members as the project gains momentum. It is intended that a comprehensive briefing will be given to Congress on June 18, 2016.

Events Coordinator Wendy Moss with State Membership Officer Andrea Hunt

NIZAM tragedy remembered RSLWA CEO Philip Orchard represented the State President at the 71st anniversary of the HMAS Nizam tragedy in Augusta. Alongside the members of the N Class Destroyers Association were members of the Cockburn and Karridale/Augusta Sub-Branches. The Hon. Robyn McSweeney represented the Premier and Craig Boyd represented the Department of Veterans Affairs. The RAN was represented by the new Commanding Officer of HMAS Stirling, Captain Brian Delamont. The event was held in Augusta where attendees enjoyed a dinner on Saturday evening with numerous pages about the history of the N Class Destroyers, together with comical interviews by the CEO, Captain Delamont and Ms McSweeney.

Late News – Cockburn RSL steps up Cockburn RSL Sub-Branch has stepped into the breach to provide $2,000 for raw materials to help out an Afghanistan veteran caught in the Yarloop fires. Ex combat engineer Matt Colebrook lost his home when flames wiped out nearly all of Yarloop in just seven minutes on January 7. Cockburn raised the money in a single night and Pinjarra RSL will begin constructing the shed from patio tubing and sheet metal this week. A team of RSL members led by Brian Flatman is constructing the shed.

Yarloop Bushfires Welfare Update The RSLWA’s Welfare Officer, Ros Howat, was invited to attend an interagency Mental Health meeting at the Council Chambers – Shire of Harvey on February 8, 2016. The purpose of the meeting was to ensure a coordinated approach to community wellbeing activities and mental health services. It is important that the agencies providing services are aware of what services are already being provided to ensure the best utilisation of existing resources and avoid doubling up of services where possible. It will also be valuable to potentially identify any gaps in existing services. Although our target group is restricted to Service members and their dependants it was worthwhile attending to raise the profile of both RSL WA Branch and the WA Aged Sailors Soldiers and Airmen’s Relief Fund Trust (WAASSARFT ) in the area.

Ex Service Organisations surveyed to help improve veterans’ services

Sub-branches have recently been sent an important survey designed to improve services to veterans and their families. The survey of ex-service organisations is being funded by the Aspen Foundation. It was launched in December by Sir Angus Houston. The Ex-Service Organisation Mapping Project (ESOMP) aims to identify gaps in, and potential overlap of, services provided to veterans and their families. It intends to achieve this aim by identifying the needs of veterans and their families and then mapping the current services available to address those needs. This information will be made available for the ex-service community to consider and use to enhance services. Sub-branches are encouraged to participate in this survey.

Gas Cauldron Offered The ATCO Gas Australia cauldron – which featured during The Giants visit to Perth last February – is available for use by RSL sub-branches. The cauldron is a magnificent item and is at the moment only booked for use during the Len Hall Tribute AFL Match on Sunday, April 24. ATCO Gas Australia has offered the cauldron for use by any sub-branch as part of the ANZAC commemorations. If your sub-branch is interested in using it, please contact RSLWA’s Centenary Program Manager Sharon Harford on 9287 3706.

The world’s biggest plane to visit Perth Local plane spotters have been in a spin this week with the announcement that the world’s biggest plane—the giant Antonov AN225 Mriya will be piercing our skies in April. According to The West Australian Aviation Editor, Geoffrey Thomas, this plane is a monster with six engines, twice the wing area of a Boeing 747 and it carries 250 tonnes of cargo.

17 April 2016 Bankwest Gallipoli Run 20—24 April Sunset Services commemorating the Western Front and the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. 25 April ANZAC Day 17 June State Congress—Wreath Laying—State War Memorial 17 June State Congress Reception—ANZAC House 18 June State Congress—Crown Perth 18 June RSLWA Centenary Ball—Crown Perth 13 August RSLWA 2016 Women’s Forum 18 August 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and Vietnam Veterans Day 16 October Antiques Military Roadshow 24—30 October Perth Royal Show Exhibition