DOING BUSINESS WITH RSLMon - Fri, 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM

ANZAC House and Reception28 St Georges Terrace, PerthPO Box 3023EAST PERTH WA 6892Website: www.rslwahq.org.auEmail: rslwahq@iinet.net.auTel: (08) 9287 3799Fax: (08) 9287 3732Country Callers: 1800 259 799

CEO / State SecretaryEmail: rslwahq@iinet.net.auTel: (08) 9287 3799

Assistant State SecretaryAssistant to State President & CEO / State SecretaryEmail: rslwahq@iinet.net.auTel: (08) 9287 3702

MembershipMonday to ThursdayMembership EnquriesSub - Branch EnquiriesEmail: membership@rslwahq.org.auTel: (08) 9287 3705

WelfareWelfare ApplicationsASS&AR Trust Fund ApplicationsOverseas PensionsEmail: welfare@rslwahq.org.auTel: (08) 9287 3707

AdvocacyS31 ReviewsVeterans Review BoardAdmin. Appeals TribunalEmail: advocate@rslwahq.org.auTel: (08) 9287 3708

FinanceAll Account EnquiriesSub - Branch CreditsSub - Branch InsuranceInformation & ClaimsGrant Application AssistanceDVA & Lotterywest (ABN, tax)Email: helenb@rslwahq.org.auTel: (08) 9287 3703 / (08) 9287 3718

PensionsPension EntitlementsClaims PreparationEmail: advocate2@rslwahq.org.auTel: (08) 9287 3710 / (08) 9287 3711

ANZAC ClubFacilities BookingsCatering & HospitalityEmail: anzacclub@rslwahq.org.auTel: (08) 9287 3714

The Listening PostEditorial StaffEmail: listeningpost@rslwahq.org.auTel: (08) 9287 3799

Issue 005/2015THE RETURNED & SERVICES LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA

WA BRANCH INCORPORATED

The Sub - Branch Signal

From the President’s Pen...Victory in the Pacific 70th Anniversary

Preparations for Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day are well advanced. As we have said before, given the age of our WWII veterans, it is important this 70th Anniversary is a special one. Plans are to hold a service at the State War Memorial at 10 am on 15 August 2015 followed by a reception at the State Reception Centre for those WWII veterans who can attend.

Numbers will be limited due to the size of the venue. Cost is significant for a sit down morning tea and we are grateful for the support of DVA and the Government for their financial support.

We are grateful also for the offer by some sub-branches to assist. North Beach for instance will reimburse HQ for its WWII veterans and will also provide a mini bus to get their members to and from Kings Park.

If your Sub-Branch wants to assist in a similar way please do not hesitate to contact Phil Orchard or I at ANZAC House and any assistance to help with travel will be greatly appreciated.

Cost however is not the most important matter. Ensuring that the 70th Anniversary of VP day is a special day of recognition, commemoration and celebration for our WWII veterans is. Many of these older members have been the backbone of the RSL for decades and their legacy is a fine one.

Let’s now take this special 70th anniversary of VP day to extend to them our appreciation.

Sub-Branch Visits

On another issue of a positive note is that Phil Orchard and I recently visited Broome and Derby Sub-Branches. We received warm hospitality at Broome, as we all have come to know and expect, but the main purpose of the trip was to present Derby Sub-Branch with its Charter.

Whilst numerous attempts to form a sub-branch date back to the mid 1950s a group of young, enthusiastic and committed locals have managed to succeed where previous generations have failed.

Well done to David Bavington and his team in Derby for establishing the Sub-Branch in this historic town which is such an important and integral part of the beautiful Kimberly region of WA.

State Headquarters donated $1,500 to assist with the establishment costs of the new Sub-Branch. This amount was kindly matched by Broome Sub-Branch - we thank Max Turner and his team in Broome for that generous support of their new neighbor. Well done all!

I am sure you all join with me in wishing them well for the future. Read more about our newest sub-branch on page 2.

Graham Edwards AM - State President

Inside this issue:

2016 ANZAC Day Grant Applications

To be completed and returned no later than Friday, 28 August 2015

A New Sub-Branch for RSLWA: Derby

As a remote town Derby is isolated, has few services, no fast food outlets and very few shops. Situated in the picturesque Kimberleys, Derby and the surrounding areas have some of the most magnificent scenery in Australia, featuring rocky gorges and magnificent waterfalls. Derby can boast a number of returned soldiers and nurses, including many aboriginal men who served to save their country.

The first Branch of the RSL was established in Derby in the early 1900s in the grounds of the Catholic Church but was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt by the Sisters of Saint John of God 1954. The flag poles can still be seen in the front yard of the Catholic School. At some time after this the RSL ceased to exist in Derby.

In February 2014 a meeting was held with eight (8) people with the purpose of re-establishing a Derby Returned & Services League (DRSL) Sub-Branch in the Shire of West Kimberley. Over a few months with continued interest from a growing number of people an inaugural Annual General Meeting was held on 26 September 2014 in the Sportsman’s Club and Office Bearers appointed. From there the interest and membership grew enabling a submission to the State Returned Services League (RSL) to officially acknowledge Derby as a sub-branch of The Returned & Services League of Western Australia.

We are proud to announce to the Derby Community that the Derby Sub-Branch of the Returned & Services League of Western Australia was officially established by Charter on Tuesday, 16 June 2015 with the RSLWA State President Graham Edwards and CEO / State Secretary, Phil Orchard attending. The importance of this event is that it is the final step in re-establishing the DRSL that had ceased operating many years ago. This will allow the Derby Sub-Branch to work under the mantel of the State RSL in assisting local ex-service men and women.

Congress PackageIncludes Remittance & Delegate Nomination Form, Agenda Item Submission and Sub-Branch Competitions

Annual Financial ReturnForms to be sent soon!

Insurance Renewal - 1 July 2015 - 30 June 2016New Certificate of Currency for Public Liability Insurance available early June 2015.

New Project

With the poppy knitting coming to an end we have been gathering our thoughts as to some new options for knitting for those of you who are interested in another project.

Our goal: To provide a knitted or crocheted BEANIE and an INFINITY SCARF for each serving member on deployment in the Middle East and similar areas. There are currently approximately 600 ADF in Iraq, 400 ADF in Afghanistan and 800 ADF protecting our borders at any one time. Of course, these numbers can fluctuate, but it would be wonderful if we were able to send our ADF members something made by people at home, knowing that we care about them and appreciate their service. It can be bitterly cold in these areas as well as at sea, so let us help keep them warm!

Project aims: To gather our knitting and crocheting supporters and volunteers from various sources to provide at least 1,000 beanies and scarves to be sent to our deployed ADF members in time for Christmas 2015. Preferred colours are camouflage, dark navy, dark grey, charcoal, black, brown, khaki – or a combination of some to make camouflage. However, as we now understand, the “troops” will mostly wear the gear when in civvies or relaxing, so the colours can be expanded, though sensible as we really have to think about the sensitive conditions our ADF may be exposed too. Also, colours that don’t show the dirt will also be preferred.

Time Frame: To have at least 1,000 sets completed by 25 Nov 2015 so that they can be gathered and posted before the Australia Post cut-off date approx 4 Dec.

For further info and patterns please contact Sharon Harford on 9287 3799 or sharonh@rslwahq.org.au

In 2004 Garth Callender, a junior cavalry officer, was deployed to Iraq. He quickly found his feet leading convoys of armoured vehicles through the streets of Baghdad and into the desert beyond. But one morning his crew was targeted in a roadside bomb attack. Garth became Australia's first serious casualty in the war. Revealing, moving, funny and full of drama, Garth Callender’s story is one of a kind.

Membership as at 31 May 2015:

7,117 Service1,614 Affiliates8,731

Canning Districts

On Sunday, 14 June State President Graham Edwards and CEO Phil Orchard visited Canning Districts RSL to present them with a new Charter due to their name change from Canning Districts Victoria Park. Sub-Branch President Rob Noble accepted the Charter on behalf of his members at their monthly Sunday meeting.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park Sub-Branch (previously East Victoria Park) received their new Charter on Wednesday, 24 June 2015. Their Charter was presented by the State President and CEO / State Secretary at a morning tea hosted by the Sub-Branch.

Poppy Merchandise

RSLWA stocks a large variety of Poppy Merchandise. It is selling fast so get your orders in for Remembrance Day now! Come in to have a look or phone ANZAC

House on 9287 3799 for more information.

The Legion of Honor

On 10 June 2015 ten Australian veterans received the highest French award “The Legion of Honor” by the Ambassador of France to Australia, HE Christophe Lecourtier, for their service and sacrifice during the Second World War.

The Honorable Barry House, President of The Legislative Council and the Honorable Nick Goiran, Member of WA legislative council, were present with the Ambassador of France, who in the name of the French government, presented the medals to Mr Thomas AUBRE, Mr Arthur ANDERSON, Mr Alan FORBES, Mr Francis HALL, Mr Rodney HARRISON, Mr Eric NYE, Mr Wilbur TOWLER, Mr Robert TWEED, Mr Peter MUNRO and Mr Kenneth ROBINSON at ANZAC House.

The Legion of Honor is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte on 19 May 1802 and it is the most prestigious decoration in France. The Legion of Honor is bestowed upon those who have contributed to protect the values that France holds dear and stands for.

This ceremony is part of a series of celebrations taking place in France and in Australia this year in commemoration of the Great Wars. Since June 2014, 31 veterans living throughout Australia have received the Legion of Honor. Over the next two months, 106 Second World War veterans will be honoured at ceremonies across Australia.

The Listening Post:Submissions for the next edition of

The Listening Post are due no later than 21 August 2015 to: amyh@rslwahq.org.au

5 July 2015

St George’s Cathedral Commemorative Service for the Indigenous Soldiers of WWII- St George’s Cathedral, Perth

24 July 2015

Women’s Forum Christmas in July Function ($36 pp)- ANZAC House, Perth- Ph 9287 3799 to reserve a seat - seats filling fast!

29 July 2015

Breakfast with Garth Callender: launch of his book After the Blast ($25 pp)- ANZAC House, Perth- Ph 9287 3799 to reserve a seat

31 July 2015

RSL Community Golf Day ($65 pp)- Araluen Golf Resort and Country Club, Roleystone- Phil Platcher: 0423 467 262 / events@hrmgroup.com.au

On 25 June, Nicole Banks and Emily Marshall from Bankwest and Wayne Loxley and Stephen Stingemore from Atheltics WA presented a cheque to RSLWA for $20,000. This cheque is the result of funds raised from the Bankwest Gallipoli Run 2015. RSLWA greatly appreciates the support of these two prominate WA businesses.