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PRESIDENT’S PONTIFICATIONS

This year has seen several of our members sailing off, the most recent being Ex WORS
George Bracken. It was good to see so many of the DDG members paying their respects.
Our condolences to Dawn and family.
Our meetings this year have been well attended but not well enough to have a separate dining room (and therefore no raffles) but everyone still enjoys the day. The ANZAC Day march was again a great success with a good attendance at both the march and the after march reunion. The Berkley on Ann gave us an area to ourselves this year, which kept everyone out except a couple of Army Dropshorts (Artillery) who invaded our space temporarily (until they met with the Ellingworth family – Ann included!). However the problem was soon sorted out with minimum fuss.
Don’t forget that our first meeting next year will be the AGM and all positions become vacant. Alan has dozens of applications forms for all those who want to nominate for a position on the committee. I will be standing for President again. My thanks must go to Alan and Henry for all the hard work they put in behind the scenes. To Peter Thomas, thank you for looking after slops. Pat and I will see you all at Kedron Wavell on the 14th.

NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be our Christmas get-together at Kedron Wavell on Sunday the 14th December. This is our big one for the year, so please have your RSVPs in to the Secretary, or any of the Committee, by Wednesday the 10th December, RSVPs are required for catering purposes. We will be dining upstairs so bring along your raffle prizes and plenty of ticket money. Don’t forget to mark your diaries accordingly.
REPORT ON OUR LAST MEETING held at Kedron-Wavell on Sunday 14th September. Although not well attended the day was enjoyed by all. Treasurer Henry has come up with a novel way of selling income generating raffle tickets with several of our ladies winning some extra cash to put into the pokies. Alternative venues/sites for meetings were discussed and it was decided to hold one of our meetings in 2009 at the Vietnam Vets Club at Marrumba Downs. Details will be advertised when finalised.

2009 MEETINGS

The Association’s meetings for 2009 will be held on the following days: -

A G M Kedron-Wavell RSL 11am Sunday 8th February
ANZAC Day Saturday 25th April
Mooloolaba Surf Lifesaving Club 11am Sunday 17th May
FISH Day Kedron Wavell RSL 11am Sunday 19th July
September Marumba Downs VVA 11am Sunday 13th September
Christmas Kedron-Wavell RSL 11am Sunday 13th December

Please mark your diaries accordingly
AND
provide RSVP’s to the Secretary or any of the Committee by the Wednesday before.

VALE
As previously mentioned it is with regret that we inform you of the passing of (DDG) commissioning crew member George Bracken. George passed away on 18th November. Our sympathy to Dawn and family.

SICK BAY
Unfortunately, several of our more senior members have been seeing too much of the inside of various medical facilities. We wish you all speedy recoveries and look forward to seeing your smiling faces soon.

HISTORY WEBSITE
For those with computers, this is an interesting site worth checking out on a rainy day - www.diggerhistory.com Lots of information for the ex-service fraternity, with links to all three services. The following history item was copied from the site and for those without computer, other items of interest will be included in future: -

Cannon Balls
It was necessary to keep a good supply of iron cannon balls near the cannon on old sailing war ships. But how to prevent them from rolling about the deck was the problem. The best storage method devised was to stack them as a square based pyramid, with one ball on top, resting on four, resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem – when the ship heeled over how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate with 16 round indentations, called a Monkey. But if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make Brass Monkeys.

Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannon balls would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey”.

And all this time, you thought that was a vulgar expression, didn't you?

HOME FRONT HELP? The following was received by email.

Veteran Assist is a private company that is contracted to the Department of Veteran Affairs. They conduct Home Front assessments for veterans - Gold, White & War Widows - regardless of health status, age & accommodation. They make an appointment to see the veteran in their own home and show them the products on offer in a calendar year up to the value of $196.
The veteran chooses the products and they order these for them. The items are used for the home and come under the 'falls prevention program'. Items chosen are to prevent falls, such as retractable hose reels, sensor light, night light, non slip mats, cordless telephones just to name a few. The assessment takes approx 30 minutes. It is at no cost to the veteran. The items are posted to the veteran and take approx 4 weeks to arrive from Melbourne, again, at no cost to the veteran.

They request you advise all your veteran friends about Home Front and to call them to arrange for a local assessor to see them ASAP. Remember it’s every Calendar Year (and the year is coming to an end) so remind everybody to call before it’s too late.
For more details contact Veteran Assist on 1800-257-788.

BEREAVEMENT PIN (Received by email)

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, has announced the commissioning of a bereavement pin for family members of Navy personnel who lost their lives while in the service of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and the nation. Minister Snowdon said many families who lost a relative while they served in the Navy have expressed a wish to have a tangible, yet discreet, memento of the service of their loved one.

"The Navy Bereavement Pin represents their relative's commitment to Navy and the family's sacrifice and loss," he said. "It is hoped that the families, to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude, will find some comfort in the recognition of their loss through the Navy Bereavement Pin." The distinctive 20mm gold-plated lapel pin is emblazoned with the RAN crest and encompassed by a wreath to symbolise families' support of their relative in life and death.

HMAS Sydney II family members attending memorial services in Canberra, Geraldton and at sea in HMAS Manoora on November 19 will be the first invited to receive a Navy Bereavement Pin. "On the 19th of November, the Nation will commemorate the life, the service and the sacrifice of the 645 men who were lost with the sinking of HMAS Sydney II. It is right that the families of those brave servicemen will be the first to wear this symbol of both sorrow and deeply valued service.

"The Navy Bereavement Pin should be worn with pride, and as a reminder that they too, are part of the broader Navy family," said Mr. Snowdon.

Family members of Navy personnel who died while serving in the RAN since Federation, during war or peace time, on active service or off duty, are invited to apply for a pin by calling Navy on 02-6266-2285 or emailing NAVY, BereavementPin@defence.gov.au

DID YOU KNOW?
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.

THE LAWS OF ULTIMATE REALITY
Law of Mechanical Repair, after your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch or you'll have to pee.

REUNIONS

The Northern Territory Clearance Divers Association is organizing a reunion of all past and present ‘Bubblies’ to be held in Darwin from 17 to 21 June 2009. Further details can be obtained from Mark Every on 0401-117-056 or Mike Apathy on 0413-700-277.
Those with computers can contact mlevery@bigpond.net.au , mike@divingservices.com.au or the Bubblies website at www.rancd-association.com for updates.

AND

Member Tom Jehn informs us that the Americans are putting together a reunion of all the Adams Class destroyers for sometime in early 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida USA. They invite you to their website in hopes you can provide them with information on dates you would like to see the reunion held. Please go to http://adams-reunion.us-sailors.com and give them your input.

NEW NAME (The following received from John Hodges, Defence Service Assistance Centre by email). The Trustees of the Welfare & Benevolent Institution (WBI) have given approval to change the name of the Information Section to the Defence Service Assistance Centre. This new name will relate better to current serving members of the Australian Defence Force, whilst not forgetting our older Veterans, who, of course, also had Defence Service.
The assistance they give to all who have had Defence Service (and their entitled dependents) will continue to be: -
Pension advice under the Veterans’ Entitlement Act (VEA),
Compensation advice under the Safety, Rehabilitation & Compensation Act (SRCA), Compensation advice under the Military Rehabilitation & Compensation Act (MRCA), Advocacy service under all three Acts,
Welfare Support and TIP Training to Pension & Welfare Officers.
For further details phone 02-9264-8188 ext 336 or www.rslnsw.org.au

WEBSTER PACKS
President Doug reports….
The Department of Veterans Affairs has agreed that any white or gold cardholder can now have their Doctor write prescriptions for their Chemist to pack their medications in Webster packs for use, weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. This service is FREE. You can get more information from the DVA website or ask your Doctor or Chemist. Doug has the necessary forms and will take some to the next meeting.

BUNDABERG REUNION - LATEST Member Dick Harrison reports: -

Just to advise you that to date some 150 have notified of their intentions to attend and the following info is added for perusal and to assist in the working out of expenses, etc.

DINNER - The cost for this will be $65.00 per head, all-inclusive.

REGISTRATION - $20.00 per head. Includes Reunion Carry Bag, cost for the final day BBQ and other paraphernalia.

MEMORABILIA - Reunion Shirt $35.00, Coffee Mug $8.00, Stubby Holders $6.50 and Caps $12.50. Note - All memorabilia will have Reunion Logo.

LOCAL/DISTRICT TOURS - Three separate tours are being organized.

1. Bundy Rum Distillery - Bundaberg Port, Bargara.
.
2. Bundy Ginger Beer Factory
Botanical Gardens (The Botanical Gardens include the Hinkler Museum & Hinkler House - Machinery Museum - Vintage Train Ride around Gardens - Fairymeade House.

3. Historic Childers District
Bird Sanctuary - Museum Winery - Maminos Icecream.
At this stage the cost for the tours, which includes the entry fees to all venues, will be $40/$45 per head however, dependant on the success of a grant application, this cost could be reduced by approx 50%. Also be advised that the tour costs do not include lunches.

The tours will be conducted on both the Thursday and Friday. If/when I am able to access the web site again the above information will be posted.

Please note: the closing date for ordering memorabilia will be 1st August 2009.

For those who wish to bring their make-and-mend sticks, there is a day being organised for the Friday at Coral Cove International.

To assist the Reunion Committee with its planning, would those attending the reunion who have not registered as yet do so as soon as practical; thank you. “Our insert”.

JUST A MOMENT
Life is not measured by the breaths we take….but by the moments that take our breath away.

THE BACK PAGE!

1. A tour bus driver is driving with a bus full of seniors down a highway when a little old lady taps him on his shoulder.
She offers him a handful of peanuts, which he gratefully munches up.
After about 15 minutes, she taps him on his shoulder again and she hands him another handful of peanuts.
She repeats this gesture about five more times.
When she is about to hand him another batch again he asks the little old lady why they don't eat the peanuts themselves.
"We can't chew them because we've no teeth", she replied.
The puzzled driver asks, "Why do you buy them then?"
The old lady replied, "We just love the chocolate around them."

2. A 54-year old woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital.
While on the operating table she had a near death experience.
Seeing God she asked "Is my time up?"
God said, "No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live."
Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a face-lift, liposuction, breast implants and a tummy tuck.
She even had someone come in and change her hair colour and brighten her teeth!
Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it.
After her last operation, she was released from the hospital.
While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance.
Arriving in front of God, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 43 years?
Why didn't you pull me from out of the path of the ambulance?"
God replied: "I’m sorry, I didn't recognise you."

And one last quickie!
A small boy was lost at a large shopping mall.
He approached a policeman and said, 'I've lost my grandpa!'
The policeman asked, 'What's he like?'
The little boy hesitated, thought for a moment and then replied,
'Bundaberg rum and women with big boobs’!

In case we don’t see you on the 14th
I wish one and all the very best for Christmas and the New Year.

On behalf of President Doug and your Committee.

Alan Whyte
Secretary