ANZAC DAY SERVICES

Dawn Service – Cenotaph, Johnstone Park

From 4:15AM. To be followed by breakfast at the Geelong RSL

Dawn Service - Point Danger, Torquay

Form up at Price Street from 5:30AM. The March to Point Danger gets underway at 5:45AM for the 6:00AM dawn service. Gunfire Breakfast Follows. Fellowship at the Torquay Bowling Club commences at 7:30AM

ANZAC DAY MARCH - March to Johnstone Park

Form up outside Officeworks in Malop Street behind the G&DVVAA Banner at 10:30AM. Vietnam Veterans are invited to join their comrades for refreshments at the Geelong RSL following the March.

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Torquay ANZAC Day Dawn Service – the tradition grows

This year’s Dawn Service and March at Torquay should again be a wonderful community commemoration and celebration. According to Torquay RSL President, Peter Thomas, Torquay’s Dawn Service continues to grow as a major community event in the region.

“Last year more than 6,500 people attended the moving service at Point Danger despite inclement weather,” he said.

“It was wonderful to see so many families and young children among the crowd paying their respects to Australians who served in so many conflicts over the years and their families who continue to support them.”

This year the March to the Dawn Service will begin at 5.45am from the corner of The Esplanade and Pride Street and the marchers will arrive at Point Danger for a 6.00 am start to the Dawn Service.

Soldiers from 38 Medium Battery, RAA, will provide a catafalque party to stand at the War Memorial at Point Danger during the Service.

Following the Dawn Service, the community will join with the marchers at a ‘gunfire breakfast’ and a sausage sizzle at the approach to Point Danger.

Guest Speaker at the Dawn Service will be Air Commodore Allan Pappin who is currently Patron of the Australian Air Force Cadets. He served in the Royal Australian Air Force for more than 27 years and saw active service as a pilot in Borneo and the Malaya Peninsula.

Mr Thomas invites all Vietnam Veterans, their families and friends to attend the Dawn Service.

“As our ex-service people grow older they appreciate more and more seeing their efforts recognised by so many in the community,” he said.

“And having young people mingle with the veterans at the community breakfast afterwards is one way of ensuring that Australia’s traditions are passed on to the younger generation.”

Anyone wanting more information about the ANZAC Day Dawn Service and March can phone Peter on: 0417 374 249 or by email: thomasp@bigpond.net.au.

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Annual Report

Kevin Bate, President G&DVVAA

It gives me great pleasure to present this, my first Annual Report as President of the G&DVVAA.

2004 started out as very promising for me personally and I can say that I was looking forward to the year as President.

We had started slowly with vacant Secretarial and Editorial positions. After many phone calls by the Executive we were able to welcome on board, Mick Mutton as Secretary, and Michael Byrne as Newsletter Editor. This completed the Executive.

Ian Reither and Nigel Wilson were great in their support for me in my first year as President. Mick Mutton has done a fantastic job as Secretary and Mick Hoare has continued to display his professionalism. I could not ask for a better Executive Committee.

The Committee as a whole has also worked very well. To Jocelyn, Ted, Max, Bernard, John, Michael, Frank and Aivar, your support and efforts are not only essential for the well running of the group, but appreciated by all.

Events of note during 2004 were our special events: Anzac Day, Veterans' Day and our Veterans' Day Dinner. Each of these went very well, especially Veterans' Day when we were joined by B Company 2 RAR. The Veterans' Day committee and the Dinner deserve accolades for a job well done.

This coming year is to be a special year for Geelong Vietnam Veterans as it is 30 years since the foundation of the GVA. Peter Sullivan has been appointed Coordinator for the Veterans' Day and Foundation celebrations.

Although the Social Committee has run fewer events during 2004, responsibility for the Heritage Meats BBQ has fallen into Frank Cunningham’s hands. His group of workers at the monthly Sausage Sizzles deserve thanks and gratitude. The generous time and effort of the Social Committee raised almost $4,000. This is a huge contribution to the financial wellbeing of the G&DVVAA.

Health-wise, both Wendy and I had what can only be described as 'a last half year from hell', but that is all behind us now. We would both like to thank you all for your support, flowers, cards and phone calls. I would especially like to thank Ian and Nigel for carrying on, sometimes at very short notice.

In closing I can honestly say that I feel this Association carried on the ideals of the VVAA, we honour the dead and truly fight like hell for the living.

Car Trial

A car trial will be held on Sunday May 1^st^.This social event for Veterans and their families will commence at Geelong RSL Car Park at 11:00AM

At the conclusion of Car Trial there will be a BBQ/Picnic Lunch. BYO food, Barbies, etc.

First prize is a $50 Petrol Voucher.

Come along and enjoy a family day together.

Enquiries: Wendy Bate

Tennis Report

Nigel Wilson

Apart for two months during 2004, when rain intervened, a group of Veteran’s and wives have been getting together for a hit of tennis on the second Wednesday of each month. The numbers have varied considerably, but that doesn’t matter, it’s the exercise and the social side that are important.

When we first got together, there were a considerable number of those on the court who had not played for many years. Consequently there were many “different” shots observed. Among the most notable have been the Frank Cunningham sliced backhand, the Ian Reither volley and the Mick Mutton serve. Anne-Marie Hoare and Dorothy Cunningham also regularly show some excellent shots.

Since getting back together after the Christmas holidays, the numbers have been down a little, but even so, all present on each day have enjoyed a good hit and run around, with the compulsory social gathering after play also being enjoyed. The Cunninghams haven’t been able to be present on either day, so we have missed Frank’s influence, meaning others have tried to copy his trade mark back hand shot.

The group will continue to meet on the second Wednesday of the month at All Saints’ Tennis Club, Noble Street, Newtown at 10.30am; so if there are other Vets and partners out there who would like to have a social hit on a regular basis, please come along and enjoy some healthy exercise with us. BYO drinks, tea and coffee available, racquets for loan are also available

Dates for the next three months are 13^th April, 11^th May and 8^th June and we are looking forward to seeing you there.

Modern Technology

Three women - one German, one Japanese and the other Australian were sitting naked in a Jacuzzi. Suddenly there was a beeping sound. The German pressed her forearm and the beep stopped.

The others looked at her questioningly. "That was my pager," she said. "I have a microchip under the skin of my arm".

A few minutes later, a phone rang. The Japanese woman lifted her palm to her ear. When she finished, she explained, "that was my mobile phone. I have a microchip in my hand."

The Aussie lady felt decidedly low tech. Not to be outdone, she decided she had to do something just as impressive. She stepped out of the sauna and went to the bathroom. She returned with a piece of toilet paper hanging from her behind. The others raised their eyebrows and stared at her.

The Australian finally said, "Good God, will you look at that. I'm getting a fax."

Colac Visit

Members of Geelong and District Vietnam Veterans and partners are in invited to lunch with Colac Vietnam Veterans and partners. This is designed to be a special "get together" before ANZAC Day.

Place: Colac RSL

Date: Sunday 17 April 2005

Time: 12.00 for 12.30 pm

Transport: We are looking at arranging the RSL bus.

Colac’s Ian Morgan says the Colac RSL putS on a very good meal, at an average price of $12 to $14. So let's get a good number together and enjoy some fellowship and hospitality with the boys form Colac.

If you wish to attend, please contact Nigel Wilson

Vietnam Statistics – Serving Members, 1969

The number of serving members of South Vietnam and allied forces peaked in 1969 with 1,441,050 soldiers in uniform.

The “Others” included Australia, South Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Serving Members 1964 - 1973

GEELONG & DISTRICT VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INC.

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Disclaimer the material contained in this newsletter is in the nature of general comment only and neither purports nor is intended to be advice on any particular matter. No person should act on the basis of any matter contained in this newsletter without considering and, if necessary, taking appropriate professional advice upon his or her own particular circumstances. The V.V.A.A. the authors and the editor expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by any such person in reliance, whether whole or partial, upon the whole or part, of the contents of this newsletter.

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