Vietnam Veterans of Australia Association

Geelong & District Sub-Branch Newsletter

Nov-Dec 2005

Newsletter Editor: Michael Byrne

President’s Report

As we approach the end of the year, and with the festive season approaching, I feel that our association has gone ahead in leaps and bounds. This is due in no uncertain terms to a much diversified team effort. My thanks go to all who have helped organize programmes throughout the year. On my part, and approaching the end of my second year in the chair, it has been a very busy time. I am very much aware that to be effective and ‘in the loop’ you have to be a regular attendee to State conferences and, not only attend, but be active on State issues. It have also found it beneficial to circulate with other sub branches.

I can see only good things happening in the future and next year promises to be even busier than 2005. I encourage all vets to get ‘on board’ and become active in one or more of our many and varied groups from tennis to golf, badminton, bush walking, or helping on our monthly Saturday morning Pakington Street BBQ. Join our ever growing social group in their activities or become part of the newly forming Geelong Sub branch P.V.A. (Partners of Veterans Association). This group is autonomous from us but a vital support group for veterans’ partners. We also support ‘Relay for Life’ which includes a number of our vets. We already have had much pleasure in being able to welcome many new members and their wives and look forward to them being active with us in the future.

Wendy and I extend to each and every one of you the compliments of the season. We trust you have a happy and safe Christmas and may 2006 bring nothing but the best to you and your families.

Kevin Bate, President, G&DVVAA.

Christmas Break Up Dinner

Savvas Restaurant

Saturday 26th November

This will be a three course meal at $22 per head and the menu includes plenty of choices. We will be meeting at 6.30pm for 7.00pm. Final numbers must be in by 16^th November.

Contact Wendy Bate on 5282 2723 or Mobile 0439 001 388

What Religion is Your Bra?
A man walked into the ladies department of a Macy's and shyly walked up to the woman behind the counter and said, "I'd like to buy a bra for my wife."
"What type of bra?" asked the clerk.
"Type?" inquires the man, "There's more than one type?"
"Look around," said the saleslady, as she showed a sea of bras in every shape, size, color and material imaginable.
"Actually, even with all of this variety, there are really only four types of bras to choose from."
Relieved, the man asked about the types.
The saleslady replied: "There are the Catholic, the Salvation Army, the Presbyterian, and the Baptist types.
Which one would you prefer?"
Now totally befuddled, the man asked about the differences between them.
The Saleslady responded, "It is all really quite simple...
The Catholic type supports the masses.
The Salvation Army type lifts the fallen,
The Presbyterian type keeps them staunch and upright, and
The Baptist makes mountains out of mole hills.

Social Activities Report

This is my final report for the year and I am already planning next year’s activities. I intended at this point in time that I would list the 2006 functions complete with their dates but unfortunately I have been unwell (yes again), and not had the time and energy I had hoped for. At this stage there will be functions in March, May, July, October and November.

Ideas in the pipeline include “Tarts and Tyrants”, a Theatre Night, a Camping Trip, a Bus Trip and hopefully perhaps some day trips. I have a list of other ideas as long as my arm and all suggestions are welcome.

Our trip to Lakes Entrance was a resounding success and enjoyed by the 38 passengers who took part. Even the bus driver, some 20 years younger, thoroughly enjoyed himself and is looking forward to the next one. I am now ‘under pressure’ to produce another one as good but I have had some good suggestions and have a few months to come up with something.

At this point in time I must make mention of the following business and people who donated items for our Trivia Night. Acknowledgment is a bit late, but their assistance was very much appreciated.

They are as follows:

Geelong RSL & Diggers Den Bistro

J & D Liquor – Separation Street, North Geelong

Wine Clearance Warehouse – 69 Gheringhap Street, Geelong (tastings available)

Jack’s Wines and Spirits – 310 Latrobe Terrace, Geelong

Bannockburn Cellars – 150 Pakington Street, Geelong West

Neuschafers – 90 Mercer Street, Geelong

Geelong Liquor Spot – Labuan Square, Norlane

McDonalds Restaurant – North Geelong

Dorothy Cunningham – Lower Lovely Banks East

Penny Bate – Springhill Farm Boutique Bakery, Ballarat

Our last event for the year will be the Christmas Breakup Dinner at Savvas Restaurant. Bookings for this have exceeded expectations and are triple our usual response. Final names and payment in full of $22 per head must be in by 16^th November. If you miss out this year I sincerely apologize in advance but sixty people is the absolute limit we can fit in. If these numbers are a measure of our support we will have to look for a bigger venue next year.

I wish you all a very Happy and Safe Christmas and look forward to our social get togethers in 2006.

Wendy Bate – Social Secretary

Tennis Report

The September and October tennis days have continued to be well attended with 10 people attending in September and eleven people coming along in October. The social side remains a special part of the activity, with the morning tea/lunch now becoming an extended period.

Among the regular players, Mary Hudson is getting better by the month and the “stand out” men players are Jim Ellis, Ken Baker and Henry Godyki. Unfortunately, Anne Reither has been rather restricted by injury, but to her credit has still come along and spent some time on the court. We hope that that now she is in recovery mode after her operation that we will see back in action at least after Christmas.

To encourage others to come along it must be stressed that the mornings are arranged to cater for those of all standards with the main aim being to be out in the fresh air enjoying ourselves. It is not really all that frightening to play Frank Cunningham, even though he is still working on perfecting the sliced backhand off the frame. It will be interesting to note how everyone enjoys playing on the recently re-surfaced courts at All Saints’.

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 please come along, if there are other Vets and partners out there, who would like to have a social game of tennis on a regular basis. BYO drinks - tea and coffee available, racquets for loan are also available

Dates for the next three tennis days are 9^th November, 14^th December and 8^th February 2006. We look forward to seeing you there.

Nigel Wilson

Bushwalking

Walk No. 12 (21 September) Sheoak Creek-Sheoak Falls Return Distance 6 km. At this rate we will have to get a bigger bus. While the five who eventually could not make it missed a great day, the seventeen that did, including first timers Les & Maris, Alan & Trish and Sharon, all surprised themselves with what they achieved. Starting from Sheaks the group headed off down the creek trail to find the path barricaded and with a notice stating the trail was closed due to storm damage. Putting their faith in the trail boss, the barricade was soon bypassed and the walk continued. All was proceeding well until the fifth creek crossing when the reason for the trail being closed became obvious. With the bridge almost washed away, the option would have been to simply get wet feet but a way around was soon found. A banana break at Swallow Cave and then it was uphill for a kilometer or so climbing around 200 meters. While some found the going easier than others, the point of the exercise was to take your time and keep the heart rate at an acceptable level. The last two kilometers were a breeze compared with the first four and we arrived back at Sheoaks about three hours after starting. After a pleasant lunch, the group called in at Anglesea for a coffee on the way home as well as a detour to view the open cut mine and power station. The weather on the day was outstanding.

Walk No. 13 (20 October) Point Addis from Ironbark Basin Car Park via Eumrella Flora Reserve Distance 6.5 km. Turned out tbe another glorious day! 17 walkers, three first timers (Geoff & Roslyn, Jim), some of the regulars had other engagements. Leaving the Ironbark Basin for another day the group headed west along the GOR until Hirst Rd where we headed into the Eumerella Flora Reserve. The wildflowers put on a great show as did the wildlife in the form of a fat tiger snake at the edge of WP1. Obviously preferring younger blood the snake soon lost interest and retreated. Soon after, Les swore he saw an albino roo (not sure what Les had been drinking) but unfortunately no one else could confirm the sighting. The cliff tops were soon reached and we headed east to Point Addis beach and an easy stroll along the sand to the bus at Point Addis. Gathering our lunch under our arms we headed down the 78 steps (according to Alan) to a rocky cove where a pleasant lunch break was held. After that it was in to Torquay for coffee and cake to celebrate Mick H's 60th Birthday. All in all, a great day out. Special thanks again to our coach captain Frank.

G&DVVAA Library

The G&DVVAA has a library titles related to the Vietnam War. Some of these books have been kindly donated by veterans and their families, while others have been purchased by the Sub-Branch. All veterans are welcome to borrow books from the Library – after all. The Library is located in a glass cabinet located on the second level of the Geelong RSL.

Library No	Title	Sub Title	Author	Origin
1966.1	How to stay alive in Vietnam		Col. Robert Rigg	USA
1969.1	The Eagle and the Lotus		J.F. Cairns	AUS
1970.1	The Year of the Tigers	The recent tour of the 5^th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, in South Vietnam 1969-70		AUS
1982.1	Vietnam Tracks	Armour in Battle 1945-75	Simon Dunstan	USA
1982.2	Vietnam Tracks (2^nd copy)	Armour in Battle 1945-75	Simon Dunstan	USA
1982.3	Vietnam: The Other War		Charles R Anderson	USA
1982.4	The Vietnam Experience	20 Volumes	Boston Publishing	USA
1983.1	Australia’s Vietnam	Australia in the second Indo-China War	Peter King	AUS
1983.2	Vietnam – A History	The first complete account of Vietnam at war	Stanley Karnow	USA
1984.1	The Great Battles of the Vietnam War		Tom Carhart	USA
1985.1	Vietnam – A Reporter’s War		Hugh Lunn	AUS
1985.2	Vietnam – The War in the Air		Col Gene Gurney (UASAF, Retired)	USA
1985.3	The Illustrated History of the Vietnam War		Brian Beckett	USA
1987.1	Australia’s War in Vietnam		Frank Frost	AUS
1987.2	Tilting at Dominoes	Australia and the Vietnam War	Scott Brodie	AUS
1987.3	Line Doggie	The foot soldier in Vietnam	Charles Gadd	USA
1987.4	The Illustrated History of Khe Sanh	The Vietnam War	Michael Ewing	USA
1987.5	Ashes of Vietnam	Australian Voices	Stuart Rinroul	AUS
1987.6	Ashes of Vietnam (2^nd copy)	Australian Voices	Stuart Rinroul	AUS
1988.1	Life on the Line	Stories of Vietnam Air Combat	Phillip Chennery	USA
1988.2	The History of the Vietnam War		Charles Kamps Jr	USA
1988.3	A Code to Keep	Prisoner in Vietnam	Ernest Brace	USA
1988.4	First to Fight	Australian Diggers, Kiwis and US Paratroopers, 1965-66	Bob Breen	AUS
1988.5	Army Australia – An illustrated History		George Odgers	AUS
1988.6	A Look at the Bright Side		Martin Cameron	AUS
1988.7	The Vung Tau Ferry	And Escort Ships	Rodney Nott and Noel Payne	AUS
1989.1	The Palace File	Vietnam Secret Documents	Nguyen Tien Huy and Jerrold Schecter	USA
1989.2	The Palace File (2^nd copy)	Vietnam Secret Documents	Nguyen Tien Huy and Jerrold Schecter	USA
1989.3	Contact	Australia in Vietnam	Lex McCauley	AUS
1990.1	Duty First	The RAR in war and Peace	David Horner	AUS
1990.2	Australia in the Vietnam War		Scott Brodie	AUS
1990.3	Vietnam	The Decisive Battles	John Pimlott	USA
1990.4	The Complete Military History of the Vietnam War		Douglas Welsh	USA
1990.5	A Soldier Returns		Terry Burstall	AUS
1991.1	Welcome Back Again		Chris Rhodes	AUS
1991.2	Welcome Back Again (2^nd copy)		Chris Rhodes	AUS
1991.3	Welcome Back Again (3^rd copy)		Chris Rhodes	AUS
1992.1	Vietnam Fragments	An Oral History of Australians at War	Gary McKay	AUS
1993.1	No Need for Heroes	The Aussies who discovered the Viet Cong’s secret tunnels	Sandy MacGregor	AUS
1995.1	Mostly Sailors		Carla Evans	AUS
1996.1	Wings of Support		Carla Evans	AUS
1997.1	The Sharp End	The trauma of a war in Vietnam	Brian Hennessy	AUS
1998.1	Best We Forget		Bernard Clancy	AUS
2000.1	Diggers	The Australian Army, Navy and Air Force in Eleven Wars	George Odgers	AUS
2002.1	Medic	Memoirs of an Australian Infantry Medic	Wayne ‘Sam’ Brown	AUS
2002.2	Medic (2^nd copy)	Memoirs of an Australian Infantry Medic	Wayne ‘Sam’ Brown	AUS
2004.1	Tears On My Pillow	Australian Nurses in Vietnam	Narrelle Biedermann	AUS
2004.2	Well Done Those Men		Barry Heard	AUS

Do you want to put your old slides on to a CD before they completely disintegrate?

Contact the Vets Centre on 5222 6003.

NEXT MEETINGS OF THE G&DVVAA

Monday November 14 2005

Monday December 12 2005

Monday February 13 2006

Meetings are held at the Geelong RSL and commence at 7:30 PM

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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