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The
Listening MARCH 2020 ISSUE
POST
ANZAC DAY 2020:
The Mateship Issue
RSLWA State President:
From Long Tan to a brighter future for Veterans
The Official Journal of The Returned & Services League of Australia WA Branch Incorporated
LETTERS
CONTACT DIRECTORY
Chief Executive Officer
John McCourt JP, MBA, FAIM, MPRIA
(08) 9287 3799. admin@rslwa.org.au
to the
Executive Assistant to the State President and
Chief Executive Officer
Nola Keen
(08) 9287 3799. admin@rslwa.org.au
Veteran Services Manager
Editor
Milton Brooks
(08) 9287 3799. miltonb@rslwa.org.au
Advocate
David Faithfull/Andrew Endrey/
Ian Jones/ /Markus Gaschk/Vanessa Smith
(08) 9287 3799. advocacy@rslwa.org.au
State Welfare Officer
Rosalind Howat
(08) 9287 3799/0417 905 742. welfare@rslwa.org.au
Welfare Officer/Financial Counsellor
Nicky Sligo
Dear Editor
(08) 9287 3799. nicoles@rslwa.org.au
State Membership Officer During the last few days I have received the membership renewal notice
Andrea Hunt
(08) 9287 3705. membership@rslwa.org.au
for my husband, Eric Nidd. Unfortunately, he passed away on 4 April.
Staff Support Officer While he had never served in the Australian Defence Forces, he wore his
Ryley Hawkins membership pin with great pride.
(08) 9287 3799. reception@rslwa.org.au
Chief Financial Officer He had served in the Royal Navy in the 1950s. He served in the
Peter McGlade
Londonderry flotilla in Ireland at the height of the IRA skirmishes. Then in
(08) 9287 3718. cfo@rslwa.org.au
Financial Services Manager 1956 on board HMS Superb, he served in the far east India fleet on the
Karen Cleverly Suez crisis. He used to call it Gun Barrell diplomacy. He was away for 12
(08) 9287 3703. accounts@rslwa.org.au months on this trip.
Financial Services Officer
Hayley Barclay When his funeral was held on 12 April, our local RSL President Ric Evans
(08) 9287 3741. hayley.barclay@rslwa.org.au
gave ‘The Ode’’ and we had a Union Jack on his coffin. Unfortunately, the
Property & Corporate Services Officer
Matthew Holyday British Government never acknowledged servicemen, very much not like
(08) 9287 3714. ahmanager@rslwa.org.au you great Aussies, which we became one of in 1979.
Director of Marketing & Strategic Partnership
Laura Yau Now as the years have rolled on, we have a grandson who is serving in
(08) 9287 3799. marketing@rslwa.org.au the Australian Defence Forces. He has been serving for 16 years now. He
Events Officer
Lauren Murdoch
did a stint in Afghanistan and wears his medals with great pride.
(08) 9287 3701. events@rslwa.org.au
My own father was invalided home from Flanders with shrapnel wounds
Communications & Engagement Officer
Maxine Brown to his face. In 2011, my youngest granddaughter laid a wreath in
(08) 9287 3799. comms@rslwa.org.au remembrance of three uncles I never knew at the Mennen Gate in Europe.
Marketing & Development Officer
Krithika Ramnarayan I have now covered a century of four generations in one family. My
9287 3799. mardev@rslwa,org.au husband and I grew up on the edge of London during the war years. We
Grants & Information Officer
used to sleep in Anderson air-raid shelters. We remember going to school
Orla Hassett
(08) 9287 3799. grants@rslwa.org.au with our gas masks in a brown cardboard box with a string round our
Board necks. Certainly nothing fancy.
Chairman/State President: Peter Aspinall AM
State Vice President: Donna Prytulak OAM So ends another Remembrance Day with a bit of nostalgia.
Bill Collidge RFD, Ken Morris, Royce Spencer,
Duncan Anderson, Chris Mayfield OAM, Yours sincerely
Robyn Steenbach.
Trustees Gwendoline Nidd (Donnybrook)
Don Blair OAM RFD
Wayne Tarr RFD ED You can email you Letters to the Editor to Maxine via comms@rslwa.org.au
Philip Orchard AM, AFNI CMDR RAN (Ret’d)
If you prefer more traditional means, please post to:
Letters to the Editor
PO Box 3023,
rslwa.org.au EAST PERTH 6892
rslwahq
The best of your submissions will be published in the July edition of The
Listening Post.
rslwa PS: Nothing makes us happier than receiving all your emailed story and letter submissions. But
company/returned-and-services- please ensure all The Listening Post email submissions are provided on a Word Document. Also,
league-of-australia-wa-branch/ all photos must be over 1MB and in JPEG form, sent as an attachment.
RSL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The RSL was founded in 1916 to provide
comradeship and support to Australia’s Veterans
and their families.
That core mission has never changed but has
continued to evolve to meet the needs of each
generation of servicemen and women.
We have a branch network that covers Australia
and any Veteran who needs help will get it – every
serving ADF member and Veteran will be warmly
welcomed at their local RSL Sub-Branch or club.
We advocate for the best possible conditions for
Inside
our serving men and women and for those who
have served the nation in the past.
We foster respect and thanks from the nation for
all those who have made sacrifices in Australia’s
name and we will provide a strong voice on issues
Regular
of national unity and security. Book Review -
South Africa to Afghanistan 30
PREVIOUS EDITIONS
Copies of The Listening Post published are
available on our website:
Features Unit And Kindred listing 34
www.rslwa.org.au The shaping of Peter Aspinall 4 Last Post 35
PUBLISHING ANZAC Day 2020: Embracing
Publishing of The Listening Post: Published the spirit of mateship 10
Events/News
three times a year with a readership of over 25,000.
To all Sub-Branch Presidents and Secretaries: Two ears for listening 12
Send photographs (1Mb plus) and a short article
(in a Word Document) on special activities at your Of mates and mateship 14 Sub-Branch Remembrance
Sub-Branch to The Listening Post.
Veterans, Jen Riches Day services 24-27
DEADLINE FOR NEXT EDITION: has your six 18 Wealth of RSLWA talent
29 MAY 2020
recognised in honours list 29
The preferred method of receiving submissions
is via email. Photographs should be attached Vale Cyril Allender 32
separately and a minimum of 1Mb. This is your
magazine and contributions and letters are
welcome Community
Address to:
Building for a better future 8
The Listening Post
PO Box 3023
Military family ties run
EAST PERTH WA 6892
Email: comms@rslwa.org.au generations deep 20
Opinions expressed by contributors in articles and
2020 Australia Day &
reproduced articles are the individuals’ opinions or
the authors of such reproduced articles and are not Cadet of the Year Awards 22
necessarily those of the RSL.
Reproduction of articles (or extracts) contained
Veteran John Parker is a Lego
in The Listening Post are welcomed, provided the wizard at 91 28
source is acknowledged. The writers reserve the
right to accept, reject, sub-edit and re-arrange
material submitted for publication.
Infringement of Copyright Laws:
We cannot accept newspaper clippings for
publication without express approval from the
Newspaper Editor as we may infringe on
copyright laws.
Cover Photo
State President Peter
CONTACT DETAILS
Aspinall flanked by The Returned & Services League of Australia WA Branch Incorporated
contemporary Veterans. Level 3/66 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Photo: Ross Swanborough PO Box 3023, East Perth WA 6892 | T: 08 9287 3799 | F: 08 9287 3732
E: admin@rslwa.org.au | W: www.rslwa.org.au | FB: www.facebook.com/rslwa
Writing and Advertising Information: marketing@rslwa.org.au
Graphic Design: Kore Design | Printer: Vanguard Press
WA Country Callers: 1800 259 799 (Landline only)
The
shaping
of Peter
Aspinall
FROM Long Tan to Tan rubber plantation in blinding Importantly, Veteran Central will
monsoonal rain. It was here they deliver programs that directly
a long-term vision encountered the final attacking respond to the great challenges
of how to better force of Viet Cong determined of our times, including the tragic
support Veterans, to overrun the severely suicide rate among serving
outnumbered D Company. and ex-service personnel, the
it’s been quite the demands of transitioning from
journey for RSLWA While that legendary battle
military life to civilian work, Veteran
continues to live with Peter,
State President Peter he’s on a new mission - having
homelessness and more.
Aspinall AM, as he dedicated himself, as President The leadership shown by Peter
explains to Maxine of the pre-eminent ex-service is reflected in a stable and
organisation in WA, to secure successful organisation that is
Brown. better outcomes for Veterans firmly focused on the future, while
THEY say history is a great and their families. commemorating the past. Safe
teacher. It taught Peter Aspinall hands and a vision are hallmarks
He is overseeing much-
resilience in times of adversity for success and RSLWA is leading
needed change for our Veteran
and fuelled a drive to make his the charge.
community in the form of the
world a better place. game-changing ANZAC House Not much for personal promotion,
Peter’s role in Vietnam as an Veteran Central facility - and Peter says any leader needs solid
in-demand artillery forward the roll-out of smaller Veteran support and is proud to have a
observer was career defining. Hubs in the Greater Perth metro great team behind him, with a
He was part of the infantry relief area and in regional centres Board of Directors comprising
force sent in during the Battle throughout the State. contemporary Veterans as well as
of Long Tan to rescue mates specialist expertise.
Veteran Central will be a one-
from D Company, who’d been stop shop for Veterans seeking While his counsel is sought after
outnumbered 20-to-one by Viet help and support – providing a by many who come knocking,
Cong in what could have been a home also to other Ex-Service Peter handles each phone call
complete annihilation. Organisations, along with or approach with grace and an
Peter was aboard one of the government and corporate unwavering focus on a position
Armoured Personnel Carriers of Veteran Service Providers. It’s that requires a mix of diplomacy,
3 Troop, 1 APC Squadron, which an absolute game-changer and tact and strategic thinking.
were perilously swum across the a project that is being closely
With the advent of new
swift-flowing Suoi Da Bang River, watched by other States (see full
technologies and improvements
before being driven into the Long article on P11-12).
4 The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au
The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au 5
in the tyranny of distance, Peter made by those left behind when intense with my FO party, and
is able to still call Albany home deployments called. me, constantly out with either a
while spending considerable platoon or the whole company.
“I was not there for the birth of
time in Perth and visiting Sub- In this early period, contact with
any of my three children,’’ Peter
Branches around the State. the Viet Cong was almost daily.
says. “In January of ’66, Noelene
For the time I was there, my
As a boy, Peter has called Albany and I had a son and I think I
party and I spent almost three-
home since 1951, growing up saw him for a total of about five
quarters of our time out on patrol
in a small family headed by weeks before being posted to
with the infantry.
a somewhat imposing WWII Vietnam at the beginning of May
Veteran father. With fire in the that year. “I arrived on the 4th of May, ‘66
belly and a desire to serve his and was immediately detached
“In our first year of marriage we
country, Peter enlisted early and to 161 Field Battery RNZA, which
had a reasonable amount of time
was commissioned as a Second was allocated in direct support
together but basically from the
Lieutenant, Royal Regiment of of 6RAR. Amongst the first to
birth of my son onwards there
Australian Artillery in 1961, aged go into Nui Dat, when there was
was Vietnam, major exercises,
just 19. nothing there, we would be in
major activities and things, I
continual contact with the Viet
Then followed nearly 30 years’ could be away for up to three
Cong as they probed the extent
military service in a variety of months at a time. That went on
of our position in the Nui Dat
postings here and overseas, for another 10-12 years.
rubber and around the TAOR.
including operational service
“I was not there for the birth of
in South Vietnam in 1966/67, “One time during an operation
any of my children or for major
having married in 1964 to his first out of Nui Dat, I came close to
events in their early lives. For
love, Noelene Rutherford in 1964 being blown up by a wayward
example, I was uncontactable for
– a self-assured, resilient and “friendly” artillery shell which
three days on a jungle-training
extremely independent nurse landed between my company
course when my son fell ill with
he met in service. Their journey Commander, Peter Smeaton,
peritonitis, a condition of which
together was anything but easy, and myself while we were only
can be, and was, very dire. I was
marked by his long absences, around 20m apart. With a lethal
just never around.’’
the Vietnam War, and the loss radius of around 50m, we were
of their second-born at just four “With no mobile phones or email incredibly lucky to survive,
months. back then we were reliant on although he was seriously
the good old mail system and wounded. Other incidents
Peter resigned his commission
turnaround time was about three included a near-miss from a,
in 1988 to take up an executive
months,’’ Peter said. fortunately, ill-sited VC claymore
position with the AMP Society in
mine; and numerous episodes
its head office in Sydney for nine “Communication was very of small arms fire when my party
years, after which he took up difficult. This was compounded and I were sent on section-
a marketing role with the IMIA, by my posting as a forward level patrols, which, of course,
an academic and consulting observer, which meant my role were the everyday tasks of the
organisation that advised a was to go out with the infantry, great Diggers in the infantry
number of major Australian responsible for calling in artillery battalions.”
corporations. fire and airstrikes. The problem
was there was an insufficient When asked if his experiences
After the sad death of his wife
number of forward observers in Vietnam had made him
in 2001 after a brave battle with
so that relief from the constant philosophical, Peter replied with
cancer, Peter returned to Albany
patrolling was not possible. a simple ‘’Yep!” However, those
in retirement, where he now lives
Consequently, I had no R&R the experiences also fuelled his
with his friend and wife, Carolyn.
whole time in country and only firm belief – then and now – that
RSLWA’s current banner slogan, two overnight R&Cs.” mental health and associated
Putting Veterans and Families post-service challenges are key
“The frequency of platoon and priorities. RSLWA Veteran Central
First, is testament to his own
company patrolling was very is now being able to house no
experiences and the sacrifices
less than three specialist mental
6 The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au
health services, including the
Open Arms Veterans & Families
Counselling Service.
“Over the years after I came
home from Vietnam, I drifted
into a pretty basic philosophical
view of life, which is that the
most important element in life is
your mental and physical health.
Other than that, I think most of
the other stuff is quite trivial by
comparison. It is hard when we
live in such a material world; how
can you feel that way? But I do.
I don’t get uptight about it too
much because it’s not worth it. I
also work hard at the importance
of relationship health. I guess
the best way of summing it up is
why worry yourself to death over
something you can’t control,
so why waste your life sweating
about it? A young Peter Aspinall at a parade in Sydney. He is second from the right.
“At my stage in life, what’s
important to me is my family, my be self-recognition that there are Peter is also keen to address the
wife Carolyn and our wellbeing. I problems. And it’s no different naysayers who believe this new
now realise that, after my return today as young men in particular facility may be a waste of money.
from Vietnam and back in the are not good, in my opinion,
“Yes, it’s going to be a building
peacetime Army, I was suffering at self-diagnosis. And that, of
with architectural merit, but
PTSD. Looking back, I see course, is one of the problems
it’s what happens inside that
now I did some pretty stupid with individuals leading with
building that counts. The money
things, made inappropriate precursors to suicide. ‘’
is being spent to house, and
decisions that I don’t believe
“I think one of the ways is being make available, a whole range
I would normally have done
able to get in contact with the of services and programs for
and that’s what led me to now
men and women as they are Veterans and their families and,
acknowledging I then had PTSD.
getting out of the services and critically, to serve as the base for
“I didn’t seek help for PTSD even if they don’t need the the extension of these services
and that is still a problem for assistance right then, at least to regional Veterans and their
Veterans today. We tend to if you’re there and they know families.”
think ‘I’m tough, I don’t need you’re there, to provide whatever
It is the mission of Peter Clive
any help’, and I guess, in my assistance when they need it.
Aspinall to now see through this
defence, I didn’t really know
“If we can show Veterans and great change in how RSLWA
what PTSD was. People knew
their families that we have repositions itself to be as
about shellshock and battle
a range of services and are relevant to new, contemporary
fatigue from WWI and II, but we
there to help, efficiently and (and much younger) Veterans,
didn’t look in the mirror and self-
professionally, and with all the who will need the support that
diagnose ourselves with it.
humanity that is required and their military forebears were
“I believe there is still that deserved, they may well then say provided.
strong element of denial or an down the track that they will, in
“That’s our job. It always will be.
unwillingness to recognise that turn, come and join in helping
And to lead a great team is not
something is wrong; there has to their fellow Veterans.’’
only an honour, but a privilege.’’
The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au 7
Building for a
better future
in Perth and
throughout WA
THE opening of the new ANZAC House
Veteran Central building is just six
months away and will mark a new era in
services to Veterans and their families.
THE facility - a one-stop shop for The software will allow for the weight loss, exercise, drug
Veterans - will not only be home sharing of information and better awareness, diabetes and health
for RSLWA, but a host of other collaboration. For the most part, management planning.
Ex-Service Organisations, as services provided at Veteran
Mental Health
well as government and private Central and Veteran Hubs will be
Dedicated in-house professional
Veteran Service Providers. free of charge to Veterans and
mental health services. This will
their immediate family. Services
Ahead of the completion of be achieved by a collaborative
at Veteran Central will include:
Veteran Central, RSLWA has union of expert service providers
been progressing plans for Medical ranging from initial counselling
metropolitan and regional General Practice support to one-to-one psychological
Veteran Hubs to create a through day surgery procedures support and/or psychiatric
network of care, services and and specialist consultancies. support.
support Statewide.
Allied Health and Wellness Employment Advice and
To enable for improved services, Programs Placement
State Branch is working with To include physiotherapy, A collaborative approach by
a local software company to occupational therapy, exercise Veteran Service Providers
develop and implement a ‘virtual’ physiology and a range of other and Ex-Service Organisations
client-centred, customised services to support a healthier, in providing assistance with
technology-enabled environment happier cohort of Veterans and transition from military to civilian
to capture the Veteran’s journey their families. employment in the government,
from initial transition through to private and community sectors.
Skin Cancer Checks
eventual retirement in order to
Physical examination with a Financial Counselling
better serve their needs.
thorough check of skin lesions RSLWA will combine its existing
RSLWA believes this IT-based and moles performed onsite. financial counselling capability
system is vital in our aim of with other professionals to
Health Education and Training
ensuring that Veterans will have support those in need of
To assist in minimising health
a streamlined and practical way financial guidance, especially in
and wellness issues, including
to access services and support. the post-transition phase.
advice on nutrition and
8 The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au
Hearing Fifth Floor Veteran Hubs will be operated
One of WA’s largest hearing Ex-Service Organisation function in liaison with Veteran Central
providers offering a full range of area and facilities and they will combine to provide
services. a comprehensive service to
Sixth Floor Veterans and their families.
Banking Facilities Meeting/Board rooms for
Negotiations with a provider of a Ex-Service Organisations and The design and services
comprehensive range of banking Veteran Service providers. available in Veteran Hubs
services, including home loans will differ for each location,
and investment opportunities. Seventh Floor depending on the ownership
Defence Force Ceremonial area arrangement and services
Department of Veterans’
available in the area.
Affairs VETERAN HUBS
Ability to lodge claims and For example, some Veteran
Up to 11 Veteran Hubs will be
obtain details on entitlements. Hubs may be established on
rolled out in the greater Perth
RSLWA-owned land through
Home Care and Aged Care metropolitan area and regional
joint-venture arrangements for
One of WA’s largest providers of WA to house localised Veteran
the redevelopment of the site.
home care and aged care will be support services.
Others may be established
co-located to provide advice and
through lease arrangements.
assistance.
FLOOR BY FLOOR
Here is a floor-by-floor snapshot
of occupancy of Veteran Central:
Ground Floor
ANZAC House Veteran Central
will have generous space for
Veterans and families, including
a family friendly ‘mess’ facility
on the ground floor, with a small
coffee shop and a dedicated
memorial courtyard.
First Floor
Once again, the new ANZAC
House will have an ANZAC Club,
with food-and-beverage facilities
and generous seating areas.
Second Floor
Ex-Service Organisation and
Veteran Service Provider offices
and co-working areas.
Third Floor
Medical facilities including GP
rooms, specialist consulting
rooms, day surgery and allied
health.
Fourth Floor
RSLWA State Branch
The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au 9
MATESHIP, it’s a
uniquely Australian
characteristic that
helped give rise to
our proud legend of
ANZAC.
That legend - born on 25 April,
1915, a date stained in the blood
of our troops as they made a
morning landing on an incredibly
hostile shore along the Gallipoli
peninsula in Turkey – is deeply
etched in history. And due to the
actions of our Aussie Diggers
in wars and conflicts since, that
legend has only grown.
Mateship - along with endurance,
courage, ingenuity and a larrikin
humour – make up the heart and
soul of what keeps our ANZAC
spirit kicking. It’s why this year,
we choose to honour that spirit
on the most sacred of Aussie
commemorations, ANZAC Day.
We honour our fallen, and all
those who served and still serve,
with our theme ANZAC Day
ANZAC
2020: Embracing the Spirit of
Mateship – dedicating this edition
to a theme that unites us all.
Day 2020:
This edition features the inside
stories of what mateship means
to leaders who bring a mix of
humility, dedication to service and
Embracing
vision. We speak with RSLWA
President Peter Aspinall AM
(cover story) on reflection of the
the spirit of
Battle of Long Tan, as he today
uses his life’s experience to
drive groundbreaking change
to supporting Veterans and their
mateship
families. (Also see our ANZAC
House Veteran Central feature
on P8).
There’s an exclusive chat with
RAAF Airbase Pearce WOFF
AND A LEGEND IS BORN: WWI Digger and stretcher bearer Corporal Leslie (Bull)
Allen MM carries an unconscious US soldier to safety. Photo: AWM Jen Riches – a courageous, yet
10 The Listening Post NOVEMBER 2019 rslwa.org.auhumble woman whose actions in
serving current and ex-Defence
personnel do the speaking for
her. WOFF Riches was honoured
with an RSLWA Australia Day
Medallion in recognition of
her voluntary efforts in helping
RSLWA improve the lives of
Veterans.
Then there is proud Bardi
man and Royal Australian
Navy Veteran Ron Bradfield
Jnr, who shares his powerful
and intensely moving tribute
to the colour-blindness of
service, enduring mateship, and
solidarity in the Veteran cause for
this special issue.
Last but not least, we feature a
special-guest post from the man
who leads WA’s biggest Sub-
Branch, Port Kennedy, taking it
from the brink of collapse to be
one of the most successful Sub-
Branches in WA.
President and Australian
Army Veteran Steve Elliott
was quick to share his beliefs
on what mateship means today.
Despite holding down a high-
profile, fulltime job in local
government, he’s dedicated
huge voluntary hours to making
his Sub-Branch the very best it
can be. It’s for this reason that
Steve was also honoured with an
RSLWA Australia Day Medallion
for his tireless contributions to
the Veteran cause.
These inspirational people, and
all others who appear within
this edition, are a true measure
of mateship during challenging Staunch mateship is part of the Veteran code.
times.
thin. It’s the Aussie fair go. It’s binds us. It’s owning mistakes
Dictionaries describe ‘mateship’ the banter that comes into play and forgiving those mates who
as an Australian cultural idiom to help lift a friend from a dark make them. In essence, it’s
that embodies equality, loyalty head space. It’s standing united signing up and being prepared
and friendship. It’s sticking by in resilience against a common to make the ultimate sacrifice if
your mates through thick or foe. It’s sticking up for that which required.
The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au 11Two ears for listening A MATE is more than just a friend, writes Port Kennedy Sub-Branch President Steve Elliott. I OVERHEARD an interesting chat between a Veteran and a young country boy in Lake Grace a few months ago. They were sharing a beer at the local pub and looked like they’d been there a while, given the number of empties on the table. The young cockie was telling stories of farm life – seeding, harvesting, shooting – and from where I sat, it sounded ideal. 12 The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au
The Veteran, who must have Was it the mates they shared hell PTSD, or otherwise damaged,
lived in the bush at one stage, with who enabled the floodgates sitting at home – usually alone
was jousting back with his to open? Did they have a special and perhaps in pain - may
version of similar tales. That key to open them up? Was it start to drink to excess, abuse
was until he went a bit quiet. His the environment, surrounded by prescription drugs and, before
talk shifted from country life to mates, memorabilia, uniforms, they know it, they have that big
deployment – and how he’d then hats and the bugle playing Black Dog chasing them and
taken up residence in the city. the Last Post? I think a bit of unfortunately become a statistic.
everything – everything that
“I have to live in the city now,’’ Kevin Costner, in the movie
changed their lives forever.
says the Veteran, “…….. need to A Field of Dreams, said build
be close to the psych.’’ You know, I don’t really think it is it and they will come. I have
just one thing but a combination not heard better advice. Let’s
With that, the young country
of many - maybe the strongest of turn our ESOs into places that
boy spun around and asked
all being the olfactory memory, are open and inviting, while
what that was. A pretty straight-
certain smells ripping the communicating with as many
forward response came from the
Veteran out of his relaxed lounge members of our community as
Vet: he’s a bloke, like a Doctor,
chair and instantly back into their possible (remember, Veterans
that you talk to about your
own living hell. are also community members).
problems, issues, feelings and
such. What I see is that it is our And most importantly: be that
responsibility to supply the mate, use your assets in the
Full of innocence, the country
environment and create a safe right proportion – two ears for
lad looked at the Vet and simply
haven for those who gave so listening and one mouth for
asked: “Don’t you have any
much for us. talking. Listen and embrace your
mates?’’
mate, make him/her want to get
One of the hardest things to
out of the house – let them make
A mate is more than just do is to reverse the instance
more friends who share those
a friend and is a term that of social isolation. A sufferer of
experiences.
implies a sense of shared
experience, mutual
respect and unconditional
assistance.
It got me thinking about how we
appear to have done a complete
turnaround in our ability to talk
and listen ….. when it counts.
How many times have we heard:
“My Dad was in the war, but I
don’t know what he did ‘cos he
never talked about it…”?
I remember going down to the
RSL with my uncle as a kid. All
they talked about was combat,
mates who were no longer
alive, and they laughed about
what I thought were silly little
things! It was almost like a valve,
releasing the pressure until it
was bearable – and that would
be it for 12 months.
The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au 13black was to white and Western
Australia was to Victoria and they
became firm mates!
As the next few years passed,
they served on several warships
together and became well known
for the close ‘stepping oppos’
they’d both firmly become.
These two were inseparable.
They visited each other’s homes
and met each other’s family. As
wrong as it might seem to say
it, there were times where you
weren’t sure which one was the
other person’s shadow.
One early December day in
1966, both men were preparing
to go on leave. This was going
to be one of only a handful of
times they had ever spent some
time apart from each other. The
Veteran Ron Bradfield Jnr is well-known for his ability to tell a great yarn. Photo: Supplied
Victorian put his mate on a bus
and they wished each other
Of mates and
well - re-checking their New Year
plans - looking forward to their
pub-crawl through Fremantle.
mateship On Boxing Day, just after lunch,
the Victorian got a sombre
phone call from the Kimberley.
His best mate had died on
By Ron Bradfield Jnr (RAN Veteran and proud Christmas Day, in a freak
Bardi man) accident at home. His ‘oppo’s’
big brother wanted to be the
IN the early 1960s a young man took himself one to tell him this sad news
off to join the Royal Australian Navy. He was a personally. He had known how
close these men had become
big, strapping young fella – strong-jawed, with to each other and knew how
a clear head and shoulders above the rest. much this man would now be
mourning.
HE had what I can only describe as a cheeky personality, one that
would have been well-placed in an Australian Navy in those days, one That same day, the Victorian
that would see him through to the passing of Australia’s involvement in made arrangements to return
the Vietnam War. back to their ship. Cutting
his leave short, he set about
Recruit School was a breeze. Nothing at HMAS Cerberus shocked clearing his best mate’s locker
or fazed him. There was one surprise though, he befriended an and packing up his personal
Aboriginal man from the Kimberley, in Western Australia. They were effects for the return home to
as different to each other in many ways as chalk was to cheese, the family. An emotional, cultural
14 The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.aufella’s served on some of the
same ships you have!”
As I step out into the arvo light
and grasp this old man’s hand
in greeting, two things become
immediately clear to me: he’s
strong and upright; and he’s
been doing it tough and I can
see, he’s hurting inside!
We exchanged our G’days,
laughed about the fact that two
ex-Navy men found themselves
having a yarn in sun-shiney
Leonora and immediately began
to establish credentials among
each other. He commissioned
ships that I’d served on and
repaired. He was on the bridge
most times and I was on – or
below – the gundeck. He was a
hard working ‘watch-keeper’ and
I was just a loafing ‘day-hand’.
The friendly banter ran back
funeral and a posting later, the I looked up and out to see a and forth between us freely, as if
Victorian found himself on the tall, bearded old man, building we’d known each other for years.
beginning edge of several Navy himself up for a conversation I watched the years fall off him
postings that would see him over a tailor-made cigarette with right there and then, as a decent
through to the end of Australia’s an older redheaded lady, who smile finally began to form on
engagement in the Vietnam was largely responsible for my his face and he started to tell
War. Hurting deeply inside, being in town. me about his best mate who
he continued on – there was was an Aboriginal man from the
nothing else he could do. As smokers have done for ages
past, they ‘gurped-on’ socially Kimberley.
Over 50 years later, I found through their introductions, The redhead left us to it, she too
myself packing up a small passing the one cigarette had sensed a deep sadness in
exhibition in a renovated space, lighter back and forth between the man and her wont to call me
off the ‘bustle’ that is down-town themselves as they mumbled out that day was largely to try
Leonora. around their multiple durries, and see if that might shift some
setting the groundwork for one for him. It had and she moved
An old Toyota Hilux 4WD pulled
hell of a yarn! on.
up noisily outside. Inside the
space it takes for a car door to Next thing I know, the redhead He looked at me deeply then –
close and boot heels to clack leans in through the doorway, right through me – gauging me
across the sidewalk, I hear where I’m packing away the last up on the spot as he prepared
a clear, strong voice outside of the artwork and says: to share. I beat him to the punch
asking: though: asking him outright
“Hey, Ron! You might want to
“Can I get a light?” come out here. I reckon this whether he actually wanted to
wake up that day?
The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au 15That sad smile came back. couldn’t possibly see a way that mine. A man I’d heard so much
He shook his head in answer he could ever overcome it. about but had died during a
and proceeded to tell me how freak accident during Christmas
Then his face changed. He
he’d tried to end his life that about two years before I was
stopped right where he was – his
morning but just couldn’t finish born.
mind tripping quite suddenly
the bloody job off! He was a
on an idea and he’d gone The man before me was the man
Vietnam Veteran who lived on
immediately into pause mode, that my other cousin brothers
the outskirts of town in a bush
as his brainbox brought that used to speak about. This was
camp that he simply shifted
idea towards some sense of his gadia bubbili – his white
around, to avoid locals and
solidity. brother from another mother.
tourists who got nosey. He’d
been there for over 20 years. His They’d spoken highly of him
“You can help me!” he declared
wife and family lived in Victoria when I was growing up. Often
loudly and his face split into
but he saw nothing of his boys when talking of their own brother,
such a big grin, I thought the
and allowed only two visits a they’d speak of a tall white man
top of his head was going to fall
year for his wife, where she who used to come home with
clean off his body!
would fly into Kalgoorlie and join him sometimes. They were
him for 2 weeks, twice a year – in “You’re Aboriginal and from the proud of their brother and what
the place he now found himself, Kimberley” he blurted out, “You he’d been able to do and here
deep in the Goldfields of WA. might know his family.” I was, sharing ‘space’ with the
man who had been his best
It was a lonely life. He had With that – he spun on his heel mate and feeling this man’s
demons. He couldn’t go home. and tore back to his car, digging pain.
The bush made him feel the out a scrap piece of paper and
most peace he was ever truly a pencil, he began to scribble He burst into tears then. I was
able to feel and his wife’s visit down the name of his mate right on the verge also and we
simply reminded him that he and how I might find this man’s held each other until we calmed
had connections back to a place family. Done, he handed the note down. We both couldn’t believe
that had once been his home. to me. what fate had delivered to us
But he didn’t want to be alive. and right then, we didn’t know
And it’s here, that my world on what do about it.
He missed his best mate and that day, fell clean away!
– on saying this – his face fell He ran back to the car again
completely. He was a broken The name of the man who was and rummaged in the glovebox
man who was so deep into his his best friend for all that time, some more – coming out with an
mourning on that sad day, I was actually a cousin/brother of old tobacco tin. He was holding
16 The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.auit with such care and reverence should have it!”, and with that he And that was that.
that I felt I was about to be tapered off.
handed the Body of Christ. We went our separate ways. He
In an instant I saw what he was had my number and my details
“I want you to have this,” he doing. He was closing shop. with instructions to contact me if
said, passing it over. Finalising business and getting I didn’t get back to Leonora and
ready to say goodbye. He was we could take care of business
I opened it and inside it was
passing on his business to me, at a later date.
a folder newsagency bag – a
so that he could finally pull the
small one – the kind you would As life would have it, I never got
pin and go to sleep forever.
have wrapped a pack of cards back to Leonora.
in. It’d spent some time in that I wrapped it back up. Put it back
tin, taking on some of the colour in its little paper bag, folded the The Victorian held up to his end
of the leftover tobacco and the item up carefully and tucked it of the deal and sent me a letter
edge of rust around the lip of the back into the tobacco tin in much from Victoria. In it was a small
lid. It looked well-worn too – like the same way that I found it. I parcel. He’d mailed me the
it’d been handled a lot and was then took his hand and placed tobacco tin and some photos
malleable, but with care and the tin back in it, closing his big and, in the letter, explained what
precision. It has fold creases fingers about it as I did so. had happened. He’d developed
that had a life all of their own and cancer and, like it or not now,
the paper had become soft and “No” I said, “You take it. It’s the choice had been taken from
supple. yours and I’ll come back for it.” him. He was in a respite hospital
and he was dying. There was no
Inside this was a little parcel He smiled a sad smile. He knew
coming back from his diagnosis,
wrapped in toilet paper. Like any what I was doing, see. I wasn’t
it was pretty clear he wasn’t
military-issue dunny paper, it letting him say goodbye just yet.
expected to live much past the
was the kind that did the job with I wasn’t allowing him to step
end of the year. Call me, it said.
no frills, plain and simple. As I away from life, quite that easily.
unfolded this package, I found And I did.
He nodded then. Accepted the
at its core the most carefully responsibility once more and put We never spoke again.
wrapped, three-quarter-smoked, that tin in his pocket.
hand-rolled cigarette I had ever
seen! It still smelled as if it had
been rolled that morning and it
felt dry and crisp – ready for a
new flame.
I held it in the cup on my hand,
where I’d gently tipped it and
marvelled at this thing – this
object – still in such pristine
condition, like I’d pulled it out of
his locker myself.
The Victorian said:
“It’s all I’ve got left. You can have
it... smoke it, throw it out – do
whatever you want with it – but
it’s all I’ve got. You should have
it – he’s your family – you… you
The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au 17Veterans,
models, mentor is a description
she is now proud to own.
“In the cook’s trade, I didn’t have
female mentors,” she says. “…
Jen Riches
my bosses were all males and
some were very good mentors.
I guess, by default I became a
bit of a role model to others as
has your six
I started to make my way up
through the ranks, especially
once I became an instructor at
recruit training. “
By Maxine Brown Recruit training instructor?
Indeed! Early on in her journey
from cook to Warrant Officer,
Jen had learnt she had to have
AUSTRALIA Day RAAF Base Pearce’s resident
an instructor’s background to
WOD (Warrant Officer
Medallion recipient Disciplinary) packs a steely become a WOD. So in January
Jen Riches is the resolve honed over a lifetime of ’94, she was posted to
No.1 Recruit Training Unit as a
definition of a good of setting her personal bar sky
Corporal Recruit Instructor.
high. Today, following 30-plus
mate, ready to assist
years in service, it means she Jen says: “I look back on that
when RSLWA needs is well regarded for her can-do as one of my most satisfying
a helping hand. Here, attitude, respect for uniform/ postings, you get a group of
she talks mentoring, position, knowledge and individuals one day and 10
generosity. weeks later you’re graduating
supporting women
This is a woman who, as a 17yo young airmen whom you have
to flourish in the assisted in developing their
Air Force recruit, declared to her
RAAF and the Corporal her ambition to become level of self-confidence and
one nightmarish the first female WOD in the challenged their resilience.”
deployment that RAAF, an unthinkable aspiration While Jen’s dedication to
back in what was a different service plays out daily, never
fuels her belief in the era for women. Fired up by her has her steadfast commitment
Veteran cause. superior’s bemusement, Jen to her military family been
strategically set about achieving more apparent than during
TRUE to her family’s strong
her goal. While she didn’t make a particularly challenging
Australian military bloodline,
it there first, the then-Corporal deployment to the Middle
WOFF Jen Riches embodies the
cook saw her path opened up by Eastern Region in 2010.
spirit of ANZAC. In Jen’s world,
her predecessor and, as a result, Coalition casualties were
no challenge is insurmountable,
is still just the fourth woman particularly high that year and
no mate left to fall behind.
WOD that the RAAF has ever part of her role was to take
In fact, she’s the first to stop
had. part in nine ramp ceremonies
and offer an encouraging
word, invest time in getting a Any talk of breaking through to return fallen Australian and
subordinate over the finish line, glass ceilings does not sit Coalition soldiers home to loved
or roll up her shirtsleeves in her comfortably with Jen. However, ones.
downtime giving back to those as a woman who got to where “We had various numbers of
who served. she is without many female role ramp ceremonies and when
18 The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.auyou lose someone when you’re
away on operations, you don’t
necessarily know the person as
an individual, but they are still
part of that Defence family. When
you’re in a role where you are
looked to for support, putting
together the memorial service,
and you’re training and assisting
to train, and putting together the
ramp ceremony, you see people
dealing with grief. And you need
to be able to support people
through that, you need to help
Jen stretches her legs on the beach during the Long Ride for Prostate Cancer.
them understand that it’s OK to Charity motorcycle runs, specially the longer ones, bring Jen pure joy.
not be OK with that.
“After a memorial service, the back into perspective. When on sooner rather than later,” she
next day they might also be part operations, it’s challenging (to says. “I am passionate about
of the ramp ceremony and they seek out someone I can trust). If support being there for Veterans.
are so proud, because they want you’ve got that rapport with your I just want to be able to say, as a
to farewell that soldier and send commander, that’s fine because Veteran of a new era, that I want
them home to their family. These you debrief with each other, as to give back to those who may
experiences were extremely well as your coalition peers. So struggle in the future as a result
moving for all concerned and yes, I’ve had some emotionally of their service whether having
everyone reacted differently in tough times on deployment but served on operations or not. “
that moment of time and when that comes with the position.’’
Speaking of strong and decisive
they come away from that,
But there are other vital tools in leadership, what is her advice
you’re the one who makes sure
her mental health kit. A close-knit to leaders of the future, whether
they are OK.
group of very good friends who in-service, or out in the Veteran
“So you’ll sit around and have are her strength, a love of sport community?
a quiet chat with them, that’s and a passion for getting out on
her custom Triumph is another. “You’ve got to make time for
when you start to realise that you
people,” Jen says. “It builds
yourself are not OK (long pause).
However, on mental health respect and trust. Respect
And I think that’s why I want to
challenges, Jen has enormous the uniform you are wearing,
be a part of helping Veterans,
empathy – understanding first- whether it be an ADF uniform or
I have seen how people do so
hand that some people struggle civilian. Always respect those
many different tasks that I think
with the challenge of nurturing you are there to support. To me,
will affect them in the future.”
their headspace, specifically respect is everything. Respect,
So as someone who has after loss and trauma. “Some trust and inclusiveness!”
repeatedly had to be that tower people don’t understand how
mental and physical health We agree wholeheartedly,
of strength, who does Jen lean
conditions affect people, there which is why respect, trust and
on?
is a stigma, still, with regards inclusiveness will be part of
“My sister, Karen, and I are to people putting their hand up the new Veteran Central facility
really close! But I have a friend, because they’ve got a mental business model, a concept Jen
who lives in Sydney, I can ring health issue. Not in all areas, is supportive of.
and say anything, any time and but in some. I want to try and Thank you for your service,
she just helps me put things encourage people to seek help Ma’am!
The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.au 19Military family ties run
generations deep By Maxine Brown
THEY say you should Bernard Caunce To follow brothers, my eldest sister joined
in my families footsteps. Where airforce and transferred to Army
aspire to “be the every generation, each side of entertainment unit then after I
person you want your the family. Had worn a uniform left nursing decided it was what I
children to be’’ and for Australia. also wanted to do. Unfortunately
nowhere does this Damian Ranson My because after four years I
wanted to get married had to be
seem to ring as true grandfather, dad’s dad, served
discharged.
in the navy in ww2 so I wanted to
as within the military. serve in the navy too. Trish N Richard Murdoch
PROOF of this was strong when, Family history and I wanted
Judy Welch I wanted to follow
in a recent Facebook Discussion something different to do.
Mum into the WRAAF. Dad was a
of the Week, we asked our
serving Army Officer... suggested David Browne Grandfather
followers to tell us why they
I did 12 mths of CMF and then fought the Boxers in 1900 and
joined the armed forces.
if I was still wanting to ‘join up’ ze Germans during WW1. Other
A very strong pattern quickly he’d willingly sign my papers. grandfather fought in France,
emerged and, you guessed it, Remembering, we had to have also. Dad fought in WW2. Family
folks had joined up because a parent sign until we were 21...I members have served in the
they wanted to follow admired took his advice...loved it, stayed Royal Marines since 1664. So,
family into service. Here’s a in it for 4yrs, and still have those yeah, big shoes to fill.... My
sample of some of the answers, mates! My full-time wish still youngest is in the British Army as
which have not been edited: came true..,hubby joined the we speak.
Hazel Donald I grew up RAAF .. so 23 yrs as a RAAF
Greg Buckenara My father
during WW2, surrounded by wife.. best job in the Air Force!
was in the Naval Reserve at
military uniforms. Father, 2 Linda Fennell My uncles HMAS Leeuwin,my Uncle
brothers, brother in law, sister in were in WW2 Army & RAAF pilot, served on the Patrol Boats
law and her two sisters. Obvious my cousin was RAAF one of the in Darwin WW2.I joined the
choice when the Women’s first two pilots to bring back the ‘’Rockies’’ in 1968,before
services started up,again in F111’s and he trained pilots on joining the ‘’ Perms’’as a Recruit
1951. I joined at the age of them, I suppose it was that and at HMAS Cerberus in 1969
18 for 4 years. All my friends a sense of challenge. Loved Waller Division(HMAS Swan)
thought I was Mad! Little did I every minute of it and would do it LTO Robinson,discharged
know the my service would last all again in a heart beat.. with Bronchitis 5 weeks later.
for 24 years. Oh yes, I married a Rejoined 1971,drafted HMAS
Wendy Mahoney My dad
soldier! Diamantina,Discharged 1972.I
was a career Gunner (apart from
Tim Moore Great Uncles, being seconded to Z Special believe distant family members
Uncles, Father either served in Unit for 9 months) so that’s why on my mothers (Harry Family)
the Army, Merchant Marines or I was an Arty sig in 7 Fd Bty & side served in the Royal Navy
Air Force. So I went Air Force. am an ongoing (12+ years) onboard HMS Prince Of Wales
Committee member of the RAA and HMS Repulse WW2.
Rob Bradley Wanted to follow
in a tradition going back to my Assoc of WA Inc. Bruce Woods Great Uncles,
grandfather at Gallipoli, Uncle Keren Lynch Cos my Dad , Grand Father, Uncles, Father
RAF WW2, father RAAF WW2 brother and sister did! either served in the Army, or Air
Pacific Islands, Myself and my Force. So I went NAVY.
Daughter JoJo Carolyn both Thelma Gunzburg My
Join the discussion!
Navy. father served in France with 2
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The Listening Post NOVEMBER 2019 rslwa.org.au 21PHOTO: Steve Toon
RSLWA’S 2020 AUSTRALIA DAY
& CADET OF YEAR AWARDS
PASSION, humility and a THE annual awards, held at the City of Belmont RSL Sub-
Branch, also included the Cadet of the Year Awards. CEO
willingness to help their John McCourt was MC, while Vice-President Donna Prytulak
fellow Veterans has seen OAM – herself recently honoured with an Order of Australia
four shining lights of our Medal for her many years’ service to Veterans and their
community honoured with families – presented the recipients with their
2020 Australia Day Council Medallions.
RSLWA Australia Day
Awards. Here they are:
STEVE ELLIOTT WOFF JENNINE RICHES
Steve Elliott is a man of vision, persistence and Warrant Officer Jen Riches, currently based at Royal
integrity – and one who just gets on with business Australian Air Force Base Pearce, has been an
of doing things for the betterment of his Port outstanding supporter of RSLWA.
Kennedy RSL Sub-Branch.
WOFF Riches has often been the first to put up her
Port Kennedy President Steve Elliott has steered his hand to assist RSLWA, especially in ceremonial
Sub-Branch into much smoother financial waters. and in supporting Veterans through RSLWA’s
Steve became President of the Port Kennedy Sub- fundraising efforts.
Branch some seven years ago after the Sub-Branch
Last year, WOFF Riches provided invaluable
had been in a period of administration.
assistance in advising the staff on the new RSLWA
His leadership and management has led the Ceremonial and Protocol Manual. CEO John
Sub-Branch to a membership of 1800, including McCourt said that in his military career, he had seen
700 Service Members, 220 Affiliates and a large none better.
contingent of supportive Social Members. He has
Jen Riches has also been a tower of support in the
literally steered the Sub-Branch to have greater
planning for RSLWA’s running of ANZAC Day and
relevance to the defence community in the region,
Remembrance Day services, especially Catafalque
including a close association with HMAS Ballarat,
Party protocols.
welcoming and farewelling deployed naval
personnel. Her military career includes operational
deployments in the Middle East and East Timor,
Steve has also ensured the Sub-Branch’s continued
and her military medals include the Australian
liaison with local schools. Through his motivation
Active Service Medal, the Australian Operational
and good governance, Steve’s efforts were in no
Service Medal the Afghanistan Medal and Long
short measure the reason why the Sub-Branch won
Service medal.
the Ken Bladen Recruiting Shield at State Congress.
This award recognises the most outstanding Sub- Jen Riches recently travelled to East Timor to mark
Branch for the recruitment of new members the 20th Anniversary of her service with
in proportion to existing memberships. INTERFET.
22 The Listening Post MARCH 2020 rslwa.org.auYou can also read
