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| Fleet Air Arm |
10 December 2011 - Trial tests monitoring of veterans' health
The Australian Government has announced an $8 million trial to test if chronically ill veterans can have their health monitored by health professionals by using in-home telemonitoring technology.
This trial will use high-speed and high-capacity broadband capability to monitor a veteran's vital statistics from home. Veterans will also have access to high definition video consultations with their GP or nurse coordinator when required.
Around 300 veterans will be able to participate in the trial in the Nation Broadband Program's early release areas of Toowoomba in Queensland, Coffs Harbour and Armidale in New South Wales, Mandurah and Geraldton in Western Australia and Kingston Beach in Tasmania. The trial will start from July 2012.
Information will be provided via a secure format and the safety and privacy of personal data will be protected. More information about the new project is available at www.dva.gov.au
19 September 2011 - Senior Sailors mark Sea King retirement
The mighty Sea King helo is finishing at the end of 2011 and current Senior Sailors are holding a function at Bomaderry RSL on 11 November 2011, at a cost of $10 Aust. If any current or past Senior Sailor who has worked on Sea Kings is interested in attending, please contact either or for further information. You will be added to the email list and they will forward you the bank account details for lodging your $10.
18 June 2011 - Alliance of Defence Service Organisations critical of indexation decision
The Alliance of Defence Service Organisations, representing the Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), the Naval Association of Australia (NAA), the Royal
Australian Regiment Corporation (RARC), the Australian Special Air Services Association (ASASA) and the RAAF Association (RAAFA), has strongly criticised the Australian Senate for its failure to support "fair and just indexation of Service pensions."
"The House of Representatives just last week expressed its support for fair treatment for members of military superannuation schemes and today (June 16) the Senate rejected a Bill which would start the process of removing the discrimination faced by ADF members in their superannuation schemes," the Alliance said in a statement.
For more detail, see the Alliance media release (PDF file, 313kb).
27 May 2011 - Information Sought on Chemical Use and Tinnitus
Eric Gimm and Russ Walker are trying to assess the relevance of tinnitus to chemical exposure in the Services so that information can be included in health submissions. This interest has stemmed from information received from RAN and RAAF sources, and relates particularly to the use of solvents in Service life.
Specific information being sought includes details of tinnitus of any form, single ear tinnitus, bilateral tinnitus (both ears), the severity of the tinnitus, whether it affects sleep, whether it affects emotions, any other effects, how much it affects hearing clearly, whether hearing aids are worn, how effective are the hearing aids in managing tinnitus, and details of Service work environment in relation to chemical exposure.
Information should be sent direct to Eric Gimm () and Russell Walker ().
23 May 2011 - Call for Veterans to sign DFRDB Petition
The Federal Member for Herbert, Ewen Jones, is planning to present a petition to Parliament shortly asking that the veteran pension benefits scheme be amended to reflect the true value of veterans' service to their country.
He is asking that as many veterans as possible sign the petition (see below for copy) and return it to him urgently care of Nathan Business Centre, Cnr Ross River Rd and Nathan St,
Cranbrook QLD 4814. For any inquiries, contact him at .
See: Petition form.
14 May 2011 - Sea Kings Farewell Flight
Sea King helicopters from the Navy's Nowra-based 817 Squadron will farewell the national capital when they conduct a fly past over Canberra and Jervis Bay on Monday, May 16.
It is the last time the region will see a formation of Sea King helicopters before the aircraft are decommissioned in December 2011.
The Sea Kings have provided 35 years of service to the Navy, flying in excess of 60,000 hours in a range of operations both at home and abroad.
13 May 2011 - Korean War Memorial on the Gold Coast
Construction of the Queensland Korean War Memorial is now approved and funded, murals and the centrepiece are in production and organisers expect ground work to begin late in May 2011 with completion in June/July 2011.
The unveiling, at the Gold Coast Cascade Gardens, has been confirmed for 20 August 2011 with representatives of the State of Queensland and the Republic of Korea to jointly unveil the memorial.
The ceremony will commence with a meet and greet from 0800 hours. Guest should be seated by 0930 hours for the unveiling ceremony at 0955 hours. This will be followed by a luncheon and Celebration of Peace at a nearby Albert community hall 1200 hrs.
If you wish to attend the ceremony, please contact Project Coordinator Maurie Pears, PO Box 1, Isle of Capri, QLD 4217, or 0408 971 007.
Veterans targetted by "scamsters"
Veterans have been targeted by "scam-artists" claiming to represent the Australian Government.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has become aware of several approaches to members of the veteran community asking for personal information in exchange for new government services such as free electricity or pension benefits. In some cases these people posed as officers from DVA.
These 'offers' are false and the Department is investigating. If you receive a phone call or letter asking for personal information such as your DVA client number or banking details, do not answer straight away - contact your nearest DVA office on 133 254 (for metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers) to confirm the source is legitimate.
Maryang San Commemorative Plaque
The program for unveiling the Maryang San commemorative plaque at the Korean observation post overlooking the demilitarised zone and Hill 317 is close to finalisation with the unveiling by the Chief of Army scheduled for Friday, 28 August 2009. The plan is for a simple unveiling ceremony. The Battle of Maryang San (codenamed Operation Commando) (5–8 October 1951) is known as one of Australia's greater accomplishments in the Korean War.
13 June 2009 - 850 Squadron Crest
The White Ensign Club is after a 850 Squadron crest for placement in the display within the Club. If any member (or other) has a 'spare' crest, it would be very much appreciated if a donation of it could be made to the Club. Contact person is Denis Mulvihill at or .
18 March 2009 - 'Navy News' Online
'Navy News' recent editions have been available from the Internet for some time, but there is now an archive (in PDF format) covering the years 1958 to 1973, with more to
come. For more information, see www.navy.gov.au/Publication:Navy_News.
12 March 2009 - Carrier Series Available for Download
PBS (the Public Broadcasting Service in the USA) has an aviation-related series available online for download. The series includes Carrier, a 10-part series available at
www.pbs.org/weta/carrier/full_episodes.htm. ("Carrier, a 10-part series filmed aboard the USS Nimitz, is a
character-driven immersion in the high-stakes world of a nuclear aircraft carrier. The episodes follow a core group of characters as they navigate their jobs, families, faith, patriotism, love, the rites of passage and the war on terror.")
27 January 2009 - Australia Day Honours
Petty Officer Aircrewman Benjamin James Sime was awarded a Medal of Gallantry in the 2009 Australia Day awards for his actions during an incident in the North Arabian Gulf. His citation read:
"For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances during a waterborne terrorist attack
in the North Persian Gulf, Iraq, during Operation Catalyst.
"Petty Officer Sime gave a selfless and spontaneous display of gallantry on 24 April 2004
under the most hazardous operational circumstances following a coordinated terrorist attack
against Iraqi oil terminals, during which sailors from USS Firebolt were critically injured. Petty Officer Sime showed outstanding courage and remained dedicated to supporting a sailor in his care without regard to his own safety. His efforts and his achievements were of the highest order and were in the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force."
Commodore Tim Barrett, CSC RAN, was awarded an AM for "exceptional service to the RAN as Director Naval Officers' Postings and as the Australian Navy Aviation Force Element Group Commander."
The Association offers its congratulations to both men, for upholding the finest traditions of the Fleet Air Arm.
27 January 2005 - Australia Day Honour
In the Australia Day Honours List, Frank Eyck of Nowra was awarded the OAM for his work with veterans and their families and, in particular, for organizing the memorial at Bomaderry for the 'EMU'S' - the combined US Army 135th Assault Helicopter Company and the RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam. Congratulations from all in the FAAAA.
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