We have received advice of the death recently of Ralph Alexander Forbes. He was 78. Ralph was a National Serviceman who served in Vietnam with 101st Field Battery of 1st Field Regiment RAA from September 1966 until June 1967.
Ralph was originally from Proserpine but had been living in Bloomsbury. He was a Life Subscriber of the 101 Battery Association.
No other details are known at this time.
RIP Ralph Alexander Forbes.
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
RAAHC
[email protected]
NATO’s chief, Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, urged Western entities to prepare for an unpredictable era, emphasizing the need for a warfighting transformation within the alliance. In a two-day meeting of defense chiefs in Brussels, he highlighted the shift from a time of abundance and predictability to an era where anything can happen, stressing the importance of focusing on effectiveness.
Bauer’s call for adaptation follows Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting a shift in mindset towards expecting the unexpected and prioritizing effectiveness. Amidst political disagreements in the United States and the European Union causing delays in military aid, Bauer assured NATO’s ongoing support for Ukraine, emphasizing the global significance of the conflict’s outcome.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed concerns about Western hesitation potentially prolonging the conflict, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized EU allies for insufficient support to Kyiv. Despite challenges, Scholz expressed confidence in the EU approving a 50 billion-euro aid package for Ukraine at an upcoming emergency summit on Feb. 1, following a previous setback in December due to opposition from Hungary.
ED: From my inbox.
Dot Painting was invented in 1971 by Geoffrey Bardon who then taught the Style to Aborigines. There are no Dot Paintings in Caves or on Rock Walls.
The ‘ Welcome to Country ‘ Ceremony was invented in 1976 by Ernie Dingo and Richard Walley to Welcome Māori performers as a Reciprocal gesture.
There is no Aboriginal Word for a ‘ Welcome to Country ‘ like the Māori’s Haka. How can it be an ‘Ancient Ceremony’ if there is no Word for it. How could someone say, ‘ Who’s going to Perform the ‘ Welcome to Country ‘ ceremony’?
The Acknowledgement of Country was Invented in 1990s.
The ‘ Smoking ‘ Ceremony is also a recent invention, another Ernie Dingo Special – Circa 1976. There is no Film or Video Evidence of any of these ‘ Ceremonies ‘ at important Events such as Royal Tours, Footy Finals, the 1956 Olympics etc., prior to the 1970s and 1990s.
Sometimes it is better to know the Truth, rather than have Myth’s forced down your throat.
Our circumstances have changed. The Australian Army is enhancing its power projection in the region. We are modernising how we train, doing more with our regional and global partners. Together, we are increasing our potency and sophistication. We generate land power to be ready to fight tonight. Alongside our partners, we are embracing new opportunities and adapting with what we have. The Australian Army is connected, protected, lethal, and enabled.
ED: From my inbox.
‘I’m a Liberal and I’m really proud’: Year 11 student hits back at online trolls | Sky News Australia
CLICK LINK below.
WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE FABULOUS 40’s and 50’S … NO ONE WILL EVER HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AGAIN … WE WERE GIVEN ONE OF OUR MOST PRECIOUS GIFTS: LIVING IN THE SERENE AND COMFORTABLE TIMES CREATED FOR US BY THE “GREATEST GENERATION”!
I remember all of these and use many of them still. Can you imagine? Mergatroyd! Do you remember that word? Would you believe the spell-checker did not recognize the word Mergatroyd? Heavens to Mergatroyd!
The other day a lady said something to her son about driving a Jalopy; and he looked at her quizzically and said, “What the heck is a Jalopy?” He had never heard of the word jalopy! She knew she was old … but not that old.
Well, I hope you are Hunky Dory, Right as rain and as Happy as Larry after you read this and chuckle.
About a month ago, I illuminated some old expressions that have become obsolete because of the inexorable march of technology. These phrases included: Don’t touch that dial, carbon copy, you sound like a broken record, and hung out to dry.
Back in the olden days we put on our best bib and tucker or bag of fruit and dressed to the nines. Heavens to Betsy! Gee whillikers! Jumping Jehoshaphat, Strike me pink, Holy Moley!
We were in like Flynn and living the life of Riley; and even a regular guy couldn’t accuse us of being a boofhead, knucklehead, dickhead, a nincompoop or a dill. Not for all the tea in China, or rice for that matter!
We wake up from a short nap, and before we can say, “Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!” or “This is a fine kettle of fish!”
Poof, go the words of our youth, the words we’ve left behind. Where have all those great phrases gone?
Long gone: Pshaw, The milkman did it. Don’t forget to pull the chain. Knee high to a grasshopper. Fiddlesticks! I’ll see you in the funny farm. Wake up and smell the roses.
Leaves us to wonder where Superman will find a phone booth…
See ya later, alligator! Oki Doki.
Indigenous academic Anthony Dillon contends that efforts by “blacktivists” to change the date of Australia Day are misplaced, urging them to redirect their energy towards initiatives that bring about tangible improvements for Indigenous Australians. According to a recent poll by the Institute of Public Affairs, nearly two-thirds of Australians support maintaining Australia Day on January 26, while only 17 percent advocate for a change in the date.
Dillon emphasizes that, for him, Australia Day remains a time to appreciate the nation’s greatness, an occasion to connect with friends and family, and an opportunity for relaxation. He suggests that the activism focused on altering the date is a diversion from addressing crucial issues affecting Indigenous communities. Dillon contends that the energy invested in advocating for a date change could be more effectively utilized in activities that genuinely contribute to the well-being and advancement of Indigenous Australians.
In Dillon’s view, these activists should prioritize initiatives that make a “real difference” in the lives of Indigenous people, addressing fundamental issues such as social, economic, and educational disparities. By redirecting their efforts towards meaningful and impactful actions, he argues, these individuals can contribute to positive change and enhance the overall well-being of Indigenous communities. Dillon’s perspective underscores the importance of channeling activism towards practical solutions that address systemic challenges faced by Indigenous Australians.
Photo: Anthony Dillon
Australia is set to enhance its missile manufacturing capabilities and bolster its long-range strike potential with significant developments on the horizon. A pivotal milestone in this trajectory is the signing of a substantial $37.4 million contract between the Australian Defence and Lockheed Martin Australia, paving the way for the commencement of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missile production within the country by 2025.
This groundbreaking agreement represents a strategic leap forward, laying the foundation for domestic missile manufacturing on a broader scale. The contract encompasses critical aspects such as the transfer of technical data from the United States, the establishment of meticulous engineering certification processes, and the initiation of skill-building endeavours to cultivate a proficient Australian workforce in this domain.
In tandem with the GMLRS initiative, the Australian Government is set to acquire Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), capable of engaging targets up to a staggering 500 kilometres away. Both PrSM and GMLRS missiles can be deployed using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.
This momentous development is part of a substantial $4.1 billion investment, a commitment made in response to the Defence Strategic Review. The investment aims to empower the Defence sector with additional long-range strike systems while concurrently fostering the domestic production of extended-range munitions within Australia.
This resolute commitment underscores the government’s dedication to not only fortify Australia’s long-range strike capabilities but also to establish a robust domestic missile manufacturing infrastructure. These endeavours align seamlessly with the broader objective of enhancing the Australian Defence Force’s proficiency in defending Australia and its immediate geopolitical sphere.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported launching attacks on an alleged Israeli spy headquarters in Iraq’s Kurdistan region and targeting Islamic State elements in Syria. The strikes are part of the ongoing conflict sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, involving Iran’s allies in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The Guards cited retaliation for the killing of their commanders and accused Israel of atrocities. The attacks included ballistic missiles hitting a Mossad centre in Kurdistan and striking Syria to combat terrorist activities. Israel has not commented on the situation. The Guards pledged to continue offensive operations until avenging their fallen members. Iraq expressed concern over sovereignty violations and summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires, while recalling its envoy from Tehran.