With compliments
In reference to the recently distributed ‘Repatriation Benefits for Gold Card Veterans’, yesterday during a GP consultation, I introduced my eligibility.
After discussion and research, I requested prescriptions [with repeats] for 3 different items.
Prescriptions written and dispensed. [with considerable savings]
Please do not hesitate in bringing this matter to your GP’s attention.
‘Use it or lose it’!
Ralph Wollmer
The Norfolk Island RSL charter began many decades ago. In 1921 the Norfolk Island men returning from WWI formed a Returned Service League for the veterans’ who served. For WWI and WWII Norfolk Island contributed more service personnel per capita than any other Commonwealth nation of the world. A proud history.
Norfolk Island has the first service in Australia owing to the time differences. We have a very poignant Kapyong Day service remembering the Korea War and then ANZAC services begins with a Dawn service on Emily Beach which is very memorable.
This is our first time using a Travel Centre in Norfolk Island to market and sell our (RSL) packages; this being ANZAC week 2024. This launch is late in the travel industry nuances so there are only 37 packages available on a first come basis?
Would you consider distributing this NI RSL Sub Branch ANZAC 2024 package to your Diaspora and colleagues and social motorbike club for ex-service members please? The package is shown at the attachment.
Thankyou for leaving your card with Eddy and I hope to see you and your friends next year or perhaps in subsequent years.
Kind regards,
Tet
Kind regards,
Terence (Tet) Grube JP
Hon Sec
Norfolk Island RSL Sub Branch
Ph: +6723 54848
Email: terence@norfolk.nf
CLICK ON THESE LINKS TO VIEW TRAVEL PACKAGES
The first nuclear-powered submarine to be constructed under the AUKUS alliance is anticipated to be sold to Australia in the year 2038, as disclosed by a high-ranking US naval officer. Additionally, the officer, Vice Admiral Bill Houston, shared that the initial transactions involving used Virginia-class submarines are likely to take place in 2032 and 2035.
Visiting Sydney for a separate media event, the commander of the US Pacific fleet assured Australians that their country would maintain complete sovereignty over the American technology when the submarines are eventually deployed. Vice Admiral Houston outlined a provisional timeline for the transfer of Virginia-class submarines to Australia within the AUKUS framework during a briefing in Washington.
As reported by Breaking Defence, Vice Admiral Houston indicated that the planned sales of “in-service submarines” to Australia are scheduled for 2032 and 2035. Subsequently, in 2038, Australia is expected to acquire a newly constructed Block VII version of the Virginia-class submarine. Notably, this Block VII submarine will lack the Virginia Payload Module, a mid-body section found on certain fleet boats that enhances missile capacity.
In adherence to the AUKUS agreement, the United States is committed to selling a minimum of three, and potentially up to five, Virginia-class submarines to Australia in the 2030s. Following this phase, the United Kingdom will collaborate with Australia to jointly construct a new SSN-AUKUS submarine fleet.
While Defence Minister Richard Marles has yet to comment on the specifics of the proposed pathway for nuclear-powered submarines, he expressed optimism earlier in the week, highlighting broad political support for the project in the US. He noted ongoing legislative efforts in the US Congress aimed at facilitating the sale of Virginias and enabling Australia’s contribution to the American industrial uplift.
To enable the transfers to Australia, US officials emphasize the need to increase the annual production rate of Virginia-class submarines from the current 1.2 vessels to well above 2 per year. Marles underscored this requirement at the International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, stating the importance of enhancing production capacity.
In a revealing disclosure, Vice Admiral Houston conveyed that Australian assets had been targeted by the Chinese military in numerous dangerous intercepts conducted in the South China Sea over the past two years. He expressed deep concern about the increasing provocations and hazards posed by these actions.
Despite concerns raised by critics of the AUKUS partnership, suggesting potential entanglement in a future US-China conflict over Taiwan, Admiral Paparo dismissed these worries. Emphasizing the importance of sovereignty as an expression of human dignity at the state level, he underscored mutual respect as the foundational principle of the alliance. Admiral Paparo also expressed his confidence in the Australian government’s recent decision not to terminate a Chinese-owned company’s lease of Darwin Port.
As Iceland prepares for a potential volcanic eruption, the nation has declared a state of emergency, prompting the evacuation of over 3,000 residents from the coastal town of Grindavík in the southwestern peninsula. The Icelandic authorities, particularly scientists from Iceland’s Met Office, have noted changes in the situation, suggesting that magma might be nearing the surface. On Monday, it was determined that the primary area of magma upwelling is approximately 3.5 kilometres northeast of Grindavík.
The looming eruption raises questions about its nature, associated risks, potential travel disruptions, and the geological factors contributing to Iceland’s seismic activity. If the volcano erupts, it would be an unprecedented event for the country’s 360,000 residents, reminiscent of the unexpected 1973 eruption in Vestmannaeyjar that destroyed 400 homes.
The Civil Protection Agency reports a 15-kilometer-long magma corridor extending from just northwest of Grindavík into the Atlantic Ocean, based on data collected on Saturday. Magma, a mix of molten and semi-molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface, can lead to eruptions when it reaches the surface, manifesting as lava. Experts suggest that an underwater eruption would be more explosive due to the interaction with seawater, with the potential for a Surtseyan eruption similar to the 1963 incident that formed the island of Surtsey.
Despite uncertainties, experts like Michele Paulatto from Imperial College London and Bill McGuire from University College London offer insights. While Paulatto emphasizes the potential explosiveness if the magma interacts with seawater, McGuire notes the difficulty in predicting the eruption’s size. The evacuated town of Grindavík faces an uncertain fate, depending on where the magma eventually reaches the surface.
There remains a possibility that the magma may not breach the surface at all, as pointed out by volcanologist Dave McGarvie from the University of Lancaster. He suggests that the best-case scenario is the dike formed by the magma cooling and solidifying without erupting. Nevertheless, seismic activity has already taken a toll on the region, with damaged roads and infrastructure resulting from earthquakes.
In response to the potential threat, the Civil Protection Agency evacuated Grindavík, citing the risk of the magma tunnel reaching the town. Despite evacuations, some residents were permitted to return briefly under police escort to retrieve pets and essential items. Additionally, precautionary measures include the closure of the famous Blue Lagoon, a popular geothermal spa north of Grindavík, due to the potential release of toxic fumes, including corrosive sulphur dioxide, which could pose health risks to the local population and tourists depending on wind direction.
Gnr Jeffrey John ‘Bucko’ BUCKMAN passed away, after a long illness, on Sunday 5 November 2023.
Jeff, a national serviceman, completed his basic training, then his Royal Australian Artillery employment training at 1st Field Regiment Holsworthy in 1967. He was posted to 107 Battery at Holsworthy and later in 1967 was posted to A (100) Field Battery in Malaysia as a reinforcement, along with around ten other 107 Battery Members. They all re-joined 107 when the Battery arrived in Malaysia in September 1967 to take over from ‘A’ Fd Bty.
He was discharged from the Australian Army on the successful completion of his National Service obligation in 1969 and spent most of his life in Esperance, WA. Bob was a foundation member of 107 Battery Association.
He leaves behind his wife Stephanie and daughters Penny and Peta.
RIP Jeffrey John Buckman
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
Hilton Lenard has advised of the death on 12 November 2023 of Peter Leslie Turner.
He was 75. Peter enlisted in the Regular Army from Tasmania and was allocated to RAA. He joined 107 Field Battery at Townsville in 1969 and deployed to Vietnam with the Battery from 7 May to 13 August 1970, as a FO Sig.
Peter was a foundation member of 107 Bty Assn and attended every reunion until his illness prevented him from attending Canberra in 2023. He organised our very successful Hobart reunion in 2009. Peter is survived by wife Diane, daughters Melissa and Nicole and son Nathan.
Lest we Forget
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
Former Special Forces Commando Heston Russell says he was disgusted by politicians who “grandstand” on the back of Remembrance Day to show support for Palestine. “I was disgusted by that …
I was disgusted by politicians who select to politically grandstand on the back of what is Remembrance Day,” Mr Russell told Sky News host Sharri Markson.
“To promote their support for Palestine or anyone other than Australian veterans.
“I cannot believe we’re at that place in Australia … we allow actions like the desecration of that memorial to occur … the common conversation is this is not the Australia I serve to support.”
Mr Russell sat down with Ms Markson to discuss Remembrance Day and the pro-Palestinian protesters desecrating a memorial.
Trevor Kenny’s Funeral is being held on:
Friday 17th November 2023 at 10am Local Perth time
St Patricks Cathedral Bunbury W.A.
Cathedral Ph is ( 08 ) 9721 0500
LEST WE FORGET
Sincerely
Wendy M McLean J.P.(Qual) LM