ADGie News 2009 ..............................

Hi Pom,

Max 1/89 here, funny thing happened on my lifes journey, met a beautiful woman and fell in love, only to find her history may lead me to believe her father was one of the "original" founding fathers of the ADG mustering..

Her fathers details make for interesting reading and lead me to believe he was a member of the Tarakan "defence" group.

He is named:-

William Albert BUTLER Service No. 151792 enlisted 6/04/1944 discharged LAC 1/08/1946 mustering "Shoemaker" but was qualified for special courses 143 R..D.Cse 14/5/44, 6 R.D. 29/44. It is believed he was training as paratrooper and was present at Tarakan at time of the musterings beginnings.

Original document sighted

Any help in finding a history greatfully appreciated, (I knew I had someting more for the mustering hehe)

Best wishes

Max (Zimmo)
0413922571

(Thinking of coming to visit WILL bring biscuits) ...................... Make SURE there not bloody stale

G' day,

I write you from Italy to ask you some news on the vehicles used by the Austaralia Army in Vietman.

In 1966 Australia Army buy the 50 off-roads Haflinger of the Steyr-Puch Austriaca (you see list http://www..remlr.com/ARN/ARNs_haflinger.php ), in the various searches conducted by our club (Haflinger club Italy www.haflingerclubitalia.it ), we have discovered that some of these Haflingers have perhaps gone with you to Vietnam.

I attach photo of a Haflinger Australia Army.

I ask if this news is true and if it is possible to find some photos of the Haflingers in Vietnam.

I thank you for your attention and I want to excuse me for my English, but I use an electronic translator!!

Aspect your news, and I send you the more kindest regards from Italy.

Ferraroni Massimo
Email address via his website

Pom

It appears over the past couple of years at the Bruce Rock V V reunion that Gillie and "Num nuts" Lamb having been using an essential adgie skill of sneaking up on an unsuspecting old codger (soft target) and taking photos.
Furthermore, he is a fellow comrade, who believed he was in a safe environment with other old and bold chaps,
yeah, right!!!!!!!!!!.

I not forgettin' and next year I intend to employ another essential ADG skill, known as Sleeping Dragons and Lurking Tigers technique (payback).

Hope your health is all good, Pom.

Regards
Pete Wattie

VVAA NATIONAL MUSEUM OPEN DAY 28TH NOV 2010

To all local and interested members

The Vietnam Veterans National museum at Phillip Island will be holding its open day next Sunday the 28th of November.

The RAAFVVA will have a Plaque dedicated in the Garden of Reflection.

We also plan to present a FAC Association picture donated by the FAC Association, however this may be done prior to the proceedings on Sunday.

As far as I know the main ceremony will begin at 1100-1130 which will be followed by a BBQ lunch.

No further details forthcoming at this stage but be there if you can.

Rick Holmes

Secretary

Callin' Bobby Loftus

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR SOME TIME FOR MY BEST MATE AT SCHOOL, BOBBY LOFTUS. HE EMIGRATED TO AUSTRALIA AROUND 1964 AND ENDED UP IN VIETNAM WITH RAAF. I NOTICED A PICTURE OF BOB LOFTUS ON YOUR WEBSITE AND WONDERED IF THA WAS HIM. WE WENT TO SCHOOL AT OUR LADY'S HIGH IN MOTHERWELL AND THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM WAS WHEN HE AND HIS FAMILY LEFT MOTHERWELL BY TRAIN TO GO TO LONDON AND THEN TO AUS. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM HIM, HE WILL BE AROUND 62 JUST NOW. . I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME TO FIND DETAILS OF BOBBY WHETHER DEAD OR HOPEFULLY ALIVE.

REGARDS
TOM HALPIN
00441292477975

Tphalpin1@aol.com

Ya still kickin' Bobby ?

.......'ere are some recent headlines ,happenings, and other examples:

Headline: Army PAY GETS PAY WRONG AGAIN.
The Headlines actually should be: Public Servants get Army Navy and Airforce Pays wrong again.
                                                                            (including a RAAF friend in the USA who got his $ 3000 settlement allowance as $30,000)

Stores Contracted out
A Civilian Firm has been for some time the Contractors for 'Barracks/Q Store stuff with the result:
                                                            Arrive at a Base a/h and more often than not no bedding and/or no info on where to bunk down due to contractors being on leave or a/hours.
                                                            I Quote my God Son (Navy) and a friends son (Army). No forward planning and or Supervision seems evident either.???

Catering Contracted out
Not open all hours??........... Senior W Off (Army) rings the Cook House to ensure his troops will get fed on return to Base (ETA 2100hrs).
                                                             No action was taken nor alternatives so the troops had to break in to feed themselves.
                                                             And Airfield Defence (RAAF) were the first Australian contingent into Timor to be told that the Civilian Catering Contractors will not becoming with them. Result .. Ration Packs for many weeks. Now Moral depended (once) on Good Food Regular and correct Pay and a Mail system being being provided. Now????

Postings Contracted out
A case of amny re: Sydney to Darwin on Posting/Attachment (Navy). My Godson arrives and no one knows about it and so returned to Sydney (happened again on another Posting)

Recruiting Contracted out
Obviously the Contractor gets paid per Interview etc.?
A friend and young man told to attend I/v as he had what the RAAF
needed and all his Paperwork was spot on. He performed well; then he was told.....as he was still only 16 they cant recruit him (did they $ claim that I/V ?).

Civilian Awards and Medal List
I have just seen the new chart of Australian Honours/Awards and medals. You should see the (now) extensive Public Services Awards/Medals and 'entitlements'

Terminology:
I have just read an item: Army Officers get Awards . Actually there was one officer the rest were other Services and not Officers (Corporal, SGT etc).

.....................................
Any additions or corrections (for me to add to) as this without names of the people still serving, is going to be a letter to the Minister and the Canberra Times.
John (TR) 'not the dead one' Cameron
jtrcpmh@hotmail.com