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Volume 6 Issue 2 September 2016
Vietnam Veterans Associat ion of Austra l ia V ic toria Branch Box Hi l l Sub -Branch A B N 4350672219
Boo Coo News Boo Coo — from the French word Merci Beaucoup meaning thank you very much. No other meaning intended.
This year Vietnam Veterans Day coincided with the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, with more activities for the
commemoration at the Shrine. The Gun Fire breakfast was held near the Police Memorial in St Kilda Road and this was also
the form up point for the March. As the March was about to commence, three shots from a 105 Howitzer rang out. The bands
started playing and we marched off. Moving towards the Shine we were cheered on by the spectators who had gathered. As
we moved up St Kilda Road the staff of Victoria Barracks came across to cheer us on. At the base of the stairs to the Shrine
forecourt the Gunners who had manned the gun formed a guard of honour. Onto the forecourt and it was through clapping
crowds and on to take the Salute.
Then came the formal part of the day with addresses by the Governor of Victoria and the Premier. The 521 small crosses were
endowed with the Australian Flag and Red Poppies. A replica of the Long Tan Cross was used in the Wreath Laying, and Ode was read. Being a part of the 5000 plus crowd made up of Veterans, families and school children and of course with the sun shining which made for a memorable day. Let’s hope next year’s is as well supported.
Vietnam Veterans Day 18th August
Page 2 Boo Coo News September 2016 Volume 6 , Issue 2
Secretar y ’s Repor t
had a lot to do in organising the guest
speaker Jeff Kennett; John’s ex-
Hawthorn mate. Well done guy’s just a
great day. This may well become a
yearly event in place of our old Dinner
Dance.
Boo Coo News, Many Veteran
Organisations State and Federal are
looking at going away from printed
copies, as is the Box Hill Sub-Branch
which is also looking at going to E-
Copies of Boo Coo News in 2017.
With the increase in postage and
printing it is costing a lot of money to
print and send out each edition of our
newsletter.
Give us your opinion. Would you like to receive an E-Copy of Boo Coo News, or continue receiving it in printed form? Yes, or No!
Bunnings BBQ and Badge Selling
Day on the 13th August 2016, this year
was a pretty good result. This day is
our main fund raising day apart from
our function events. Our thanks go to
Brian Tateson who from his sick bed
controlled the day and we thank all
those members who put up their hand
to assist on the day, however it seems
to be the same faces every year.
Our membership Officer Mike
Charenko is working over time to get
our members to either renew their
membership or just simply pay their
membership dues. At this point we
have 99 financial members and
approximately 20 that have not paid the
dues. The committee has decided to
notify these members that if they have
not paid their membership fee within
30 days they will be removed off the
membership list, thus not receiving
membership benefits.
Family Race Day On the 19th
November 2016 at Seymour: This is
the last commemoration event for
the 50th Anniversary, it will be just a
great day for all Veterans and their
families. Put it in your calendar.
Veterans Health week this year will
be between 22nd and 30th October
2016 the Sub-Branch will be
arranging another day trip, however
not to the Seymour Black Powder
Club. The Committee decided to apply
for a DVA grant to take our members
to the National Vietnam Veterans
Museum, for the “Back to Museum
Day” on the 5th November 2016.
There will be a bus leaving the RSL at
approximately 9.00 to 9.30 am and
returning early evening just in time
for dinner at the RSL. More on this
later.
The Box Hill RSL is planning to up-
grade the Vietnam Gallery to give it
some more personal touch for the
Vietnam Veteran members. This will
take place shortly. Tony Bowden has
asked that Vietnam Veteran members
send him photos of themselves during
the Vietnam War, however they must
be of very good quality, high
definition if possible ???? with a small
caption of the photo. Y ou never know
you might get chosen to go into the
gallery.
Big Jim’s film night, was an
excellent night on the 24th May 2016
with good numbers turning up and the
feedback we got was great on the mix
of films shown along with excellent
finger food supplied by the Sub-
Branch. Not sure if we will have a
film night next year, watch this space.
The 50th Anniversary
Commemorative Veterans Lunch
on the 1st August 2016 at the Box Hill
RSL, with the theme based the Long
Tan Cross, was just an excellent lunch
and well put together by our own
Brian Tateson and strongly supported
by our President John Haward who
The Orderly Close of VVAA Sub
Branches. After 2016 commemorative
year we will see some of the smaller
VVAA Sub-Branches close due to a lack
of membership support and failing to fill
Committee positions. The Albury Sub-
Branch has already indicated that they
will hand in the charter in December
2016. The general view is; The Vietnam
Veterans have achieved the 50th year-
commemoration, “So what is next”. I
think we should continue looking after
each other until we are just too bloody
old.
The Black Tie Commemorative Civic
Reception on the 6th July 2016: Just a
magnificent event, it is a pity it was not
open to more Veterans and their
families, however it was not possible
due to the venue and the invitation list
was controlled by the VVAA State Sub-
Branch
In closing: Vietnam Veterans Day
2016: This day will be in our memories
for ever, it was just magnificent I do not
think anything will top it in our life time,
not even 2025 marking 50 years of the
end of the Vietnam War and that’s if we
are still kicking.
Our sincere thanks go to all the VVAA
Vic State Branch Committee and the
2016 Commemorative Committee for
arranging and for filling all of the events
for this commemorative year and our
own Sate members — Brian Tateson and
Bob Glaubitz.
That’s about all for now, take care and
look after yourselves
Rod Burgess – Secretary (Black Hat)
Commemorat ions for the 50th
Anniversar y of the Batt le of Long Tan
Page 3 Volume 6 , Issue 2 Boo Coo News September 2016
Civic Reception National Gallery of Victoria
The Great Hall at the National Gallery of Victoria was the venue for the Civic Reception provided by the State Government
of Victoria for Vietnam Veterans as thanks for their service and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long
Tan. The night commenced with refreshments in the forecourt, then into the Great Hall for the formal proceedings.
We were welcomed by Daniel Andrews MP, Premier of Victoria and Bob Elworthy, President of the Vietnam Veterans Asso-
ciation of Australia Victorian Branch.
The 10 secondary school students who were the winners of the VVAA Vietnam War History Competition were introduced.
We were then entertained by a performance of “Echoes of Conflict” a musical piece written in 1989 by Lachlan Wilson, Vi-
etnam Veteran and a member of Box Hill VVAA, as part of his Bachelor of Music degree. It is based on the reflections of
young Australians during the Vietnam War.
After interval we were entertained by the cast of Rolling Thunder Vietnam — singing a number of the songs from the show,
which had us all singing along.
Recognition has to go to Brian Tateson and his team for the effort and work that went into putting this night together.
Now that most of the Commemorations for the Battle of Long Tan are over we can revisit the
events we were involved in during the year.
The Graveside Vigils in February
Box Hill VVAA ran and participated in Grave Side Vigils at Box Hill Cemetery, Burwood Cemetery and Springvale Botanical Cemetery. At Box Hill, John
Haward and Charles Kook presided over the ceremonies for two of our fallen comrades, while at
Burwood — Bob Glaubitz and Adrian Wain performed the service for a nurse that Bob had served with.
Springvale Botanical Cemetery Graveside ceremonies were performed by Bob Elsworthy, President of VVAA
Victoria. The service was conducted at the Veterans Memorial Wall assisted by members of Box Hill and other sub branches.
Remember to read the Secretary’s Report for current information; we don’t want him to be sad.
Write into your calendar the events for November. My wife scolds me for being forgetful.
Please help by being a member of this VVAA sub-branch and come along to our events.
You getting old and grey … no worries … so am I. Have a good day reading this and take care.
Commemorat ion events cont inued
Page 4 Boo Coo News September 2016 Volume 6 , Issue 2
VVAA Ladies Lunch (report by Libby Sturrock)
On 15th June ladies from the Box Hill sub branch of the VVAA attended a Ladies Luncheon at the Langham
Hotel. The luncheon was held as part of the yearlong commemorations of the 50th Anniversary of Long Tan. The
Victorian government's contribution to this important year has been rightly focused on Veterans, but this time the
emphasis was on the wives and partners of Veterans.
Our official host, Catherine Andrews, wife of the Victorian Premier, welcomed us all and made a poignant and
moving speech. Her expertise as a trained historian was evident and she drew heavily on the real experience of
Veteran's wives as she read from several letters written at the time.
The setting was pleasant, the food was excellent and the little touches such as a single rose for each attendee were
appreciated. The general feeling in the room however was one of gratitude that recognition was being paid
formally to the support wives and partners have given to their Veterans over the years. The repercussions of the
conflict are wide and most of us felt that recognition for the effects of the war on Veterans' families was often
under appreciated.
Thank you to the Box Hill VVAA sub branch for facilitating our attendance at this important event.
Boo Coo News September 2016 Volume 6 , Issue 2 Page 5
Cont inued
Boo Coo News September 2016 Volume 6 , Issue 2
Box Hill VVAA Luncheon
Monday, 1st August saw about ninety of our members and guests come together for a luncheon at Box Hill RSL to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the battle of Long Tan.
We were joined by our friends from Noble Park VVAA, Diamond Valley VVAA and Belgrave Upwey RSL. The guest speaker was The Honourable Jeff Kennett AC, who gave an enlightening talk on his early army days and on how leadership is an important attribute to have not only in politics but life as well.
On the left we have a school
group supporting the
Vietnam Vets at the Shrine
during the August 18 march.
Boo Coo News September 2016 Volume 6 , Issue 2
ANZAC DAY Reunion in Papua New Guinea 2016 by Ziggy Ziogas
Page 6
Alotau, the port in Milne Bay. This is the spot where the first land invasion by the Japanese was stopped by Australia’s
“Choco” soldiers. The next area was on the Kokoda Track.
During ANZAC Marches in Australia today you can still see the banners, carried by old granddads, that read the campaign
name of Milne Bay. I had heard the name in WW II documentaries of the fighting in the Pacific Islands, but did not relate in
my mind to any specific location. Today I was here.
Aboard our cruise ship, the Dawn Princess, the day started after breakfast with the Remembrance Ceremony. We could not
have a dawn event as the ship was then manoeuvring alongside the pier at Alotau, and there was a torrential downpour. The
Service was held indoors in one of the biggest lounges. The ships officers were formally dressed in either dark uniforms or
their tropical whites. Reunion members of my Unit, 8th Field Ambulance 67/68, were dressed in tropical, short sleeved, blue
shirts with open neck and grey or dark trousers. It was obvious we were a singular group of veterans: all wearing our medals,
as if we were in uniform. We looked the youngest — compared to the Korea and WW II vets. The lounge was full of veterans
and many family members who were cruising with them. In all, there were about 150 vets on board from various campaigns.
After the formalities, a piper led us in a short march along the promenade deck to the wreath laying spot. Everything went
well and respectfully. Many compliments to the Captain and the Cruise Line for supporting us.
Each afternoon there was a Veterans’ Happy Hour at 1500 throughout the duration of the voyage. An interesting wording was
in the ship’s itinerary that the Happy Hour was for all veterans — of any country that fought for freedom. We met a couple of
younger American vets that had served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The saddest feeling for me was when I walked on the ground where both Australians and Japanese troops had been killed. These areas were pointed out to us by our PNG guides who lived in the narrow strip of land between the sea and the mountain
range. Both fighting forces could only manoeuvre along this narrow corridor. Lest we forget.
—— ### ———
I am a TPI with PTSD and I did not enjoy this 15 day Cruise. I felt locked up, as if in a big Shopping Town in a major city. And, the other thing … I came off the ship … four kilos heavier.
Boo Coo News September 2016 Volume 6 , Issue 2
September 14 Committee Meeting in the “Library” 7pm
September 30 Last Friday of the Month.
October 12 Committee Meeting in the “Library. 7pm
October 28 Last Friday of the Month.
November 5 Back to the Museum on Phillip Island
November 9 Committee Meeting in the “Library” 7pm
November 19 Seymour Family Race Day
November 25 Last Friday of the Month.
December 13 Committee Meeting in the “Library” 7pm
December 17 Christmas Dinner – Venue to be advised.
NO LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH IN DECEMBER
Keep your eyes on your emails for updates and details as
events unfold for our Calendar.
Our d iar y for 2016
Page 7
As you were … Trooper Charenko
Trooper Michael Charenko of 1st Armoured Regiment, A Squadron and 1st Troop. Served in Vietnam 1969/70.
Mike was the Radio Operator of One Charley and still remembers his Alfas right through to his Zulus. He learned a number
of skills during his service, one being how to forage for corn in the field. This went well with his skill at being the American
C Rations chef for his tank … spices … that is the key. Mike says that speed of action was his survival strategy in-Country:
being first one out of the tank when red ants infested it and jumping for his life — after the tank hit a tree with a large wasps
nest. Sometimes you jump, sometimes you get blown off of the machine. Mike has a collection of shrapnel the medics pulled
out of his back: enemy mine? No — one of ours. It is a good story — buy him a beer and he will tell you about it.
When he time-travelled back to his old tank, he forgot to dress for the tropics; boy — did he sweat.
All Glass Repairs
Damian - 0407 452 432 John - 0412 341 830
7 DAYS We are a 100% Australian owned family
business offering special prices to all
Vietnam Veterans on Glass table tops,
shelving, pet doors, and any domes-
Guardian Pharmacy TUNSTALL SQUARE
10 Tunstall Square,
Doncaster East Telephone: 03 9842 1487
Fax: 03 9842 2527
Email: [email protected]
Pharmacy Quality Care &
Service Accreditation
Professional pharmacist advice with friendly personal service
Elizabeth Arden Consultant
In Essence Aromatherapy, Nebuliser, Walking Aid, Vapour Hire
Blackmores & Bioglan
Natural Health Solutions
Same day Kodak film processing
Sports Medicine Centre & agents for Medibank Private
Donvale Flower Gallery
Shop 22-23 Tunstall Square
Doncaster East 3109
T: 03 9842 1803
F: 03 9842 1306
Shop 239 Forest Hill Chase
Owner: Mr Joe Scuderi
20% off for V.V.A.A. members on presentation of proof of membership
Honour the dea d , but f ight l ike hel l for the l iv ing.
New Merchandise
Polo shirt in fashionable black, and goes well with a black hat. Only $35.
Available from Rod Burgess on:
043 937 8989
Remember
Last Friday
Of
The Month
Box Hill
RSL
V IET NAM VE TERANS ASS OC IA TIO N OF AUS TRALIA
V ICT ORIA BRAN CH BOX HI LL SUB -BRA NCH ABN
4 3 5 0 6 72 2 1 9
To contact us see below
President - 03 9803 3301 John Haward
Secretary - 0439 378 989 Rod Burgess
Treasurer - 0412 689 630 Bob Glaubitz
Postal Address:
PO Box 280, Dingly Village, VIC 3172
Boo Coo Newsletter by:
Editor — Bill Waterman
Construction & Layout — Ziggy Ziogas
