December 2012

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Track December 2012

Patron: Brigadier Michael H. Annett, CSC President: Daryl Pinner, OAM (H) (03) 9359 4520 Vice President: Stuart McDiarmid (H) (03) 9016 9188 Vice President: Tom Murphy (M) 0400 166 235 Secretary: John Paterson (H) (03) 9465 1418 Treasurer: Godfrey Camenzuli (H) (03) 9354 9251 Editor: Peter Branagan, OAM (H) (03) 5793 8171

STINGER AT THE DINNER

President Daryl Pinner presented Guest Speaker Major Darren Rosemond with an RAACA tie following his very enthusiastic presentation at the annual Cambrai Dinner

in Keldie Hall, School of Armour on Saturday 17 November.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all members and their families

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CAMBRAI DINNER 2012 The formal highlight of our social calendar – the annual commemoration of the Battle of Cambrai was celebrated at the School of Armour Officers/Sergeants Mess on Saturday 17 November. Keldie Hall was the venue as usual and witnessed 73 members and guests enjoy an evening of memories rekindled; great fellowship and camaraderie. The 95th anniversary of the battle was celebrated with a most entertaining and informative address by the Officer Commanding B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment (the Stingers), Major Darren Rosemond. Our treasured World War II armoured comrades from Sydney are now unable to make their traditional annual pilgrimage to Pucka so the Victorian Branch has undertaken to continue their memorial service. We honoured the memory of their mates with a simple wreath laying ceremony in the Tank Museum’s WWII Armoured Memorial. Retired Musician John Mansfield delivered the Last Post and Rouse with his typical skill and style. President Daryl Pinner surprised our long serving member Rod Westgarth with the announcement of Honorary Life Membership. Rod along with his hard working wife Sharon have had a big impact on our activities including the annual Christmas picnic at Eltham, the packaging and dispatch of our troop parcels and organising fund raising sausage sizzles. He is also a trustee of the Arch Finlayson Memorial Scholarship.

Major Rosemond had the pleasant duty of investing Rod Westgarth as our latest Honorary Life Member.

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The following members and guests enjoyed the 2012 Cambrai Dinner….

Bill Allen Darren Rosemond Bob Neate Michael Annett Rocky Gerzina John Paterson Tony Archer Graeme Perkins Niel Russell Tyrell McGeever Michael McPherson John Williams Graeme Moore Lou Nankivell Graham Wright John Baines Ron Hogan Daryl Pinner John Bauerle David Holloway Ian Docking Roger Bicheno John Harris Bob Stenhouse John Blackwell Colin Carrington Stan Rydel Peter Branagan Josh Gay Vin Brennan John Brooker John Hopkins Alan Sedgwick Terry O’Neill Darcy McPherson Garry Simmons John Burke Richard James John Snelling Bob Burke Tom James Alan Spenceley Godfrey Camenzuli Bryan Kesby Max Hayes Lindsay Christensen Rod Jones Jim Squires Mick Pignattelli John Kinton Graham Tiller Fred Coucher Lou Postlethwaite Ian Tregenza Mick van Poeteren Angus MacEwan Basil Tiligadis Andrew Clark Ivan Maher Gavan Vigar Tony Crook Tony Marshall Andy Zsolt John Mansfield Trevor Watts Phil Hoseason Smith Brian Webb Andrew Rule Tom Murphy Rod Westgarth Brian Norton Jim DeFrancesco David Norton

Under the watchful eye of President Daryl Pinner, Mrs Robyn Branagan laid her own tribute to our fallen comrades from the 2/6th Armoured Regiment.

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As a result of his long and generous service to the Victorian Branch, Lindsay Christensen was presented with a Peter C. Wren Memorial Certificate of Merit. For some years Lindsay has donated numerous hand

made presentation items for use as raffle prizes in support of our troop parcels for deployed RAAC soldiers.

President Daryl Pinner laid the Association wreath at the 2/6th Armoured Regiment Memorial on Saturday, 17 November 2012 and was well supported by bugler John Mansfield and more

than 30 members and guests for the Cambrai Dinner celebrations.

CAMBRAI DINNER

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VICTORIAN BRANCH BIRTHDAY

Sunday 10 February 2013 1400 hrs

The 67th birthday of the Victorian Branch will be celebrated at the Shrine of Remembrance on Sunday 10 February 2013 with a short commemorative service at our memorial tree and plaque (on the western or St Kilda Rd side of the Shrine). Following the service, Major John Baines, RFD; RAAC Historian will deliver a short presentation on the urgent need to maintain the links with our fast disappearing WWII armoured members. Refreshments will be served in the adjacent Shrine western annex following his presentation. All members and spouses are urged to support this important activity, the setting, adjacent to Melbourne’s most famous landmark is outstanding and the opportunity to renew your acquaintance with this significant Melbourne precinct is strongly encouraged. To assist the organisers with afternoon tea catering, please contact the Secretary John Paterson by mail to PO Box 547 Coburg 3058, email john.paterson@optusnet.com.au or phone 9465 1418 to warn in for rations. RSVP 01 February 2013.

Patron’s Christmas Message

As the Victorian Patron I have been tremendously impressed by the work of the Association in 2012 under the able leadership of Daryl and the rest of the Committee. The comfort parcels that have gone to RAAC soldiers currently deployed is a great initiative and I know are very much appreciated. This year at the Cambrai dinner I was particularly struck by the absence of most of our World War 2 Veterans who have attended for so many years either because they are no longer with us or were unable to travel. While this is sad, time marches inexorably on and looking to the future of the Association it was great to see a good sprinkling of currently serving Corps members and those recently retired in the room. I would ask each of you to grab a mate who served with you and get them involved in the Association if they are not yet a member. Only through a strong and active membership base can we continue the comradeship of nights like Cambrai and equally importantly sustain the great support the Association currently provides to serving Corps members and their families. My very best wishes to all of you for the Festive Season, and a healthy and prosperous 2013.

Michael Annett

The Victorian Branch Gratefully Acknowledges the Following Donors

Bruce King, Tim Costa, Brian Cook, Alan Spenceley, Stan Andrew, Terry Cuthbert, Michael Fogarty, Stephen Bird, Jason Franken, Clem Mooney and Joe McGarry.

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AROUND THE ASSOCIATION…….

Federal Congress 6 October 2012 The annual gathering of state executive members of the Corps and unit associations was conducted at the School of Armour, Puckapunyal on Saturday 6 October. Following the normal general business of state reports etc, discussion ensued on Support to Atomic Testing Veterans, Gold Card for WWII Veterans and the proposed Boer War Memorial in Canberra. With RAACA business dealt with, discussion then centred around the future direction and relevance of the Corps association. The idea of a powerful lobby group was first mooted at the 2008 Congress in a presentation by WO1s Ian Cummings and Greg Hooper. The late Brigadier Ian Bryant was enlisted to explore the possibilities of an overarching ex service organisation which initially emerged as the ‘Ironsides Corporation’ later to be re-titled the RAAC Corporation. Following an extensive mail out to our members, the response came back of majority support to join the new corporation. The question of the future of the Federal Executive was discussed at length and it was agreed that there should be only one overall HQ and this would necessitate the transfer of command to the new RAAC Corporation. This changeover, which includes the transfer of Federal monies and the legal windup of the former entity is to be conducted over some months to allow for an orderly transition. The Victorian Branch will continue to administer the Brigadier F.B. Hinton, MC Memorial Scholarship. Matters such as the dispatch of troop parcels to our deployed troops will also remain a state based responsibility. Mr Noel McLaughlin delivered an informative presentation on the fledgling corporation and following lengthy and at times, animated discussion, all state RAACA Branches agreed to join the new RAAC Corporation. The Corporation was formally raised and the Constitution ratified at this time. The Interim Directors Noel Mc Laughlin, Lee Long, John Haynes and Chris Fenton stood down from their respective positions as Interim Directors and elections for Directors of the Corporation were then held. The Corporation’s Directors are: Noel Mc Laughlin - Chairman, Mike Phillips - Secretary, Graeme Brown - Treasurer and Tony Crook - Director. The following associations elected to join the RAAC Corporation: RAACA - NT, RAACA - VIC, RAACA - WA, RAACA - NSW, RAACA - QLD, SAMRA, 1/15 RNSWL Association, 1st Armoured Regiment Association and 12/16 HRL Association. These associations were joined by the 2/6th Cav Commando & 2 Cav Regt Association on 30 November 2012. 4/19 PWLH Association elected not to join the Corporation. On Sunday 28 October your sub branch conducted a very successful sausage sizzle at the Mitre 10 store in Main Road Diamond Creek. In excess of $400:00 was raised to be utilised in the sending of Xmas parcels to our deployed RAAC soldiers and other welfare matters. Many thanks to Rod and Sharon Westgarth, John Paterson, John Snelling, David and Kym White, Peter Branagan and I.C. Smith who all enjoyed a very social day. Following on from the success of this initiative, we will be making applications to Bunnings and Mitre 10 for a repeat performance later in 2013.

Welcome to the Crew

Anthony Patrick Marshall

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PRESIDENT’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

We have enjoyed another year of healthy growth with our financial position very sound and the majority of social and commemorative activities well supported. In particular the Christmas picnic and our annual Cambrai Dinner at Puckapunyal in November were the standouts. Guest speaker Major Darren Rosemond, OC B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt updated our visitors with an entertaining and informative presentation. Over $600:00 was raised by the raffle in support of our deployed troops. We have also successfully conducted a sausage sizzle at Mitre 10, Diamond Creek where over $400:00 was realised, an outstanding result. Thank you all. The only down sides to the year were the poor attendances at Reserve Forces Day in July and the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine in February. Please consider your attendance on 10 February 2013. Now as we go forward into the ‘silly season,’ may I on behalf of your committee, wish you all the compliments of the season and best wishes for 2013. May you find something good in your stocking! Warmest regards to you all. Daryl Pinner, OAM

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Monday 18th February 2013 1930 hrs

Darebin R&SL Sub Branch 402 Bell St

PRESTON VIC 3072

Agenda Election of Office-Bearers Apologies President Minutes of Previous AGM Vice Presidents Business Arising Secretary Correspondence Treasurer and Membership Officer Reports Editor-Track Suspension of Standing Orders General Committee Election of Office-Bearers Honorary Auditor Supper

All nominations to the Secretary RAACA Vic Branch

PO Box 547 COBURG VIC 3058

Light supper provided

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VALE

Henry John Frawley

4th Australian Armoured Brigade

Signals Squadron

1915 -2012 It was with deep regret that the Victorian Branch of the RAACA learnt of the passing of one of

its most esteemed members, John Frawley.

John was an integral part of Brigadier Macarthur-Onslow’s vision of an association that would promote Armoured Corps heritage and comradeship into the post war world. John would provide the visual record of the Corps early years.

John Frawley was born in Thornbury in Melbourne in 1915, from an early age his artistic talents were encouraged by his father who was also a talented artist. In the 1930s he studied painting under Max Meldrum. In August 1940 he joined the 2nd Cavalry Division Signals of the Citizen Military Forces. In November 1941 he was called up for continuous training, which became permanent after Japan’s entry into the war, in August 1942 he transferred to the 2nd Australian Imperial Force. Corporal Frawley’s service closely followed the fortunes of the Armoured Division, long periods of training in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland with increasingly little hope for overseas service. Like many other artists he took his paints and brushes with him and spent time painting portraits and scenes of army life, soon a steady stream of officers commissioned portraits.

In 1944 Corporal Frawley completed a portrait of Brigadier Macarthur-Onslow DSO, who recognized Frawley’s considerable talent and appointed him as the war artist of the Australian Armoured Corps, this role would continue until his discharge in 1946. In August 1944 he embarked for New Guinea with the War Office Tank Trials Unit. He was detached to paint action scenes of the 2/4th Australian Armoured Regiment. The Australian War Memorial and the Army Tank Museum now hold many of these paintings.

On return to Australia in March 1945 he continued his painting, in January 1946 he was posted to Army Headquarters “G” Branch Armoured Corps. During this period Frawley completed a series of paintings of senior officers and designed the badge of the Armoured Corps Association this would later become the basis of the current Royal Australian Armoured Corps badge.

John Frawley returned to civilian life and family in June 1946, under the repatriation scheme he studied painting at the National Gallery School of Victoria under Sir William Dargie and Alan Sumner. He also completed a course in graphic design at RMIT. He was also a foundation member of the Victorian Branch of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Association. He returned to commercial art but continued painting privately as an interest, retirement allowed time to follow his passion. In John’s final years he remained an active artist painting scenes from outback Australia and Sri Lanka. In 2011 he migrated to Sri Lanka, where he died on 15 November 2012. John’s visual legacy provides the modern RAAC with a clear vision of the personalities and cameos of the Corps’ past. Such foundations are beyond worldly value.

Lest we Forget

VALEHenry John Frawley

4th Australian Armoured BrigadeSignals Squadron

1915 - 2012

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Signalman John Frawley, Brigadier Denzil Macarthur Onslow, DSO

2nd Cavalry Division Signals circa 1941. as captured by Corporal John Frawley in 1946

Major General John Northcott, CB, MVO GOC 1st Australian Armoured Division 1941 by Corporal John Frawley 1946.

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Henry John Frawley

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Show Off Your Association Items for sale Postage

R.A.A.C.A Tie ...................................................... $32.00 $3.00 R.A.A.C.A Pocket Badge..................................... $15.00 $1.00 R.A.A.C.A Plaque (Victorian Branch)............... $35.00 $5.00 R.A.A.C.A Decal .................................................. $ 1.50 $0.60 R.A.A.C.A Lapel Badge ...................................... $11.00 $1.00 R.A.A.C.A Cap ..................................................... $10.00 $5.00 R.A.A.C.A Stubby Holder .................................. $ 6.50 $3.00 R.A.A.C.A Polo Shirt Size S, M, L, XL, XXL .... $23.00 $5.00 Colour Black, Green, Burgundy

R.A.A.C.A Black Beret ....................................... $30.00 $5.00 (Please include Beret size)

R.A.A.C.A Rugby Tops ....................................... $30.00 $5.00 Navy blue with white collar and Association Logo

R.A.A.C.A Rugby Tops ....................................... $35.00 $5.00 Navy blue with denim collar and Association Logo

R.A.A.C.A Chambray Shirts .............................. $29.00 $5.00 Long sleeves, light blue with Association Logo

R.A.A.C.A Brew Mug ......................................... $10.00 Pickup

with Association Logo only

Eldridge Book (Special) ................. $30.00 Postage paid Please note: 1. Prices are subject to change when current stock runs sold. 2. All items are inclusive of GST and subject to a charge for packing and postage. 3. Please include Cost of Postage.

P.O. Box 547 Coburg Vic 3058 Email: glc.14@bigpond.com

RAACA SCHOLARSHIPSOne of the benefits your association provides are the scholarships available to eligible children commencing or completing their secondary education.

The Victorian Branch Scholarship is currently $150:00 per year for the first two years of secondary school. Applications should be forwarded to the Secretary with proof of attendance by 28 February in the first year of qualification. You must have been a financial member of the RAACA for a minimum five years to apply.The Brigadier F. B. Hinton, MC Scholarship is administered by the Federal Executive and currently provides $250:00 for each of the final two years of secondary education. Application including proof of intention to complete years 11 and 12 to our Secretary by 30 September in the applicant's year 10.There are no scholastic results required, however proof of attendance must be provided on the relevant school's letterhead paper. Applicants must be financial members.

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