the apprentice about -...

The Apprentice About November 2014 1 www.austarmyapprentice.org

The Apprentice About Newsletter for the Australian Army Apprentices Association Inc

Volume 2, Issue 4 November 2014

From the President Since my election in Oct 13, I have seen some improvement in the Association’s communications. Our new Website is not quite ready, but a lot of work has gone into it and Ian Morris and Jeff Heron are to be congratulated on their efforts. Our social media presence continues to improve with more than 700 members on the Facebook sites.

Our Patron has changed, with Brig Dave Luhrs stepping down and Brig Andrew Mathewson accepting the role with pride. I offer most sincere thanks to Dave on behalf of the Committee and all of our Association membership. We hope you continue to enjoy your postings and I know you will never forget your initial training as an Army Apprentice.

I thank all the Committee for your efforts, without which we could not continue as an effective Association, in particular Neil Bennett our Secretary and Owen Reynolds our Treasurer. These are two most important positions and ought not be undervalued. To Frank Maloney, who has stood down as Events Manager, I personally thank you for the sterling efforts you have put in over several difficult years. Your successor has big boots to fill.

Thank you also to all members who pay their subscriptions to keep this most worthwhile organisation running; without you we are (contd p 2)

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E 1/2 From the President 1/2 New Patron 2 AAAA Memorial 2 Newsletter contributions 2 New Life Member 3 Membership Matters 3 Constitution changes 4 The Governor General’s Medal

4 Association merchandise 5 SPAASSM Collection DVD

5/6 Upcoming events 6 Looking for staff or looking for work?

7 Letters to parents and guardians – 9th Nov 1967

7 Insurance cover for Intake reunions

8 Sick Parade 8 Memorial photos 8 AAAA Committee – note the changes and vacancies after the October AGM

AUSTRALIAN ARMY APPRENTICES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED ACT Incorporation No A04404 GPO Box 2072, CANBERRA, ACT 2601 www.austarmyapprentice.org Patron: Brigadier Andrew Mathewson

New Patron We are proud to announce that Brigadier Andrew Mathewson, 35th Intake Fitter & Turner, has been appointed as the new Patron of our Association.

Andrew entered the Royal Military College in 1986, graduating

into the Corps of RAEME in mid 1987. Early postings were predominately technical. In 1995, Andrew undertook a Master of Science degree at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham in the UK and subsequently worked in project management on land weapons and armoured vehicle projects. Following graduation from the Army Command and Staff College in 1998, Andrew served in Joint Logistics Command. During 2001–02 on exchange to HQ Land Command in Salisbury, UK he deployed to Kosovo with the 7th Armoured Brigade in 2001, then to Bosnia with the Multinational Division Headquarters at Banja Luka in 2002.

On promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 2003, he undertook the role of Acquisition Project Manager, in Project AIR87, procuring the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. Following a year working in Army Headquarters, Andrew returned to the UK in a military attaché role as Assistant Army Adviser within the Australian High Commission, London. In Jan 08, he was promoted to Colonel as Program Director AIR9000, Multi Role Helicopter Program. (contd p 2)


New Patron (contd) On 1st Nov 10 Andrew was promoted to Brigadier as Director General Army Aviation Systems, responsible for the acquisition and support to Army’s helicopter and unmanned aerial systems fleets. In Nov 12, in a part‐time capacity, Andrew was appointed as Head of Corps, RAEME by the Chief of Army.

Brigadier Mathewson has completed a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (1st Class Honours), a Master of Business Administration (Technology Management), a Master of Science (Defence Technology), and a Master of Defence Studies.

From the President (contd) nothing but a distant memory. Please encourage others to join and enjoy our youthful memories, as we all gradually get older and hopefully wiser.

As I enter my 2nd year, I look forward to continuing growth in numbers, albeit small. Equally importantly, I look forward to attending as many Association reunions as possible – my own 20th Intake is soon to celebrate its 50th and the Electrical trades are meeting at Hastings in Feb 15 to do just that.

Here’s to another year of our Association and all that it represents.

Barry Minster (20th Radio Mech), President AAAA Inc [email protected]

AAAA Memorial (see the latest photos, p8) The concept of our Memorial being a “living” memorial continues with a number of developments: 1. We continue to receive Paver orders for placement in the Memorial pavement. We have changed to a local supplier, which facilitates ordering and reduces costs. Fading of the inscribing paint will be addressed next year. 2. An area of the pavement had been flooding, so a catch drain has been installed to lead storm water away to behind the Remembrance Wall. 3. A Memorial brochure has been printed and distributed and is included in membership packages. Stocks are held by the Memorial Sub‐committee.

Newsletter contributions If you have any items of news or other suitable

material for inclusion in The Apprentice About, please contact a member of the Committee.

4. Increasing numbers of Apprentices are becoming aware of their ability to have a Remembrance Plaque placed at the Memorial, as evidenced by the number now on the wing walls under their respective Schools. 5. An Order of Service has been developed by our Chaplains for use by laypersons when Remembrance Plaques or ashes are placed at the Memorial and a service is requested by the NOK. 6. The list of Apprentices who died whilst on active overseas service has been fixed to the Remembrance Wall, which now makes our Memorial an official War Memorial and not, as formerly, just a memorial.

Future work will include ongoing maintenance, production of greeting and in‐sympathy cards featuring the Memorial, production of a pavement “paver plan”, and ongoing work to improve/simplify access arrangements.

I would like to thank the members of the Sub‐committee for their help throughout this year, particularly Greg Mulcahy and Jim Hislop who shoulder most of the load associated with the pavers and plaques. I also recognise and thank those Apprentices who have been kind enough to donate towards the Memorial costs. I trust that all Apprentices are satisfied with the work of the Sub‐committee and feel pride with their ownership of the Australian Army Apprentices Memorial.

Frank Poole (10th Architectural Draughtsman) Chair, Memorial Sub‐committee [email protected]

New Life Member At the AGM in Wodonga on 25th October, Brian Daley, 14th VM was elevated to Life Member of the Association. Brian has, for many years, been a stalwart of the Apprentice movement and has given great service to the Association since its inception. Brian and his wife Barb have conducted raffles and other fund‐raising activities associated with all major Apprentices’ reunions conducted by the Association and, for 14 years, has managed the annual Queen’s Birthday Army Apprentices Reunion for SE Qld at the Quarry Club, Bulimba. Sincere congratulations Brian and we look forward to your involvement in next year’s major event.


Membership Matters Current membership status (as at 25th Oct 14):

• Ordinary Memberships 213

• Retired Memberships 223

• Associate Memberships 6

• Life Memberships 1

• Total 443

Image 07109 (from SPAASSM collection) – happy new recruits!

A reminder to those who may be hesitant in renewing membership, that without continued strong support, the Committee will be restricted in pursuing those aims and goals that have set our Association aside from many others. Might you be one of those who may have overlooked the reminders issued in 2012/13/14? Need confirmation of your status? Please contact me on the Email address below and I will happily follow up for you. Gary Byard (21st VM), Membership Secretary [email protected]

Constitution changes At the AGM held in Wodonga on 25th October, amendments to the Association Constitution were approved. Below is a brief summary of the major changes, and numerous other minor changes have also been made to improve readability. A full copy is now available on the Association Website at this link: http://www.austarmyapprentice.org/aim.htm:

1. Amended para 2 to reflect more accurately the objectives of the Association. 2. Amended para 5 to reflect deletion of Committee and other forms (see 7 below). 3. Amended para 6 to improve the nomination process for Life Members. 4. Amended para 10 to allow the Committee to set fees without having to amend the Constitution. 5. Amended para 12 to extend the time for an expelled member to appeal. 6. Inserted new para 18, “Custody and use of common seal”, to comply with the ACT Incorporations Act. 7. Inserted para 23 to include the new social media policy at Annex D. 8. Deleted Committee and other forms to simplify changing them without having to amend the Constitution. 9. Amended Annex A to ensure that Committee positions may only be drawn from the Association

membership. 10. Amended Annex A to increase Regional Reps’ tenure to two (2) years. 11. Amended Annex A to limit Appointments (eg Patron, Trustee, etc) to a tenure of three years, although they

will be eligible for re‐appointment. 12. Amended Annex A to increase the tenure of Regional Reps to 24 months. 13. Amended Annex A to include the Memorial Sub‐committee Chair in the Management Sub‐committee. 14. Amended Annex A to remove specific membership duties from the Vice‐president. 15. Amended Annex A to insert the duties of the Patron and to add a duty to the Trustee. 16. Amended Annex A to improve processes for dealing with Committee vacancies. 17. Amended Annexes A and C to better describe the structure and role of the Memorial Sub‐committee. 18. Amended Annex B to extend the time in which an AGM must be held. 19. Included a new Annex D to formalise the Association’s Social Media Policy.


The Governor-General’s Medal

Continuing the theme of the Apprentices' Trade Proficiency Prize Medals, and thanks to Greg Mulcahy (10th Intake Elec Fitter) for providing the copy on the right, the press release shows that the Medals were awarded from earlier than 1956, being awarded at the graduation of the 1st Intake in December 1951. More next time.

Association merchandise

The Association has the following items for sale:

Order form and contact details are on the Association Website: http://www.austarmyapprentice.org

A clearance sale of DVDs from the “60th Anniversary 2008” and the “Balcombe Commemoration 2013” is now on. Get in quickly to secure your copies at these special prices before they are all sold.

• Association tie $25.00(+$7.50 P&H)

• Lapel badge $10.00(+$1.00 P&H)

• Car sticker $5.00(+$1.00 P&H)

• Plaque $45.00(+$10.00 P&H)

• Baseball cap $12.50(+$7.50 P&H)

• Key ring (old Association badge) $5.00(+$1.00 P&H)

• AAS flag (School badge) $175.00(+$9.50 P&H)

• 60th Anniversary (2008) DVD **PRICE REDUCED!** $10.00(+$7.50 P&H)

• Balcombe Commemoration (2013) DVD **PRICE REDUCED!** $15.00(+$7.50 P&H)

• SPAASSM Collection DVD $25.00(+$7.50 P&H)


SPAASSM Collection DVD

Response to the August SPAASSM competition was the best yet. Of course, the answer was very easy, being 1983 (as mentioned in the article on the Governor‐General’s Banner on page 4)! And congratulations to Ian Ransom, 38th Intake for providing that answer first. Ian has been sent his copy of the SPAASSM DVD.

Jeff Heron (21st Radio Mech), Website Forum Moderator [email protected]

This one is a test of your powers of deduction. The photo shows three Apprentice Musicians, the CPL from the Fijian Army and the others from the New Giunea Police Force, who were snapped farewelling the then Defence Minister (1972–75), Mr Lance Barnard, AO (1919–97) from Balcombe. The sender of the first email I receive that correctly identifies the year and occasion depicted here wins a copy of the SPAASSM DVD (Committee members excluded)!

Upcoming events

APPRENTICES REUNION – 23rd to 25th OCTOBER 2015 3

The Association is planning a reunion in the Albury/Wodonga/Bandiana area in October 2015. At this time we are a little sketchy on specific details but below is the concept in outline.

Approval has been received from the Army Logistic Training Centre Commandant, Colonel Polich, who was delighted that we are once again returning to Bandiana/Latchford for our celebrations.

Friday 23rd We have booked our Meet & Greet function, with registration, etc at The Cube in Hovell St, Wodonga from 1400 hrs to 1800 hrs. Cost to be determined for catering and venue hire – hopefully will not exceed $ 15.00 pp.

Saturday 24th a. It will probably involve a visit to ASEME (RTC), to view the current Army Trade Training structure, 1000 hrs to 1130 hrs. I am still awaiting official confirmation from the CO, LTCOL Phillips.

b. An activity in Albury, loosely based around the ANZAC Centenary and AAS Freedom of the City of Albury, 1400 hrs to 1530 hrs. This is still to be put together with Albury City Council Events, Ros Walls.

c. A reunion Dinner will be held at the Albury Civic Centre as in previous years, 1800 hrs for 1830 hrs start, concluding at 2300 hrs. This is the same location that we used in 2008 and has again been booked with Chelsea McGrath, at approx $ 50.00 pp.

Sunday 25th a. A Memorial Service at the AAS Memorial, Gaza Ridge Barracks, Bandiana commencing at 0930. b. Morning Tea in the Bandiana Memorial Park followed by refreshments at 11.00, with catering by (contd p6)


Upcoming events (contd) the Vietnam Veterans to be costed and confirmed.

c. The Army Museum will be open from 11.00. The reunion will officially conclude at midday.

We are confident of having a number of distinguished guests, civilian and military, at appropriate functions. Our Trustee Jim Hislop has done all the legwork at this time and my sincere thanks go to him. Frank Maloney, 13th VM

23rd AAS Intake (all Appies welcome) – Fri 5th December 2014, from 11.30 am At the Welcome Hotel beer garden, Evans Street, Balmain. No set menu. Everyone welcome. THIS IS NOT A REUNION, just old mates getting together once a year for lunch, drinks and lies. Let Russell (George) Evans or Ken Obe O'Bryan know (via [email protected]) or just turn up.

20th AAS Intake Motor Mechanics – 50th Reunion – 13th – 15th February 2015 A 20th Intake Motor Mechanics 50th Reunion will be held at Howlong NSW on 13–15 Feb 2015. For details, contact Ian Peut ([email protected]) OR Martin (Blue) Magill ([email protected]).

Kokoda Trek – ANZAC Day 2015 Reid Ossington, 49th Motor Mech and two other ex‐RAEME tradies are looking at trekking Kokoda for ANZAC day in 2015. He is looking for anyone who has done the trek and can recommend a good company to go through. He is also seeking other RAEME brothers out there interested in joining them? Cost estimates are between $4,500 and $5,000 inclusive of flights. Contact Reid at [email protected]

10th Intake Reunion – Albury/Wodonga 21st to 23rd October 2015 21st ‐ 1630–1900 Meet and Greet at Rydges Hotel; 22nd ‐ 1000–1530 Coach tour of Albury area with lunch at a winery (not including the Army Museum); 22nd ‐ 1900–2230 Dinner at a private room in the Commercial Club; 23rd ‐ private time and Meet and Greet for the national Association event (see below) at the Army Museum Bandiana. Contact Frank Poole, 10th Architectural Draftsman, [email protected]

21st AAS Intake – 50 Year Reunion – Return to Balcombe 19th to 21st February 2016 A plan is being put together for a reunion of the 21st Intake to celebrate the 50th anniversary of enlistment; eg: 19th, 1400–1600, meet and greet, Dava Hotel Mt Martha; 20th 1200–1400, Balcombe wander and memorial plaque dedication (subject to approvals); 20th 1830–2200, restaurant TBA; 21st 1130–1530, farewell BBQ TBA. Contacts: Richard Pike ‐ [email protected], Jeff Heron ‐ [email protected], Peter Thompson ‐ [email protected]; or write to AAAA, GPO Box 2072, Canberra, ACT 2601 and your letter will be passed on.

22nd AAS Intake – 50 Year Reunion – 27th – 28th January 2017 There WILL be a reunion of the 22nd intake to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our enlistment. All members and families are invited. Please contact any other 22nd Intake Appies you know who might be interested. Contact Mal Campbell, 22nd Elec Fitter at [email protected] or write to PO Box 176, Milsons Point, NSW 1565.

Looking for staff or looking for work? If you or members of your family or any of your friends are looking for staff or looking for work, the Association’s Forum (http://www.austarmyapprentice.org/forum_phpBB3/) provides a small service that might assist. Job vacancies are regularly advertised on behalf of MTU Detroit Diesel Australia (MTUDDA) and other organisations as well as listing the occasional person looking for work. Feel free to contact the Moderator ([email protected]) with any positions being advertised or sought.


Letters to parents and guardians – 9th November 1967

Many of you won’t remember, or your parents or guardians may never have shown you, but the parents or guardians of applicants selected for the Army Apprentices School each received a letter from the Commanding Officer. Thanks to Harry Cole, above is a copy of the letter from LTCOL Mills, CO in 1967, writing to the parents and guardians of the boys selected for the 23rd Intake.

Insurance cover for Intake reunions http://www.austarmyapprentice.org/forum_phpBB3/ Please note that the Association’s public liability insurance can cover Intake or other Apprentices reunions. Just ensure that the Secretary is notified of the event, and its location, dates and anticipated attendance. It will then be minuted at the next Committee meeting as an official Association event.


Sick Parade – Know of any Apprentices sick or in hospital? Please let your Regional Rep or a Committee member know.

Memorial photos by Frank Poole, Memorial Sub-committee Chair, 25th Oct 14

AAAA Committee – note the changes after the October AGM and note the vacancies. Why not put your hand up? Contact the President or another Committee member if you’re interested or even just curious. What have you got to lose?

Management Sub-committee Other Committee Members (contd): Office Bearers: Jeff Heron - 21st Radio Mech

President Barry Minster - 20th Radio Mech Member

(& Forum Moderator) Vice President Harry Hoger - 20th Radio Mech Member Bill Mertin - 22nd VM

Richard Pike - 21st VM Member Vacant Treasurer (& Merchandise) Member Vacant

Secretary Neil Bennett - 13th VM Regional Representatives: Plus: NT David Cooper - 24th F&T

Membership NQld David Young - 30th Fitter Maint Secretary

Gary Byard - 21st VM SQld Brian Daley - 14th VM

Public Officer Ray Wilson - 15th Plumber NSW Richard Pike - 21st VM Welfare Officer Vacant Frank Poole - 10th Architectural

Events Manager Vacant ACT

Draughtsman Heritage Officer Norm Wells - 14th VM Northern Vic Jim Hislop - 9th F&T

Webmaster Ian Morris - 12th Radio Mech Central Vic Mark Ryan - 33rd Motor Mech Memorial Sub- Frank Poole - 10th Architectural Southern Vic Matt Bouma - 30th C&J

committee Chair Draughtsman Vic Metro Lucas McGann - 35th Elec Fitter

Other Committee Members: SA David Miller - 22nd Elec Fitter Member Harry Cole - 7th VM Tas Gary Byard RFD - 21st VM Member Frank Maloney - 13th VM WA Tom Esze - 36th Motor Mech

Appointments: Brigadier Andrew Mathewson - Legal Advisor Vacant Patron 35th F&T Chaplain Rev Bryan Nichols JP - 11th VM

Honorary Trustee Jim Hislop - 9th F&T Chaplain Rev Craig Potter - 38th F&T Auditor Vacant Chaplain Rev Alan Kelb OAM - 25th F&T

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