ADG Blue Beret

For the fifth year running Greyhound Australia will offer free Anzac Day travel for Aussie war veterans and war widows across its entire network.
Greyhound Australia General Manager Government and Public Affairs Tony Hopkins said the proudly Australian national coach company took great pride in honouring the diggers.
“This is a very small gesture of thanks to recognise the huge commitment and sacrifice made by the brave Australian men and women who serve their country,” Mr Hopkins said.
“Greyhound Australia will offer free travel on all coach services across the nation from April 24 to 26.
“We know from previous years that a number of diggers take advantage of this offer to travel to Anzac services around Australia and reconnect with the mates they served with and we are proud to be able to facilitate this.
“Greyhound Australia has been operating in Australia for more than a century.
“During that time we have helped transport many troops to ships bound for tours of duties and our coaches were also responsible for transporting soldiers to reinforce our borders when the Japanese bombed Australia.
“We are proud to continue the tradition of supporting our servicemen and women by carrying them free of charge this Anzac Day.”
Mr Hopkins said the offer was open to all Australian war veterans, and their widows, regardless of where and when they served their country.
The booking process is simple, veterans simply need to call the Greyhound call centre on 1300 GREYOUND (1300 47 39 46).

We have received the following sad news from Gloria Dean, following the recent passing of former Ground Defence Officer Bill “Dizzy” Dean:
“Flight Lieutenant (Retired) Samuel Kerry Dean passed away peacefully on March 15th.2012 aged 85 years.
Kerry requested a private funeral, with just family.
We did do the last post etc.
Buried him in his dress uniform & I must say he scrubbed up very well.
He is with his mates now who didn’t make it home.”
Another loss to our Airfield Defence family and our deepest condolences go to Gloria and her family, together with all Dizzy’s vast squadron of mates.

Just heard that Mick Sheean (also known as “Mad Mick” or “Sumo”) has been in and out of Greenslopes Hospital in Brisbane after a major health scare.
Hope all is well with you now Mick and that your recovery is swift and complete.

It is with much sadness that we report the passing of Mrs Hazel Sheean, mother of Committee member Mick Sheean and wife of the late Tom Sheean, who would be well know to many former ADGs.

Hazel passed away peacefully late last week, at the age of 86 years. Her funeral will be held at 1.00 pm thisThursday 15th March 2012, at the Rose Chapel, Palmdale Crematorium, Ourimbah New South Wales.

Our deepest condolences to Mick and his family.

The Coalition has recommitted itself to the fair indexation of Defence Force Retirement Benefit (DFRB)
and the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefit (DFRDB) military superannuation pensions.

We will keep faith with those who have served and protected Australia.

The Coalition’s signed pledge will keep faith with the 57,000 recipients of military superannuation pensions by providing fair indexation.

Under a Coalition government, DFRB and DFRDB superannuants aged 55 and over will have their superannuation pensions indexed in the same way as aged and service pensions.

This will ensure that 57,000 superannuants, and their families, will have access to fair, just and equitable indexation of their superannuation entitlements.

Our plan is fully costed and fully funded.

Prior to the 2007 election, Labor led people to believe that they would provide a fairer deal for ex-servicemen and women. Unfortunately, the Rudd-Gillard Government never delivered.

After the 2010 election, the Coalition introduced legislation into the parliament to deliver fair indexation to ex-servicemen and women and their families. Labor and the Greens used their combined numbers in the Senate to defeat the Coalition’s legislation.

Unlike Labor, we will honour our word.

Our veterans and their families deserve fair indexation. A Coalition government will deliver it.

5 March 2012

Just heard that Johnny White has been admitted to the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane with a fairly serious illness.
Any of John’s mates might like to check it out and visit him if possible.

The following has been received from Steve Hartigan, Secretary of the 9 Squadron Association:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
To everyone I wish you all the best for the coming festive season and for the years to come.

RAAF No 9 Squadron (Disbanded) Commemoration, Reunion and 40th Anniversary of Commencement of RAAF Amberley Operations activity outline for the three days:

20 JULY 2012 (FRIDAY)
Ipswich RSL Services Club, North Ipswich – Meet and Greet, Fellowship and Registrations (1800 hrs) Full meals are available at the RSL at your own cost on Friday night.

21 JULY 2012 (SATURDAY)
RAAHC (1030 hours to 1430 hours, actual timings to be confirmed)
- Welcome
- Commemoration Ceremony
- Huey 771 ‘talks’ to the assembly
- Light luncheon and refreshments for attendees dryfoodstuffs – sandwiches, biscuits, cake and refreshments – tea/coffee, wine and beer.
- Attendees visit the RAAHC aviation display areas.

Note. All 9SA Members and families, widows of ex No 9 Squadron personnel and descendants, will be ‘bussed’ to and from RAAF Base Amberley/RAAHC originating and ending at the Ipswich RSL Services (bus costs will be included in the attendees’ payment for the 40th Anniversary / Reunion Dinner). However, there will be a few 9SA Members who are also RAAHC Volunteers that will be required to arrive prior to the buses and they will use their bona fide RAAF Amberley Base access passes in the usual manner to attend the RAAFHC facility.

Ipswich RSL Services Club, North Ipswich – 40th Anniversary / Reunion Dinner commencing 1800 hours (Dress smart casual)

All drinks are to be at attendees cost.

22 JULY 2012 (SUNDAY) Ipswich RSL Services Club, North Ipswich – Recovery Breakfast and Fellowship

Cost and Payment:

Cost of the event is $145 per person. A $50 deposit is required when nominating and is not refundable.

Payments can be made through the 9 Sqn account in the normal procedure (remembering to put your name on the payment details) or by cheque to 9 sqn association and sent to PO Box 635 Gatton Qld 4343.

Payments can be broken down into managble chunks of your choice and I will notify each person as payment is recieved. If I do not notify you within a short period of time then consider that your payment has gone astray and get in contact with me.

Payment are to be finalised by 30th June 2012 to allow us to finalise catering.

Accommodation:

Accommodation is available and can be booked by going to the 9 Sqn Association web site and clicking on the 2012 Reunion button. This will take you to the Discover Ipswich web page. This page has accommodation listed in order of closeness to the Ipswich RSL. By clicking on an accommodation site you will find the cost and availability of rooms.

For those flying into Brisbane airport the train is available from the airport to Ipswich. Please note that the airport link train has NO concenssion rates, it is a private line.

Memorabilia:

A range of memorabilia, DVD’s, CD’s will be available on Friday and Saturday nights. It can also be pre ordered through me. We are expecting to have at least two new items of a floppy hat and a blue polo shirt and perhaps a sleeveless vest (with crest). Costs to be advised.

Commemoration port:
A commemoration port will also be available however to ensure you get one pre order through me. Cost of the port is $22.50 per bottle.

Any questions regarding the event or payment is to be directed to me. (Be nice afterall it is Christmas!)

More information will be posted as further details come to hand.

Regards
Steve Hartigan

October next year (2012) marks the 25th anniversary of the forming of the Airfield Defence Association.
To commemorate this major milestone in our history, your Association is planning a reunion to be held in Brisbane, commencing on or about 8th October.
A full program will be published once we have finished the planning, but keep watching this site for regular updates.
Our Planning sub committee will be scoping out venues, accommodation options, activities and costs over the next few months and as always, we will be doing everything possible to keep costs down while providing you with the best reunion program we can.
Watch this space!

Hello to all our valued members and thanks to all of you who have paid your annual membership fees so quickly, especially those who paid directly into our account, which saves us mega-bucks in bank fees.

Unfortunately, we have received a number of  Direct Deposit payments from members who didn’t include a reference number or name with their payment. If you think you might be one of these, please contact the Association so that we can mark you down as paid.