.Welcome to the 2nd Edition of the TPDSA of Central Queensland
and the first Internet copy
In this edition we have it all
for you, the Scientific
Philosophy of life, reports from our President
Paul Watkins and our Welfare Officer Charlie Bartkus plus a report about the Project "Welcome
Aboard" and the reunion of the left handed cooks and the mighty Gray 8th Battalion. So grab a cupper or a cold one
a sit back and enjoy a good read for a couple of hours.
A Reminder for Vietnam Veterans Day 18th August, a letter
to TPDSA HQ, a report from our Auditor, a letter from Nev Tickner
In this news letter we will run a
questioner asking a few question as it appears
that the members do not want to come to the quarterly meeting at our last QM only two
members outside the committee were interested in their association.
Our thanks go out to two members
plus committee members who gave up their time during the Rocky show to sell lucky tickets.
Phil Aplin and Nick Quigley our gratitude go out to these members. We raised just under
$600.00 all up.
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VIETNAM VETERANS DAY SATURDAY 18 th AUGUST 2001
SERVICE FOR ROCKHAMPTON
BOTANICAL GARDENS
CENOTAPH
START 12NOON
LUNCH AT ANZAC CLUB
Phil Aplin 49286711 - Nick
Quigley 49282554
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Scientific
Philosophy for Life
A philosophy professor stood
before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he
picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about
2" in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it
was.
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So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the
jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled in to the open areas between
the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The students laughed. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of
course, the sand filled up everything else. "Now," said the
professor, "I want you to recognise that this is your life. The rocks are the
important things - your family, your partner, your health and your children - think that
if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
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The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The
sand is everything else. The small stuff." "If you put the sand
into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same
goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small
stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with
your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out
dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a
dinner party and fix the disposal." "Take care of the rocks, first the things
that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." But then...
A student took the jar that the other students and the professor agreed was
full, and reached into his bag produced a can of beer and bottle of wine.
The student then proceeded to pour in some beer and then topped it up with
some wine. Of course the wine and beer filled the remaining spaces within
the jar making the jar truly full.
The moral of this tale is, that no matter how full your life is, there is
always room for some wine and beer.
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Questioner for the TPDSA
- Q1a. The Annual Dinner after the Annual General
meeting was to be discussed at the last quarterly meeting. But because of lack of numbers
the question we ask is 'do we now have an annual dinner'?
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- Q1. What would you like to see your Association
provide or do for you?
- Q2. Would you like to have e-mail messages deliver
the latest news over the net.
(For members who do not have e-mail facilities we
will continue to Post)
- Q3. Will you provide your e-mail address? Yes/No
- Q4. What type of outings would you like to see
organised for you.
Bus trips, One day trips, Weekend long trips, mid
week trips, BBQ after QM, Functions on special days, Other?
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- Q5. Do you believe that the CQ TPDSA should
subsidise any function that are held, remembering that the association only has an income
of $15.00 per member and what we can by selling lucky tickets, per year to run the office
and Welfare Trips.
- Q6. Do you want to see the CQ TPDSA run small
courses in certain subjects?
Introduction to computers?, Leather work?,
Woodwork?, Other?
- Q7. If the answer to Question 5 was yes how do you
feel that it should be funded?
Completely by grants, Some by Association some by
Member, Completely by member? Other?
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Project "Welcome Aboard"
The project committee shall seek to acquire a
suitable vessel to meet the objects of the organisation as described in the constitution
and to meet the therapeutic guidelines of the Department of Veterans Affairs. By meeting
these aims continually we will improve the Veterans independence and quality of life
through organised maritime activities that will challenge, inform and enhance well being.
Primarily, the project will supply a different
path for treatment and therapy for veterans whilst developing those activities that will
better maintain and improve the independence and quality of life for veterans. Promoted
through orderly participation in all areas of the organisations training and improvement
programs. Those able bodied veterans and those with physical, mental and medical
disabilities will be offered a very different but extremely rewarding avenue within which
to break the bonds of geographical and social isolation.
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A social support network will be established to
promote permanence of companionship. Thereby addressing the many symptoms of depression,
anxiety and substance abuse in a happy an unexpected manner. This will be in an
environment where the member will re-establish or learn new skills of belonging to a team
and operating effectively within those team surroundings, using the applications of Naval
themes and traditions.
Veterans suffer from a variety of physical,
psychological and medical conditions. Community, ex service organisations and smaller
groups currently aid them by providing a variety of care services. This project will allow
members, their carers and families to widen their circle of socialisation by using the
organisations controlled activities [ see appendix A]to challenge themselves to learn new
or revive lost skills or simply enjoy the excitement of motor sailing through a world
renown waterway and coastal area. The management plan for these activities is currently
under development.
Establishing once again the experience and the
thrill of achievement and building self worth and confidence.
The level of support for veterans in maintaining
independence, reduction of social isolation, promotion of healthy life styles and access
to the service is significant. A needs analysis is being conducted; early indications are
that this proposal will get that high level of support from Veterans and Medical
Professionals.
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In summary this unique activity is mobile, able
to be shared by the veteran community in a variety of districts while maintaining the
elements of health promotion and priorities for 2001 as set out by DVA under their grants
criteria. The project will be an example for years to come of the vast good financial
assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs can do for veterans regardless of age,
level of disability and geographical situation.
This is a different type of proposal, but not
before time, but meetings with DVA have been negative. Nevertheless we all know the
inherent problems in dealings with the department.
It is now, that we are asking for the support of
the Veteran Community by completing the questionnaire and to provide letters of support
for the concept.
Members of the management Committee are available
to further explain the project.
Command Committee
1. President Malcolm Wheat
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2. Commodore John Leak (55307590)
3. Secretary/Treasurer Bernard Kern (55229245)
4. Vice President Bill Boland (55768405)
5. Engineer Trevor Rowland
APPENDIX A
Controlled activities
1. Drug and Alcohol Information and Counselling
Sessions
2. Lifestyle programs [Daily and Weekend]
3. Self Improvement Training
4. Disabled adventures
5. PTSD short term programs
6. Respite for carers
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7. Designed activities for senior veterans
8. Hospital away activities
9. Isolated veteran program
i. Veterans children personal development.
ii. Teamwork skills development and
participation.
Of course any help that any member can provide
will assist in this project at this time all they want is letters of support at this time.
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T.P.DS.A. HQ
P O Box 5197
West End
4101
Dear Sir
Please find enclosed TPDSA CQ submissions for the
state conference in Townsville in September 2001.
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We feel that the support given should be in the
order given below.
Gold Card for Wives and Spouses
Special rate Pension/index at 75% of M.T.A.W.E.
TPIs without qualifying service to be brought
into line with other T.P.I.
Conferences should become a policy making body
Rail passes shared with Wives and Spouses
For committee
Secretary
John Elson
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WELFARE REPORT
By Charlie Bartkus
Although we are still waiting the final result of
our request for a welfare vehicle, the President and myself were able to do a quick
Welfare trip to Barcaldine and the Emerald area recently.
My recent involvement in the Welfare area has
been with more senior members who, due to age and physical condition, need a higher level
of care than can be provided at home. There have been a number of cases in the last year.
About 3 years ago a friend (TPI) had a stroke
(aged only 55). All of a sudden every thing changed for him. He could no longer live at
home, he needed constant care and attention.
When I lived in Victoria I worked as the
admissions officer in an Aged Care Facility.
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Its here that I gained some knowledge and
understanding of what happens and what the requirements are when someone needs care and
accommodation in such a facility. This place was called LYNDOCH and it had 47 INDEPENDENT
LIVING UNITS (one bedroom flats), 100 AGED CARE HOSTEL separate rooms and 100 NURSING
HOMES beds.
One marked thing I noticed then and still see
today is the difference in understanding and preparedness between different individuals.
Some people have looked well ahead.
They have checked out, in their area, what
accommodation is available. They know what costs to expect. They have made their own
decisions in advance as to what they want to do and where they want to go, should the need
arise.
On the other hand there are others who have been
totally unaware and when something did happen, they become very worried and fearful and
felt that all the necessary decisions were taken out of their hands.
There is a saying "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER".
In this regard the more we know and understand, the more ability we will have to plan
ahead and make the appropriate decisions for our own future benefit and care. The earlier
we know, the better prepared we can be.
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Here are some questions that might help us to
begin to look and plan ahead.
Have I prepared my will current and up to date?
Have I arranged a POWER OF ATTORNEY? What is the
difference between POWER OF ATTORNEY and ENDURING POWER OF ATTORNEY?
What Retirement Villages, Aged Care Hostels,
Nursing Homes are in my area? What are they like? How well are they run? How well do the
residents get looked after?
What costs are involved?
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What if Ive got of assets?
What if Ive got nothing, only my TPI
pension?
There are only some questions to help us think
and plan ahead, if we want to.
Remember, your future is in your own hands.
I have thought that it may be worthwhile to
arrange a seminar or information day, where details could be provided and questions
answered.
Could people contact me, by phone in the office
49214644, or by letter, if they have any particular concerns or questions, or if you are
interested in an information day etc.
Regards and Best wishes
Charlie Bartkus
Welfare Officer.
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Letter from Evans
and Hearn Dear Sir,
AUDIT
With reference to our recent discussions and your
letter received here today, we advise that we are prepared to undertake the consolidation
of your financial records and to provide an audit report on the financial statements for
the years ended 30 June 2000 and 2001.
We will conduct our audit in accordance with
Australian Auditing Standards to provide reasonable assurance as to whether the financial
reports are free of material misstatement. Our procedures will include examination, on a
test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the financial
reports, and the evaluation of accounting policies and significant accounting estimates.
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In addition to our reports on the financial
statements, we expect to provide you with a separate letter concerning any material
weakness in the internal control structures and any other matters that come to our notice
that affect the financial affairs of the association.
Having in mind the extent of the procedures we
have performed to date and the work yet to be accomplished, we estimate that our fee for
the assignment would not exceed $2,500.00 (excluding GST).
Yours faithfully
Evans and Hearn.
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8 RAR
Weekend get-together 1 March till 4 March 2002
Singleton NSW
We have Barracks accommodation available for our
weekend Get Together.
Cost of self-contained unit accommodation:
Officers and Sergeants Messes is $20.00 a night and Soldiers
accommodation blocks $13.00 a night all exclusive of meals. (first in best dressed). So if
you are interested in joining the NSW Branch at this weekend please send your cheque or
money order to the Treasurer PO Box 547 Mona Vale NSW 2103.
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This weekend get-together is for all who served
with the Grey Eight and while it would be good to hold this closer to our Birthday, most
of us would be aware of how cold and miserable Singleton can, at that time of the year.
The CO and RSM of Singleton Army Camp are full
supportive of this proposed activity and are keen to assist in anyway to ensure its
success.
Itinerary to date:
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Friday 1 March 2002
Meeting and Greet at the Singleton Returned
Services Club.
Saturday 2 March 2002
School of Infantry.
Participate in Classification Range shoot.
Tour of School of Infantry facilities
accommodation lines, lecture facilities.
Participate in WETTE (Weapons, evaluation
training technical Simulator)
Formal Dining Night Sgt. Mess. If more that 170
attending the dinner would have to be held in the OR Mess.
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Sunday 3 March 2002
Memorial Parade at War Memorial in Burdekin Park
(This service will be to remember all who served with the 8th and have since
marched on.)
Wineries tour
Monday 4 March 2002 Depart.
To ensure that this get-together is a success,
and the venues are booked, we need to confirm numbers as early as possible. Your
cooperation in advising the NSW Branch of your attendance and forwarding your
accommodation fee as soon as possible would be appreciated.
The Treasurer 8 RAR Association NSW Branch PO Box
547
Mona Vale NSW 2103.
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PRESIDENT REPORT
I am writing this report as a request to you as
members to get behind the Committee members that you, I must say, elected to get the
Rockhampton Social Center back on a even keel.
I have a very dedicated crew working with me to
do just that, but back slapping by you will as members unfortunately is not enough. We
need a show of strength at our meeting so as we can answer all your questions and also
receive guidance and input.
We as a committee do not want to be put into a
position of doing something that we believe is right thing for you as members, then having
it thrown back at us by saying," That we did not receive the input of members to make
such a decision ."
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We had an Quarterly General Meeting on the Monday
25th June 01 to report on the current situation of the centre i.e. Auditors
report and also receive Submissions for the state conference. We had a huge response of
the executive and two (2) members out of a membership of over one hundred (100) members is
not what I would call a huge success, I cannot see any excuses for the low attendance
because it was in the last newsletter and also in the " Morning Bulletin". We as
a committee are willing to work for you but if we do not get the members support it is
hardly worth carrying on. So the ball is now in your court, the next meeting is the Annual
General Meeting to be held on Monday 24th September 01 will show how dinkum you
all are. I can tell you all that we are not here for our own gains but for the members of
this Center only.
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There are one or two gutless individuals out
there who are still trying to bring this Center to it knees by trying to under mine the
efforts that my committee are doing by trying to character assassinate and spread rumour
with no facts. They have started to under mine the ladies Auxiliary, and if things
dont improve on the social centre side, they may have a win there, Ill ask the
question do you want to loose the TPDSA Rockhampton Center to Malicious rumour or innuendo
by some as I said before "gutless" individuals who have to hide behind their
skirts, and are endeavouring to start their own little cliques. If not show your support
and, and get be hind us.
I must say I hate using phrases but in this case
it is quite true " United we stand divided we fall" so members it is up to you.
Kind regards
Paul Watkins
President
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To my fellow TPI.s Back to
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Our rally on the lawns of parliament house in
Canberra next September is a watershed event. It is the culmination of a long fruitless
campaign by the TPI Association, to return the repatriation TPI benefit to the level
agreed to by the Australian government over 80 years ago, the sum of the average male
weekly income. The case presented by the Association was unsuccessful, not because it was
"not convincing enough", but because we are divided and weak. The case did not
fail because the RSL, as an organisation, refused to support it, it failed because those
in power, politicians and influential ex-service elites believed that the individual
TPI had no option but to accept the result. Well, I think we need to prove them wrong and
your attendance at the Canberra Rally will be the catalyst for this process. This
gathering of TPI.s has nothing to do with being a member of any organisation, not the TPI
association, not the RSL, not the Vietnam Veterans Association or Federation. Those who
attend will do so because they recognise that the erosion of benefits, is erosion of the
Anzac tradition. Back to TopThe service
given by over half a million Australians, the majority of whom are now dead, should not
have been in vain. They had to fight for everything they ever achieved, not just in war,
but also in peace, for not one benefit was ever granted on the conscience of the
government alone. Every Australian owes them a double debt for making us a stronger nation
and for making us a stronger people. For that reason alone, the honour and dignity they
sought and were granted in terms of repatriation policy, should not be conceded because of
our indifference to its defence. This rally will be a unique gathering of grass roots
members of the wider ex-service community and provides us with an opportunity like never
before. An opportunity to demonstrate to DVA, to all sides of parliament and to the
Australian public that we are united on this issue. Just as our differences are put aside
in the commemoration of Anzac day, so they should be in our duty to protect conditions
that so few who deserved them, ever lived to experience. We may have lost our prosperity
through service, we should not lose our dignity through inaction.
Support the cause in Canberra
Yours sincerely
Nev. Tickner |
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WELFARE REPORT
BY Charlie Bartkus
Getting old, frail, feeble and less capable of
looking after oneself is something that only happens to others and wont happen to
me! This is probably the way most of us think. We might not be young, but we can still get
around. We still have all our facilities. Other might need help or special care but we
wont get like that!
SORRY! WRONG THINKING! As long as we live we will
grow older, frailer and less capable of doing all sorts of things and will eventually need
care.
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Im only 54 years of age, I play golf, lawn
bowls, go fishing and drive a car. In spite of this however there are lots of things that
I used to do but now I cant do.
My eyesight is failing and so is my hearing. I
look like a right idiot trying to look up a phone number in the telephone book without my
reading glasses and I think my most common question these days is "WHAT DID YOU SAY
AGAIN?"
Arthritis in my hands is a major problem for me,
and although its not all the time, occasionally I have trouble with my shoelaces, my belt
and as dreadful as it might seem even my fly. (HOW EMBARRASSING).
I remember at times some years back, my daughter
having to do the knot in the tie around my neck.
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At 50 odd years of age its pretty horrifying to
admit needing help dressing yourself. (I suppose I could have gone out without a tie on).
Whats my point with all this?
Well we are all different. Some people will
accept getting older and plan accordingly. Some people will ignore it and pretend it
wont happen and believe everything will always be as it is now. Some people may
actually fear getting old and frail and therefor never even think about it.
But not thinking about something wont stop
it from happening.
I believe that fear comes from lack of knowledge,
i.e. we can fear things we dont understand. But on the other hand the more we know,
the more we understand, the more we are then able to plan ahead and make arrangements that
best suit our needs.
Let me tell you a little story about people that
I actually knew when I lived in Victoria and worked at an AGED CARE FACILITY. The names
will be changed to protect the innocent.
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Keith and Mavis lived in a high set, four
bedrooms house with a very large yard and garden. They loved the place but it was now
getting a bit hard for them to cope with. It was too big for just two of them.
Their kids had all grown up, married and moved
away. Maintenance of the house and yard was becoming a problem.
Keith has recently retired. He was 65 and Mavis
was 62.
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They began to think about how things were going
to be as they got older.
It didnt take them long to realise that
with the big house and yard things were going to get harder not easier. Painting every
five years using high trestles. Having to repair guttering and down pipes and regular
mowing and gardening etc.
Although they really loved the house, they began
to realise it no longer suited them. They actually wanted a free lifestyle now.
Kevin and Mavis began to look at their options.
They found that there was place called Lyndoch,
which was a sort of retirement village and also an Aged Care facility for people who
needed a little help it also had nursing home facilities for those who needed more
constant care.
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Kevin took Mavis on a tour of this place one day
and they discovered that there were available, small but very comfortable flats with a
garden and garage facilities. There were 47 flats and they met some of the other people
who lived there.
The grounds were well tended and there were
commenced areas for barbecues and other gatherings. They found out that there were
internal social activities organised on a regular basis. There was also regular trips away
that the residents of these flats could become involved in, if they wished to. It was also
apparent that the flats were separate and private and that if people wanted to live a more
secluded lifestyle, then they were free to do so.
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To cut a long story short, although it took a
little time and certain decisions had to be made and financial arrangements reached Keith
and Mavis sold their house and moved into a flat at Lyndoch.
In time they bought a caravan and outfitted it
with all the comforts that they wanted. Regularly they would be gone, for months at a
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Travelling, visiting family and friends all over
the country.
They found a freedom that previously they could
only dream about. With the sale of the house there was spare cash that they never had
before.
With their pension they found it easy to cover
the rental of the flat. They had no maintenance worries or costs.
When they did go away in their new caravan they
felt that their flat and belongings were quite secure in the retirement complex as there
was always friends and other people around to look after things. A neighbour even looked
Mavis garden for her till she got back. Back
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Keith and Mavis were glad that they had looked
around and checked on what was available and considered all their options.
As they get older now they know what they are
facing. They know the aged care facility, what it is like, what accommodation is
available, what choices they can make and what costs will be applicable to them. They
found out that everybodys case is different but they now know what relates to them
and their needs for their future. Then there was Mrs. Hazelwood!
Mrs. H was now 85. She was blind and lived all
alone in a highest 3 bedrooms house on 4 acres of land. The house was totally run down and
the land was all overgrown. Mr. Alfred Hazelwood had died of a stroke 10 years earlier, at
the age of 76.
Well folks that draws to and end this news letter
for July the next one will be out about a fortnight before the AGM.
May you all travel well with a cold one always
with in reach, and think about giving the loved ones and extra cuddle.
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Revised 22 July 2001
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