Together we Remember
ADML David Johnston
AIRFORCE NEWS
RAAF Base Amberley members place poppies at the RAAF Base Amberley Memorial Gardens during a Remembrance Day ceremony in 2023.
Photo: LACW Emma Schwenke
At the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the eleventh month, 1918, the Great War ended in armistice.
Across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, cities, towns and villages were left devastated by the conflict.
But the true cost of war is human: loved ones who would never return home, grieving families left in mourning, and veterans who would wear the physical and psychological scars of conflict for the rest of their lives.
On Remembrance Day, we honour all Australians who have defended our nation. We reflect on their service and sacrifice. Their stories of courage and commitment.
And in those stories, we realise we can empathise with their experiences.
Staff Nurse Anne Donnell enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1915, and served with the 3 Australian General Hospital and Reinforcements. On the day of the armistice, she wrote in her diary:
“The Armistice is signed. The guns went off at midday. There’s a certain amount of quiet excitement with most of us. Some are overjoyed.
I wish I could feel happy, but I'm terribly depressed. I am thinking of Ross and Stewart, and how things have changed.”
On the same day, from a hospital in the United Kingdom, Gunner Cyril Harslett of the 54th Australian Field Artillery Battery wrote: “News of armistice having been signed arrived at this place at 10.15pm. The wildest scenes of excitement [erupted] in town. [It’s] a very hard job to describe my emotions at the news, and I think that would be a hard thing for anyone to do so.”
In all, 103,000 Australians have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country.
In their honour, we renew our commitment to the values we serve by: Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence.
I ask you to join your fellow ADF members in standing at the 11th hour on November 11 to observe a minute of silence in memory of the fallen.
Lest we forget.
Medical Care Takes Flight
FLTLT Claire Campbell
AIR FORCE NEWS
RAAF Health personnel (LR) SQNLDR Jennifer Payne, FLTLT Lyne Kitane, Tristan Checkley, FLGOFF Kylie Poppleton, FLGOFF Tye Brown, SQNLDR Matthew Lee and SQNLDR Peter Yuide outside the emergency department at the Katherine Hospital. Photo: SGT Andrew Eddie
Air Forcemedical personnel from Health Services Wing conducted a joint surgical exercise at Katherine Hospital in October.
The activity involved Air Force personnel working as a cohesive team alongside Katherine Hospital staff to boost the hospital’s surgical capabilities.
Nursing officer FLTLT Tristan Checkley said the experience allowed all clinicians to work together to provide safe surgical care for patients.
“We’re really appreciative that the staff at Katherine Hospital have been so inviting and so welcoming. We’ve had the ability to showcase interoperability,” FLTLT Checkley said.
“We’ve got that common language and knowledge; whether you’ve trained here, Darwin or Melbourne, it doesn’t matter. So we’ve been able to bring RAAF Health into NT Health and work seamlessly.”
During the week, there was an increase in surgical services at Katherine Hospital, shortening waiting lists for electives.
Northern Territory Health and the ADF have a strong partnership that allows Air Force staff to work at Katherine and boost skills by sharing between the two organisations.
General surgeon and SQNLDR Peter Yuide said the exercise is the second time a team of Air Force personnel have worked at Katherine Hospital this year and is a building block for further integration.
“This exercise is a service to the community, demonstrating that we can provide … to a town that provides everything to us as a large Air Force base,” SQNLDR Yuide said.
“It’s a great opportunity for the full-time Air Force personnel to get exposure in a civilian workplace and for us [reservists] to be immersed in the military.”
Permanent and reserve Air Force personnel from Health Services Wing participated in this exercise, travelling in from locations across Australia.
Nursing officer SQNLDR Jennifer Payne said feedback from patients and Katherine Hospital was extremely positive overall.
“Exercises like this enhance everybody’s skills; to be able to come into a workplace where you don’t know anybody and contribute to the team,” SQNLDR Payne said.
“We’re bringing that back into our jobs in Defence. It’s building us as people and making us more adaptable.”
A SERVICE FIT FOR A KING
AIR FORCE NEWS
The King and Queen with Air Force aircrew at Canberra Airport. Photo: Rodney Braithwaite
Air Force participate in giving the King and Queen their recent visit to Australia
The ADF supported the visit to Australia by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, performing duties in the air and on land and water.
Australia’s Federation Guard and the Band of the RMC provided a ceremonial welcome and fired a 21-gun salute at Parliament House in Canberra on October 21.
The King conducted a fleet review of five Navy warships in Sydney Harbour, during which he engaged with officers and sailors, on October 22.
Air Force provided airlift between Canberra and Sydney and its aircraft were part of a triservice flypast of Sydney Harbour.
The critical role of the ADF during the visit demonstrated the close relationship between the monarchs and
Australia’s military forces. The King has a long relationship with Navy, Army and Air Force organisations, and holds a number of honorary ranks.
It was announced on October 19 that King Charles has been appointed the honorary ranks of Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy, Field Marshal of the Australian Army and Marshal of RAAF.
CDF ADML David Johnston said the appointments symbolised the Royal family’s longstanding dedication and relationship with the nation.
“Since Australian Federation in 1901, Australia’s military forces have been custodians of great traditions connected to the Commonwealth, and 123 years later the Australian Defence Force is proud to continue this legacy,” ADML Johnston said.
King Charles inspects Australia's Federation Guard at Parliament House in Canberra. Photo: Nicole Mankowski
AirForce CPL Fiona Entriken was a little nervous before she marched on to the Parliament House forecourt ready to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
But it wasn’t for the reason you think.
“It was the first time my family came to watch me in the Federation Guard,” CPL Entriken said.
“My mum, auntie and sister came to see the King and watch me in the Royal Guard.”
“It was such an important event, and taking part with my family watching was a proud moment,” she said.
CPL Entriken was one of the Royal Guard who received Their Majesties and members of the Australian Government at Parliament House on October 21.
The Federation Guard also fired M2A2 howitzer ceremonial guns during a 21-gun salute to mark the King’s first royal visit as sovereign and the first visit from a reigning monarch since 2011.
As the reviewing officer, King Charles walked along the ranks of the servicemen and women, stopping to speak to personnel as he inspected their dress and bearing.
Australian Federation Guard Sergeant Major WO2 Damien Timms was one guard member who spoke with the King.
“His first comment was about how I seemed to be the man with all the medals,” WO2 Timms said.
One medal in particular caught King Charles’ eye.
“We talked about the coronation medal and he was glad that I'd finally received it.”
The Federation Guard led a contingent of Commonwealth nations from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace for the King’s coronation last year.
The 60 ADF servicemen and women who took part were awarded the King’s Coronation Medal.
“Getting to meet the King up close, rather than giving him a hip-hip-hooray in London, was the highlight of my career and probably my life,” WO2 Timms said.
During their tour, Their Majesties visited the Australian War Memorial and Parliament House in Canberra before observing a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Review and ADF flyover along Sydney Harbour.
King Charles was appointed the Honorary Ranks of Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy, Field Marshal of the Australian Army, and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force by the Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn.
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WHAT IS A HIDDEN DISABILITY SUNFLOWER?
It's a rapidly growing initiative spanning dozens of countries, including Australia, aiming to help the world identify and help people with invisible disabilities such as autism, chronic pain, dementia, anxiety, visual or hearing impairment.
In Australia and New Zealand 1 in 5 people are said to have a disability, 80% of these are hidden.
By wearing a sunflower lanyard, lapel or wristband, people with disabilities that aren't immediately apparent can signal to other staff, colleagues and health professionals that they may need help, understanding or alternative communication methods as they go about their day.
This Scheme began at England's Gatwick Airport in 2016. The idea was to provide a way for people to discreetly flag their hidden disability and for the airport to train staff to recognise it so they could offer the wearer support. Since then,it has been adopted globally by major airports and venues and in the UK by many supermarkets, railway and coach stations, leisure facilities, health professionals and a number of police, fire and ambulance services, and an increasing number of businesses and organisations
Simply put, the sunflower encourages staff to:
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Ask if they can help
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Be kind
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Listen closely
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Show respect
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Other sunflower visuals (like posters and badges) allow people with disabilities to feel welcome, understood and valued.
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The use of sunflower imagery (like staff badges, help desks and sensory-friendly bathrooms) also allows people with hidden disabilities to quickly and easily identify safe people and places where they can be supported and included, without having to wear the lanyard themselves
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The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is internationally recognised
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The Sunflower is a simple way to start to raise awareness and build understanding across organisations at the early stages of their Disability Diversity and Inclusion conversations
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme Limited, previously owned by Tabbers Limited, is a private company. Both Tabbers and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme are owned by Tabbers Holdings Limited.
For more information click on the sunflower
The Council of Ex-Servicewomen's Association Qld
have produced the below flyer to promote their role
JOIN NOW
The Defence Servicewomen's Chapter
of the Sunnybank RSL Sub-Branch
Need Your Support
Membership numbers have dwindled and unless it can be revitalised, the current Defence Servicewomen's once an RSL Sub-Branch and now a Chapter may have to close.
Background History
Unless a servicewoman had seen operational service, she could not join the RSL. The Act finally changed in 1984.
The RSL Defence Servicewomen’s Sub Branch was formed in Brisbane in 1946 by returned servicewomen who had served in WW11. The Sub Branch has supported the needs of servicewomen throughout its history.
By 2004, the Sub Branch membership had declined, the Treasurer at 88 years old was prepared to carry on but the President and Secretary could not cope. They were the same age and all members were returned WW2 members and they had kept the Sub Branch for their uniqueness.
Judith Munday (WRAAC) led the charge to help out and two quick phone calls saw Jean O’Neill (retired RAANC) and Margaret Huntley (WRAAF) attend the AGM the next day. It was a welcome sight that the 'young ones' had turned up and Margaret Huntley became President, Judith Munday became the Secretary and Jean phoned Madeline Ruffin and told her she would be Treasurer.
Over 30 members use to attend the meetings under ANZAC Square and it was a very happy time. However, as history shows the Sub Branch had to vacate the Square and were offered space at SED.
Over the years nearly all of the WW2 ladies have passed and gradually membership has declined.
The Sub Branch has recently become a Chapter under the banner of the Sunnybank RSL Sub-Branch. Should we close, our history will be lost forever. Women with women should be a strong voice in the community.
Join the Defence Servicewomen's Chapter of the Sunnybank RSL Sub Branch and help keep the history alive.
Meetings will be held in the new year, at the Sunnybank RSL Sub-Branch- 19 Gager Street Sunnybank
Further information, please contact:
Janet Noack (Secretary)
Mobile: 0419 659 902
Email janet.noack@rsldefenceservicewomens.rslqld.net.au
Application Form may be downloaded by clicking on the RSL Badge
