Letters to the Editor
Medals
As incredible as it seems, the injustice bestowed on Brian Winchcombe as described in the Vetaffairs Vol 37 No 3 December ‘21 is more common than people think.
I did a tour of Malaya with 8RAR in 1967–69. We were stationed in Terendak near Malacca. In that time the Confrontation was on its last legs. But 8RAR and the SAS were still doing ops on the Thai border as late as 1968. So we were still in an operational area and mode at that time.
In fairness, we were awarded the ASM with Bar, but were also entitled to the Malaysian Service Medal (PJM). But because some pogo in Canberra decided the Confrontation was over and it wasn’t war like service anymore, we missed out on the PJM by two weeks.
But don’t lose heart Brian, because after 54 years I received my first copy of the Vetaffairs newspaper, so maybe I’m a vet after all. But still no medal.
C J O’Shea
Brisbane, QLD
All I can say about Phillip Daniel and Brian Winchcombe is that I agree with them. If you were sent to war for even a day you deserve whatever medals etc that were given out. I can’t see why personnel have to fight for this.
Peter Foley
Sunshine Coast, QLD
If you would like to apply for an original medal for yourself or a relative, or a replacement, visit the Department of Defence website’s Defence Honours & Awards page (defence.gov.au and search for ‘Defence Honours & Awards’). From this page you can also review eligibility criteria for various medals and other awards. Veterans who are 90 years of age or older will have their application fast-tracked. – Vetaffairs Editor
Vetaffairs readability
Well done and congrats on finally increasing the font size and leading in the recent issue. Makes it so much easier to read and understand. Keep up the good work.
Lynette Brice ( full-time carer and wife to a veteran)
Moama, NSW
Last edition
The Bendigo sheds program celebrated 10 years of being open [on 15 December 2021]. Your story on Defence sheds covered nothing of the Central Victorian story of the RSL Shed program funded by DVA and the Bendigo RSL. We have the biggest sheds program I have ever seen.
Chris Butters
Bendigo, VIC
Congratulations!
May I say, thank you for a great newspaper and informative read. The last issue is one of the best I have had the pleasure to read from DVA whilst relaxing at my favourite cafe. The newspaper contained vital information not limited to: The Hon Andrew Gee MP at the laying a wreath at the Australian War Memorial on Remembrance Day to Preliminary Interim Report on Veteran Suicide Prevention, to the relevance of the RSL today.
I particularly enjoyed reading Commissioner Gwen Cherne’s well-written article. At first, I approached her article with lukewarmness. That soon changed to necessary reading – thank you Commissioner! There were of course many other thought-provoking contributors to this wonderful issue. And as I rose to leave the cafe, I left Vetaffairs proudly on the table for another patron who might just gain a glimpse of how much veterans are cared for by DVA and other veteran wellness providers.
Frank Kovas (formerly Royal Australian Engineers)
Kingswood, SA
I wish to bring to your attention the words used in the article ‘From the Minister’, December 21 issue. Minister Gee spoke about Australia’s first Victoria Cross recipient, Sir Neville Howse. It stated, ‘He won his Victoria Cross during the Boer War, risking his own life to save another.’
I was taught that in a theatre of war, a recipient doesn’t ‘win’ a medal, they earn it. I would appreciate it if you could amend the article to reflect this.
Colleen Crabb (ex-Army nurse)
Hervey Bay, QLD
Life after service
Have you recently separated from the Australian Defence Force, or are you thinking about doing so? Did you know that you have skills and abilities (dare I say super powers) that are easily transferred to one of the volunteer emergency services. Your training in the Navy, Army or Air Force will have prepared you well to take on the challenges that face the volunteers of the State Emergency Service, your local country/rural fire service or the volunteer ambulance service.
Don’t let your years of training and operational readiness go to waste. Most of our towns and communities have some form of emergency services and most of these are quite well funded and equipped, though lacking in able-bodied volunteers.
Being a volunteer rescuer, firefighter or ambulance officer is challenging and rewarding and can keep you in good shape both mentally and physically and help protect and support your community.
Axel Larsen ESM (Navy veteran and active member of the SA Country Fire Service and SES for around 30 years)
Saddleworth, SA
Army Amenities Fund housing
My name is Glen Johns, ex RAN and Vietnam vet. South Australia has an AAF housing facility at Goolwa which I use on a regular basis but unfortunately the Department of Defence has decided to sell it with no consultation with members or even letting us know, thus depriving serving and ex members of a facility we richly deserve.
Personally, I think it’s a disgrace and should be halted and reinstated to its original purpose. Not sure if you can do anything about it but your paper could inform members of this travesty.
Glen Johns (ex-RAN and Vietnam vet)
Waikerie, SA
Get in touch
Vetaffairs welcomes Letters to the Editor by emailing vetaffairs [at] dva.gov.au or writing to GPO Box 9998 Brisbane QLD 4001.
All letters must carry the sender’s full name, address and contact telephone number and be of no more than 200 words.
Letters may be edited and not all letters may be published due to space constraints. We may not be able to reply to your letter personally but we will try to.
Letters are published in good faith and Vetaffairs takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content.