Summary of Agenda Items Presented:
- Next AGM – Canberra 20-21 Jul 2023
- 2 RARA read out Annual report, and presented a list of 2RAR Warriors who had passed away this FY (President send email copy to RARA Secretary). 2RARA will provide this information to the other Associations on members passing if they had also served with other units.
- Advice provided to Associations on difference between the Association and the Foundation. The Foundation still provides an Annual sum of $10,000 to each Btn and financial Assistance for the Hassett Annual Award. 2RARA thanked the Foundation for the financial Assistance recently provided for a 2RAR veteran and his family. The RARA remains focused on is Advocacy whilst the Foundation does not. Foundation is leadership development focus whilst providing immediate financial support in an emergency. Reiterate the difference to your members and to the BTN.
- RARA provided update on its Advocacy focus and groups that they are a part of. Also discussed the caps with DVA and the need for staffing levels at DVA require being demand driven.
- RARA provided a brief on Incarcerated veterans and the current program being implemented by SA corrections to assist both veterans that are incarcerated and also working in the Corrections system and how to best help these veterans. A push for this program to become Australia wide is gaining momentum but as yet has not been implemented.
- RARA talked in detail about how Associations could Increase membership and future sustainability by being more family connected. This will be an ongoing issue moving forward.
- Upcoming Senate hearings were discussed briefly and are ongoing.(Inquiry into care of ADF wounded and Injured on Operations, Aust engagement in Afghan, Inquiry into Anti-Malarial Drug trials, and KIA Medal for the NOK)
- RARC partnership with Port Power AFL Club on a transition program for ex or serving members has been established for veterans in the SA region.
- Overall Advocacy summary and being agents for change are a primary focus.
- National Memorial Walk – Funding –Association has a Annual fee of $400, and a $200 invoice to the RARC membership that is required to be paid. (David have we received any of these invoices)
- RARA website was discussed which has links to all Associations. Assistance can be provided by [email protected] who is available to assist with Association websites as well. Any matters ie Reunions can be emailed to Ted who will place on the RARA website. [email protected] Jayden is the RARA IT support person and for a fee can fix any web issues or create new sites as required and then host the site on the Associations behalf.
- Encourage a Ladies function so that they become involved with the Association
- Email our State Reps and Encourage to become involved with the State RARA reps.
- 4RARA is doing a case study of Vietnam Veterans who have passed away –please provide details of members who have passed away that had service in Vietnam.
- Mooloolaba Riflemen’s lunch/Townsville Riflemen’s lunch – encourage other areas to look at starting up these types of gatherings.
- Ensure RARA advocacy issues are being passed onto members such as issues with MILSUPER – Likely 2RARA may need to email these out or put in RINGO as many of our members are not on the web.
- Engage local Members of Parliament for any Veteran issues.
- Spoke to RARA about changes to Association Banners and what could or could not be changed. Seek permission for any changes through RAR National.
- 5/7RARA spoke about their blueprint for change/Amalgamation of the Association under 5RAR but keeping their own processes still.
- Employment training and TAFE course opportunities available for veterans – ensure our veterans are aware.
- All Associations want to see a copy of what we are doing with current veterans with regards to transitioning from Defence – Email a copy to RARA of what we are trying to do.
- RARA to link in with Joint Transition Authority on what they are currently doing.
- Ask the current serving members – What do the Soldiers want from us? Tell them what it is we can do for them so that they are fully aware.
- RARA spoke about the Government response to the Interim report for Veteran and serving members suicide. Light on content and primarily based around DVA failings.
- Social Media and the requirement to be secure with our RARA sites.
- Land 400 veh application coming in but unlikely to receive the full amount that was requested.
- Queens’s funeral and involvement was discussed. When would Association Banners be changed with the Kings Crown?
- Request by the RARA to provide information back to RARA about current History and Bibliography so it all connects to one big database, the books and database to likely be looked after by the Infantry Museum as would be better accessed by the public.
- The RCB medal issue would be likely up to individuals to push as the RARA is not likely to push this agenda.
- Army Shop provides 10% back to organisations for each purchase.
- A Nominal role of Borneo and Malaya is now on the AWM website
- Korea – Missing persons and repatriation of Bodies – This is ongoing and is taking a long time to process. Currently 840 veterans unknown are buried in Hawaii with 8 per month being processed. No DNA match for any Australian MIA/KIA has yet to be found. Likely last known locations have been studied but getting into North Korea and finding our War veterans is very problematic.
- Youth Vet forum gave a talk on what issues they are presenting to DVA.
- Flight Publishing was voted in to take over the production of Duty First Magazine. Articles can be provided to the RARA sec for publishing free of charge. All costs for this Magazine is covered by the company. 4 Issues per year with a minimum of 64 pagers and 2500 copies distributed and an enewsletter provided. 2RARA to be put on enewsletter list. 4 x Magazines per year starting next year.
These were the main talking points during the RARA meeting.
Regards
Robert Althofer
President
2RAR Association, Inc