Ted Chitham — Page 3

August 7, 2017 by Ted Chitham 1 Comment

TEHAN MEDIA RELEASE – NO CHANGE

In response to the rumour circulating the veteran community and inciting a call for action that the Government intends to disband DVA to be taken over by the Department of Human Services – Centrelink, the DVA Minister has released this Statement.

“The Australian Government is committed to a stand-alone Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). This has been an election commitment by the Coalition over successive elections and remains Government policy.

There are no plans to merge DVA with the Department of Human Services (DHS). There is no meeting planned for this week and there is no agreement to be signed in the near future to subsume DVA into DHS.

DHS manages DVA’s ICT infrastructure under a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in 2011. Prior to this agreement DVA’s ICT infrastructure was outsourced to IBM.

There has been no change to DVA’s recruitment policy. DVA continues to recruit in-line with Australian Public Service policy, with a priority on hiring staff who are passionate about supporting veterans.”

RARA Comment.
Our policy is not to publish any rumour whose initiator is unwillingly to identify themselves or sources.

Filed Under: DVA, Home

July 29, 2017 by Ted Chitham Leave a Comment

Opinion – Strategy has to move forward

A KEY factor in New Zealand’s defensive posture is its geographic isolation.

While Australia’s air-sea gap from potential aggressors has also been cited as a key defensive asset, that gap has become less reassuring.

Pundits are speculating whether rogue Marxist state North Korea’s latest rocket technology could deliver nuclear weapons to Australia.

How far that rocket could reach into the Australian mainland and whether North Korea’s erratic technology could actually successfully detonate a nuclear device are simply speculation.

In all that speculation, New Zealand as a potential target is never mentioned.

Acres of trees have been sacrificed by defence planners and staff college students who have written endless treatises on defence of the Australian mainland.

These will now have to address whether Australia possesses or should acquire the appropriate defensive missile technology to counter a North Korean missile threat.

Australian defence strategists once subscribed to the Domino Theory, that as Asian states were allowed to fall to communism, they would tip neighbouring states as well.

The Domino Theory was topical in the immediate World War II aftermath when it took six weeks by sea to travel to England, but only seven days by flying boat.

In 1945 RAAF transports regularly plied the route from Australia to PNG through Indonesia to Borneo and The Philippines and return, a journey over several days.

It was reasonable to assume then Australia had sufficient time to react to a southward thrust, though it was thought better to deal with any perceived threat in its country of origin.

The argued response was forward defence, which involved wars in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam.

Various US, UK, Australian and NZ alliances saw troops stationed in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand but as the Domino Theory lost credibility, standing foreign forces were gradually withdrawn from South-East Asia.

Some token remnants remain, such as the Australian Rifle Company at the Malaysian Air Force base at Butterworth, a force whose intent over many years was the defence of RAAF assets based there, particularly as a ready reaction force during what is now acknowledged as the second Malaysian Emergency.

Long a security problem, radical Islam has since replaced communism as the dominant regional threat, particularly in southern Thailand and in the southern Philippines. Modern transport and communications make travel between distant lands let alone our nearest neighbours quick and simple.

Despite strict security controls over international travellers including those moving illegally, borders are porous.

Additionally in poorly supervised international waters it is nigh impossible to prevent illegal movement between jurisdictions.

While NZ can afford to be complacent in its splendid isolation, the southern Philippines and North Borneo are contiguous states. The ability of Islamic State aligned individuals to move freely between them is of serious concern.

Australia’s decision to commit RAAF surveillance aircraft to the region and the possibility ADF advisers might assist Philippine forces are sensible precautions.

Forward defence still has its considerable merits, particularly when offence is often the best form of defence.

This column originally appeared in The Townsville Bulletin

Posted 2 days ago by Ross Eastgate

Filed Under: Defence, Home, Opinion

July 29, 2017 by Ted Chitham Leave a Comment

Survive to Thrive Program

The Post War Survive to Thrive Online Course is an eight module, personal development coaching program. It was developed from first-hand military experience by Dane Christison (RAR) of learning to survive and thrive with post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. It also helps a participant understand, adapt, and overcome the impact of transitioning from military to civilian life.

The course is suitable for current or former military members and their partners. It helps participants understand common mental health conditions arising from military service and training and how they impact behaviour. It also explains what to expect in civilian life and how to handle issues before serious problems occur.

Since its social media launch on just over a week ago its has had over 125,000 viewings.

“Don’t be the victim, be the victor”

Dane Christison

Filed Under: Assistance, Home, Mental Health

July 27, 2017 by Ted Chitham 2 Comments

Korean War Veterans Remembered

Today, the nation remembers those Australians who served in the Korean War, on the 64th anniversary of the 1953 Armistice agreement.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Dan Tehan, said that of the more than 17,000 whoserved, 340 Australians lost their lives and more than 1,200 were wounded.

21 Nations provided military personnel, medical support or other assets to the United Nations effort in Korea, despite most still recovering from the impact of the Second World War.

“Australian soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses made an important contribution to this international endeavour, serving both during the conflict and in the post-armistice period which continued until 1957,” Mr Tehan said.
“In Korea Australian service personnel earned international respect for their courage and endurance in battle. Today we pause to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans and the debt of gratitude owed to them by all Australians.”

Filed Under: History, Home

July 26, 2017 by Ted Chitham 1 Comment

Kilcoy Race Club Veterans Race Day Saturday 19th August 2017

Filed Under: Activities, Home, Noticeboard

July 25, 2017 by Ted Chitham 1 Comment

How Lucky Can A Useless Bast-rd Be

It is better than winning Lotto when two beautiful young women backpacking from the Old World arrive at your firm base in Cairns, Far North Queensland for several nights to explore the natural beauties of our land “Down Under.” How lucky can a bloke be?

Such was their interest in our region, they extended their stay by several days while exploring the reef, mountain ranges, rain forest, waterfalls and historical sites.

I certainly wasn’t complaining in the company of two happy charming youngsters bubbling with life. To make life even better for an old soldier, they took command of the evening meals and early breakfasts before launching into another day’s adventure.

Given there were no political correct mentors or purse lipped UN officials close by, there was even time to introduce them to the some old Aussie language. Thus by the time they were back in Sydney and soon to return to the Old World they e- mailed me a farewell message ending with a most complimentary signature of the Australia I know. It read “Many thanks, you old bast-rd” (a compliment they have continued to use in subsequent messages)

I can’t wait until they return and teach them more of the colourful language we use, including our use of the phrase “Useless blo-dy Drongos” to describe those who claim to lead our Nation.

In the meantime, here is a small piece of scribble dedicated to two beautiful young ladies now back in the Old World. It has been written by the useless old bast-rd who had the immense honour of being one of their hosts in the land of OZ.

Come back soon,

Luv ya

George Mansford in Paradise

For The beautiful Sixers From the Old World —Reka and Melinda Touring the Land Down Under

They came from the old world far across the sea

Born in a far distant place and a different age from me

Two beautiful tourists drinking from a cup brimming with life

Using happiness and humour as a shield from misery and strife.

Two young lasses from the old world to the new

Chopin and Straus exchanged for haunting sounds of a didgeridoo

Swimming at the Reef mid teeming fish and multi coloured coral bright

To see our proud Southern Cross glittering high above at night

Vast distance of silent bush between each sleepy town

From stone bare hills to fertile land so rich, red and brown

The cackling call of the kookaburra and the screech of coloured birds

At night around a camp fire when cicadas call and a dingo howl is heard

Far away from the big smoke there’s a language known as Strain

“Howyagoin” “Strike me pink” and a friendly “gidday” again and again

“Wouldja like a cuppa?” and perhaps “it’s your blo-dy shout”

“Fair dinkum” “and “Dinky Di” is very much what OZ is all about”

Now there’s cold ashes of a campfires long after their final fond hooroo

Footprints fading on golden beaches, desert sands and jungle tracks too

Yet a visit not to be forgotten by screeching birds, dingo and kangaroo

While the haunting sounds of farewell still echo from a didgeridoo.

George Mansford April 2017

Filed Under: George Mansford, Home

July 24, 2017 by Ted Chitham Leave a Comment

PERTH CHARITY BRAVERY TRUST STEPS IN TO AVOID PAUPER FUNERAL FOR MILITARY VETERAN

IT was a travesty narrowly avoided — an ex-soldier estranged from his family who had taken his own life almost ending up in a pauper’s grave because no one would pay for his funeral.

That was until Perth-based charity Bravery Trust stepped in to ensure this man — who had served his country, but like many others had returned home broken, damaged and fighting his own internal war — received a proper farewell.

They even bought replica medals for his teenage sons, which they proudly wore to his funeral and promised to wear on Anzac Day.

Even though it was not strictly in Bravery Trust’s charter, when chairman Peter Fitzpatrick heard about how the Government and 12 other military charities had declined to help, his first thought at the prospect of this veteran being buried in a cardboard box was: “Not on our watch.”

“How can you say someone is not in need if they’re going to be put in a pauper’s grave when they’ve served their country?” he said.

Peter Fitzpatrick, chairman of Bravery Trust, a charity that gives urgent financial aid to veterans in crisis. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Sadly, this man’s demise is not isolated and he’s one of dozens of veterans who have taken their own lives so far this year.

There have been 325 confirmed suicides of people with at least one day of service with the Australian Defence Force between 2001 and 2015.

Mr Fitzpatrick estimated that figure would be more than 400 by now — 10 times the number of soldiers killed in battle over the same period — and more than 40 suicides alone so far this year.

Bravery Trust was one of more than 400 organisations and people to make a submission to a Senate inquiry into suicide by veterans, which was prompted by an investigation by The Sunday Times one year ago. A report on its findings is due next month.

Bravery Trust, which started in Perth in 2012 and is lesser-known than other military charities such as the RSL and Legacy, is an urgent financial safety net for veterans and their families, helping them pay their mortgage or rent, utility bills, children’s school fees, health expenses and providing them with Coles food vouchers.

The charity spends about $100,000 a month — or more than $1.1 million last year — to help struggling families. On top of that, it provides education and training scholarships for veterans and their partners.

Mr Fitzpatrick said it was a sad truth that we seemed to be more focused on honouring the dead than supporting the living.

Filed Under: Assistance, Defence, Home

July 23, 2017 by Ted Chitham 1 Comment

Opinion – Self-interest the enemy of action

ONLY someone who has attempted to take a large bone from a small terrier understands the fury it can generate.

Multiply that by several terriers and bones and the fury increases exponentially.

Larger dogs usually, but not always, tend to be less possessive, particularly if they have taken control of all the bones.

Australia’s state and federal bureaucracies mirror that fanaticism with departments jealously protecting their independence while resisting what they regard as gratuitous intervention in their affairs.

When it comes to countering Australia’s real and present terrorism threat such bureaucratic independence can be counter-productive.

Australia’s co-ordinated response to terrorism grew from the 1977 Hilton bombing when Malcolm Fraser understood the need to develop a co-ordinated response between those agencies likely to be given that responsibility, state police forces and the ADF.

Fraser established a standing committee to advise on appropriate responses to acts of terrorism, with the additional responsibility of co-ordinating those responses.

The problem then and since has been the multiple agencies involved with their competing agendas but more stiflingly their competing bureaucracies. Bureaucrats are like those small terriers, fiercely protecting their departmental bones when a collective need to act is paramount.

Only those who have not been involved in exercising those processes could argue against a centralised super security ministry with responsibility for the disparate, competing parts.

This includes many of the Australian media commentariat who mostly have no idea but express their ignorance exquisitely and vacuously.

Although other national departmental amalgamations have had their difficulties – think the Defence Department – most critics of a super security ministry are simply defending parochial self interest.

The intolerably arrogant Canberra bureaucrat Sir Arthur Tang oversaw the amalgamation of separate service departments. The small terriers protecting their bones snapped at his heels but the universally despised Tang simply ignored their plaintive protests.

Likewise the establishment of a joint defence force academy which, for all its many faults, has now trained generations of senior ADF leaders who understand each other and their individual strengths and weaknesses.

While single service agendas can and still do arise, it’s hard to argue Australia’s defence interests haven’t been better served by a single department.

The main weapon for defeating terrorism however is detailed and timely intelligence.

While each of the agencies proposed for the amalgamation has its own independent intelligence gathering and interpreting capabilities, their product is not automatically available to other agencies.

As important as this proposed departmental amalgamation could be, the proposed Office of National Intelligence within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as recommended by former diplomat Michael L’Estrange is even more crucial.

Getting that intelligence to those who need to use it in a timely manner is also critical.

If a single home affairs ministry improves inter-agency co-operation it will prove its critics wrong.

If it reduces bureaucratic hesitation and obfuscation, decision making and responses will be enhanced.

If it allows government to shave off layers of duplicated public servants, even better.

Ross Eastgate
21 July 2017

This column originally appeared in The Townsville Bulletin

Posted 3 days ago by Ross Eastgate

Filed Under: Defence, Home, Opinion

July 21, 2017 by Ted Chitham 3 Comments

THEY DESERTED HIM’: VETERANS’ DEPARTMENT ACCUSED OF CONTRIBUTING TO DIGGER’S SUICIDE

The family of an army veteran who killed himself believes the rejection of his compensation claim by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) pushed him to take his own life.

Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan has told 7.30 he has now ordered the Defence Department and DVA to review their handling of the case.

Jesse Bird, 32, took his own life last month, just weeks after losing a claim for permanent impairment he had been pursuing for almost two years.

The decision came despite DVA accepting initial liability, in August 2016, for Mr Bird’s post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse.

Filed Under: DVA, Home, Mental Health

July 18, 2017 by Ted Chitham Leave a Comment

TEHAN MEDIA RELEASE – INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH

Ministers from five countries, including Australia, will meet in London this week to explore challenges faced by contemporary veterans, and how governments can improve support services to help them achieve a fulfilling post-service life.

Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Dan Tehan said the International Ministerial Conference on Veterans’ Issues would provide an opportunity to gain insights, in particular, into how our partner nations – Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and United States – deal with mental health issues and suicide prevention.

Filed Under: Mental Health