Queensland

RANCDA - Queensland

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President:

Vic Rashleigh BEM Home: 07-55781722

Mob: 0403342050

Vice President/Treasurer:

Shane Dagge Mob: 0438284208

Secretary:

Jeff 'Cowboy' Garrett MID Mob: 0410247980

email: cdaqld@gmail.com

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*Olsen Lawyers have assisted our Association gather info for Incorporation and drawing up an Agreement between us and the supplier for Merchandising.

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Agenda RANCDA Senior Executive Meeting 1900, 10 Feb 2010

Attendees:

(LD) Larry Digney, National

(NB) Neill Bell, NSW

(RC) Russ Cronin, WA

(VR) Vic Rashleigh, Qld

(ME) Mark Every, NT

(PS) Pete Smith, SA

(CV) Corry Van den Broek, TAS

(KM) Ken Monk, Vic

(PW) Paul Willee, Vic (legal advisor, invited guest)

Sid Banevicious, WA

Mike Apathy, NT

Dave Creaser, SA

Meeting Opened at 1905

Welcome by National President

Incorporation. Yes? No? How? Who? When?

LD provided brief introduction statement and information regarding similar RAN Associations' approach to Incorporation followed by a

more detailed explanation of benefits and considerations of Incorporation for RANCDA by PW.

Extensive general discussion and question/answer period followed.

Consensus was made to seek further information with the view for the potential of RANCDA to incorporate in a similar manner to the RAN

Writers Association. The RAN Writers Association is incorporated nationally in ACT with coverage extending to all states.

Motion moved for LD and VR to investigate the potential to achieve National RANCDA incorporation in the ACT with blanket coverage for

all state and territory branches. Report to be made back to National Executive before ANZAC Day, 2010.

Proposed by NB. NSW

Seconded by RC, WA

Passed by Unanimous vote

Action: National President and Queensland President to investigate National RANCDA Incorporation in ACT.

Grants, DVA and others

LD provided brief introduction statement which was followed by general discussion.

There was general consensus that the RANCDA should seek additional information regarding the availability of grants for the purpose of

developing the administrative base within each state by the purchase of computers/software/stationary etc. Information regarding specific

grants for the assistance of funding RANCDA functions should also be sought.

Motion moved for RANCDA Victoria and RANCDA SA to work together to investigate the availability of grants for administration purposes

and for function assistance from several suggested sources including but not limited to DVA, RAN relief Trust Fund (If it still exists),

Patriotic Fund Victoria etc.

Proposed by PS. SA

Seconded by KM, Vic

Passed by Unanimous vote

Action: RANCDA Victoria and South Australia Branches to investigate availability and application criteria for suitable grants to be provided to RANCDA at National and State levels and report results at next meeting.

Welfare Fund. Brief status statement and then future funding prospects and methods.

NB provided an update of the state of the fund. The fund currently stands at $11,352.22 and is managed by Neill Bell and Taff Sweeney

from the NSW. Paul De Gelder has agreed to be a non-partisan advisor to the fund.

It was moved that a letter be drafted on RANCDA Presidents letterhead by LD and NB for distribution to diving companies requesting

donations for the RANCDA welfare fund. It was also proposed that an additional $5.00 be added to all RANCDA annual membership

subscriptions to be collected on ANZAC Day and forwarded to the fund managers for the fund. The additional subscriptions will be incurred

on all members participating in the ANZAC Day march.

Proposed by VR, Qld

Seconded by KM, Vic

Passed by Unanimous vote

Action: National President and NSW President to investigate potential donor companies and draft suitable letter to request donations from diving companies and other potential donors for the RANCDA Welfare fund.

2011, 60th Anniversary Reunion, Sydney. Brief progress statement

The 2011 60th anniversary reunion of the RANCD Branch will be held in Sydney from April 22 to April 26, 2011. NB provided a brief

progress statement of developments. The NSW RANCDA Branch has established a Reunion Sub Committee and the following decisions

have been made:

Reunion dates established.

Home Base to be established in Darling Harbour or similar location.

Daily optional tours and events will be provided with trips to the Hunter Valley, Bridge Walk, Museum visits etc.

Formal Dinner will be held on Saturday 24 April.

A special Dawn Service will be held at HMAS Penguin at 0428 (approx) on ANZAC Day. A boat will be made available for travel to the

ANZAC Day march.

LD advised that initial discussions have commenced with CN for a recognition ceremony to be scheduled for the Australian

Government/ADF recognition and presentation of 3 US Unit Decorations that were awarded to RANCDT3 during the Vietnam conflict.

NSW is commended for their initial work on the 60th Anniversary Reunion.

Constitution. Comments by Paul Willee followed by discussion

Because of the proposed review and investigations into RANCDA incorporation (Item 1 above) it was decided to delay this discussion

until an incorporation decision has been made because incorporation will require a comprehensive review of the constitution to meet the

regulatory requirements of the incorporating authority.

Constitution.

Proposal to change the RANCDA constitution clause 13 (4) “the President of the National RANCDA shall be eligible to serve for a

maximum of two terms, four (4) years”.

13(4) “the President of the National RANCDA shall be eligible to serve for an initial maximum of two terms, four (4) years. Following the initial 4 year term and subject to re-nomination and seconding by two existing RANCDA State or Territory presidents the National President may be re-elected for subsequent 2 year terms if agreed by a majority of the RANCDA National Executive”

General discussion on the proposal which was initiated by NSW to review and alter the constitution in accordance with the above proposal

resulted in unanimous agreement.

Proposed by VR, Qld

Seconded by RC, WA

Passed by Unanimous vote

Action: National President to change constitution and distribute latest version.

Banners. placeCityBattle Honours/Commendations

Potential placement of commendations on our banners? Yes or No?

It was discussed and agreed that the National President would communicate with the National RSL or other authority to establish the

guidelines for information placed on banners used in the ANZAC Day march. The National President will report back to the Senior

Executive when the information is available.

Action: National President.

RAN CD Commendations/Citations

An RANCDA letter has been sent to CN regarding official recognition of 2 x US Navy Unit Commendations and 1 x US Presidential Unit

Citation awarded to RANCDT3 for service in Vietnam that were received in Australia but never accepted by Government or ADF.

It is hoped that CN can receive acceptance for the commendations to be officially recognized and a special ceremony be arranged at

HMAS Penguin during the 60th Anniversary Reunion for presentation to the intended recipients.

Action: National President to draft additional letter to CN to determine the potential for a special presentation ceremony to be held at HMAS Penguin during the 201 60th Anniversary placeReunion.

Fellow nominations for 2010.

General discussion regarding Fellow Member nominations for 2010 resulted in an initial intention that Qld would nominate one member at

this stage.

National President to send out qualifying and nomination criteria to all Presidents.

Nominations close on February 28, 2010

Action: National President to distribute subject material.

Public Risk Liability Insurance.

Following discussions there was general consensus that the RANCDA should seek quotes to provide public risk liability insurance. It is

understood that such insurance will be a prerequisite requirement for RANCDA incorporation.

It was agreed that the National President and VR would further investigate the options available for the RANCDA to be covered by public

risk liability insurance on an national basis.

Action: LD and VR to investigate the available options and costs to cover RANCDA with public risk liability insurance.

State Pages on the RANCDA Website

The National President provided a brief background statement on the status of State based pages on the official RANCDA website and he

urged all states to participate in the program.

It was proposed that the states would pay for the annual fees to operate the RANCDA website on a rotational basis. For the purpose of

equity and limiting the cost impact on the smaller states the breakup of the payments will be based on Tasmania joining

Victoria and South Australia joining Northern Territory. All other states will pay in their own right.

The rotation will start with WA paying in 2010, SA/NT in 2011, NSW/ACT in 2012, Vic/Tas in 2013 and Qld in 2014.

Proposed by RC, WA

Seconded by NB, NSW

Passed by Unanimous vote

Letter to MPs re SIEV 36 enquiry

The National President provided a brief background statement regarding the proposed letter to Federal Ministers regarding the NT

Coroners inquest into the sinking of the SIEV 36.

After general discussion it was unanimously agreed that the letter be forwarded to Senator John Faulkner and The Hon Greg Combet

MHR.

Action: National President to forward letter.

Merchandise. NSW, Qld and National.

General statements regarding the status of merchandising within the serving and non serving communities of the Clearance Diving

community were presented by VR, and NB with contributing statements made by other members.

It was agreed that the general scope of the merchandising program to date has been fundamentally designed and operated since its

inception in the 1970's to provide merchandise to the RAN serving community. The system has been operated by the NSW Branch of the

RANCDA from the RAN Diving School with most items being focused on the RAN Clearance Diving Branch and not the RANCDA. There

was also general acceptance that there were some items that suited both communities. These included the RAN CD tie and the belt

buckle.

VR provided a background briefing of a new merchandising proposal to be complimentary to and operating separate from the existing

system. The proposed new system would be entirely RANCDA focused with all merchandise carrying the RANCDA logo/crest/wording.

There was no intention to infringe on any existing NSW RANCDA CD Branch focused material.

The new system would be operated out of Qld by an independent 3rd party under contract with the RANCDA and with a negotiated

dividend being paid to the National RANCDA.

The merchandise will be marketed through the RANCDA website and independently by each state branch. It is agreed that each state can

include their state name on the RANCDA crests for the purpose of purchasing and marketing their own merchandise but there will be a

mandated minimum number required to achieve this outcome.

A proposal to accept, further develop and implement the new RANCDA merchandising program to be operated out of Queensland was

put and voted on.

Proposed by NB, NSW

Seconded by DC, SA

Passed by Unanimous vote

Action: VR and LD to discuss and develop the management system for the implementation of the RANCDA merchandising program and report back to the National Executive when completed.

Other business.W: visd that the 60th Anniversary Reunion of the RAN CD Branch will incorporate a Dawn Service at HMAS Penguin on ateYear2011Day25onth425 April, 2011. A boat will be provided for those members wishing to travel to placeCitySydney for the march will be provThere will be a Warfare Dinner for serving MCDO's on 5 March, 2010. NB has details

NSW suggested that an additional gift such as an engraved crystal or glass plate be provided by RANCDA to retiring CD sailors and

officers who have provided exceptional service. After considerable discussion it was decided that in keeping with the reason the RANCDA

had designed and presented the 20+ and the less than 20 year retirement plaques they would remain the primary presentation gift from the

RANCDA for ALL retirees. This is to ensure the RANCDA retains a standard and a principle where all members are treated equally and

are deemed to be equal. Special presentations can be determined on specific occasions but it was believed that the RAN CD Branch was

the logical organization to decide, provide and present such special retirement gifts as they deem necessary in recognition of special

service.

The NT branch has received 2009 reunion photographs from SA member Tom McNabb and they will be forwarded to our Webmaster for use on theCDA Website.

Meeting Closed at 2130uth Australia has volunteered to hold the 2013 RANCDA reunion. The statement was well received by all meeting participants. The decision to name the holder of the 2013 reunion will be held over until the 2011 Anniversary Reunion in placeCitySydney and provided there are no competing bids, SA will be the host 2013.

Pf statement of the support provided by the SA RANCDA for Geoff Bascombe's funeral at Port Lincoln. A vote of thanks was provided by **************************************

During the condWillee, QC contributed to the discussions regarding incorporation. Paul left the meeting after his contribution and before doing so he w publicly thanked for his assistance and his ongoing contributions to the RANCDA.

National President thanked all participants for their contributions.

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Support for Members:

If any of our members are contemplating or are involved in processing any claims, or require assistance to obtain DVA/Centre link help, some people who may be able to point you in the correct direction are:

Sunshine Coast:

Greg Pullen (member of our Association)

Ph: 5493 3923

Senior Welfare & Pensions Officer

Caloundra RSL

19 West Tce

Caloundra QLD 4551

Gold Coast:

Jim Dee (pension/advocate officer - ex matelot) Mondays only.

Tony Hornby (pension/advocate officer)

Ph: 5559 5022

Currumbin Palm Beach Veteran's Support Centre

Currumbin Creek Road (opp. RSL)

Currumbin 4223

Brisbane:

Veterans Support & Advocacy Service

130 Miskin St.

Toowong QLD 4066

Email: ausvets@ausvets.com.au

Web: www.ausvets.com.au

We plan to send out a Newsletter every three months, i.e. September, Dec and March 2010 and as was voted on at the AGM the March newsletter will provide details for ANZAC Day 2010. It will be put up on the National Association website well in advance for all to see.

Finally, I hope to see you all next ANZAC Day, remember, I encourage you to put the word around so that we have a good turn up on the day.

Yours Aye,

Vic Rashleigh BEM.

President

RANCDA Queensland Branch

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MEMBER INFORMATION FORM

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SERVICE HISTORY:

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