News letter April 2014

              ‘Par Oneri’ – Equal to the Task

LEST    WE   FORGET

Robert (Bob) Lee

Bill Williams

Kay Rudd (nee Spencer)

3 Transport Association (Inc)     OFFICE BEARERS

PATRON:                           COL. Michael Miller RFD ADC

PRESIDENT:                       Kevin Connelly WO1 (Retd)            Phone:    0407 252 675

                                                                                 E-Mail:   kaka_c@optusnet.com.au

VICE PRESIDENT:                Graeme Marshall                                 Phone: 02 9798 6212

                                                                                                                                 Mob:      0408 235 077

                                                                                                                                 E-Mail:    ghmarshall@optusnet.com.au

HON SEC/TREASURER:             Gary Smith                                           Phone:   02 6582 6276

3 Orion Close Port Macquarie 2444                                                                      Mob:        0412 563 121

                                                                                                                                E-Mail:   smithgc@bigpond.com

ASSISTANT SEC.                        Robert Duggan                                     Phone:   0412 300 407

Webmaster                                                                                                  E-Mail:   rduggan1@optusnet.com.au

COMMITTEE:                  
                                                         Peter Clarke                                         Phone:   0419 394 349

                                                         Ian (Cleo) Cleland                               Phone:   0450 525 863

                                                         Eric Denning

                                                        Reg Denning                                        Phone:   0408 132 324

                                                        Sam Ekermawi                                     Phone:   0412 065 910

                                                       Rohan McCardell                                 Phone:   02 9872 3403

                                                       Peter Pether

                                                       Paul Sansom                                        Phone:    0408 811 603

Association Website: www.3tptcoy.com

Message from the President

Welcome to my first “message” for 2014 and what will be a significant year for all who have been associated with 3 Trucks past and present. Firstly, I would like to say a welcome to MAJ Errol Christian, OC 3 Tpt. Sqn., and thank you for your contribution to this “Newsletter” which I am sure will become a regular feature.

In this “message” I wish to comment on the following events past and present.

• Princes Royal Banner Dedication   1^st – 2^nd June 2013

On Saturday 1^st June 2013, with Mac McCardell, Denis Keane, Don Willey Gary Smith and our official photographer Bob Pink we attended the Corps Dedication of the Princess Royal Banner at Amberley Air Force base. The Parade was well worth watching and fine display was put on by all participating. Afterwards a reception was held at the Bob Andrae Centre, for those viewing and participating in the parade, During the reception we were introduced to the Queensland Governor as the “Old and the Bold”. The majority of us were wearing our Association jackets with the RAASC Badge. You couldn’t believe the number of current soldiers/officers asking questions re the RAASC. No wonder we were called the Old and the Bold.

That evening “The Princess Royal Dinner” was held at the Sofitel Brisbane Central Hotel celebrating the RACT 40th anniversary.  This was an enjoyable night with all of us on the same table with our Patron COL Michael Miller and Mrs Miller as well as the OC 3 Transport, MAJ Errol Christian. Unfortunately Bob Pink was seated at a different table, but as always Bob knew everybody on the table.

The Sunday morning we attended the service for the Laying up of the Princess Alice Banner at All Saints' Chapel, Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. This was as equally impressive as the previous day. It definitely was a weekend not to be missed and the memories lasting. The Corps can be proud of the weekend it produced to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary.

During our time in Queensland both our Honorary Secretary and I lobbied senior officers of the Corps to allow the Banner to be paraded in the 2014 Sydney Anzac Day March and the significance of “3 Trucks” centenary this year. From our conversations we were quietly confident that “Princess Royal Banner” would be paraded on Anzac Day 2014.

• Anzac Day 2014.

I am happy to report that the Sqn has been able to secure the Princess Royal Banner for the 2014 Sydney Anzac Day March. The Unit members will form a 50 personnel armed guard. Also, the Association has been able to lobby the RSL Anzac Day March Committee for a place of prominence in the 2014 March. The Banner Party and the Association will lead Post WW11 Army in front of the Arms and Services.

Thus, please note the change this year from our regular form up point. The Form-Up Point will be in Castlereagh Street near Hunter Street. We will then move to Hunter Street as per usual and then along Pitt St, Martin Place, George Street, Bathurst Street to Elizabeth Street. Suggested form up time from 9.30 to 10am.

This year the Corps has changed from the “Shark Bar” to the Criterion Hotel on the corner of Park and Pitt Streets, thus after the march we will proceed to the Criterion and enjoy the good company of all. The Squadron has also indicated they will join us, after they have secured the “Banner” weapons and changed into civilian attire.

Also, I would like to remind all members that Ashfield RSL Sub–Branch will be conducting their Anzac Sunday Commemoration on 13^th April 2014 at Ashfield Park commencing at 09:30hrs. The Association has been cordially invited to participate in this service and has accepted.

• Personnel

John Walsh.

John has moved to Victoria to be with his family. I would like to thank John for all the assistance given to the Association for the past 13 years as Vice president.

On behalf of the Association, I wish him well for the future.

The Late Bill Williams.

About three months before Bill passed away, both Don Willey and I visited Bill at the Mater Hospital in Newcastle. After a short time in discussing his illness, the “old war’s came to bear”  Bill’s last comment was he wanted Geof Jacobs to know that he wasn’t getting the KVA back, he had repainted from Olive green to bright red. Looks like Geof you will never get it back now.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to thank a number of people who have worked behind the scenes in achieving what should be a memorable 2014 Anzac Day for both

the Association and Squadron. Firstly, our Patron COL. Michael Miller for his tireless efforts in helping to secure the “Banner”,  MAJ Errol Christian for his enthusiasm and commitment to celebrate this special year and encouraging a closer relationship between the Squadron and Association. Bob Duggan and Gary Smith for their commitment in making this year a special year for the both the association and squadron and Graeme Marshall in supporting Bob and Gary since joining the committee.

Remember, the Unit is 100 years on the Order of Battle this year. So I ask all members to make an extra effort to contact as many non association members to march with

us on Anzac Day to celebrate this very special occasion. I would also like to issue a “Warning Order” for members that a formal dinner is being organised for August 2014, to celebrate the 100^th anniversary, details will be posted to all once Anzac Day Commemorations are finished. 

On closing I wish all members and friends of the Association the very best.

Kevin Connelly.

3 Transport Squadron Update

MAJ Errol Christian.

2014 is shaping up to be a challenging but enjoyable year for the members of the Squadron. Not only is it the 100th anniversary of the formation of the

Squadron's antecedent unit, 3rd Transport Company Australian Army Service Corps, in 1914 but the Squadron, along with the remainder of the

5th Combat Service Support Battalion, is about to undergo a significant transformation and relocation under Plan Beersheba to meet the evolving needs of the

5th Brigade and the Australian Army as a whole. Notwithstanding all of these changes, the Squadron is still actively involved in the conduct of trade and

specialist courses with the results of an active recruiting campaign starting to bear fruit with an influx of new soldiers in both Sydney and Canberra.

All the members of the Squadron are excited to be involved in the 100th anniversary celebrations, which are likely to be the highlight of the year. We are actively

preparing for the upcoming Anzac Day parade in the City with the Association with planning underway for us to parade The Princess Royal Banner. We haven't

had much in the way of ceremonial activities over the past couple of years, so this will be a good opportunity for the members of the Squadron to dust off their

ceremonial polys and participate in what is likely to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to march through the city with our Corps banner. We are also looking

forward to enjoy the company of the Association and other past members of the Squadron/Company at a formal dinner to be held in August. Again, we will be requesting

The Princess Royal Banner for that dinner and hope that the Head of Corps and the Corps RSM will be able to attend.

From an organisational perspective, the Squadron is about to undergo some significant changes in the near future. The Army has embarked on an ambitious plan,

called Plan Beersheba, to reorganise the way it prepares for operations. This plan calls for a structure of three - three Regular brigades cycling through a three year

training cycle with one brigade always ready to be deployed on operations. In order to support this cycle, each Regular brigade has been paired with two

Reserve brigades who will provide reinforcements and additional battle groups and logistic support. As part of 5th Brigade, we have been paired with 8th Brigade

to support the 7th Brigade in Queensland. In practical terms this means we will be exercising with ARA units on a more frequent basis, giving our soldiers greater

exposure as to how their Regular counterparts operate and vice versa. Additionally, we will be adopting an identical organisational structure to all of the

ARA transport squadrons of three transport troops (one medium, one heavy and one specialist) up from our current two. With the introduction of the new fleets

of vehicles into the Army over of the next few years, this will give us a significant boost to our capability.

Behind the scenes, the Squadron continues to maintain a high tempo of training activities. We are currently conducting a range of specialist courses, including

ambulance and dangerous goods, along with trade courses such as MR2 (Unimog). We have a number of new soldiers and officers join the Squadron from Kapooka

and Duntroon respectively and they have settled in well and are starting their journey with us. Getting these newly enlisted and commissioned members up to speed

on the various courses, vehicles and other requirements is important task for us this year. Our manning now stands at 74 (4 Officers + 70 Other Ranks, including

5 ARA soldiers) which is close to our established strength of 76 (5 Officers + 71 Other Ranks) and we form the largest sub-unit in the Battalion.

In 2015 the Squadron is planning on relocating from the Banksmeadow depot to new, purpose built facilities at Holsworthy as part of the 5th Brigade

redeployment plan. This is a very exciting prospect for the Squadron as it will provide us with immediate access to the wide range of training areas and

facilities in Holsworthy, including the Safe Driving Area and cross country driving area. The Canberra based Troop will remain in its current location at HMAS Harman.

In closing, it looks like we have another hectic year ahead for all of us but I and all the members of the Squadron look forward to celebrating the historic milestone

of the 100th anniversary of the unit with all of the members of the Association.

Par Oneri.

ick Parade

      Bob Duggan

embership Fees

Membership fees are still $10.00, which covers all administrative costs, i.e., printing, paper, stamps and the purchase of wreaths. All members please

note that dues are payable before the end of our financial year on June 30^th. Remember the membership year runs from the 1^st July to 30^th June.

INTERNET BANKING IS AVAILABLE.

We are very happy to accept direct deposits to our Bank Account if you wish to pay your Subscriptions by this method.

Bank Account Details: Commonwealth Bank Padstow BSB 062 221 Account Number: 1010 7152 Account Name: 3 Transport Association INC. Reference:

Insert your name.

Please send an email message to our Secretary advising that you have made an Internet Banking deposit for your subscription payment. Please also make sure that

you show your name on the Internet Transfer.

COMING  EVENTS

ANZAC Day Sunday 13^th April 2014.

As previously conveyed to members, the Association has been and still is closely affiliated with the Ashfield RSL Sub Branch. This year the Sub Branch is holding its

Anzac Day Sunday service at the Ashfield Park, Parramatta Road Ashfield at 0930hrs. At the conclusion of the service, those members of the Sub Branch, the

Association and the community are invited to march back to the club, distance 1.8 Kms, where refreshments will be served.

The Sub Branch is providing a bus to take participants in the service from the Ashfield RSL Club, Liverpool Road, Ashfield to the park. The first bus will leave the

club at 0800hrs with the last departing at 0900hrs.

For those association members who are unable to march because of a disability, you can still take part in the parade by travelling in the bus, which will bring up the rear.

Suggested dress is, navy blue jacket, grey trousers, beret and for those who have them, RAASC /RACT Corps tie.

Your committee would like to see as many members as possible attend this activity and show support to the Sub Branch, which is continually giving their support

to our Association.

ANZAC DAY Friday25^th April 2014.

Association members are again invited to participate in this year’s Anzac Day March. Form up is in Castlereagh Street (Hunter Street End) members will need to keep

an eye out for our Association Banner any time after 09:30hrs.

At the conclusion of the march, a reunion will be held at the Criterion Hotel corner Park and Pitt Streets, where other Corps associations will meet and share a

few old stories and a number of ales.

Public Transport (Government Buses and trains) will be free for participants in this year’s march, providing you are wearing beret/medals. Train travel covers areas from Scone in the north, to Moss Vale in the southwest, to Lithgow in the west and to Nowra in the south.

Members, who would normally use private bus companies, will need to check if free travel is available with that particular bus company. In previous years the travel

has been free.

Suggested dress is, navy blue jacket, grey trousers, and beret and for those who have them, RAASC/RACT Corps tie.

Your committee would like to see as many members as possible support this activity.

3 TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION (INCORPORATED)

(Incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act, 1984)

SUBSCRIPTION/MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

To:                                                                                                                  Telephone: (02) 6582 6276

The Secretary/Treasurer                                                                                  E-mail: threetransportassoc@bigpond.com

3 Transport Association

3 Orion Close

PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444

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Home Telephone: (     )..................................... Work Telephone: (   ).......................................................

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I hereby apply to become a member of the above named incorporated association. In the event of my admission as a member, I agree to be bound by the rules of the association for the time of being in force.

Under the Privacy Act 1988, 1 consent to the disclosure of my personal particulars given above to other members of the 3 Transport Association.

Yes   /  No   (please circle your response)

Signature of Applicant: .....................................................         Date: .........................................

Joining Fee                            $ 10-00

^{(One-Off Fee)}

Subscription:                                        $ 10-00

^{(1Jul to 30Jun)}

Donation:

             Name Badge:

                             RAASC/RACT     $ 12-00                  Name to Appear on Badge:__________________________

                RAEME                 $ 12.00                                                                                                  Please Print

                                                 ^{________________}              

Total                                   $___________      

INTERNET BANKING:  BSB: 062 221 Account No: 1010 7152 Account Name: 3 Transport Association INC.

                                                  Reference: Your Name.

Revised: Apr 13.

Note from the Webmaster;

Please excuse any out of alignment in this newsletter as

I have just got out of hospital.

Cheers,

Bob Duggan                                                                                   

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NEWS LETTER APRIL 2011

3 Transport Association (Inc) OFFICE BEARERS

ANZAC Celebrations:

Sick Parade

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