PRESIDENTS REPORT FOR FIGHTING FOURTH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2008 EDITION

A big welcome to all Association Members across NSW and ACT. Before I venture further, I take this opportunity on behalf of all our members to pass on to the families and friends of our recently departed comrades our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences which are extended across Australia - Lest We Ever Forget. Further, to all our members who are hospitalised or are suffering ill health we send our best wishes for a Get Well Soon. To our current serving 4RAR(Cod) troops away from home on various courses or on temporary transfer, and in particular those serving in various hot spots around the globe – we pray for your well being and safe return.

4RAR/4RAR (Cdo) ASSOCIATION

* * * * AG M * * * *

At 1900/Wednesday/23^rd April 2008 in the Sgts’ Mess 4RAR (Cdo) our AGM and Ordinary General Meeting for April which followed our AGM was conducted. Present were the following members: CO 4RAR (Cdo), David Morris, Wally Thompson OAM, Ian Morrison, Phil Sadler, John Woodley, Jim Wrigley, Chris Hurley, Daryl Green and Arthur Lancaster. Apologies were recorded from our Patron David Thomson MC, Mark Smethurst AM., DSC, RSM 4RAR (Cdo), WO2 – CSM 4RAR (Cdo), WO1 Warren Barnes, Chaplain Haydn Swinbourn, Chaplain 4RAR (Cdo) and Jim Doust

All former Management Committee were returned unopposed to their respective elected positions, with only one change and that being Arthur Lancaster. Welcome Arthur and thanks for your attendance and putting your hand up to come on board to our Management Committee. I thanked all Management Committee Members for their work in their elected positions throughout the year 2007. I further stated that I was a little disappointed in the lack of numbers at the AGM of our Association, but this was understandable considering that the majority of our membership do not reside in Sydney. I am currently when time permits slowly going through the present Membership List of NSW and ACT received from our last Reunion with the intent to eventually make contact with all by way of email or letter inviting them to become members by way of Application. At present records indicate that between NSW and ACT combined, the total membership number is approximately 305 made up of some current serving members with a majority being former members and that number does not include our approximate 800 current serving members of the Battalion, but a majority are not Registered Members with our Assoc. With tongue in cheek - at least we have doubled our numbers present from the 2007 AGM where only 6 x members attended, and this year we hit double figures with x 12. We cannot get new members to take up positions if this continues to happen and it is left with the same members doing the job year in and year out. I concluded by personally thanking those members present for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend and was most grateful for their presence and on-going support. I also thanked our current serving members who fill the ex-officio positions on our Management Committee who are known to us - however, their names are not recorded below due to their secret identity status. There was only one change there with a current serving WO2 CSM putting his hand up to fill that role that a current serving Sgt held. If he is reading this newsletter “Thankyou Sgt” I know the new WO2 personally and he is a good hand and I welcome him on board.

 

 

Garry Heskett - President/Secretary                                                    0414512302 garryheskett@aol.com

Dave Morris - Senior Vice President                                                         0438532208 davidsshrine@optushome.com.au

XO – Junior Vice President Bn HQs’ 87822626

Phil Sadler - Treasurer                                                                             0418400549 sadlerpm@gmail.com

Ian Morrison - Webmaster/Editor                                                        0403112758 zunt46@bigpond.com

RSM - Committee                   Bn HQs’ 87822626

John Woodley - Committee                                              97081736 jww442@gmail.com

Jim Wrigley - Committee                                                                47738013 jim61846@bigpond.net.au

Chris Hurley - Committee                                                              96485064 cfhurley@optusnet.com.au

Daryl Green - Committee                                                                         0425343670 zabadak@optusnet.com.au

Arthur Lancaster – Committee                                 02-9602 9701 lancasterarthur@gmail.com

CHAPLAIN - Welfare         Bn HQs’ 87822626

I take this opportunity to welcome all new March-In’s to the Battalion. To those members that have transferred on, please stay in touch - and from all of us in the Assoc we wish you all the best as you continue your career. Since the last Newsletter we have had a significant increase in new applications from former members – some of whom are originals. I welcome you back into the perimeter and into the arms of our family Battalion.

ASSOC MEMORABILIA

Assoc Car Stickers. $5.50 each available from myself. Home: (02) 6658 5545 Mob: 0414 512 302

ANZAC DAY

FRIDAY/25^th APRIL 2008
4RAR (Cdo) – HOL WORTHY BARRACKS

At 0515 hrs/Friday/25^th April 2008 our Anzac Day commenced with Dawn Service hosted by our current serving Battalion in front of our Memorial now located in the Hindmarsh Centre at the new Bn HQ’s for all ranks their families and guests. At the completion of Dawn Service we all attended the Ors’ Mess for a magnificent breakfast which was appreciated by all. A big thankyou to the Battalion and particularly the Catering Staff.

Not all, but some attended the Anzac Day March in Sydney – with our Patron Brig The Hon David Thomson MC holding the lead position in an open top Army Landover, with Ian ‘Zunt’ Morrison and others. Ian was unable to march due to his knees. We were lucky enough to position this Landover right behind our Banners in front of our Battalion, followed closely behind being led out the front by our new CO accompanied of course by former RSM/A Wal Thompson OAM to ensure everyone stayed in step. Once again rain tried to interfere with the proceedings, but as true old soldiers we were not dampened in spirit by a mere drop of water. After Anzac Day March some of us gathered at our Reunion Watering hole – Tailers on Central in Mary St where we did become dampened by spirits of a different content hic! !!!

Dawn Service in front of our 4RAR Memorial Stone Anzac Day addresses at the Dawn Service

Current CO, Wal Thompson and myself at
The FUP for Anzac Day March 2008 – Sydney

MINI REUNION OF 4RAR/NZ (Anzac) BATTALION FORMER MEMBERS

On Saturday/26^th April 2008 I had the pleasure of attending a small 4RAR reunion at Doug and Judy Sewell’s house – North Sydney. A great feast and time was had by all. Thanks to Doug and Judy for hosting the afternoon. Present were all former members of 4RAR/NZ (Anzac) combining both tours or 68-69 and 71-72. In Particular Mor Pl/Sp Coy – Vietnam 7 1-72 was Gary Bryant and his young daughters Emily and Lucy, Daryl Green and his wife Eva, Doug Sewell and his wife Judy including their daughter Tam and son Aaron, myself and my wife Suzanne. Also attending were Phil Sadler Sp Coy/CHQ Vietnam 71-72 and his wife Doctor Sue, Dave Morris B Coy Vietnam 71-72 and his wife Norelle, Jenny Dooley – widow of Brian Dooley 68-69 tour and Mike De La Hunty C Coy 68-69 tour with his wife Mary.

On Sunday/27^th April – with my wife we made the long journey back home to Coffs Harbour after the AGM, Association Meetings, Dawn Service, Anzac Day and mini reunion – only to be awoken Monday morning the 28^th April with the sad news that L/Cpl Jason Marks was KIA and 4 x further 4RAR (Cdo) warriors were WIA in the same contact in Afghanistan. No rest here as I pounded at the computer for the next couple of days ensuring everyone was kept up to date with all the information both in emails and our Website.

 

 

                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       LANCE CORPORAL JASON MARKS HONOURED

Lance Corporal Jason Marks, who was tragically killed in Afghanistan on Monday 28th April, was honoured in a funeral service held at Holsworthy Barracks which commenced at 5.30pm on Monday - 5th may 2008.

Family, friends and colleagues of Lance Corporal Marks came together to pay their respects to the brave and dedicated soldier who will be remembered for his service and sacrifice.

Dignitaries on hand to pay tribute to the Commando included the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister of Australia; the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson MP, Leader of the Opposition; the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence; and the Hon. Warren Snowden MP, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel.

The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston; the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy; Special Operations Commander Australia, Major General Tim McOwan; and members of the 4th Battalion (Commando), The Royal Australian Regiment were also present.

Further, prior to the service commencing an Ambulance arrived and three of the four members who were wounded in the same action that took the life of L/Cpl Marks were assisted from the Ambulance to be present at the service.

All members of the 4RAR/4RAR (Cdo) Assoc Management Committee were also present - apart from our Sen/Vice President Dave Morris who humbly apologised as he was away on business interstate. It was also pleasing to see the family of Luke Worsley present as well. Other members in attendance were Wal Thompson OAM, Bill Field MBE, Derill De Heer and Frank Angyal, and we all mourned together the loss of this fine soldier, husband, father, son, Uncle, cousin and good mate of many of his brothers-in-arms.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said, “On behalf of the nation, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Lance Corporal Jason Marks. His professionalism, courage and loyalty were true expressions of the ANZAC spirit”.

“I know that on this sad occasion, all Australians will remember and honour Jason, who served his nation so proudly.” As the service concluded, a bugler played The Last Post in tribute to the passing of this true hero.

At the conclusion of the service all present departed to the 4RAR (Cdo) Sgt's Mess where the Caterers and Bar Staff worked tiresomely throughout the evening. It was at this venue that the Worsley family still grieving for the loss of

Luke met and consoled  the Marks family, relatives and friends. I have no doubt that their consolatory comfort and advice based on their recent personal experience was of great benefit to Jason’s wife and family.

As the clock struck midnight, I gathered Wal Thompson and we departed the Mess and I transported him home. Still images are available from: http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download

A private burial service was held in Yeppoon on Thursday, 8th May 2008 for Lance Corporal Jason Marks. The family of Lance Corporal Marks at their request held a private service with their family and some military friends and had asked that no media attend.

A Defence media team was on-site to provide suitable footage of parts of the burial service to interested media.

Images

* Images of the service are available from the Defence website: http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download

A big Thankyou to my Senior Vice President David Morris with no time to spare immediately got things underway and in unison with the Battalion Command ensuring our Memorial Stone was updated accordingly and appropriately with Jason’s details.

Lest We Forget
AFGHAN BASES NAMED IN HONOUR OF FALLEN DIGGERS

Members, I am pleased to pass on the following info FYI in respect to the recent honour bestowed upon Private Luke Worsley 4RAR(Cdo) KIA in Afghanistan during November 2007.

Two bases in Afghanistan have been named in honour of Australian soldiers killed in action last year.

Patrol Base Worsley is named after Private Luke Worsley, a Commando with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, who died during an assault on a Taliban-held compound last November. Patrol Base Worsley was built by Australian combat engineers of the Reconstruction Task Force, near the Baluchi Valley in Oruzgan Province.

Forward Operating Base Locke honours Sergeant Matthew Locke of the Special Air Service Regiment, who was

killed in action late last year. The base is situated in the Chora Valley, where Sergeant Locke fought Taliban forces in 2006, for which he was awarded the Medal for Gallantry.

The bases were officially opened by Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, Major General Mike Hindmarsh. Major General Hindmarsh paid tribute to the valour displayed by Private Worsley and Sergeant Locke, and to the Reconstruction Task Force that has worked so hard to bring stability to the country.

Following each naming ceremony, command of the bases was transferred to the Afghan National Army. Operating from Patrol Base Worsley and Forward Operating Base Locke, Afghan troops will provide security to the surrounding areas in partnership with coalition force mentoring teams.

                                                                

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT - 60^T" ANNIVERSSARY COMMEMMORATIONS
SYDNEY 21^' to 23^rd NOVEMBER 2008

I have no doubts that everyone would have received the news by now either through word of mouth or via our National Newsletter ‘The Fighting Fourth’ that on the dates aforementioned it is the intent of the RAR to commemorate our 60^th Birthday by way of a number of ceremonies, dinners and parades etc in Sydney.

Upon receipt of your Fighting Fourth Newsletter you will need to read the information supplied and respond by completing the Response Forms included if you are going to attend the events – particularly in respect to the RAR Dinner on the Friday night the 21^st which is by Ticket Entry only and the Special Parade on Sunday the 23^rd at Vic Barracks Myself as the 4RAR National Co-ordinator and Alan Price as my Secretary will require all your names – including the names of your Wife/Partner/Friend to this special Dinner and Parade by midnight on the 16^th August which is the cut off date. (See Response Form in your Newsletter)

Further, if it is your intent to attend the Special Parade at Victoria Barracks, Sydney on the Sunday then you will not get in through the Main Guard Gates if your name is not on the Security List. Currnt serving members do not have a problem with entry. Once again (See Response Form in your latest Edition of the Fighting Fourth Newsletter) the Parade starts at 1600hrs SHARP. Members are requested to plan their day and travel arrangements to be seated in the Barracks by 1530hrs at the latest.

Entry will be via the South Gate opposite Moore Park.

Arrangements are being made to provide drinks/finger food prior to parade. An approach has been made to the Army Everyman/Salvos to provide this service.

It has been discussed with Army that there may be a set of displays around the Barracks to enable Veterans to mix with Serving Soldiers.

NO ALCOHOL will be on sale on the day. However you can order one of their very special RAR Commemorations Glass Port (Tawny) Decanter; an item that will continue to mark the Commemorations long after November 2008. (See pic below)