‘Vung Tau Express’ The bi-monthly newsletter of the HMAS SYDNEY Association (ACT)

April 2023 Edition

President’s Report It has been brought to my attention that our former member Derek Holyoake crossed the bar on the 9th February. Derek was a living legend and served in the RAN in both WWII and the Korean War. He was serving on HMAS Hobart when she was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during WWII. He was part of the commissioning crew of HMAS Sydney III in the UK and served on her in Korea. He described one of the more frightening experiences during his service when Sydney sailed out of Sasebo and ran into Cyclone Ruth. Derek was a very humble gentlemen and it was a pleasure to know him. Members will recall when he was guest speaker at one of our Annual Dinners some years ago. He held us spell bound with tales of his 13 years in the RAN which covered two wars. RIP Derek and fair seas. On Saturday 25th February we held our Annual Dinner. Members and guests enjoyed a very convivial evening. Capt. Ted Seymour, commissioning CO of HMAS Sydney V, regaled us with an address about happenings on the ship on its first cruise. Those present will not forget the tale of the whales in the U.S. Among those present were our Patron Capt. Harry Josephs and Cmdr. Ron Brasch who will turn 99 this year. I would like to thank our member Les Wordern who donated half a dozen bottles of fine wine for the raffle. I certainly enjoyed the one I won. I was saddened to learn of the recent passing of RADM James Goldrick. Although not of the RAN era of most of us he commanded Sydney IV on two occasions. RADM Goldrick was only aged in his mid-sixties when he crossed the bar. Our contingent has been registered to march in Canberra on ANZAC Day behind our new banner for the second time. If you are going to be in town on the day, I urge you to join your shipmates in the march. At this stage we will not hold an after-march function as indicative numbers do not indicate a large enough roll up. Tiger will send out further communication with details when known but we are aware that step off is 0930. Our next meeting at 1930 on Tuesday 4th April is also our AGM. As usual all positions are open for election. Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the meeting. Hope you can make it to the meeting as a quorum is required. Cheers Jim Quick

IMPORTANT NOTICES CONTACT DETAILS President: Jim Quick 6284 7109 (H) 0420 763 135 (M) [email protected]

Vice-President: Hugh Petty 0420 534 449 (M)

Secretary: Tiger (Dennis) Lyons 0447 793 001 (M) [email protected]

Treasurer: Tiger (Dennis) Lyons 0447 793 001 (M) [email protected]

Editor VTE: Tiger (Dennis) Lyons 0447 793 001 (M) [email protected]

Advocate: Ray Lipscombe 02 6947 4410 (H) 0418 633 107 (M) [email protected]

Web Manager:

John Curbishley

Association Web Site: Web Manager:

0416 023 919 (M)

http://www.hmassydneyassociation-act.org [email protected]

Please notify the Secretary ([email protected]) if you change your email or home address/contact details. Our postal address is: 10 McCabe Crescent, Holt, ACT 261

MINUTES OF THE THIRTY FIRST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HMAS SYDNEY ASSOCIATION ACT 5 APRIL 2022. 1.

The President opened the 31st Annual General Meeting at 1935 and led those present in the Association Ode. The President asked members present to remember departed shipmates in particular, to remember shipmates Lance Foxon who crossed the bar on 15 April 2021, Ken Cartwright who crossed the bar on 7 December 2021 and Colin Fitzgerald who crossed the bar on 29 March 2022.

2.

Attendance: There were 20 members present with 14 apologies : Attendance: Jim Quick, Tiger Lyons, Hugh Petty, Graeme Bee, Joe Slaats, PJ Davey, Garry Pearson, Doug Collins, Ward Gainey, Sam Hughes, Shorty Kennedy, Geoff Tryde, Graeme Quinn, Peter Hateley, Brian Johnson, Dennis Konemann, Peter Eveille, Ross Haezlewood, Alex McGown, Spud Murphy. Apologies: John Curbishley, Phil Roberts, Ian Spaulding, Mike Hardwick, Harry Josephs, Norm Harrison, Lofty Greig, Dave Semmens, Mike Harrison, Stuart Marshall, Ray Lipscombe, Greg Peters, JJ Harrison, Paul Threlfall.

3.

Minutes of the Previous Annual General Meeting held on the 6th April 2021: The President stated that the minutes of the 6th April 2021 AGM had been published in the April 2022 VTE and it was proposed by Tiger Lyons and seconded by Graeme Bee that they be accepted as read. Carried

4.

Business Arising from the Previous Minutes: There was no business arising from the previous minutes.

5.

President’s Report: We managed to get in one function at Duntroon during the year; a DVA sponsored BBQ and walk. That was a great day. After much consideration of the current COVID situation, and a positive response to the recent email from Tiger we have decided to proceed with our meeting on Tuesday 5th April. I understand that some members may be reluctant to attend a meeting in the current climate but your Executive committee have decided it is time to return to some sort of normality. I understand masks will be required to be worn in the club. There will be an ANZAC March this year but it will be impacted, not so much by COVID, but by the building works taking place at the AWM. We have registered our contingent to participate in the March. We will parade our new HMAS Sydney banner for the first time. At this stage we are not intending to hold an after March function this year. We are basing this decision on the numbers of members we anticipate will attend the March. This decision can be reassessed at the meeting next week. Copied below is ANZAC Day information provided by the AWM:

Veteran's March The RSL (ACT Branch) Veteran's March will commence at 9.30 am. Beginning on Limestone Avenue, it will make its way through the Memorial's Sculpture Garden. Please note there will be no National Ceremony and no seating available. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs and picnic blankets. A designated accessible viewing area with seating is available for people with disability and/or limited mobility and a companion. Anzac Day Address to the Nation Following the Veterans' March, The Anzac Day address to the nation will be televised and live streamed from the Memorial's Commemorative Area. The address will be broadcast on large screens in the Memorial's Sculpture Garden in the western grounds and on Reid Oval. Unquote I think that explains it. A significantly reduced proceeding to what we are accustomed. Once again I understand if you do not want to risk COVID by attending. That is a choice for each individual to make. Please note that the Stone of Remembrance has been moved to the Reg Saunders (Western) courtyard. Our fall in point is not known at this stage but presumably will be somewhere West of the AWM on Limestone Avenue off on Reid Oval. Tiger will send out the details when known. I hope you and your families have been well. Personally I had COVID a few weeks ago but I was one of the lucky ones who suffered no significant symptoms. Fortunately Pat did not get it even though we isolated together. Our next meeting on Tuesday 5th April will also incorporate the AGM. I appreciate some of you may be reluctant to venture out into the COVID world at this stage. If you are prepared to brave it, it would be great to see you. A table has been booked for those who wish to meet for dinner prior to the meeting. I wish you all a Happy and safe Easter. 6.

Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer's report, as attached, was tabled, showing a bottom line of $7010.05. It was proposed by Tiger Lyons and seconded by PJ Davey that the report be accepted. Carried

7.

Election of Office Bearers for 2022/2023: The President handed over to Hugh Petty, who conducted the election for Office Bearers for 2022/2023. All positions were declared vacant and nominations called for filling of those positions. President: Jim Quick. Proposed: Tiger Lyons. Seconded: Hugh Petty. There being no further nominations and Jim Quick having expressed his willingness to accept the nomination was elected unanimously. Hugh Petty handed the meeting to the President, who conducted the election of the remaining office bearers. Patron: Harry Joseph

Proposed: Jim Quick. Seconded: Tiger Lyons.

Vice-President: Hugh Petty

Proposed: Jim Quick. Seconded: PJ Davey

Secretary: Tiger Lyons

Proposed: Jim Quick. Seconded: Joe Slaats

Treasurer: Tiger Lyons

Proposed: Jim Quick. Seconded: Joe Slaats

All members had advised that they were willing to accept nomination and as there were no other nominations for the positions, all were duly elected. Carried Committee: It was proposed by Jim Quick and seconded by Tiger Lyons that John Curbishley, Alex McGown, Graeme Bee, Mike Harrison, Ross Heazelwood and Gary Pearson be re-elected to the committee. All members had advised that they were willing to accept nomination and as there were no other nominations for the committee, all were duly elected. Carried 8.

General Business: Membership Fees 2022/2023: In accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution, the President raised the matter of membership fees for 2022/2023. The President proposed that the fees remain at $15 per annum. It was moved by Jim Quick and seconded by Doug Collins that the proposal be accepted. Carried.

There being no further business, the President closed the 31st Annual General Meeting at 2002.

Jim Quick President

Dennis 'Tiger' Lyons Secretary

MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING OF HMAS SYDNEY ASSOCIATION ACT 7 February 2023

1.

The President opened the 7 February 2023 General Meeting at 1933 and led those present in the Association Ode.

2.

Attendance: Jim Quick, Hugh Petty, Graeme Bee, Paul Threlfall, Shorty Kennedy, Peter Hateley, Garry Pearson, Alex McGown, Graeme Quinn, Peter Cooke-Russell, Peter Eveille, Dennis Konemann, Les Warden, Stuart Marshall.

3.

Apologies: Tiger Lyons, John Curbishley, Ian Spaulding, Mike Hardwick, Harry Josephs, Norman Lee, Brian Johnson, Joe Slaats, Spud Murphy, Ward Gainey, Greg Peters, Sam Hughes, Shorty Kennedy, Geoff Tryde, PJ Davey.

4.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting: Not read but accepted as published in the February 2023 edition of the VTE. Proposed: Peter Cooke-Russell, Seconded: Graeme Quinn.

5.

Carried

Business Arising from the Previous Minutes: a. Annual Dinner arrangements. To be discussed under general business.

6.

President’s Report: As contained in the February 2023 edition of the VTE.

7.

Treasurer’s Report: As attached, showing a bottom line of $7955.81

Jim addressed the income and expenditure in the Financial Statement with an explanation of where the financial status currently stands and where it is predicted to be post the annual dinner. Proposed: Gary Pearson Carried. 8.

Seconded: Peter Hateley.

Correspondence: In: a. email from Adrian Burns - WWII Sea Battle Cruise concept. Jim briefley discussed the proposal including the involvement of the Holland America shipping line and asked if any members present would be interested in attending such a cruise. No one expressed a wish to be involved. Out: Nil Proposed: Peter Hateley

Seconded: Les Warden.

Carried.

9.

General Business: a. Graeme Bee mentioned the passing of Joe Henstock, ex shipwright who served in Sydney during the mid sixties and we missed that at the last meeting. His funeral service was large as he was heavily involved in the Canberra and national hockey scene. Jim also noted that we missed noting the passing of Phil Roberts in the previous minutes, Phil was a member of the association. b. Jim raised the up coming annual dinner and stated that we now have a guest speaker who is Captain Ted Seymour, the ex-captain of Sydney 5. He was the first captain of Sydney 5 and he addressed the annual dinner some years ago before the ship was commissioned and he was commanding officer designate. Also, Jim said the current Sydney commanding officer who has nearly finished his posting and the commanding officer designate may also attend the dinner. c. Jim stated that the dinner cost is set at $50 per head and the association will subsidise the remainder of the cost. Jim proposed that the association put up $250.00 towards drinks. Hugh Petty suggested that a bottle of white and red wine be placed on each table but Jim stated that in the past when this was done not all of the wine had been consumed so it was agreed the money would be put behind the bar. If that money is used up patrons will be required to buy their own drinks. Proposed: Jim Quick

Seconded: Hugh Petty.

d. Peter Cooke-Russell drove to Queensland and back just recently. He had intended to fly and hire a car in Brisbane but was informed that now that he is over 80 he can't hire a vehicle at Brisbane airport. e. Garry Pearson stated that he has had Covid twice and lived to tell the tale. f. Stuart Marshall went on a recent overseas trip and did the river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest and really enjoyed it. Then things went wrong when a bag went missing, someone got Covid, and then they had family troubles. He also recently had a cataract operation that went wrong and he ended up with a hole in the iris of his right eye. Evidently this was caused by his prostate medication which affects fluid levels. One to watch out for if going through the same process. g. Jim asked Peter Eveille to address the meeting on Veterans health care issues with which he is heavily involved. Peter stated that the federal government is providing assistance to the veteran community in the form of a number of 5 million dollar grants to create wellness centres in various locations throughout the country. One of the areas chosen for this is Queanbeyan. For this to proceed requires local participation and the local veteran groups among others are competing for appointment as overseers. To be successful a series of requirements need to be met including the preparation on a business case and a specified training level of those opting to provide the veteran services. Peter

expressed some concern that the older veterans may get left behind in the process and he and some others are working hard to try and prevent that from happening. His brief presentation was concluded with a round of applause from the members. h. Les Warden asked if we had a raffle at the annual dinner and on receiving an affirmative response stated that he had some wine to donate to the cause. Jim suggested that he drop it off at LDK in Tuggeranong which will probably occur some time before the dinner. Les can't make it to the dinner as he has a very important task at an up coming wedding on that day. I. Gary Pearson pointed out that the president appeared in the Canberra Weekly with David Smith MP. As Jim said, all part of the job as the president of the residents committee at LDK. j. Jim raised the issue of attendance at the Anzac Day march and the subsequent post march get together at the RMC Golf Club. The march this year will be similar to last year with limited numbers and held on the western side of the War Memorial. This will limit the number of members attending and will affect our ability to hold a post march function. This matter will be discussed further at the next meeting. 10.

Raffle: 1st Prize Won by: Peter Hateley 2ND Prize Won by: Alex Mac McGown

11.

The President closed the 7 February 2023 General Meeting at 2027

The next Meeting will be the Annual General Meeting and will be held at 1930 on Tuesday 4th April 2023, followed by the 4th April 2023 General Meeting, at the Eastlake Football Club, 3 Oxley St, Griffith, ACT.

Hugh Petty Vice President