Now that our busy Secretary Bob Fletcher has taken on the additional task of Welfare Officer, it has become critical that he has the support of an Assistant Secretary. The position has been vacant since the beginning of the year. The job of Assistant Secretary is not an onerous one and simply requires someone to take brief notes at General and Committee meetings and to provide occasional help to the Secretary as required. Note taking at meetings does not require any special skill but it is of invaluable assistance to the Secretary. Bob is flat out keeping abreast of the procedure at meetings without the distraction of trying to take notes at the same time.

Out of our membership of some 120, surely there is one person who can spare the time to take on the Assistant Secretary role. The previous incumbent is quite prepared to provide word processing templates as well as friendly and helpful advice to a willing volunteer.

If you can help, please contact Bob Fletcher on 6288 8993.

At the 2010 Annual General Meeting, due to ill health Tony Sullivan stood down from the position of Branch Welfare Officer. Tony has been with our Association for many years and was the inaugural President of the Queanbeyan-Canberra Sub-Branch of the NSW Branch Inc, NSAA. Tony relinquished the position of President in 2007 and Garry Hand was subsequently elected President. Fortunately for us, at the same AGM Tony nominated and was elected to the very important position of Welfare Officer. In this role, Tony helped a great number of our members during their very difficult times. His compassion and assistance will be sadly missed by all.

However, it is our very pleasant duty to advise all members that the position has now been filled by our ever busy Branch Secretary, Bob Fletcher. Bob has recently completed a training course for Welfare Officers and has already involved himself in Branch welfare matters along with his busy Secretary duties. Bob asks that if you know, or are aware of a member or family requiring welfare assistance would you please contact him on phone number 6288 8993.

There continue to be scams circulating purporting to come from agencies such as Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and the Australian Tax office (ATO), advising of "financial benefits" in return for obtaining passwords, personal and other bank account information. Some of these scams are targetting ex-National Servicemen. As you all should be well aware, DVA and ATO along with banks, credit unions and other legitimate financial organisations NEVER ask for personal banking details via e-mails so such requests should be ignored and deleted from your system. Should you have any doubts about this, contact DVA, ATO or the purported financial institution to satisfy yourself of the legitimacy or otherwise of the communication.

Canberra Services Club Update.

You should all be aware that in April this year, fire destroyed most of the Canberra Services Club where we have been holding our meetings for a number of years. Fortunately, all of our equipment and honour boards survived the fire. However, we will not be able to meet at the Club in the foreseeable future so monthly meetings are now being held at the Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson Street WESTON.

The management of the Canberra Services Club have asked that all members contact the Club and confirm their membership details as all records were lost in the fire. Confirmation can be e-mailed to the Club on  info@canberraservicesclub.com.au or by phone on  (02) 6295 1389.

National Service Memorial Dedication Photographs.

We are proud to advise that the photographs of the Dedication Service March by Year of intake is now on the photo section of our web site.

Please feel free to download a copy for your personal record.

John Bertles