NMW Report Archives - RAR National Memorial Walk

January 6, 2021 by Ted Chitham Leave a Comment

NMW Report – 21 December 2020 Activities

This Monday was the last formal work activity for the year and included our annual break-up BBQ breakfast.

Most of us ‘early birds’ were active from 5.30 am to finalise the work tasks and prepare the Walk for the long hot summer days until we formally return on 11 January 2021.

But we know that Robert Cross, Rod Newham, Mick van Burgh, Ken Falvey, Ken Cupples, Shippy and Doug and many others will be frequent informal visitors to help me do the watering and clean up the ravages of our hot and often violent weather (it is the Cyclone season).

The Northern Garden (to be dedicated as the 3 RAR Commemorative Garden) plantings are complete with the Poinsettias finally arriving from Mexico. In keeping with our Regimental colour theme (Red and Green) the mulch cover will be Red Cypress Uluru. We are planning with Bob Dabinett (3 RAR Association) for the commemorative opening to be on Monday 1^st March 2021.

Memorial Service

We had our monthly memorial recognition service at the Contemplation Building. Here we recognise the passing of those RAR men who we know have died in the month. Major General Mike Jeffrey was one of those recognised on Monday also the tragic and unexplainable suicides of the two soldiers from both battalions here at Enoggera and, as usual, many of DA remembered mates who have passed on.

# Check 5

As noted in my last Report, we support the Open Arms program as shown in the photo. Our enthusiasm was to up the ante by holding high two hands. Does this mean we committed to check 10 mates? However, if you do the maths and you ring five mates and they in turn ring 5 mates then they ring 5…in a perfect world it would not take long to know the health or otherwise of our Regimental Family.

BBQ – Breakfast

Dave, Shippy and their helpers prepared a wholesome meal: steak, sausages and rissoles with salads, bread rolls and cold goffas. Bob Kyte’s wife Audrey provided dessert with her baked date slice and cup-cakes. The camaraderie was well and truly evident because even with their mouths full of wonderful food the volume of chatter never decreased.

Appreciation

I offered my appreciation to Dad’s Army for their dedication to the NMW and their willingness to be on call to assist above and beyond their “pay-grade”, and to my management committee for their active support.

In giving my greetings for the Christmas season and a happy and healthy New Year, I encouraged all to take care and # Check 5.

In response Ted, on behalf of DA, thanked me for success in the management of the Walk and in developing future plans to promote the Walk to the RAR Battalions, the RAR Family and the Australian people.

Until next year, which we will officially start on Monday 11^th Jan, stay safe and well.

Duty First

Dave McDonald
Manager
RAR NMW
28 December 2020

December 19, 2020 by Ted Chitham Leave a Comment

NMW Report – 19 December 2020

A very thirsty Walk welcomed 130mm over the week and more since. It will do wonders for the place but in other ways be a hindrance such as it is too wet to have the turf cut and delivered and the Western Bank will now have turf laid in the new year. Another downsize is Wombat’s nemesis, the dreaded weeds: they are everywhere.

A small price to pay I suppose but on a positive note we have spread Searles Lawn Booster on all green areas and madly spraying the gardens with Searles 5 in 1 Fertilizer. And it has softened the lawn for aerating.

The strong winds that came with the rain has done minimal damage apart from ripping the ridge cover off the BBQ shelter and stripping all the bark off the gum trees. The area between the Korea and Vietnam Gardens looks like a brown shaggy carpet has been laid. It will take some doing to get rid of it but will have to be done before it dries out completely as it will make the perfect fuel for a fire.

Last Monday it teemed with rain but a few of us turned up anyway. Me, mainly to assess any damage, and as you can see in a couple of photos four or five of the usual suspects turned up. You can see Rod Newham with his power washer going, he didn’t think the place was wet enough. And I am sure, a bit like Arthur Willemse , Mick Vanburgh needs his weekly spin on the shoulder blower. I give him an A for determination as he got rid of most of the dead leaves. However, it was impossible to mow so all the leaves are on the lawns, but we did manage to rake up most of them and put into bins.

All in all, everyone, as usual is chipping in and achieving their tasks as well as additional ones. For example

Therese Muggeridge (Muggy’s widow) has done a mighty job up at NMW southern entrance (the 1 Division end) cleaning up and planting begonias in all the bare patches.
Ken Cupples continues to amaze us with his dedication: he is always there and keeps coil and spark plug dry and working in his little Red Tractor and trailer – he is everywhere picking up deadfall and tree debris.

On our sick list we report:

Darryl Backwell is back in the Mater hospital with another recurrence of his scoliosis.
Mal Black took a fall at home and hit the back of his head. I just rung him to find out how he was and he replied in his inimitable conversational way “I’m vertical. Hoo Roo” so I guess that means he is OK!!
Margaret Deveroux is continuing her treatment. We all send our regards to Margaret and miss her presence: not to mention her delightful smoko treats.
Ron Woodrow is still recovering and healing. I am having trouble getting him a gate pass. We would dearly love to see Ron and Ivy next Monday, I can come down to the Lloyd St gate and sign them in.

On Monday 21^st December Dad’s Army will, after its normal work, have its Break- Up BBQ smoko. It gives me the opportunity to thank all our Dad’s Army volunteers for their dedicated loyalty and commitment in this Covid 19 year to our RAR Family to keep the memory of our fallen warriors and our Regimental Spirit Alive.

Suicide Concern

We were terribly saddened by the news of the two young soldiers from both the Battalions here at Enoggera Barracks that took their own lives recently.

We at DA keep the memory of our fallen warriors alive under the RARA’s National motto “Keeping the Spirit Alive”. But that motto also encompasses both current and past serving living members of the Royal Australian Regiment and their families (The Regimental Family) through our duty to care for each other.

Sadly, we as the Regiment missed the crack that these young blokes fell through.

As part of our Regimental Family, we have a “mob” called Kilcoy Diggers (KD). This “mob” is ably led by Rod Slater an ex RSM of 8/9 RAR. They assist the Kilcoy Race Club (KRC) to conduct all races on its calendar by setting up prior to, assist where needed on the race day and then dismantle and stow everything after the event. In return KRC donates an amount of money to KD who distributes it to worthy causes of like-minded Ex Service Organizations. Many of DA are members of KD.

A Go Fund Me page was set up for Shane Holt of 8/9 RAR and KD donated the $1000.00 from KRC to Shane’s family. After all it is what families do!

Rod wrote the following to accompany the donation:

“Kilcoy Diggers is a volunteer group of primarily ex Diggers & Partners, many of whom served in 8/9RAR. We assist Kilcoy Race Club to conduct their major race days for which we receive a donation which we in turn then donate to a worthy Ex Service Organisations or Groups. Our donation from the race meeting on 29 November could not go to a more worthy cause. We extend our most sincere sympathies & condolences to the Family & Friends…DUTY FIRST”

Open Arms – Veterans and Family Counselling – #Check5

This year has presented significant challenges for everyone, in the way of natural disasters, the COVID pandemic and with particular impact on the veteran community – the release of the IGADF Report. These have resulted in an increased focus on maintaining mental health and wellbeing and a recognition of the power of connection.

Over the holiday period, we’re encouraging all current and former ADF personnel and their family members to square away their mental health and check in with 5 people in their lives. #Check5

Connect with them, yarn with them and motivate them to act.

For more on how to connect and start a conversation: https://www.openarms.gov.au/check-5…

In closing I would like to wish you and yours a very happy and joyous Christmas and a well earned break. To me Dad’s Army people are the epitome of everything held dear in the Regiment: your loyalty, your mateship which includes the camaraderie often shown by the ANZAC spirit that we possess and are all rightly proud of and your commitment to the task in hand to achieve what we do in Keeping the Spirit Alive for Warriors past and present. The hope a new year without the rigors and trials of the present is one to bring you peace and happiness to all.

Remember another one of my sayings – out there are ex politicians, ex teachers and ex whatever but there is no such thing as an ex veteran. Stay proud of what you did and stay safe and see you all in 2021

Duty First

Dave McDonald
Manager
RAR NMW

19 December 2020

November 24, 2020 by Ted Chitham Leave a Comment

NMW REPORT – NOVEMBER 2020

Hello All,

Everyone well? I hope so.

Healthwise, I am aware of Kiwi and Margaret in RSL Care’s Fairview, Ron Woodrow still limping around at home, Margaret Devereaux still fighting on at home with Norm healing after his op. However, on the bright side Rod Wyatt turned up last week and looked resplendent astride his trusty steed, the red Ride-On Mower. Between he and Kucksy they had the lawns looking neat and trim in no time. The other good news is that Darryl Backwell has finished his stint in hospital and is convalescing back home. And Bob Kyte is back as a brand new man after an expected overnight stay in hospital extended to 10 days.

The old and bold and the usual have turned up over the last couple of weeks and as usual the Walk is looking as well as it can be although a bit messy in some areas where work in progress is ongoing mainly the Western Bank: the turf delivery has been delayed till the second week in December. The Northern Garden is still awaiting the Poinsettias to arrive from Mexico and the Russellias (Firecrackers) to start flowering but the Rosemary is doing well. All that will be needed then is a watering system to be installed and some fresh mulch and it will look a treat.

Our special Remembrance Day service at the NMW for the 145 pupils of the McDowall State School went well. A full report will be presented in the December Report. Over the years we have built a special relationship with the School which has a good number of Defence family children.

I am still persevering with lawn in front of the Contemplation Building (CB) and it is doing reasonably well although it is suffering from heavy foot traffic. I have mentioned this before that Defence were going to put in a pedestrian path there but they started at the other end and apparently ran out of money or materials when they got to the far side of Kapyong car park driveway hence the hapless hordes instead of crossing the road to the other footpath across our grass then they have to navigate the Military Police car park until they find another footpath to continue their journey. I am tempted to plant Murraya as an all-round hedge but might run into a bit of trouble as there are gas cocks, water cocks and electrical manholes that all need access by emergency services.

Here is Doug Spice, our Waterman. We presented him a small knick knack made of wire, nuts, washers and bolts that represents his job. Ted donated it for presentation in appreciations of Doug’s never-ending quest to direct water (with pressure) to where it is needed. The cost/benefits of a timed irrigation system is being assessed

Here I am giving the new IET march ins to 8/9 RAR a briefing on the Regimental’s NMW and with the 8/9 RAR Padre Leo Orreal reciting and introducing them to The Regimental Prayer.

Greg Decker, the NMW’s Project Officer getting some help from a 6 RAR IET work party. The help from both units 6 RAR and 8/9 RAR is very much appreciated and the new soldiers leave with a fair idea of what is The Royal Australian Regiment and its Regimental Family. They see the Regimental motto Duty First expanded on by the RAR Associations and the National Memorial Walk to a motto of Keeping The Spirit Alive.

But as we all know it can’t be done in half an hour or so as it is a long learning curve which must be lived to be appreciated.

Today at the Walk a lot of small jobs like re-staking of leaning trees as well as the normal raking of leaves among the trees were completed. Which will soon be a serious job when both Battalions training allows as the fuel (leaves and branches) among the trees will need to be removed as the fire season is soon to be here.

A major task that is taking some doing is the discovery and removal of carpet in certain areas of the trees. No mean feat as the roots, over the years, have claimed the carpet as their own and are loath to give it up. A job needing to be undertaken because when and if it rains it needs to naturally soak into the ground and not the carpet.

All in all, things are progressing and the area looks as well as it can be expected with the general lack of rain.

Today with Ted, I escorted our Patron Major General Stuart Smith and DVA’s Repatriation Commissioner Don Spinks on a show and tell visit of The Walk. It was Don’s first visit and he was impressed with its purposes, presentation and the dedication of the Regiment and particularly Dad’s Army to keeping the spirit alive. Stuart expressed concern at the reducing number of visitors by the entry and escort limitations being imposed.

Here is the latest Dad’s Army photograph. What a fine bunch of elder retired warriors. Ages range from 72 to 94

Front Row: Left-Right- Ken Cupples, Dan Penman, Ken Falvey, Dave McDonald, Doug Spice, Ted Chitham, Theresa Muggeridge, Rod Shaw, Derek Nixon-Smith.
Back Row: Left-Right – Cec Zabielo, Arthur McDonald, Louis Kucks, Mick van Brugh, Alan Wendt, Rod Newham, Trevor Pond, Allan Wayne, Bob Kyte, Mal Black, Barry Shipway and Robert Cross

That about wraps it up for the month. Keep safe, look out for a mate and remember by your actions you are Keeping the Spirit Alive.

Happy 72^nd Birthday to the Royal Australian Regiment (23 November 1948)

Regards

Dave

Manager RAR NMW