AVM G.W (Bill) Reed (Retired) Immediate Past  Patron Emeritus
Queensland Division Patron Emeritus

Patron Emeritus

The previous Patron of the Queensland Division, Air Vice Marshal G.W. Reed, (Retd) was born in Brisbane and educated at Brisbane State High School. Bill graduated from Queensland University (MD, BS) and from Sydney University he earned his BSc with Honours.

Bill began his medical career as a Medical Officer in the RAAF in 1961 followed by the following appointments:

• Senior Medical Officer of RAAF Williamtown 1965 -1966
• CO RNZAF Base Hospital Ohakea 1967-68
• RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine 1968-72
• Senior Medical Officer Amberley, Qld, 1973-75
• Chief of Flight Medicine HQ USAF Tactical Air Command 1975-77
• CO RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine 1978
• PMO HQ Operations Command 1978-79
• Director Medical Plans Air Force 1981-82
• Deputy Director-General Air Force Health Services 1982-84
• Director-General Air Force Health Services 1984-87 (retd.)

Bill Reed is a well respected member of the Queensland Division and in July 2014 he was appointed as the inaugural “Patron Emeritus” of the Division in honour of his valuable service following his retirement from the position of Patron. Bill also received a “Testimony of Appreciation” in recognition of his five years as Patron of the Queensland Division.

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Incorporation

The Queensland Division was incorporated under Letters Patent on the 17th August 1946. The first President of the Division was Matthew James Horne, of 40 Fern Street, Thompson Estate, South Brisbane, an Engineer. Assisting him were the inaugural Vice residents Thomas Edward Duffy, of 32 Miles Street, Wooloowin, a Public Servant and Harvey Tremlet Francis of 48 Deven Street, Annerley a Solicitor.

The above named gentlemen ‘and their successors for ever’ holding the aforesaid offices shall be a Body Corporate by the name of The Australian Flying Corps and Royal Australian Air Force Association, Queensland Division.

The Letters Patent were signed by His Excellency Sir John Dudley Lavarack, Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Knight Commander of Our Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Companion of our Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion of Our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George,Companion of Our Distinguished Service Order.

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Awards

Members of the Queensland Division may become eligible for a number of awards throughout their time with the RAAF Association. Most of these awards are provided by the National body while some are produced by the Division for Queensland members only.

National Awards

• Life Membership
• National Certificate of Merit
• Testimony of Appreciation
• O’Connor Trophy
• National President’s Commendation

Queensland Division Awards

• State Certificate of Merit
• Certificate of Appreciation

Additionally, many branches produce their own certificates for recognition of local people or businesses for help given to the branch.

The qualifications for these awards are demanding and listed below:

• Life Membership
  • Member deserving special recognition
  • 15 years financial membership
  • has rendered at least ten (10) years’ honorary service of an outstanding nature to this Division
• National Certificate of Merit
  • May be awarded to a member or a Branch
  • Member/Branch deserving recognition for outstanding service to the Association
• Testimony of Appreciation
  • A person (including a member or non-member of this Association, an Association or Corporation) whom the Division desires to honour in recognition of services to the Division
• State Certificate of Merit
  • Member deserving recognition for exceptional service, to the RAAFA, rendered at branch level.

Life Members

SURNAME	FIRST NAME	BRANCH	YEAR
HARTMAN	Roy	Cairns	1980
TAYLOR	R (Bob)	South Brisbane	1998
JACKSON	Bill	Cairns	2000
CARLILE	John	Bundaberg	2003
SHANAHAN	Philip	Kawana Waters	2003
HOGAN	Kevin	Cairns	2005
WILSON	John	Bundaberg	2005
MACKAY	Don	Rockhampton	2007
WILSON	Leone	Bundaberg	2007
CARLILE	Rosalee	Bundaberg	2008
WEBSTER	Judy	WRAAF	2009
BOOL	Malcolm	Sandgate	2010
BOWER	Doug	Townsville	2010
GAMES	Ian	Bundaberg	2012
LINCOLN	Roy	Sandgate	2012

National Certificates of Merit

SURNAME	FIRST NAME	BRANCH	YEAR
WALKER	Michael	Bundaberg	1994
CARLILE	John	Bundaberg	1998
WILSON	John	Bundaberg	1998
ALDERSON	Warren	Cairns	2000
MACKAY	Donald Jule	Rockhampton	2000
CARLILE	Rosalee	Bundaberg	2001
WILSON	Leone	Bundaberg	2001
NOLAN	Dierdre	WRAAF	2007
WEBSTER	Judy	WRAAF	2007
DALLAS	Joyce	WAAAF	2008
FORD	Basil	Bundaberg	2008
LAND	George	Gold Coast	2009
LINCOLN	Roy	Sandgate	2010
GAMES	Ian	Bundaberg	2011
HOULSON	Vicky	Logan City	2012
WATSON	Shirley	Bundaberg	2012
THOMAS	Graham	National Servicemen	2012
WOODWARD	Graham	National Servicemen	2012

Testimony of Appreciation

SURNAME	FIRST NAME	BRANCH	YEAR
CAPERN	Alexander	Ipswich	2000
MARTIN	Carmen	Cairns	2000
SUTTON	Ron	National Council	2003
PETERSEN	Paul	Honorary Solicitor	2004
ROSS	Kevin	DVA	2005
ANDREWARTHA	Derek	RAAF Project Officer	2007
RYAN	Darryl	Qld Police Liaison Officer	2008
BRYCE, AM AE	Michael	Patron	2007
BRYCE, AC	Quentin	Qld Governor	2009
VOWLES	Ted	Qld University Sqn	2010

Honorary Members (Division)

SURNAME	FIRST NAME	BRANCH	YEAR
ROSS	Kevin	DVA	2005
MACKRELL	David	DVA	2006
PETERSEN	Paul	Honorary Solicitor	2007
GOODLAND	Paul	Chaplain	2008
STANLEY	Alison	DVA	2012

State Certificate of Merit

SURNAME	FIRST NAME	BRANCH	YEAR
WALTERS	Maxwell	Bundaberg	1999
FORD	Basil	Bundaberg	2002
DALLAS	Joyce	WAAAF	2003
GRAHAM	Esme	WAAAF	2003
KRAUS	Rita	WAAAF	2003
DOWN	Helen Ruth	WAAAF	2004
GILBERT	Phyllis	Gold Coast	2004
LAND	George	Gold Coast	2004
McDONNEL	Ron	Gold Coast	2004
NOLAN	Dierdre	WRAAF	2004
WADDELL	Jack	Gold Coast	2004
WEBB	Clive	Gold Coast	2004
WEBSTER	Judy	WRAAF	2004
HARTIGAN	John	Ipswich	2005
HARTLEY	Leo	Mackay	2005
LINNANE	Dennis	Sandgate	2005
BOOL	Malcom	Sandgate	2005
COOPER	Dawn	WRAAF	2006
BISHOP	Dixon	Kawana Waters	2007
BURGOYNE	Graham	Nambour	2007
CAVANAGH	Eric	Logan City	2007
CLYDESDALE	Bill	Tewantin Noosa	2007
COLLINS	Mary	WAAAF	2007
DOUGHTY	Lance	Kawana Waters	2007
GAMES	Ian	Bundaberg	2007
LINCOLN	Roy	Sandgate	2007
MEWITT	Heather	WRAAF	2007
WATSON	Shirley	Bundaberg	2007
BOWER	Barbara	Townsville	2008
BOWER	Douglas	Townsville	2008
BRUCE	Margaret	WRAAF	2008
FELTON	Peter	Ipswich	2007
HILBIG	Mary	Townsville	2008
SMITH	Bob	Kawana Waters	2008
CROOK	Jim	Ipswich	2009
McWADE	Don	South Brisbane	2009

O’Connor Trophy

National President’s Commendation

In 2013 both the O’Connor Trophy and the National President’s Commendation were awarded to the then Queensland State President, John Carlile. John was the first member of the Queensland Division to receive this double honour.

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Celebrations

WRAAF National Reunion

The 2011 National WRAAF Reunion was held in Brisbane from Friday, 28 January to Sunday, 30 January 2011 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the formation of the WRAAF in January 1951. It was a fantastic weekend, commencing with the official opening of the reunion by Her Excellency The Governor-General of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce AC on Friday night at the cocktail party held at the Mercure Hotel, North Quay Brisbane. It was not common knowledge who was going to officially open the reunion and therefore when Her Excellency’s arrival was announced, the room erupted in cheers and clapping. After her speech and she stepped down from the dias, she was mobbed by the ladies. It was really great to see.

Overall we had 515 register for the reunion but this number decreased to 447 by the date of the reunion for various reasons, mainly ill health, family functions and some because of the flooding as they were cut off and could not get to Brisbane. Unfortunately we did not have any ex-WAAAF attend, while about 6 WAAAF did register for the reunion, over time they all cancelled. However, we had ex-WRAAF from every state and territory in Australia for the reunion.

The Reunion Committee did not contemplate cancelling the reunion because of the impending flooding. Planning for the reunion started back in 2009 and we felt we had come too far to postpone or cancel it, especially when the hotel was not affected at all by the flooding. The only concern for the weekend was the lunch cruise on the Kookaburra Queen on Sunday.

On Saturday night, 29 January 2011, a formal dinner was held at the Mercure Hotel and attended by 447 ex-WRAAF. Our MC was Mrs Robyn Moore, National Patron of Make A Wish Australia who really got the girls into the swing of things for an enjoyable evening. Our guest speaker was Wing Commander Mary Anne Whiting (Retd) who rose through the ranks of the WRAAF to become a commissioned officer in the RAAF and served for nearly 40 years. Mary Anne gave a very interesting talk on her time in the WRAAF and RAAF, reflecting on old and new attitudes towards females in the Defence Forces and how times had changed since her entry into the WRAAF in 1970.

On Sunday, 30 January 2011, a church service was held in St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, St Paul’s Terrace, Spring Hill and was attended by approximately 200 ex-WRAAF members. Some photos are attached. Rev. Tim Hodgson, RAAF Chaplain at RAAF Base Amberley delivered the sermon. The church service was followed by a luncheon cruise on the Kookaburra Queen on the Brisbane River. This was the only concern we had when the flooding occurred because initially the company cancelled all cruises but eventually were given permission to moor at Bretts Wharf (rather than Southbank or Eagle Street Pier, both of which were damaged) and to cruise down the river towards the mouth. This proved to be a very pleasant afternoon on the murky Brisbane River but a lovely lunch was served and luckily there was plenty of wine on board. We actually had 2 boats as the first boat which held 300 was full by July 2010 so they were able to put on a second boat for us which held about another 100. We had organised Brisbane City Council buses to move the ladies from the hotels to the church and then to the wharf for the cruise and return to the hotel.

From 2009 the WRAAF Branch Brisbane held raffles, bring and buy tables and organised the sale of a 2010 WRAAF Calendar to raise funds for the reunion. Also we had a range of memorabilia for sale at the reunion which included tea towels, memo pads, handbag hooks and car stickers, all of which were very popular. We were successful in our application for a DVA Saluting Their Service grant for $3000 and the RAAF Association Qld Division donated $1000 towards the reunion. We also received other donations and raffle prizes from other RAAFA Branches and ex-service individuals. In August 2010 we asked RSL Qld for a donation for the reunion but unfortunately we are still waiting for a reply but we have heard unofficially that our request was denied.

Trevor Benneworth, editor of the RAAF Radschool magazine came to the cocktail party on Friday night to interview some of the ladies for an article for his magazine. A link to the magazine article is attached, however, his article refers to our service as RAAF not WRAAF. He was very lucky we gave him permission to do this as these WRAAF reunions are usually “women only” !! However, we did officially invite John Carlile, the State President of RAAF Association Qld Division, to the cocktail party as Michael Bryce was originally to accompany Her Excellency but at the last minute did not come with her. John still enjoyed himself (how could he not with all those ex-WRAAFs !!).

This was the largest reunion held so far.The reunions began in the late 70’s, early 80’s and are usually held every 2 years. So far they have been held in Sydney, Melbourne, Beechworth, Perth, Adelaide and Toowoomba. The 50th anniversary reunion was held in Toowoomba in January 2001 and about 370 attended.

Everyone had a great time, the Reunion Committee have received numerous emails, cards and letters saying how much everyone enjoyed themselves, some saying “it was the best reunion ever”. We all had a great time catching up with old and new friends and looking forward to the next one in Perth in 2013.

Rosemary Coleman WRAAF Branch Secretary

St Paul’s Presbyterian Church WRAAF Service

by Fran McCoy (Photographs: Robert McCoy)

A commemorative service was held in our Church on 30th January this year to recognise the service of our women in the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF). As our state reeled from the impact of the floods on the lives of so many communities, it was uplifting to recognise the positive influence of our defence forces in the clean up and re-building process and to listen to the message of the Reverend Tim Hodgson, RAAF Chaplain, as he highlighted the quiet deeds and the support offered over many disasters to the people of Queensland; the courage, the hope and the willingness of communities to rebuild, and the strength and grace of the Lord that we can draw on to help us also rebuild our own lives.

The WRAAF members who helped to fill our church and worship with us have a proud history and came from across Australia to be part of the reunion hosted in Brisbane. The flag bearers, Mrs Dianne Pickering and Mrs Linde Cavanagh and banner bearer, Mrs Rosemary Coleman heralded the commencement and closure of the service as they proudly carried the flags. God’s Word was read by Mrs Cheryl Souvlis and Mrs Hazel Harrington. Ms Emily Allan played both the Last Post and Reveille as the wreath was laid before our honour board.

Thank you members of the WRAAF for sharing this special time with us at St Paul’s. Thank you for your service to our country, for the sacrifice of so many women who did not return home to friends and family, and for the ongoing support so quietly given to communities not only in Queensland, but also across Australia. May the Grace of our Lord be with you all.

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Indigenous Veterans Ceremony

As part of Reconciliation Week, the Queensland Branch of the RSL held a ceremony in honour of the Indigenous Members of the Armed Forces of Australia. This service was supported by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

The service was held at the Shrine of Rembrance, Anzac Square Brisbane on the 1st June 2010 commencing at 11.00am and was attended by many Ex-Service people. Mr Ricky Renouf, member of Redcliffe Branch Queensland Division represented the State President and the Queensland Division.

Bomber Command Ceremony

On Sunday, June 3rd, a service commemorating the men of World War Two Bomber Command was conducted at the Memorial Garden RAAF Amberley. The service was organised by Branch President Ted Vowles, and members of the Queensland University Branch of the Queensland Division, RAAF Association. This is the third year that the ceremony jas been held on behalf of Bomber Command and the day re-inforces the recognition of the outstanding effort and contribution made by the members of Bomber Command in furthering the successful outcome of World War Two. This year we also saw a contingent of Bomber Command Veterans travel to London for the unveiling of a memorial to Bomber Command.

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Links

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE This page links to Government Ministers, the Navy, the Army and the Air Force. The web page also contains the latest defence news.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS The Veteran Affairs Department provides support for those who serve or have served in the defence forces.

MILITARY HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA This web page provides links to other sites relating to military history.

RAAF AIRPOWER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE This site includes a link to Airforce History and a list of all Air Marshals (ACM, AM AVM).

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE SERIALS This site consists of a complete list of aircraft operated by the Australian Defence Force. brief summaries about the aircrafts’ history, their current status and whether they are currently flying as Warbirds or are on static display.

AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS The Australian Air Force Cadets web page provides existing and prospective cadets with information about all aspects of the organisation.

LIST OF AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADET SQUADRONS WEBSITES in QUEENSLAND

• 212 SQUADRON AAFC (Ciry of Redcliffe)

• 215 SQUADRON AAFC (Holland Park)

• 218 SQUADRON AAFC (Sherwood)

• 223 SQUADRON AAFC (Caloundra)

AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS Australian Air Force Headquarters opens at the structure of the RAAF and links to other areas of the official RAAF site.

RADIO SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

AIRFORCE NEWS

NATIONAL ARCHIVES Records, photographs, fact sheets etc.

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National Council

The National President is Air Vice-Marshal Brent Espeland AM (Retired)

The overall guidance of the individual State and Territory Divisions is vested in the National Council based in the Australian Capitol Territory. This Council comprises the National Executive and the Presidents of each Division.

The National Council conducts two (2) physical meetings and a number of electronic hook up meetings each year. One of the physical meetings is the Annual General Meeting and is held in various locations throughout Australia. Recent AGM’s have been held in:

• 2012 Adelaide
• 2011 Brisbane
• 2010 Sydney
• 2009 Hobart
• 2008 Perth

The 2012-13 schedule of Council meetings is

• 1 August Electronic
• 17 October Electronic
• 28 November Face to Face ACT
• 13 February 2013 Electronic
• 1 May Electronic
• 12 June AGM Canberra

National Executive

The members of the National Executive are elected for a period of two (2) years and may be re-elected for another two periods, making a total of six (6) years maximum in the one position.

In addition to the normal positions of President, Secretary and Treasurer there are three Vice Presidential portfolios,
* Governance
* Communications and Media
* Advocacy and Entitlements

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National Servicemen

BRANCH EXECUTIVE

President
Mr Robert Burns
(07) 3369 9992
RJFBurns@yahoo.com.au

Secretary
Mr Allan Jamieson
(02) 3245 4362
allanj@powerup.com.au

Treasurer
Mr Robert Morrison
(07) 3355 7415
Meetings
This branch consists mainly of men who served during the first group of conscriptsbetween 1951 and 1956.

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Brief History of Queensland University Squadron

The University Gazette of May 1951 noted that the Queensland University Squadron RAAF was formed on November 2, 1950. The Courier Mail of 3rd November 1950 reported, “Students yesterday flooded the RAAF with applications to join the Queensland University Air Squadron”. This was an exciting start to 23years of achievement by the Squadron.

Approximately 600 Squadron cadets completed training and graduated as Commissioned Officers of the RAAF. Some continued to have a career in the RAAF gaining high rank. One of these, Air Vice- Marshall (Bill) G. W. Reed (Retd), currently Patron RAAF Association, Queensland Division, joins me in recommending this appeal to you. It is clear also that Squadron cadets accepted the challenge of their Squadron motto “PERITUS AC PARATUS”, (Skilled and Ready). Former members of the Squadron have gained significant recognition in most of the professions, in literature, in music, in sport, in academia and in community awards for achievement.

The University was closely involved with such matters as Graduation Parades, the RAAF Undergraduate Scheme and certification of the award of degrees to Squadron members. Professor C.S. Davis DFC, Head of the Department of Mathematics, was appointed as Commandant of the Squadron with the rank of Wing Commander and served in that capacity from 1960 to 1969. In recent times the support provided to former Squadron members by Mr Douglas Porter, in his capacity as Secretary and Registrar of the University was crucial in re-establishing links of the Squadron to the University. He represented the University at the Squadron reunion on the 16 March 2005. The reunion commenced with a reception at Government House hosted by the then Governor of Queensland, Ms Quentin Bryce AC. This was followed by a dinner at the United Services Club and on the following day a visit to Amberley was arranged A stated aim of this reunion was to start a process of raising funds to establish a permanent record of the Squadron as part of the history of the University.

Unveiling of Squadron Badge

Again true to the Squadron’s motto and some creative thinking, the idea of carving the Squadron badge on a column capital facing out on to the Great Court was presented to Douglas Porter on 29 May 2007. But first Air Force Headquarters approval had to be sought to use the badge for this purpose. This was given on 7 August 2007. On 17 September 2009 the University Senate approved the proposal with Dr Rhyl Hinwood to be the appointed Sculptor. The University Regiment also adopted the idea of having their badge carved on a column next to the Squadron’s and both will be officially unveiled by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia at a formal ceremony on the morning of 3 July 2010.

The Great Court badge carving provides a permanent record of the Squadron as part of the University and “Honours the Past”.

Annual Prize or Scholarship for AAFC Cadets, Past or Current

A further contribution arising from the “Queensland University Squadron Alumni Centenary Appeal” would be to “Continue the Tradition” by the award of annual prize to a past or current member of the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) or an adult instructor of the AAFC, who has successfully completed one year of an undergraduate degree course. The prize will be developed within University Senate rules. The value of the prize will depend on the total funds raised by way of donation.

Donations are very welcome and may be made by contacting the Branch President Mr Ted Vowles.

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RAAF Birthday Parade

State President John Carlile & AIRCDRE Chris Sawade CSC.

Each year the Queensland Division organises a Street Parade and Commemoration Service in Brisbane to celebrate the Birthday of the Royal Australian Air Force. The veterans, serving personnel and Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) march down George Street finishing in Queen’s Park where the ceremony is held. The celebration is held on the Sunday that is closest to the 31^st of March each year.

The RAAF and the AAFC recognise this parade and ceremony as official events and lend their support. Other organisations that support the parade include the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, the Services Canteen, Jeep Association.

Operational assistance is provided by Jupitor’s Casino, Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Police Service.

Marchers form up outside the old Parliament House at the top end of George Street at 9.00am under the guidance of the Parade Marshall, Robert Chestermaster and his assistants. The parade moves off at 9.30am passing the saluting dais located opposite Charlotte Street where the Reviewing Officer takes the salute. The parade then proceeds around the corner into Elizabeth Street where the marchers are dismissed and they take up positions in Queens Park for the Commemoration Service starting at 10.00am.

The Reviewing Officer is the Senior RAAF Officer Queensland and many VIPs or their representatives attend the celebration, including the:

• Governor of Queensland;
• Queensland Premier;
• Queensland Opposition Leader;
• Lord Mayor;
• Queensland Police Commissioner;
• Senior Officer of 1^st Division Army; and
• Senior Naval Officer

An article on the 88th Birthday Parade

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RAAFA Merchandise

ITEM	COST
Large Membership badge (new members only)	N/C
Large Membership Badge	$10.00
Large Members Brooch	$10.00
Dress Tie Badge with Bar	$18.50
RAAFA Embroidered Cloth Badge	$15.00
RAAFA Tie	$25.00
RAAFA Car Stickers	$2.30
RAAFA Wall Plaque	$33.00
RAAFA Shirt – short sleeve	$38.00
RAAFA Shirt – long sleeve	$38.00
(please supply separate list of shirt sizes required)
RAAF Ensign 8’X4′ (subsidised) (One only per Branch)	$100.00
RAAF Ensign 6’X4′ (fully sewn)	$145.00