We are on the cusp of some very exciting times which are happening at the Vietnam Veterans Federation S.A. Branch.

Since my last report we have had many magic moments at the Federation, with a number of our Pension (Entitlement) Officers being in full flight. 

 

On our last Tuesday before we broke up for our well earned Christmas break, we were conducting four interviews at a time. The extraordinary factor was that our clients had come from all over the State, including the Riverland, Eyre Peninsular, the Copper Triangle as well as Two Wells and Gawler. Garth has also been helping a young Veteran in Tasmania via Facebook. This is exactly how I understand the direction of the Vietnam Veterans Federation to be in the near and long-time future, especially by using the latest technology.  This will assist us while helping our serving and former serving Veterans with their claims with the DVA, and other Welfare problems associated with this very dramatic change to their lives.

 

We have submitted our concerns with the handling of the Rehabilitation of our younger veterans to the State Veterans’ Advisory Council. We have also sent a copy to the Deputy Commissioner of the DVA. This paper was also on the Agenda of our National Executive Meeting, which we hosted in Adelaide on the 8th December 2011. Garth addressed the meeting, with a very deep compassion and understanding of this subject.

 

The National President was so impressed with Garth’s presentation, that he personally invited Garth to present his case to the ESO Round table in Canberra; as part of the National Federation Team.  This will happen in the New Year.

 

The general consensus of our guests was that the meeting was a huge success and they were immensely impressed with the workings of our State Branch. 

This was achieved by the very diligent effort of our Committee, with special mention to our secretary, Gail Ryan who was like a mother hen to all of the delegates. 

This also included the organising of the Hotel Courtesy Bus to be available to transport the delegates between the Morphett Arms Hotel and the Federation clubrooms on 5 occasions.

 

We had invited all the National members to attend our Volunteers Dinner on the night of the 8th, and also to attend our Christmas Lunch on the 9th, however the delegate from Tasmania had to leave early on Friday morning, so Eric Ciracovitch duly delivered him to the Adelaide Airport on time. After the lunch Phil Lambert, Chris Norman and Herb Ryan transported the National members safely to the Adelaide Airport for their flights back home to their respective states.

 

I sincerely thank them for their efforts in making sure that the whole episode further enhanced our reputation as the do it State. 

We also had one of our Pension (Entitlement) Officers drive down from Darwin, (He doesn’t like to fly, and The Ghan was on the wrong days). The whole set-up of our offices was an eye opener for him and made him feel like he was a part of our smooth functioning Pension family.

 

The entire week was a huge success for us, and was only disrupted when I lost the plot during the Christmas Lunch. I apologise sincerely to all of those innocent people who were offended by my rant. However I stand by what I said as the guilty behaviour of a few people, who think that they can please themselves, at our expense was totally unacceptable, and will not be tolerated.

 

Take care of yourselves over the holidays. We hope to see you all at sometime in the future around the Clubrooms. We offer you our hospitality over a cup of coffee. Don’t forget a problem shared is only half a problem. 

 

Regards

Gilly