National Service and Combined Forces Association of Australia Inc.

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National Administrative body

PRESIDENT'S REPORT TO 2011 AGM

Good morning all, what a show we saw last September at the Australian War Memorial. We ,as an association, be it small, can be very proud of our part in making it all possible. Financially we, as they say now `punched above our weight' in fact well above. The memorabilia produced for the event was extremely good and I for one was most happy to have some of it to hand down to the grand children.

I take this opportunity to formally introduce Max Bunter our National Secretary to all present. We are very lucky indeed to have Max on the National Team. Welcome and thanks mate.

You will see a little later that the National Branch is in a very sound financial position and for this we owe a thank you to Mrs Soucila Tompsett. We will hear from her soon.

The time has come for us to implement some changes and we can do this today. Formally recognizing the part that our associate members play in not only our branches but at National level as well will be a big step forward. Also including our non Nasho folk is very important. Let's make this meeting one to remember as we take that important step into the future.

Our National Patron Maj. Gen. Adrian Clunies‑Ross sends his regards to us all for a fruitful, harmonious meeting and trusts that the time we spend together will have been worthwhile and that we can all leave here tonight knowing we have done our best for the future of the association.

Thank you

Items Resolved at the AGM in 2011 at Goulburn

Prayer for the
NATIONAL SERVICE & COMBINED FORCES ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

Almighty God, Our heavenly Father,
We remember with thanksgiving those who made the supreme
Sacrifice for us during their periods of National Service.

We pray the offering of their lives may not have been in vain.

Dear Lord in your wisdom, bless and keep safe, our own and other
serving and ex‑serving members of the Defence Forces

We prayer also for our associate members who so willingly give their
time in support of our association.

May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause
Of justice, freedom, and peace
And give us wisdom and strength to build a better world.

For the honor of your name through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

PROTOCOL RE THE WEARING OF HEAD WEAR

WHAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IS THAT WE ARE WEARING ASSOCIATION
DRESS, NOT A UNIFORM, THEREFORE WE SHOULD ACT AS CIVILIANS

This is a matter of courtesy and these simple rules are set down as a civilian courtesy.

The head wear should be REMOVED during the following:

I                       The playing of the NATIONAL ANTHEM
2                      The playing of the LAST POST, throughout the silence during the ROUSE
3                      During the raising and lowering of FLAGS
4                      At a MARCH PAST as a form of salute
5                      Immediately after the LAYING OF A WREATH The person laying the wreath
                        walks/marches up to the memorial with the head wear on, lays the wreath, takes
                        one pace back, removes the head wear, bows the head for a moment, turns about,
                        replaces the head wear and smartly walks/marches away

MAITLAND & DISTRICT NSCFAA BRANCH.

2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Since the last National AGM the Maitland Branch has continued to be active and increased its membership and attendance at its meetings. The past twelve months has seen an average attendance of 31 members at its monthly meetings compared to 25 average attendances in the previous twelve months. Our membership is currently 70 members and application forms have been sought for more potential members. An invitation was sent to members of Lower Hunter Branch to join us after their Branch closed of whom four took up the offer. Last September a bus load of our members visited Canberra for the AGM and the National Service Memorial dedication and an enjoyable time was enjoyed by all especially as the weather was very kind also. It is a policy of the Branch to send representatives for all invitations received, if received in sufficient time. Our own events are planned well in advance especially after some near disasters occurring due to short notices of the events. These near disasters, however, resulted in being a success but with less numbers than predicted. Apart from the Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies the Branch have participated in a trip to Victoria Barracks, where we were guests of the Sergeants Mess, a bus trip to Timbertown, a picnic day at Walka Water Works which ended up at the LintotCs home due to the cold, very windy weather. A large number of members attended the Reserve Forces Day parade in Newcastle where some of the spouses received a commemorative medallion for their support. The Branch's next event is a "Xmas in July" luncheon where some local NSCFAA branches will be attending for a jovial day of fun and eating. Maitland will be holding its annual Christmas luncheon on the last Saturday in November after the huge success of the 2010 luncheon. We were entertained by the ‑Maitland Tenors" with some song renditions by the Patrons and a wholesome Christmas fare was also enjoyed. The Branch is now registered for the Premier's Senior Concerts held in Sydney and look forward to attending the Christmas Seniors Concert. During the year there has been fund‑raising activities performed where the sale of raffle tickets was able to make a donation of $1200.00 for the Maitland Palliative Care Unit which was being used to purchase some equipment to make their patients' lives more comfortable. This year the raffle ticket sales have been put on the back‑burner and after the success of our sausage sandwich stall in support of the Veterans Support Group garage sale, the Branch is lodging an application to participate in the Bunnings BBQ program. Because our members wanted more social activities, the local RSL and Vietnam Veteran organisations were approached to participate with us socially and after receiving support from them the Branch has lodged an application for a DVA VRC Grant which, if successful, will provide subsidised coach trips to areas such as Moree/Lightning Ridge and Sydney to celebrate the 70`x' anniversary of the submarine attack on Sydney Harbour. Also the Branch has lodged an application for a grant with FAHSCIA for some equipment to help us with our activities. To help with selecting the social activities a Social Survey Form was sent out to all our members to indicate preferences for some activities. A good response was received and these results will help the Committee to program the activities and were also a help in selecting the destinations for the DVA Grant application. As pointed out at the start of this Report the Branch attendance is consistent despite age catching up with all of us with specialist appointments meaning some missed meetings by some members. Following each meeting there is a social get‑together with a cuppa and sandwiches etc. Also it has been found that the Branch newsletter has helped to create more input into the meetings and it is pleasing to report it also attracted new members. Each member attending is also given a copy of the previous month's Minutes and a meeting Agenda which allows the meeting to move along smoothly and quickly. It was a sad moment when the Branch was advised of the passing of Ken Platt and we wish the new secretary Max Bunter the very best in replacing Ken. To all Branches who have lost members please accept our condolences. Following the NSW elections Maitland has lost one Patron but gained a new one in Robyn Parker. The Branch does have a mystery member who turns up on the odd occasion when the least expected. This person has not paid any membership fees and first appeared at the Maitland National AGM and last year she appeared again in Canberra. For some reason she is attracted to our "Director of S.E.X.‑, popular Jack Allen which has been tolerated by his wife, Mavis. This femme fatale has become known as "Fifi la Tarte" and is wanted to obtain her dues. All branches are being asked to look out for her and if possible detain her so that fees can be sought from her. A photo of her is on the back of this Report, so your help would be appreciated in detaining or identifying her.

Bruce Mears                       President
Colin Shapland                  Secretary
Helen Meredith                  Treasurer

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