All News

ADF members and families, have you recently posted to the Richmond NSW region? If so, go wild and come along to our welcome event at Taronga Zoo on 27 February 2022.

A range of community groups and organisations will be in attendance to provide information about the various support and activities available in the Richmond area. It is also the perfect opportunity to meet our team and connect with other ADF families while enjoying the day out in a relaxed, family-friendly environment. Entry to the zoo is on us.

Be sure to register for this event by 18 February 2022 through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/…/an-adf-families-event…

 

About this event

NOTE: This event is only for Australian Defence Force families residing in the Richmond, Glenbrook, Defence Estate Orchard Hills or Danallam House posted locality.

ADF families in the Richmond region of NSW are invited to join us for our ‘Welcome to Richmond’ event. A range of community groups and organisations will be in attendance to provide information about the various support and activities available in the Richmond area. It is also the perfect opportunity to meet our team and connect with other ADF families while enjoying the day out in a relaxed, family friendly environment. Entry to the zoo is on us.

Taronga Zoo Sydney is located on Bradleys Head Road in Mosman, right on Sydney Harbour and is easily accessible from the Sydney CBD and cares for over 5,000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened. Spread over 28 hectares you can see lions, tigers, sun bears and more!

The Zoo features cafés and a food market as well as plenty of lawn and picnic table spots to enjoy a meal with a view.

Entry will only be provided to ADF members and their dependants residing in the Richmond, Glenbrook, Defence Estate Orchard Hills or Danallam House posted locality. You will be required to show your Eventbrite tickets and Defence ID to gain entry to the venue.

Families must collect their entry tickets from the DMFS stand near the main entrance between 0930 and 1100 on 27 February 2022. Families will be provided a wristband which will allow them entry into the Zoo and may remain at the Zoo until closing time at 1700.

*** Important note: to ensure your day at Taronga Zoo Sydney is safe and enjoyable, cash will not be accepted on site with only contactless payments permitted. To keep up-to-date with Taronga Zoo’s COVID-19 safety measures please visit Taronga Conservation Society Australia https://taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/important-update ***

Zoo shows and talks

Taronga Zoo offers around 20 keeper talks and shows per day starting from 11am. To keep up-to-date with everything that’s on Download the App | Taronga Conservation Society Australia https://taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/app.

Children must be under parental supervision at all times.

Registrations close on 18 February 2022, unless the event is fully booked earlier. When you arrive at the event you will be asked to show your ticket (either printed or electronic) and Defence ID. If you do not have a Defence ID card, please contact us at [email protected] to make alternate arrangements.

In the event of unfavourable weather conditions or a change in government COVID-19 restrictions, this event may be cancelled or rescheduled. Please ensure your email address is accurate as you will receive a booking confirmation and any receive additional information or changes to the event by email.

You should carefully read the following information to ensure you are aware of all requirements relating to this event. This information is regularly updated and may not be the same as information on previous DMFS events you may have registered for.

• In line with government regulations and our COVID Safe Plan, tickets for this event are limited to ensure we practice safe social distancing.
• When registering for the event, you must register for a ticket for yourself and each person attending (including every baby, toddler and child).
• When registering you will be required to provide your best contact number. In the event of a COVID-19 outbreak or the positive COVID-19 test result of an attendee, your contact details will be provided for contact tracing if directed by the Department of Health.
• If you or someone in your family are feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms on the day of the event, please stay at home. If you attend the event with flu-like symptoms, staff will advise you to return home and to seek medical advice.
• Antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser will be available at the event. Attendees are asked to make use of the hygiene measures available on arrival at the event and again when departing.
• A photographer will be in attendance at this event. If you don’t want to be photographed, or have your family photographed, please let the photographer know. Please note: any photos taken may be used in DMFS publications, online or on social media.
• Parents are required to remain onsite to supervise their children.
• If you have any mobility requirements, please email us at [email protected].
• If you become unable to attend the event, please cancel your booking by clicking on the link in your confirmation email ‘View and manage your order online’. This takes you to your ‘Tickets’ page where you can choose the ‘Cancel my Order’ option to release the tickets back to the event listing.
• Due to contact tracing requirements, it’s important that you do not transfer your tickets to another family.
• The waitlist will show automatically on the registration page once the event is fully booked. If you’d like to register on the waitlist, complete the ‘Contact Information’ form for every individual person who requires a ticket. For example, if three family members require a ticket you should complete the ‘Contact Information’ form three times.

 

 

The State Department has accused Russia of jeopardising the safety and security of space exploration following the launch of anti-satellite missiles.

On Monday (15 November), the Russian Federation reportedly conducted an anti-satellite weapons test against one of its own targets.

The tests are estimated to have generated over 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris, potentially creating hundreds of thousands of smaller fragments.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned the “destructive” tests, noting concern over the safety of astronauts and critical space infrastructure.

“The long-lived debris created by this dangerous and irresponsible test will now threaten satellites and other space objects that are vital to all nations’ security, economic, and scientific interests for decades to come,” he said.

“In addition, it will significantly increase the risk to astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station and other human spaceflight activities.

“The safety and security of all those seeking to explore and use outer space for peaceful purposes has been carelessly endangered by this test.”

The secretary of state accused Russia of undermining its own opposition to the militarisation of space.

“The events of November 15, 2021, clearly demonstrate that Russia, despite its claims of opposing the weaponisation of outer space, is willing to jeopardise the long-term sustainability of outer space and imperil the exploration and use of outer space by all nations through its reckless and irresponsible behaviour,” Secretary Blinken added.

He went on to urge the international community to support efforts to generate a common code of conduct in the space domain.

“The United States will work with our allies and partners as we seek to respond to this irresponsible act,” Secretary Blinken said.

Watch till the end for the full impact

CLICK LINK

Wartime choir The D-Day Darlings take on Vera Lynn CLASSIC at the Final! | The Final | BGT 2018 – YouTube

NATO is working to coordinate the lower tier air defences of its members against hard-to-spot and difficult to shoot down small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).

The alliance organised an exercise from 2 to 12 November in Vredepeel, the Netherlands to test ways allied nations can work together to defend against small, exploding drones.

Small UAVs – sometimes hobby drones armed with improvised explosives – are increasingly being used by combatants in the Middle East and Ukraine. The drones are cheap, but hard to detect and shoot down because of their small size, quiet electric motors and low-altitude flight.

“Malicious actors have made use of low-cost hobby drones in recent years, creating a potential security threat to allies,” says Cristian Coman, lead for counter-drone activities with the NATO Communications and Information Agency. “The misuse of small drones represents a significant and growing risk to operations and day-to-day defence activities for NATO and nations.”

Russia has been accused of using quadcopter drones against Ukraine, for example, to coordinate artillery strikes and in one case drop a thermite grenade on an ammunition depot, which melted through the facility’s roof and caused a massive explosion. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has allegedly used small quadcopters to try to drop grenades on its enemies in Syria and Iraq. Iran has allegedly used small explosive-laden drones to attack Saudi Arabian oil facilities.

There are a variety of ways to down small UAVs including using radio control jamming, microwave weapons, lasers, automatic guns and small missiles. Because there is a wide variety of drones to defend against, militaries increasingly are opting for an all-of-the-above approach which offers guarantees they will have the right weapon available during an attack and creates a layered defence.

However, coordinating many systems across NATO’s 30 member states is difficult. As part of recent exercises, more than 20 companies tested about 70 different systems in order to increase technical interoperability standards, says NATO.

The NATO Communications and Information Agency also brought a prototype it had developed in house called ARTEMIS system to the exercises. The system uses machine learning algorithms to detect and classify drones based on their radio frequency signals. It can also determine the direction of a UAV and locate the person controlling the drone.

Detecting incoming drones is the first step in coordinating a defence. As such, the ARTEMIS system “is an essential tool to help the agency understand the technology being used in the market and to identify areas where NATO would benefit from developing standards around counter-[UAV] systems”, says Major General Goksel Sevindik, the chief of staff at the NATO Communications and Information Agency.

 

It is likely Australia would back US “action” in the event of a clash between China and Taiwan, the minister has revealed.

Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the US and its allies would take unspecified “action” in the event of an attack on Taiwan.

“I think it’s fair to say that we’re not alone in this determination to make sure that we preserve peace and stability in that part of the world,” Secretary Blinken added.

“There are many countries, both in the region and beyond, that would see any unilateral action to use force to disrupt the status quo as a significant threat to peace and security, and they too would take action in the event that that happens.”

Secretary Blinken’s claims have been backed by Minister for Defence Peter Dutton, who has told media he cannot envisage Australian inaction.

“It would be inconceivable that we wouldn’t support the US in an action if the US chose to take that action,” he told the media.

“And, again, I think we should be very frank and honest about that, look at all of the facts and circumstances without pre-committing, and maybe there are circumstances where we wouldn’t take up that option, [but] I can’t conceive of those circumstances.

“… [China’s] been very clear about their intent to go into Taiwan and we need to make sure that there is a high level of preparedness, a greater sense of ­deterrence by our capability, and that is how I think we put our country in a position of strength.”

This comes amid a spike in PLA intrusions over Taiwan’s south-west air defence identification zone, which has intensified fears of an imminent conflict.

Taiwan reported over a dozen incidents in October alone.

In response, the Taiwanese military has deployed combat air patrol platforms, issued radio warnings, and prepared air defence missile systems.

 

The supply ship has departed from Sydney Harbour ahead of its decommissioning in Western Australia.

Royal Australian Navy auxiliary oiler supply ship HMAS Sirius has been farewelled by dignitaries at Fleet Base East ahead of its decommissioning next month in Western Australia.

NSW Governor General Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC joined Navy personnel to farewell the vessel, which completed a lap around Sydney Harbour.

HMA Ships Supply, Arunta, Watson, Penguin, Kuttabul and an MH-60R helicopter from 816 Squadron at HMAS Albatross, paid tribute to HMAS Sirius’ 15 years of service.

Commanding Officer of HMAS Sirius, Commander Christopher Doherty reflected on the ship’s long-history of service to the nation.

“Since commissioning in 2006, HMAS Sirius has completed 766 Replenishments at Sea. This equates to almost one every week since commissioning,” CMDR Doherty said.

“We have been honoured to provide critical logistics capability to not only Australian naval ships, but those from New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Japan and Canada.

“It has been a great privilege to serve on board Sirius knowing that our work has enabled the Fleet to stay at sea to help safeguard the region.”

CMDR Doherty said the scale of the farewell was a testament to the values of the Navy.

“To see so many of our colleagues turn out to farewell us was a moment I am sure none of the crew will forget,” he said.

After completing the lap of honour, HMAS Sirius rendezvoused with HMAS Supply near the Western Channel before leaving the harbour to conduct a replenishment at sea.

The ship’s decommissioning will mark the official handover of replenishment capability to the new Supply Class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, HMA Ships Supply and Stalwart.

 

From: Victor Jackson
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2021 at 19:39
Subject: Our “Objects” must not be tampered with
To:

 

Dear Members

Following on from a previous email, a Sub-Branch asked me if I had a copy of the original “Objects” set by our founding fathers of our RSL. Well, I was able to locate an original text of what was adopted and documented in 1916

It was on the 3rd of June 1916 that a federal RSL organization was formed in Melbourne under the name “Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia” with all states participating (ACT and NT did not then exist).

The following are the first three of seven clauses of the “Objects” adopted at that historic meeting:

   (a)    To perpetuate the close and kindly ties of friendship created by a
mutual service in the Great War and the recollections associated with
that experience, to maintain a proper standard of dignity and honour
among all sailors and soldiers and to set an example of public spirit
and noble-hearted endeavour.

(b)    To preserve the memory and records of those who suffered and died
for the Nation – to erect monuments to their valour – to provide them
with suitable burial places and establish in their honour an annual
commemoration day.

(c)    To provide for the sick and wounded and needy among those who
have served and their dependants, including pensions, medical
attention, homes and suitable employment

This and the other clauses are very much of the same tenor as what is in our current constitution “Objects”. They are all “Objects that are still relevant and valued as being applicable to present national veteran standards. Why change when it ain’t broke?

In that (bad) draft 2021 Constitution, RSL Qld want to change it into a demeaning and politically weak and gutless verbiage. Compared to the original “Objects”, the changes are soul-destroying, probably just to please the planned influx of planned “citizens” into our veteran organization.

This is not what our RSL is about, this is not of camaraderie, these are not acts of mates-ship, this is not of the bond of friendship on which we were founded with the “Objects” of 1916!

RSL Qld is also neglectful by blatant or wilful missed opportunities of our public standing. One of those is lack of enthusiasm or vigour in recognising members who have held an RSL membership for more than 50 years. No wonder members are no longer valuing their RSL belonging, no wonder we are shrinking.

Another situation of great concern and note is the Queensland Veterans Council Bill that is before parliament. One would think that as it is a Veteran matter, RSL Qld would have made a submission or a representation towards that Veterans Council Bill in parliament? Does RSL Qld represent us?

But the answer is NO! Some RSL members took it on themselves to have their personal voices heard, but not RSL Qld. Is that an oversight, neglect or just sheer incompetence?

Maybe RSL Qld was too busy trying to buy Sub-Branch votes for that (bad) 2021 Constitution, the shifty Bylaws and MVP rubbish.

The evidence of what some individual members presented towards that Queensland Veterans Council Bill is attached hereto as an extract from Hansard (Government reporting service), it speaks for itself and makes interesting reading.

Don’t forget the important dates that are now left to ponder over. Please make sure your Sub-Branch attends the AGM and rejects all of that Constitution stuff.
One can most certainly look forward to a new face as our next State President:

• 8 December –      State Congress
• 9 December –      State Congress

Please discuss all this at your District and Sub-Branch meetings, ask lots of questions and try and get truthful answers. Please oppose that (bad) draft 2021 Constitution and By-Laws rubbish.

Yours in Camaraderie

Victor Jackson FIML
RSL Qld Member 1561431

Please circulate this email to as many members as possible.
Also, please advise if you know of other members who will want to receive my emails.

 

Since Joe Biden halted construction of the border wall, multiple reporters and Republican lawmakers have shared videos and photos of the massive piles of steel left stacked up along the border, which had been purchased for the wall during the Trump administration. The sight of unused material, purchased with taxpayer dollars, now not even being used, has prompted outrage among conservatives, as many have demanded that the wall should be finished. However, Ben Bergquam, a conservative journalist with Real America’s Voice News and Frontline America host, has revealed another massive supply of materials intended for the border, now left sitting in the desert. In a shocking video posted to social media this week, Bergquam showed millions of dollars worth of lighting materials that were intended to be installed along the border.

“You want to get pissed off?” Bergquam began.

“This is your tax dollars!” he said. “This is millions of dollars worth of equipment.”

He showed piles of concrete footings, boxes of lighting materials, and large rolls of conduit

https://dennismichaellynch.com/watch-ben-bergquam-exposes-massive-supply-of-materials-for-border-sitting-in-desert-video/