Author Archives: Dicko

The Ocean Grove/Barwon Heads RSL Sub-Branch recognise the importance of ANZAC Day to the Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads communities and have voted to hold a Dawn Service and a mid morning march and Commemorative Service in the Ocean Grove Park .  The march and Commemorative Service normally held in Barwon Heads is cancelled this year as the logistics of managing two large COVID-19 Events are beyond the resources of a small RSL Sub-Branch. The Dawn Service will commence at 0615 with those attending asked to arrive by 0545 to register for this Tier Three COVID-19 approved Event.  The march will leave from The Terrace (outside COLES) at 0945 and will conclude at the RSL Memorial in the Ocean Grove Park followed by a Commemorative Service commencing at 1000.  The march will be restricted to veterans and first responders only with all participants needing to register prior to step off.  Both the Dawn Service and Commemorative Service will be restricted to 1000 participants with all those attending required to register as they enter the Park.  Sign in sheets and QR Codes will be available at the various entry points.  All persons attending as a spectator or participant are reminded of the need to be COVID safe and observe the social distancing rules.
ANZAC Day also provides an opportunity to support Veteran Welfare through the Sale of ANZAC Day Badges.  ANZAC Day badges will be available in the week prior to ANZAC Day at the various stalls our volunteers will be setting up in Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads. The Ocean Grove Newsagency will also be selling badges. The RSL is asking Victorians to do three simple things on ANZAC Day: Honour, Commemorate, and Donate.  Honour the ANZAC’s and all those who have served and continue to serve with a moment of quiet reflection at 6am. Commemorate both service and sacrifice by attending a local COVID-Safe ANZAC Day service or observe online or from home by lighting up the dawn. Donate – help the RSL support veterans and their families when in need by making a donation to the ANZAC Appeal by buying a badge or donating online.

ANZAC SERVICE 2021 QR code

AA

OCEAN GROVE BARWON HEADS RSL Sub Branch.
Have you thought about joining an  RSL.?

Service Member. This category is for Men & Women who have served or are still serving in the Australian Defense Force’s. Annual Subscription is $40.00 or $105 for 3 years.
Affiliate Member. Members of the Police Force, Fire Brigades, Ambulance and Emergency Services.  A relative of an ex-service person or a league member, be it a parent, grandparent, spouse, brother, sister, child, grandchild, stepchild, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt or uncle of the person who is or was eligible to be a league member (as the case may be). Annual Subscription $40.00 or $105 for 3 years.
The RSL is a Community Organization, and our mission is to ensure that programs are in place for the well-being, care, compensation and commemoration of serving and ex-serving Defence force members and their dependents.
The Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Sub Branch aims to continue to provide a friendly and welcoming environment to the broader community. Our sub branch provides opportunity for individuals to become part of the local community to ensure commemoration and the tradition of the RSL name continues.
Our Home is the “Ocean Grove Bowling Club”, 18 The Terrace.  Your Annual Subscription also gives you free membership of the bowling Club.
Our meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month 2.00pm – Room 1 at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club.
Why not come along and join us.
Application forms can be downloaded from our website, www.oceangroversl.com.au  or  picked up at the bowling club reception desk, fill in and attach a payment for the appropriate membership, and hand it in to the receptionist or mail to:
Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL, PO Box 174, Ocean Grove 3226

HAVE A CONNECTION WITH AUSTRALIA’S MILITARY…
Many Australians have served in the Australian Military, have relatives that have served or are in both categories.  The respect for those who have served – and families that have supported those serving – continues to grow and is evidenced regularly by large turnouts on commemorative occasions such as ANZAC Day. If you would like to show your ongoing support for those serving, those who served in the past and those affiliated with Australia’s military perhaps you may like to consider coming along to the Ocean Grove/Barwon Heads RSL Sub branch? You will meet an interesting group enjoying themselves whilst supporting and applauding our rich military history.
Social events offered to members involve coffee mornings, organised day trips, involvement with commemorative events (ANZAC Days, Remembrance Day etc), Christmas Lunch and joint membership of the Ocean Grove Bowling Club.  Another very important aspect of Sub Branch membership is the opportunity to be involved with supporting welfare activities for veterans of those who have served our country and families, in a volunteer role should you want to do so.
The Ocean Grove/Barwon Heads RSL Sub branch is the right size to enable getting to know the members.  We would like to welcome you into our group representing the many generations of Australian and allied military involvement. If you are interested in knowing more you can visit our website or call one of our members for a chat.  

President: Kel Arnott   0412 493335    or    kel.arnott@bigpond.com
Vice President: Brad Clarke   0407 972177   or   Bradley.clarke@live.com 
Secretary: Richard Lewis   0417 853219   or    rlew1951@bigpond.net.au
Membership: John Dickinson   0409 432331   or   dingopc@bigpond.com

Everybody Welcome.

Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Sub-Branch is asking the local community to
dig deep this Remembrance Day and donate to its annual Poppy Appeal.
Sub-Branch President Kel Arnott said: “Our Poppy Appeal will look a little bit different this year, and you may not see our RSL volunteers on the streets raising money by selling the iconic poppy as we normally would.”
“But just because we may not be able to physically fundraise, does not mean that the need to raise funds disappears.”
“We need your help now, more than ever. If you can, a small donation – a gift of kindness – for a poppy from the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Sub-Branch,( locations listed below),  or you can donate online via poppyappeal.com.au to help change a veterans’ life. Every little bit counts.” the Sub-Branch President said.
The RSL’s Poppy Appeal is an annual fundraising activity that Sub-Branches across the nation take on in the lead up to Remembrance Day each year. Every dollar raised through the Poppy Appeal will go to supporting veterans and their families with a range of RSL health and wellbeing support services, including relief from financial hardship.
The Sub-Branch has Poppy Sales Trays at several businesses in both Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads where the public may purchase a commemorative poppy or those that prefer to donate online can do so at www.poppyappeal.com.au
Ocean Grove Locations.
Mint Café , Home Hardware
Cleo Fine Jewellery, Wallington Rural
OG Newsagency, OG Coles
Barwon Heads Locations.
APCO Service Centre, BH Post Office
For more information you can contact Richard Lewis 0417 853219 or
email: rlew1951@bigpond.net.au

Guitar for Vets Australia is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of ailing and injured military Veterans by providing them with free guitars and music instruction. Our primary focus is using the healing power of music to help our Veterans. Whether we agree or disagree with the decision to go to war, one thing is for certain, there are men and women who bravely fight for and honourably represent our country. As a consequence of war, many of our soldiers come home with physical and emotional injuries. THEY NEED OUR HELP.
Guitars for Vets Australia provide ten free private guitar lessons.  We seek out guitar instructors that can gently assist the Veteran to learn the basic chords and to play at least three songs. The private lessons are taught by paid or volunteer instructors and are then followed by group sessions, wherever possible, that provide a forum for the Veterans to talk and play music with like-minded individuals, many of whom have had the same experiences, emotions and traumas. The music sessions provide a communal atmosphere. Music has proven to be a catalyst that helps the Veteran continue on their road to recovery and well-being.
The Veterans can be of any age or from any service or conflict zone.
Guitars for Veterans Australia relies on the community for donations whether it is cash, guitars or a location for tuition.
Please visit our site on:  https://www.guitarsforvetsaustralia.com and onFaceBook “Guitars4Vets” Australia, or contact direct :  Mick Jim Mavromatis 0438843254

Today we remember the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and recognise the service and sacrifice of more than 17,000 Australians who fought as part of the United Nations (UN) multinational force defending South Korea from a North Korean invasion. On 25 June 1950, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Army crossed the border into the Republic of Korea capturing Seoul within days. This led to the first Australian ground troops arriving in Pusan and following three years of fighting an armistice was signed on 27 July 1953 after a long negotiation. However, Australians would remain in Korea for another four years as military observers. Australia suffered some 1,500 casualties during the Korean War and post-Armistice period, including more than 350 who died, and 30 who were taken prisoner. Even today, some 40 Australians are still listed as missing in action. Today we remember all those who served our country in Korea and thank them for their sacrifices. 

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Please find the following from Liz Cosson’s Office (RSL Vic) regarding Information on COVID-19 for veterans and their families.

Please find attached a fact sheet for circulation to your members which provides further information on COVID-19 for veterans and their families. We will also publish this fact sheet on the DVA website and will provide updates when there are significant developments. 
I have also attached a fact sheet with further information on telehealth for your information.
Flu vaccinations
Availability of flu vaccinations was raised at the teleconference and attached is the most recent link to a Media Release from Minister Hunt regarding vaccinations.

You will note the media release states the following and we suggest you discuss with your GPs:
https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/flu-vaccination-more-important-than-ever-during-the-month-of-april

• Minister Hunt released a statement encouraging all Australians to be vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. Free government vaccine is now available in GP practices (for those over 65, children under 5 and those with relevant pre-existing conditions). It is not known when the privately funded vaccine will become available to GP surgeries.