SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

RAAF VIETNAM PLAQUE CEREMONY WEEKEND – PT COOK

TO ALL RAAFVVA MEMBERS

The RAAFVVA has its Plaque Dedication ceremony on Sunday the 28th March 2010. At this stage response from membership, to say the least, has been extremely poor.

We have more ex RAAF veterans who are non members attending than our own members. This is your Plaque and your dedication service. We are putting out 150 chairs with all Sqn Banners and reps in attendance. Media is also on board as is RAAF Central Band. Patron Mac Weller will be attending as will Padre George Ashworth.

We need numbers from the membership! If you can attend please advise me at the above email address (include Barb Stallard as an addressee at office@raafavic.org.au). We need numbers attending including wives and children for catering purposes.

Kindest Regards

Rick Holmes
Secretary
RAAFVVA

March 8, 2010

RAAF VIETNAM PLAQUE CEREMONY WEEKEND – PT COOK

TO ALL RAAFVVA MEMBERS

The Air Force Association VIC Branch has kindly put on a bus for the Phillip Island National VVAA Museum tour on Saturday the 27th March. Bus departs RAAF Association HQs, 24 Camberwell Road, East Hawthorn at 9.30 am departing Museum at 3.00 pm. At this stage we have ten (10) members who are going to utilise this facility. If you plan to be a part of this tour and wish a seat (or 2) please contact Office Manager Barb Stallard at office@raafavic.org.au, phone 03 9813 4600 or me at rickh12@bigpond.com.

For the Plaque dedication ceremony on Sunday the 28th March the RAAF Association will again be providing a bus from Hawthorn to Pt Cook and return. To confirm your bus booking to Pt Cook again contact Barb me as detailed above. Timings for Sunday to follow.

Rick Holmes
Secretary
RAAFVVA

February 25, 2010

RAAF VIETNAM PLAQUE CEREMONY – PT COOK
Sunday 28th March

The RAAF Association (Victorian Division) proposes that the service of RAAF units and personnel during the Vietnam War should be formally recognised by the dedication of a plaque at the RAAF's birthplace – Pt Cook.

The dedication of the plaque will take place at the Australian Flying Corps Memorial at Pt Cook on Sunday 28th March.

The Plaque acknowledges the following units:

• No 2, 9, RTFV/35, 36 and 37 Squadrons
• HQ RAAF Vietnam (and thus personnel who also served with USAF and US Army units)
• Base Support Flight/1 OSU Vung Tau
• HQ RAAF Contingent Vung Tau
• RAAFNS
• No 5 Squadron Airfield Construction Squadron Detachment
• Transport Support Flight Butterworth
• Detachment S Richmond (Saigon Evacuation)

While final details and official guests are yet to be confirmed the proposed program is:

1100:	Unit banners and representatives form a guard of honour at the plaque.
1105:	The Official guests arrive and are acknowledged.
1110:	Keynote address
1125:	Plaque is unveiled
1130:	Plaque is dedicated – non-denominational service
1135:	Wreaths are laid
1145:	Ode, Last Post, Rouse and Australian National Anthem
1200:	Light luncheon and RAAF 89th Birthday address
1330:	Private visits to the Pt Cook Museum (exhibits include a Canberra, Huey and Caribou that saw service in Vietnam)

The wearing of Medals is requested.

Return transport from Southern Cross (Spencer Street) Station to Pt Cook will be available (advise expected arrival time at Spencer Street when contacting either Secretary – see below).

Free car parking will be available at Pt Cook.

For interstate visitors; return bus transport will be provided on Saturday 27th March for a visit to the National Vietnam veterans Museum at Phillip Island if sufficient indicate interest in attending.

For catering and transport purposes, veterans and visitors attending the Pt Cook ceremony and the Phillip Island visit are requested to advise their intentions by Friday 19th March to either:

Rick Holmes (RAAFVVA Secretary)
Telephone: (03) 9317 7304
Email: rickh12@bigpond.com
Post: PO Box 462 Ascot Vale VIC 3032

or

Gordon Caley (RAAFA State Secretary)
Telephone: (03) 9813 4600
Mobile: 0410 490 981
Fax: (03) 9813 4966
Email: gordon.caley@raafavic.org.au
Post: 24 Camberwell Road East Hawthorn VIC 3122