AUSTRALIAN BRAVERY ASSOCIATION

Message from the National President
Well Christmas is fast approaching and our get together follows shortly after.
AGM Weekend – 12 th to 14 th February, 2010.
The Governor General has written to me confirming the Service and Reception will take place from
10am on Saturday 13 th February, 2010. We will all need to be in place well before that time.
Responding to your wishes
You will see in this edition that we have responded to a number of concerns regarding cost of the
weekend and also our ability to spend quality time together.
I asked our national deputy James Long to take the lead in arranging our weekend. Few of us can
know the time, effort and expense that James, supported by Royce Thompson and Melanie
Warburton has put in. James has made two trips from Melbourne specifically to road test and
barter on our behalf. My thanks to all for the outstanding efforts.
One of the changes that needs to be made at our dinner is a reduction in time spent on the vocal part
of the auction. To that end our organisers have considered some alternatives. It is fair to say that
we are most likely going to make much more use of the silent auction accompanied by an
anonymous ticketing system.
Royce is busy arranging our Service of Remembrance for next year.
ABA funding
The ABA Foundation recently received donations of $2500 from each of the RSL and Legacy (total
$5000). We have also received our annual donation from Geoff Handbury so I am happy to report
that the Foundation is progressing well.
Thanks again James for building the bridges with RSL & Legacy.
Member support
Royce, Pam Davidson, James Long and I met with Professor Malcolm Hopwood. Malcolm is the
Director Veteran’s Psychiatry Unit, Austin Health, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. We were put
in touch with Malcolm via Major General David McLachlan – Victorian State RSL head.
Malcolm was very kind in offering us his services and that of his Unit, which has considerable
expertise in the area of stress management. Both Pam and Royce will continue liaison with
Malcolm, for the betterment of the services we offer. Thanks all for your efforts in this area.
Currently the web site is in full operation and I have had favourable comment. Thanks in particular
to John Straskye, our ‘webmaster’ acting for our sponsor ‘The Medal Shop’, and John Thurgar for
managing the project.
Vice Patron Keith Payne VC has been pushing our barrow in a number of areas and I thank him and
Florence for their efforts on our behalf.
Authorised by Alan Cochrane, Australian Bravery Assoc., PO Box 127, Bundaberg. Printed courtesy Jack Dempsey Member for Bundaberg 4670