Vic Newsletter April 2013 - Order of Australia Association

4 42013 Australia Day Flag Lowering CeremonyOrder of Australia Day Ceremony held at the Shrine of RemembranceThe Flag Lowering Ceremony of the Order of Australia Association, Victoria Branch, held at the Shrine of Remembranceon Australia Day, is now truly significant. This function provides positive contact between the Association and the peopleof Victoria. The Lowering of the Flag in the late afternoon of Australia Day is a colourful way to conclude our Official Daywhich began at the Raising of the Flag in the morning at the Melbourne Town Hall.The following gave special assistance to the organizers:-1. Daryl Pinner OAM, from the Shrine of Remembrance2. Warrant Officer Melville Frampton, the Parade Commander3. Don Kinsey AM, a member of the Association, recited the Ode for the Fallen.This comes from The Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer LaurenceBinyon and this adds so much to the dignity of the day.4. Wreaths were laid by:• Daniel Taylor, Consul General of New Zealand• Air Vice-Marshall Chris Spence AO (Rtd), Chairman and Shrine Trustee• Paul Wheelton OAM – Vice Chairman of the Order of Australia AssociationThe Association is sincerely grateful for the support given by the Shrine of Remembrance Authorities. The Consul Generals fromNew Zealand (Mr Daniel Taylor), Turkey (Mr Derin Ersavci), Malta (Mr Charles Mifsud)and the Honorary Consul from Canada(Mr Dennis Cliché) attended the ceremony. Present also was Mr Stefan Romaniv OAM, Chair, Australia Day Committee, Victoria.Air Vice-Marshall Chris Spence AO (Rtd), also spoke at the Reception which was held within the Shrine after the Ceremony. Henoted that there are extensive plans for the Shrine to provide major extensions in the underground basement area where majorexhibitions would be mounted to cover the 1st and 2nd World Wars and subsequent Wars, such as Vietnam and Afghanistan.There are only two boats in the world used by the Australians during the Gallipoli landing and one of these will be housed in thisnew section. Some 65 Members of the Association with their friends and approximately 1250 members of the Victorian publicattended the Ceremony with the public spontaneously joining in with the events as they progressed.Max Chester OAMEastern Suburbs Regional GroupThe final function for the 2012 year was a most successful Multi-Faith Service held at the Victoria Police TrainingAcademy Chapel in Glen Waverley on Tuesday 11 December. The Service was followed by afternoon tea and atour of the Academy. The first function for the year was held on 19 March and was a most enjoyable visit to thespectacular Blue Water Lotus Garden at Yarra Junction with a talk by the owner followed by a light lunch in the waterlotus gardens. The Activities Group with Convener Dot Browne OAM has finalized the following program for 2013.30 April Luncheon with Guest Speaker, Beth O’Brien OAM, speaking on the Prison System and Corrective Servicesat Bucatini Restaurant - Mitcham24 July Christmas in July Luncheon at Samson Hill Winery - Kangaroo GroundAugust Visit to Shrine with guided tour and refreshments10 Oct Reception for OA 2013 Awardees residing in the Eastern Region at the Monash Art Gallery with a talk bythe Curator23 Oct ESRG AGM with the “Clown Doctor” as guest speaker at Box Hill Pavilion19 Nov Melbourne Tram Boat Scenic Cruise along the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers with lunch at Anglers TavernAt the AGM on 17 October all Committee positions were filled for the 2012/13 year. It was pleasing to note thatin the Australia Day Order of Australia Award announcements the Minute Secretary, Colin Browne (husband ofCommittee member Dot Browne OAM), received an OAM for services to athletics, education and the community.South Central Suburbs Regional GroupThe Group had a record 15 Australia Day Honours recipients and they have all been welcomed by the Group.The first Newsletter for the year has been posted to 205 members,non-member awardees for the last two yearsand Imperial Honours recipients. The first activity is a visit to the Old Treasury Building and luncheon then laterthe Group are repeating the previously successful function at the Palace Dendy Cinema in Brighton in May.Iinternationally acclaimed theatre organist David Johnston OAM will give a recital on the historic Wurlitzer organbefore accompanying a silent movie, after which a sit-down basket lunch will be served. The wider membership iswelcome subject to catering limitations. The program framework for the year has been set, with final details to bedetermined at the next Committee meeting.April_2013.indd 45/04/2013 5:19:20 PM