Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Our Hut at Tanunda Recreation Park reopens on Friday, 30 January 26 at 5 pm and you are welcome to vis

Do you remember December 1999 when
the world was about to end?

Computer programmers using old languages like COBOL were concerned that their programs wouldn't roll-over to 2000 because they hadn't been programmed to do so and that society would collapse. 

Some alarmists said there would be violence on the streets, and civilisation as we know it would end in a matter of weeks. Back to the Stoneage they predicted.

Like many other end-of-world predictions, that never eventuated and we're still here.

That was 26 years ago and now we are on the verge of flipping our calendars into 2026 with no fears that current computers would grind everything to a halt.

Yes, we'll be dealing with Artificial Intelligence Data Centres, Digital Identification and Digital Currency, and probably frequent power failures, but humanity will prevail as we have for many Millenia.

Stay positive, stay safe, and enjoy your Christmas and New Year in whatever way appeals to you.

Committee Executive Management

RSL Supports Call for Royal Commission

The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance

A Statement from RSL Australia
National President Peter Tinley AM

The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance.

These words have guided the RSL for more than a century. They remind us that freedom must be actively defended – and that this duty extends beyond those in uniform to every institution charged with protecting Australians.

For two decades, our service personnel honoured this compact. They deployed to confront terrorism abroad so it would not reach home. Families sacrificed. Some paid the ultimate price. 

The nation asked, and they answered.

The Bondi Beach attack forces a hard question: has that vigilance been maintained?

ASIO cleared one attacker as "no ongoing threat" in 2019. The firearms license for six weapons in that household was issued in 2023. Both men travelled to Mindanao weeks before the massacre a known Islamic State hotspot – and returned without intervention.

The failures are systemic, spanning governments and agencies. Veterans who defend democracy and fight for liberty want to know why the systems we trusted to protect Australians at home repeatedly failed to connect obvious dots.

RSL Australia calls for leadership courageous enough to examine all contributing factors – not token changes, not political spin, but decisive steps that keep Australians safe. That means establishing a Royal Commission to independently investigate into how these failures occurred and what must change.

Our Jewish community members, many of whom are veterans, deserve to know their nation is serious about protecting them. Our serving personnel deserve to know their sacrifices serve coherent purpose.

The freedoms so many fought for must be protected at home as well as abroad. That has always been Australia's compact – and it must be honoured by all who share in this nation.

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. That price must be paid by all of us.

If these events are affecting you, reach out. Open Arms: 1800 011 046

Our Christmas - New Year Closure

From 30 January 26 we will be open most Fridays. Visit us from 5 pm at our "Hut" at Tanunda Recreation Park. Visitors are always welcome. 

Like everyone else, our hard-working Committee volunteers and Members need a break so we're standing down during the Christmas-New Year period.

Our Hut will be closed from Friday, 12 December 25 until Friday, 30 January 26.

We may still be contacted during this period either by mail to our address shown below, or by email as some of our Management Committee members will be undertaking annual maintenance tasks.

Our ADF's Involvement in the Afghanistan War (Includes tribute to those who sacrificed their lives)

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreation Park. Visitors are welcome. 

Australia’s involvement in the Afghanistan War, particularly through Operation Slipper, marked one of the nation’s most significant overseas military commitments since Vietnam.

The Afghanistan War began in October 2001, following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. The U.S. and its allies launched operations to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime that harbored them. Australia, invoking the ANZUS treaty, pledged support and deployed forces under Operation Slipper, the codename for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the war.

Operation Slipper ran from 2001 to 2014, involving combat operations in Afghanistan and maritime security missions in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. The first Australian troops, including Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) personnel, arrived in late 2001. They conducted reconnaissance, combat missions, and worked alongside coalition forces. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) also played a crucial role, providing transport, refueling, and surveillance capabilities.

Australia’s presence was most visible in Uruzgan Province, where ADF units were part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). They engaged in reconstruction, training Afghan National Army units, and counter-insurgency operations. Over the course of Operation Slipper, more than 34,000 Australian personnel served, with 41 killed and 261 wounded.

Beyond combat, Australia contributed to humanitarian and reconstruction efforts, helping to build infrastructure and support local governance. However, the mission was not without controversy. Critics questioned the long-term effectiveness of coalition strategies and the human cost of the war.

Operation Slipper formally ended in 2014, transitioning to Operation Highroad, which focused on training and advising Afghan forces until Australia’s final withdrawal in 2021. The legacy of Australia’s involvement remains complex—marked by sacrifice, service, and ongoing debates about the war’s outcomes.

In summary, Operation Slipper symbolized Australia’s commitment to global security and its alliance with the United States, while leaving a lasting impact on both the ADF and the nation’s understanding of modern warfare.

Click here to see a video of tribute to our 41 Afghanistan fallen - our heroes: https://youtu.be/GgrulJ_Q5BQ?si=bEna3y-0yQ4zYviG

Lest we forget

Content acknowledgement: Department of Veterans Affairs and Australian War Memorial

Inaugural Open Day

You may have seen the short article in The Leader about our Inaugural Open Day last Sunday, 23 November. It was a conjoint event by our sub-branch, the Barossa Historical Vehicle Club and the Barossa Motorcycle Club.

If you are a member who receives our Weekly Digest, you would also have read something about it in Wednesday's Digest.

There's not a lot more to say here other than that it was a success for an inaugural event but needs some fine tuning for future events.

We're planning on making our Open Day at least an annual event, probably once again in November.

We were very fortunate that The Clubhouse CEO Jack Ferrett donated 100 cooked chicken and pork ribs meals for the event. We added some salad, bread and refreshments and provided a nice meal for $15.

Everyone we spoke to said they had enjoyed the food, the company and the day. However, we believe we could have done better and will focus on doing just that in 2026.

Thank you to The Clubhouse  (Not forgetting the cooking team who cooked in situ), the Barossa Valley Historical Vehicle Club and the Barossa Motorcycle Club members for joining us and helping make our day special.

If you'd like to see some photos taken by Robin Henry at the event, you may do so here.