Japan’s Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Why not drop-in to our Hut after 5 pm most Fridays at Tanunda Recreational Park. Mix with our friendly members and have a refreshment. Everyone is welcome, you don't have to be a member or have a background in the military.

Recently editor Robin visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and watched a video of stories of survivors and those who told their stories shortly before their demise from radiation poisoning. Many of the latter people thought they had survived since they had not been injured during the explosion only to suffer illnesses shortly after.

 

A girls school nearby the drop zone resulted in the deaths of hundreds of those young girls, a few who survived long enough to tell their stories.

You can read stories from two young girls who were both 13 at the time in the link below or read their shortened stories in the images below.

This link will take you to a short video that relates theirs and other stories, a heartbreaking story about a young boy who had to cremate his deceased sister. He was interviewed in 2022.

Click to increase size

The dome above is one of very few buildings that survived total destruction and is a pivotal part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park that is spread across quite a large area and very beautiful. If you haven’t visited and ever get the chance to do so, please visit.

Robin admits to feeling very sad as he sat and watched the video and as always, was astonished by man’s inhumanity to man that still exists today.

Earlier readings about the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki revealed the decision the US Government took was that the total number of deaths caused by these bombings would have been fewer than the number incurred had the war continued. It must have been a tough decision for anyone to make and hopefully it will never be repeated. 

125 Years of the Australian Army

To all those who served, or still serve in the Australian Army, you have made us proud.

The Army - Strength - Service - Dedication

Watch the short video here.

Australia’s New Fighting Vehicles

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors are welcome. Australia’s Army is undergoing the biggest transformation in decades. 

From heavily armoured tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, to protected mobility platforms designed for modern, high-intensity conflict, the ADF’s land forces are being reshaped for a far more dangerous world.

In this video, we take a deep dive into the core vehicles that underpin Australia’s modern Army. From the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle and Redback IFV, to the AS9 Huntsman artillery system, M1A2 Abrams main battle tank, Hawkei and Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, and the specialised Supacat platforms that support special operations. 

We break down what each vehicle is designed to do, why it was chosen, how it fits into Australia’s defence strategy, and what it says about how the ADF expects future wars to be fought. This isn’t just about hardware. It’s about survivability, mobility, firepower, and the reality that land warfare is evolving faster than ever.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL  INTERESTING VIDEO

Portuguese Navy Builds Drone Ship

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

It seems to be a first and is a good looking ship to work with drones, the now proven method of killing the enemy without risking one’s own military. Thanks to the Ukraine Military that is using them very well to defeat Russia.

The Portuguese Navy has confirmed that Europe’s first naval carrier designed exclusively for unmanned systems is now taking shape in Portugal, marking a significant milestone in maritime innovation and defence capability.

The vessel, named NRPD João II, is being constructed by Dutch shipbuilder Damen and measures 108 metres in length, with a 94-metre flight deck dedicated to the launch and recovery of aerial drones. The ship is also equipped with a stern ramp for the deployment of surface and underwater unmanned vehicles, alongside a hangar for assembly, maintenance, and mission preparation.

Designed as a highly modular platform, the João II incorporates 18 container-sized mission modules. These can be rapidly reconfigured to support roles including hyperbaric treatment, medical and hospital facilities, or storage for more than 18 light vehicles and 10 boats. Mission systems and equipment can be swapped within a week, allowing the ship to transition swiftly between operational profiles.

“This approach allows the ship to maintain high functional flexibility, switching between different mission profiles without significant structural compromises,” said Portuguese Navy spokesperson Ricardo Sá Granja.

The standard crew complement consists of 48 naval personnel and 42 specialist operators and scientists, with emergency accommodation for up to 200 additional staff.

Built for endurance, the vessel is capable of 45 days of fully autonomous operations, reducing reliance on immediate logistical support.

Valued at approximately $US156 million, the NRPD João II is expected to achieve a top speed of 15.5 knots (29 kilometres or 18 miles per hour). The ship will be able to deploy multiple unmanned systems simultaneously, providing coordinated coverage across air, surface, and sub-surface domains.

In cooperation with local industry partners, the Portuguese Navy will be able to build certain unmanned systems on board, while international collaborators will contribute more advanced platforms to enhance operational capability.

The first NRPD João II is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026, with its debut expected to position Portugal at the forefront of unmanned naval operations in Europe.

Media release from the Portuguese Navy.

Army Cadet Receives Gold Commendation

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors are welcome. You don't have to be a veteran, an ADF member or associated with the ADF. 

It's always encouraging to see our younger generation and stories like this are always welcome.

In recognition of a most extraordinary feat of individual bravery, 13-year-old Australian Army Cadet Austin Appelbee, has been recognised with an Australian Army Cadets Gold Commendation

for his actions in saving his mother and siblings, who were washed out to sea on a kayak on the 30 January 2025. Austin, who parades with 50 Army Cadet Unit (Midlands), swam alone for more than 4 kilometres through rough open waters and ran a further 2 kilometres to call for help.

From everyone at the Australian Army Cadets and no doubt the Australian and international community, we salute you Austin for your courage and determination – you are a genuine hero!

From a post on the Australian Army Cadet’s Facebook page.

ANZAC Day Poetry Competition

Will you be the winner of our 2026 ANZAC Day Poetry Competition and win a surprise gift? 

Last year we held our inaugural ANZAC Day Poetry Competition and it was a great success. We had conjoint winners whose names were placed on our perpetual plaque and who presented their poems on ANZAC Day and at the RSL Tanunda Hut.

This year we are offering a surprise gift that anyone would appreciate. You could be the lucky winner and have your name forever displayed on our perpetual plaque.

You can download the following necessary forms here:

• The Terms and Conditions of the competition
• An Entry Form

We hope to receive your entry by the closing date and wish all competitors the very best of luck.

Our New Drinks Refrigerator

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

We had a refrigerator in our bar that was so old that none of our members could recall when it was purchased and when it was installed. And some of our members have been with our sub-branch for a very long time. 

On a good day, the old fridge sounded like a train rolling through a desert town and seemed to get louder when anyone was nearby and trying to listen to a call on their mobile phone. On a bad day, determined by the air conditioning unit itself, it even sounded worse.

Now, without telling stories out of school, some of our members wear hearing aids (no names, no pack drill) and found it exceptionally difficult to hear members ordering drinks because of the racket coming from the almost dead fridge. When we rely on drinks sales as our only regular source of income, we can’t afford not to be delivering the goods.

An airconditioning and refrigeration tradie told us months ago it was a miracle that it was still going and that we shouldn't be suprised if we opened our doors one Friday evening ready for a coldie only to find it had died several days earlier. Can you imagine, 37 degrees Celsius, it's ANZAC Day and hundreds of thirsty marchers and supporters turn up and there's not a cold drink to be found anywhere. I can't imagine anything worse happening to a veteran than finding their parachute didn't work on a training exercise.  

Fortunately, while we were talking about replacement options, one of our committee members, Peter A said he’d donate a fridge to us. Thanks mate, that’s exceedingly generous.

Remarkably, the fridge arrived almost in an instant and today was installed by a team of our hard working, devoted, and highly intelligent members. From left above Malcolm, David, John, Clive, and Elliott. Somewhere out of view of the image is Dawn who also assisted.

What’s happening to the old fridge? In what is an excellent idea it’s being downgraded to a wine storage fridge in a location where it won’t annoy anyone. When it eventually dies, nobody will miss out on a cold wine as there will be a few bottles in the new, you-beaut, quiet, better looking new acquisition.

How good is that?

Armed robots take to the battlefield in Ukraine war

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

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has developed into a high-tech conflict.

Now, Ukraine has embarked on a massive programme to deploy armed robots on the ground.

Uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), or ground robot systems as they are known in Ukrainian military parlance, have already proven their worth.

There have been reports of UGVs successfully repelling Russian attacks and even taking enemy soldiers prisoner.

Ukrainian and Russian killer robots are even said to have clashed without humans being present at the site of the battle.

"Robot wars are already happening," says Oleksandr Afanasiev from the Ukrainian army's K2 brigade. He commands its UGV battalion - the world's first, he says.

One way in which the brigade has been using these robots is by mounting Kalashnikov machine guns on top.

"They open fire on a battlefield where an infantryman would be afraid to turn up. But a UGV is happy to risk its existence," Maj Afanasiev says.

Read more here.

Feedback: Management Committee Meeting

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors are welcome. No military connection required. See our Tab above for more information. Our meeting on Tuesday, 3 February 26 took about half an hour longer than 2025 meetings because we now have a larger number of committee members. However, it was all new to several members and my guess is when they begin to interact more, the meetings will go longer.

Most topics are fairly routine eg, our monthly income and expenses report produced by Treasurer, Craig.

ANZAC Day: We're well advanced in preparations for this special day with just a few items to fine tune that will be done well before 25th April.

New Bar Refrigerator: Our current bar refrigerator is close to the end of its life and needs to be replaced before it breaks down at the most inconvenient time (think ANZAC Day!). Our enquiries reveal it's too old to be repaired with original parts, so the committee endorsed a motion to purchase another for up to $3,500.

Initially it was intended that we would lease it for 12 months and at the end of the 12 months pay out the residual amount. However, one of our committee members has generously offered to donate the amount required. The donation is still being discussed, so I don't want to mention the member's name before it's a done deal. It's an extremely generous offer.

Avoiding Friday Happy Hour During Show Weekend: The Tanunda Show is on Saturday, 14th March 26 and the show organisers will be busy with show-related activities from Thursday through Sunday of that week, so the committee decided last year that we would avoid any RSL activities during that time that might interfere with the show organisation and inconvenience our members. 

Our Hut will be open from 5 pm Wednesday, 11th March in lieu of Friday, 13th March.

Completely avoiding the relevant days seemed the most sensible thing to do for both of our organisations. Having said that, the committee is determining whether we could open the Hut as a commercial venture during the show. More about that later.

Review of Major Meals, Snacks, and Bar Costs: 

Several committee members are reviewing both the amount of food we are providing, the costs, and how to recover costs from members. This was brought about by the financial losses we realised last year and also the fact that some members didn't appear to be paying for their snacks.

The aim is not to price the meals or bar prices out of existence, but to have a better balance between what we invest and how we can break even or preferably make a small profit. For example, a carton of Guiness Draught is more expensive and has a greater quantity than a carton of say Great Northern beer but we charge the same price for each product. This doesn't make good business sense.

You will no doubt be advised of the outcome of this review when it's finalised.

Help Lists: President David has produced lists for a number of volunteering opportunities we need filled and we ask members to choose something they'd like to help with. I've asked for the lists to be emailed to members since not everyone attends the Hut.

We really need help with numerous tasks that have been done by a small cohort to-date and the burden needs to be spread among as many other members as possible so everyone does a little and nobody is left to do everything.

Temporary Secretary: Malcolm Harvey has taken over the secretary role in Robin's absence and I ask that you give him every support as he adjusts and takes up the role.

That's all for this post.

Life on the Line Podcast

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors are always welcome. Do you prefer listening to stories rather than reading them? Sometimes I feel the same. 

You can be doing something else while listening so this post I want to introduce you to the "Life on the Line Podcast". (The term podcast comes from the iPod of yesteryear where you could store audio files and listen to them any time)

This podcast by Angus Hordern hosts a panel discussion of three significant battles where Australians overcame the odds, with David Buckwalter, Michael Kelly and Peter Slack-Smith.

This panel conversation is on three significant battles in Australian military history where our forces overcame overwhelming odds, moderated by Angus Hordern.

The guests include: David Buckwalter, a Vietnam War veteran, speaks on the Battle of Wau from World War II; Michael Kelly, Australian War Memorial historian and army veteran, speaks on the Battle of Kapyong from the Korean War; and, Peter Slack-Smith, a Vietnam veteran, speaks about the Battle of Long Tan, from his perspective as a Delta Company soldier in that bloody engagement.

To hear the podcast, click on the image:

If you like this series and wish to hear more podcasts, please go to the Contact Site.

Acknowledgement: Contact Magzine.

Our Hut is Open TODAY!

Will you join us, we’re starting the year off with a BBQ?

The phrase "Happy Hour" being singular is really a misnomer. 

We have several hours in which we are happy, surrounded by our fellow members and occasional visitors. Visitors are always welcome.

Sometimes we have a major meal to which members are asked to RSVP. These are very popular.

Other evenings we have a small offering of finger foods that often include sausage rolls, small pies and, ... well, you get the idea. One way or another, we have a good time.

If you need somewhere to go tonight or any Friday night, come to The Hut for several happy hours. 

We'll look forward to seeing you as we commence our 2026 schedule of events.

Note: Apologies for the blue links in the text that Google has decided to put in. I'm working on getting rid of it

Celebrate Australia Day With Us

Have you visited us yet? Australia Day and Fridays from 5 pm on 30 January 26 at Tanunda Recreation Park. Visitors are welcome. 

26 January Annually

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. 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025

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

Our AGM is being held as follows:

Our Inaugural Open Day - 23 November 25

The Hut will be closed from Friday 12 December 25 until 30 Jaunary 26 but you can still contact us by email or by letter to our postal address PO Box 384 Tanunda SA 5352. 

We are holding a community Open Day and hope that if you are in the Barossa Area you will visit us.

At the RSL Tanunda Sub-Branch we're excited because this is the first event of this nature in the history of our sub-branch (club).

Not only that, the Tanunda Clubhouse is donating a number of chicken meals that will complement that of our club to provide a great lunch for visitors for a very reasonable price. $15 will get you a plate of chicken and a variety of accompanying salad.

The Barossa Valley Historical Vehicle Club is partnering with us and will have numerous of its vehicles at the Tanunda Recreation Park. 

It's going to be a great Sunday! Do come and join us.

Take a look at our memorabilia - see if there are any photographs or mentions of your ancestors - talk with members and ask us questions about the RSL. We look forward to seeing you.

Children are welcome under supervision.

Two Premier Organisations work Together

Legacy and the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) work together for the benefit of serving  and deceased Australian Defence Force (ADF) Personnel and their families.

We recently renewed our Memorandum of Understanding on how we would best do that.

Legacy Australia is a brand dedicated to giving back to the families of veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. Since 1923, Legacy has been fulfilling their promise to support and assist the partners and children of veterans who have lost their lives or suffered injuries in the line of duty. With a focus on providing stability, guidance, and financial assistance, Legacy ensures that no dependent of a veteran suffers social or financial disadvantage.

Their work has a significant impact, supporting over 40,000 partners and children of veterans and helping to address the effects of post-traumatic stress and other psychological injuries. Legacy's commitment is evidenced by the millions of dollars spent on support services and the tireless efforts of over 3,400 dedicated Legatees. Through their long and rich history, Legacy has expanded to operate in local communities across Australia and even in London.

By donating, fundraising, volunteering, or becoming a Legatee, you can contribute to Legacy's mission of empowering the families of veterans to fully realize their potential. 

As a part of his role as a Legacy Legatee for the Barossa Valley Region your author Robin will be delivering dozens of Christmas Puddings to widows within the Kapunda, Nuriootpa and Tanunda townships within the next few weeks. Other Legatees will also be delivering these popular puddings.

The packages contain four tasty puddings and feedback suggests our beneficiaries look forward to this annual gift from Legacy.

During the year, numerous social coffee days and dinners are organised for our members either near their townships or at Adelaide.

If you are the widow or widower of an ADF member, you are entitled to apply for membership where you can receive advocacy, financial, legal and other support free of charge.

While Legacy Australia focuses on the families of veterans and serving ADF personnel, the RSL focuses on veterans and our communities with some, but limited assistance to families.

Our two roles are complemented by organisations such as the Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans SA, and an increasing number of non-government authority (NGA) organisations.

You can read about the RSL in general and our sub-branch using the tabs on this site and the links therein. Our Relevant Links tab lists many of the NGA organisations, many of which are funded by government departments.

Conclusion

I hope this has been informative for you and that you develop an interest in either joining or supporting either of these organisations. Any questions about either may be directed to our sub-branch by mail or email.