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?

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.

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. 

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.

Another Sausage Sizzle Success

Join us! Enquire about membership and what we do by clicking the tabs on this site. 

We run three sausage sizzles annually and invariably benefit from excellent community support.

Here are several photos of our Mitre 10 Sausage Sizzle on 25 October 25. Heavy rain and thunderstorms were predicted, but fortunately, they arrived half an hour after we had packed up.

In the photo at right from left to right are Andrew, Craig, Judi, and Dawn. Member volunteers usually have a fun time running our Sausage Sizzles and Foodland Memorabilia Days preceding ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. (We'll be at Foodland Tanunda on 4th and 5th November just before Remembrance Day) 

Click to increase the size of the photo in your browser

Our appreciation to Mitre 10 for allowing us to use their premises and providing sausages.

$108 Million Dollars for Redback Remote Weapons System Contract

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

Photo by Andrew Green

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (EOS) has been awarded a contract to supply remote weapon systems (RWS) for the Australian Defence Force’s LAND 400 Phase 3 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) program.

The multi-year contract, valued at $108 million, was awarded by Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA), the prime contractor to the ADF on LAND 400-3.

This order includes delivery of RWS, spare parts, training, and documentation.

Under the agreement, EOS will deliver an enhanced R400 RWS, purpose-built to meet the Australian Army’s operational requirements and fully integrated with the AS21 Redback IFV.

Manufacturing of the RWS will be undertaken at EOS’ facility in Canberra, drawing on a well-established national supply chain of more than 100 Australian companies.

EOS’ RWS are world leading, proven in operational service with militaries in Australia, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

EOS has delivered more than 2500 systems globally, of which more than 700 have been delivered or are contracted for delivery to the Australian Army.

EOS CEO Andreas Schwer said this contract was a win for Australian industry, and EOS was delighted to be working with Hanwha Defence Australia on this critical project for Army.

“The work will be carried out here in Australia, supporting skilled jobs, strengthening our sovereign defence manufacturing base, and showcasing the capabilities of local suppliers on a national program of strategic importance,” Dr Schwer said.

Project LAND 400 Phase 3 will see 129 IFVs delivered to the Australian Army.

Article acknowledgement: Brian Hartigan, Contact Publishing.

Pollie Pedal 2025

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

Our sub-branch is pleased to advise that we will be providing a lunch and breakfast for around 35 people riding in the Pollie Pedal 2025.

The event unites Members of Parliament, veterans, community leaders, and everyday Australians to ride with purpose, raising funds and awareness for those who’ve served our nation.

This year it runs from 21–27 September and does 831km from Adelaide through Regional SA including our beloved Barossa Valley.

Funds raised will be provided to the Special Services branches of our Army.

Our sub-branch was invited to provide a lunch for riders on Saturday 27 September and breakfast early on 28 September as a conjoint activity. 

As our role includes giving back to our community that is so generous to us, we jumped at the chance. Despite the early start for breakfast - the riders need to depart at 7 am - numerous members volunteered to help with a BBQ.

We're looking forward to meeting the riders while they are in Tanunda and the Barossa Valley.

Read more here.

Preparing for Fathers Day - 7 September 25

Hurry! Buy your tickets for our Fathers' Day Raffle. 

For the last few years we have been running Fathers' Day raffles as part of our fundraising program. This year we're running behind schedule, but we believe we'll make it on time thanks to our member volunteers, Kym M and Jan T who unfortunately had to hand over due to an accident.

The business owners and people of Barossa are extremely generous and we've received a rich harvest of stock items, vouchers etc, to support our annual effort. A few photos and a description of what we have raised appear below. If you are a recipient of the Weekly Digest, you will have seen most of this list.

It could be YOU waving!

We have had had donated a:

1. helicopter voucher (First prize)
2. top of the range Langmeil The Fifth Wave Grenache 2017 in a beautiful box
3. carton of three bottles of Charles Melton wines
4. Custom Hawaii shirt and a bucket hat (Barossa Rams Rugby Club)
5. vouchers from The Clubhouse (2 x $50)
6. Lyndavale Valley Butchers voucher for $50
7. vouchers from The Ministry of Wine (3 x $30)
8. Something to collect from Mitre 10 before Friday
9. half day Barossa wine tour including morning tea at the historic Annlaby Station
10. Lavendar Farm gift pack with a value over $100
11. Gibson wine pack
12. Tanunda Pines Golf Club one 18 hole voucher
13. voucher from Barossa Bowland for 4 people for 1 Game Bowling plus one Dinosaur Mini Golf Entry plus one Dino Maze and Walk  

Our organising sub-committee has already decided that the helicopter flight will be first prize. Shortly we will decide which items will be aggregated to make up several other prizes. When you buy a ticket, you'll know that whatever prize you get, it will be of good value. So buy up big, tickets are a tiny $2 per ticket.

Tickets are on sale at the sub-branch Hut when open and will be available at the Nuriootpa Kiosk outside Barossa Fresh on Wednesday, 27 August 25.

The draw will take place on Friday, 5 September immediately before Fathers' Day.

Our Management Committee and Members are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and are greatly appreciative.

Coming to the Hut Friday and Sunday

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

Here's your opportunity to review, test and buy some excellent lavender products:

PS: Your editor buys the handwash plungers with just the right amount of lavender and a scent to die for.

We've Reached 100,000 Page Visits!

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

The Editor and Secretary's target was 100,000 page visits by the end of June 2025. 

We're happy to announce that we've reached the target a few weeks ahead. Our blog site is being accessed daily across Australia and internationally.

An Excited Editor - AI Generated Version

More importantly, our members and anyone else within our region, and nearby regions can access our site and learn about who we are and what we do.

Increasing numbers are taking the time to subscribe using the box in the right-hand column to sign up so they receive notifications when we post.

Few people take the time to comment in the dialogue boxes that appear at the bottom of each post, but I invite you to do so and give us feedback about what we are posting and what you would like to see posted.

Thank you to the many who have visited and keep coming back. It makes our effort worthwhile.

PS: While you're here, why not take a look at the excellent jackets on sale at our partner, the Military Shop?

Our First Luncheon - Italian Themed

Visit us on Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreation Park for our Happy Hours. 

Our sub-branch is blessed with a handful of chefs who prefer to call themselves cooks. Whatever you call them, they produce some exceptional dinners and on this occasion, our first luncheon held on Sunday, 18 May 25 which was an outstanding success.

For years, we've been holding weekly or monthly dinners on Friday evenings during our Happy Hours, and we've decided now to hold occasional luncheons. This was our first effort and with around 25 members, was a top afternoon for all of us.

We get to chat, imbibe on a few nice wines or beers including our The Hut house wine, we have a laugh and nobody leaves with an empty stomach or without a smile. Our Hut is a happy place!

With Winter a hop-step-and-jump away, I expect we'll have more luncheons than dinners since members will be inclined to stay home Friday evenings, watch football and stay warm.

This luncheon was prepared by husband and wife team Tony and Elizabeth who produced a menu of:

CHICKEN CACCIATORE

A succulent chicken in tomato Basco sauce

with wine, herbs & olives

PENNE ALLA FUNGHI (V)

Penne in a dairy free creamy Mushroom sauce

Vegetables

Focaccia/Garlic Bread

Salads

Wine Recommendation: The Hut Shiraz

DESERTS

Tira Masu or Cheesecake

 

I just have to tell you, Tony grows award-winning Sicilian tomatoes that are to die for; a touch of salt, and they are the tastiest you'll ever find. He's won awards at local annual shows and has the certificates to prove it.

 

You can't get a better meal anywhere for an astonishing $25 per head.

 

 

Buy now at the Military Shop

 

 

 

The Inaugural 2025 ANZAC Day Poetry Competition

---- Our Happy Hours are on Fridays commencing at 5 pm and we open on 26 April 25 also, why not join us, everyone is welcome. ---- 

Kym Milne, our newest Service member, who has done so much for us came up with the idea of running a 2025 ANZAC Day Poetry Competition and assisted by VP Patsy Biscoe, turned it into an inaugural event that we expect will continue annually.

Click to Increase

Kym advertised the event and, we received numerous submissions from aspiring poets via email and post. A small panel of judges was assembled to assess the entries and this included our in-house bush poet, Maurie O'Brien who is a published author of his title, ANZAC Poems and Other Sprigs of Wattle that you can read about in an earlier post here. 

The judges completed their assessment of poetry and nominated two joint winners, both of whom are surprisingly only 14 years old: Su and Ryka.

Both read their poems at our Dawn Service and again at our luncheon for those who didn't attend the Dawn Service.

 

At the luncheon, each was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and advised that their names will appear on the above perpetual plaque which at the time wasn't completed.  

The plaque has now been completed and has a chain horizontally across the bottom (it's straighter than it looks in the image) with a suspended military dog tag indicating the competition and the winners' names. As a perpetual plaque, each year, another dog tag will be hung across the bottom suspended by the chain. 

The winning poems follow:

 Stillness of the Dawn

In the stillness of the dawn, a bugle softly cries,

As we gather 'neath the sky with hearts both full and wise.

With heads bowed low and tear-filled eyes, we remember those who stood,

Brave souls who fought in distant lands, for freedom's greater good.

The spirit lingers in the breeze, on shores so far aways,

With every wave that breaks the sand, we honour ANZAC Day.

Through lines of courage, etched in time, their stories must be told

Of sacrifice and comradeship, of bravery oh so bold.

For every poppy that we place, a gratitude we share

To those who answered duties (sic) call, face the fight with care.

Yet in our hearts, a sombre ache, for lives forever changed.

The cost of war, a heavy price, for peace that they arranged.

So let us stand and raise a toast, to those who pave the way,

Their legacy of honour lives, in every word we say.

And though the years may drift away, their memory won't fade,

For on this sacred ANZAC Day, our heartfelt debt is paid.

By Ryka Dowley

1914

The sky was never silent here.
Even in the breath between the barrage,
we heard the ghosts of yesterday,
boots sinking into the mire,
missives folded tight against our chests,
names whispered like supplications to the dust.

The trench is a purgatory of waiting.
Of hands, pallid and trembling in the cold,
of eyes fixed upon the ashen beyond,
of home distilled to a flickering spectre.
A sunburnt crest, a wattle’s golden flare,
a scream of rage, a battlefield’s bloodshed.

They told us we would be legends,
that we would inscribe eternity upon the earth,
but the earth only swallowed us whole,
consumed our marrow, our bodies, our very names,
and left behind only stillness;
sprawling from the ridges of Gallipoli
to the fields where poppies dare to rise.

Above, the ethers simmered in a furious red,
like a cauldron brimming and roiling over,
churned with embers, blackened and bitter,
ash swirling like pepper upon the molten soup.

But the flowers remain,
carmine as the dawn we shall never behold,
soft as the hands we longed to clasp.
They do not wail, nor do they weep,
yet in solemn grace, they endure.
A requiem in crimson.

Lest we forget.

By Su Nguyen

We think you will agree that the poetry by these young ladies is an exemplar for others striving to be poets.

Buy Now - Great Shopping Bag

Gather Round Saturday Success

---- Several new static steel servicemen have appeared near our flag pole ... take a look when next you visit the Hut. ---- 

One of the Committee's new approaches is to open on other days and at other times than Friday evenings after 5 pm. 

So far we have opened on Vietnam Veteran's Day and a couple of other occasions and in fact will be having a luncheon on Good Friday. 

Gather Round Visitors and President Babbage

Last Saturday we opened during the Gather Round football event from 11 am until late afternoon and had a large number of visitors come into our Hut. Many simply wanted to use our toilets or view our memorabilia that is displayed in several large glass-front cabinets, others wanted a cool drink on what was a warmish day.

One astute lady told me we could have made a fortune hiring chairs. She pointed out the shortage of sitting spaces around the oval. A couple of others sat in Ferdie's Chair at the front of the Hut for the duration of the game.

Chatting to those who came into the Hut was interesting with people coming from all over Australia just to attend Gather Round. It must have been a winner for Barossa Valley accommodation and other sales outlets as it was for us. 

We're going to continue opening during football and other events and trust this will help to encourage people to visit us, buy our drinks or memorabilia (we sold $300+ worth on the day) and maybe find a few new members.

Lutheran Care Community Connections Wellbeing Programs

---- Have you visited the Hut Friday evenings after 5 pm and met our friendly, happy team? No! You're missing out ... everyone is welcome. ----
Lutheran Care Barossa provides a range of well-being and friendship programs across Barossa towns in which members or some of their friends may be interested. You could pass our link to anyone whom you feel might benefit from these programs.

Feedback the editor has had suggests that the programs are well supported and do everything they say in their fliers.

If you click on the image at left, you may download a full PDF file file providing much more information than we could place here.

If you do attend some or all of the activities, we'd appreciate your feedback and you can provide that in the comments section below.

Flanders Poppy Glass Cup

Advertisement

Elevate your hot beverage experience with this beautifully crafted Courage, Honour and Sacrifice poppy glass mug. Boasting a 350ml capacity and a comfortable handle, it combines elegance with functionality for a truly refined drinking experience. The design features a stunning stained-glass arrangement of seven red poppies on each side, offering a poignant reminder of those who have served our nation. Each sip invites reflection, making this mug a meaningful and stylish tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of our heroes. (This is the wording on the side of the box. The other side has the Flanders Poem)

Click the image to purchase or wait until 22-23 April when our volunteers will be staffing a Memorabilia Kiosk outside Foodland Tanunda. These will go like free pancakes, so don't miss out.

2025-2026 Federal Budget Delivers Funds for DVA Veteran Services

---- When did you last visit the Hut? Visit us most Fridays after 5 pm for our Happy Hours. ---- The Australian Government handed down the 2025-26 Federal Budget on 25 March 2025. 

The 2025–26 Budget builds on previous investments that have seen the demand for the Department’s services increase. 

$47.6 million in 2025–26 has been provided to increase resourcing in key service delivery areas of the Department. This includes funding for up to 120 service delivery staff in the following areas: 

1. the Veteran Access Network
2. Veteran Support Officers
3. Complex Case Management teams
4. Information Access teams, and 
5. mental health support teams. 

 A further $11.9 million in 2025-26 has been provided to support continued access to key health and support programs for veterans and families, including:  

1. extension of the Military and Veteran Psychiatry Training Program
2. extension of the Veterans’ Chaplaincy Pilot Program
3. supporting the delivery of the Veteran Employment Program
4. extension of the Veterans – volunteer training in suicide recognition and intervention program
5. supporting Invictus Australia 
6. supporting Kookaburra Kids. 

This additional funding builds on significant investments into the Department via the 2024–25 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) process, which included $34.9 million to provide DVA with additional resourcing as well as funding to support the Department’s implementation of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.  

To find out more about the 2025–26 Budget measures, please visit the 2025–26 Budget page on the DVA website.

Your Editor uses one of these notebooks every day!

Todays Youth Honour the Sacrifice of the Youth of Yesterday

---- Come and join us - Friday evenings from 5 pm. ---- 

New entrance - RSL Tanunda Hut

In 1946 the RSL Tanunda Hut, an old Army quarters was moved to its current position and installed at the Tanunda Recreation Park where it has sat since with several upgrades. 

Throughout the last 12 months or so we have be progressively upgrading the Hut with a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs who part-funded our internal Honour Board Wall, and Lambert Estate winery who provided a very generous donation. We also ran two successful Fashion Parades at Lambert Estate that increased our revenue.

The several Memorabilia Kiosks and Sausage Sizzles we run at Foodland Tanunda and Mitre10 Nuriootpa annually are also helpful in keeping our sub-branch going as the people in our community are very generous, even in the current era of high costs, high inflation and challenges with rent and housing. 

As a not-for-profit organisation we rely on the generosity of our community and member-volunteers to keep operating.

The latest addition today in our Hut improvement program was the presentation of an attractive mild steel, plasma-cut bench seat donated by one of our long term members, Paul (Ferdie) Fernandez OAM and his wife Elizabeth. 

As you can see in the image below, the back of the seat has the informal name of our sub-branch, the tri-service badges in order of seniority of service from left to right. The words "Lest we forget" from the RSL Ode is cut into the seat immediately below the tri-service badges and the wording on the bottom is reflected in the the title of this post.

Click to see larger image

As an aging veteran, I think these 10 words are significant. It's important for our youth to be knowledgeable about the sacrifices young men and women made in the numerous wars in which we have been involved. It's important for them to know that wars should always be a last resort when all other options have failed, that they are ugly, and that one day they could be called upon to do what their ancestors have done - lay down their lives to protect their fellow Australians, our democratic system of governance, and the values we all treasure.  

The bench seat was bolted to the ground at the entrance of our Hut and welcomes all who walk past it. No doubt many members, visitors, and perhaps dog walkers will take a rest at what will probably be known as "Ferdie's Chair" for many years to come. 

Ferdie and Liz Fernandez

Here's a photo of Ferdie and Elizabeth shortly after the installation yesterday. 

The manufacturer of the bench seat who did such an excellent job of manufacture and installation was 

Plasma Art Adelaide who have made dozens of similar products.

If you are in the area call in and have a look at this wonderful addition to our Hut. 

A New Veterans' and Families Hub for Elizabeth

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome, you don't need to be a member. ---- 

A new Veterans’ and Families’ Hub will be established within the Playford Health and Wellbeing Precinct in Elizabeth Vale, enhancing access to support services for more than 11,000 South Australian veterans and families. 

This Hub’s location will enable seamless integration with existing health services and facilitate comprehensive support for veterans, closer to home. 

The new Northern Adelaide Hub will also be conveniently near the Edinburgh Defence Precinct, a ‘super base’ with more than 3,500 Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army personnel. 

Hubs provide a welcoming space where veterans and families can receive integrated, holistic, wrap-around support – this can include mental and physical health services, wellbeing support, advocacy, employment and housing advice, and social connection.

 All current and former serving ADF members, including reservists, and families can access support at any Veterans’ and Families’ Hub. 

In January 2024, the Australian Government awarded a $5 million grant for Lives Well Lived to lead the development of a new Hub in Northern Adelaide. Lives Well Lived is working closely with the veteran community, ex-service organisations and veteran service providers to design a Hub and service model that meets the needs of the local community. 

Eight Hubs are already operating across the country in Adelaide, Burnie, Caboolture, Darwin, Nowra, Perth, Townsville and Wodonga. The Northern Adelaide Hub is part of the Australian Government’s $46.7 million commitment to establish eight new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country, to ensure even more veterans and families can access supports closer to home. 

Hubs are also being established in Tasmania, Queanbeyan and the Hawkesbury, Hunter and Tweed/North Coast regions (NSW), Ipswich (QLD), Surf Coast/Geelong (VIC), and Southwest Perth (WA). All new Hubs are expected to be operational by mid-2026, with services to veterans and families likely to start before then. 

Learn more at the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub page.

Saluting their Service Display at Tanunda

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome, you don't need to be a member. ---- Anyone who has been a member for a few years will recall the joint venture we ran with "The Emu Tree's" Christian Teusner. The venture was funded by the Department of Veteran's Affairs for two years during 2021-22 under its "Saluting their Service" program.

We successfully applied for successive year grants totalling almost $80,000 and this was for Christian to obtain oral histories from veterans and their families. It also included obtaining written stories and photographs and displaying same across South Australia.

Display at Ayres House, Adelaide
 during SALA Week 2021

Christian did an excellent job and ran numerous displays across the state including at Tanunda and Adelaide as can be seen in the photo at left.

Most importantly, Christian obtained dozens of oral stories from WWII veterans whose lives were approaching their end and some have passed away since. These oral records are invaluable.

A link to listen to them appears under Links in our right hand column.

Our sub-branch didn't continue with the program because of the administrative load but mainly to give some other sub-branches an opportunity.

Christian took up the opportunity with, from memory, RSL Waikerie Sub-Branch, and continued with the work which he is still doing several years later. By now the collection must be huge.

The good news is, Christian will be displaying his collection at the Tanunda Football Club, Tanunda Recreation Park during the forthcoming Barossa Vintage Festival.

Mark it in your diary and make sure you don't miss what is an interesting and informative display with photographs of many people from our regions.

You can read more by going to the bottom of this site and entering "Saluting their Service" in the Search dialogue box which will list all previous posts about it. 

Have you bought your ANZAC Day Memorabilia?

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome, you don't need to be a member. ---- ANZAC Day is fast approaching - only 9 weeks away.

Our partner, the Militaryshop has a cornucopia of militaria waiting for you to purchase. There are many, new exciting, popular products like the Poppy Impressions range:

Many of these products eg, sturdy shopping bags, mugs, and umbrella are big sellers at our kiosk outside Foodland Tanunda.

Pens sell well - everyone needs a collection of pens. (I have enough to open a stationery shop having had a pen fetish for decades!).

Then there are dozens of different badges covering every one of our wars commencing with World War II.

Afghan Service is well catered for also with Operation Slipper.

Operation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the war in Afghanistan. In November 2001 Australian SAS troops joined the war in Afghanistan. C-130 Hercules aircraft provided logistic support to the SAS, while F/A-18 Hornets contributed to air defence at the American Indian Ocean base of Diego Garcia. From March to September 2002, two RAAF Boeing 707 refuelling aircraft of 84 Wing were based at Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan in central Asia.

The initial ADF commitment in Afghanistan concluded in December 2002 when the Special Air Service Task Group was withdrawn.

An Australian Special Forces Task Group was re-deployed to Afghanistan in August or September 2005.

The Australian Special Forces Task Group was withdrawn from Afghanistan in September 2006.

A Reconstruction Taskforce began arriving in Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan in early September 2006. (Source: Virtual Museum)

If you decide to visit the Military Shop using our link here, our sub-branch will receive a small commission.

Thanks Barossans!

---- As a not-for-profit organisation we rely on public support to keep operating. ----

Our volunteer team: Lex, Denise, Alistair, David,
and an unknown but gorgeous photo bomber.