Saturday, October 30, 2021

Remembrance Day Appeal

Our volunteers will be outside Foodland Tanunda selling a wide range of memorabilia on Wednesday, 3 and Thursday, 4 November between 9 am and 5 pm.

This is part of our annual activity to raise funds for our veterans' support programs and the ongoing costs of running our sub-branch. Apart from special grants we receive for specific tied activities (see here), our club runs largely on donations from our generous sponsors and the Barossa public.

Numerous people simply drop off a donation and we have at least one collector who spends a large sum on new badges every year. Others buy one or two of our products sourced mainly from the Military Shop with whom we have an affiliation.

If you click on the Military Shop link here in the right column under Links, you'll not only find a rich harvest of militaria you can buy eg, jackets, medals, badges, caps, water bottles and much more, but you'll also ensure our club gets a small commission.

Do visit us on either of the two days and get yourself some of the newer memorabilia. We look forward to seeing you. 

PS: The umbrellas were popular last year as were the purple badges acknowledging the service that animals have provided during all wars.

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Our Reconditioned Cannon!

You may or may not have noticed that the Ordnance 25 Pounder Cannon that usually sits along the left side of The Hut has been absent for a while. 

No, it wasn't stolen. It was sent for reconditioning - sand-blasting, repainting, and new tyres.

Now it looks like it's just come off the production lines, but you won't be able to see it for a while yet because the Tanunda Sports Complex is going to undergo some construction and redevelopment activity and we aren't sure where we will position the cannon to obtain the best view for passers-by.

Not only that, wherever we place it, it will need to be on a concrete base and have a cover over the top and perhaps wind-breakers around one or more sides to protect it from the environment. We are currently seeking funds to help with that project.

History

The Ordnance QF 25-pounder, or more simply, 25-pounder was introduced into service just before World War II, during which it served as the major British field gun/howitzer. Combining high rates of fire with a reasonably lethal shell in a highly mobile piece, it was the British Army's primary artillery field piece well into the 1960s, with smaller numbers serving in training units until the 1980s. 

Many Commonwealth of Nations countries used theirs, including Australia, in active or reserve service until about the 1970s. Our Army used a 25 pounder with a shorter barrel than the original British version.

While the Australian Army now uses the M777 155mm lightweight, towed howitzer, as its main artillery firepower, the 25 pounder served us well in the past. 

It's interesting to know that shells for the 25 pounders are still produced by Pakistan Ordnance but most remaining cannon are used for ceremonial purposes.

We'll keep you posted when we bring the cannon out of storage.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Veterans' Health Week Event - 18 October 2021

We are pleased to announce a Veterans Wellbeing Workshop in partnership with the Plympton Veterans Centre which is a centre for voluntary Qualified Military Advocates offering advocacy services to veterans and their families free of charge.

We have used this year’s DVA theme of "Get Moving" to focus on:
  1. Get moving on Veteran Advocacy
  2. Get moving on Veteran Aged Care
  3. Get moving on Veteran Planning
The Workshop will increase participants' awareness of the pathways of support and assistance that are available when considering a claim or service from DVA, moving into an aged care facility, or considering a will, power of attorney, or an advanced care directive.

Veterans, service members, their families, and RSL affiliates are invited to attend.

The workshop will be presented by Nathan Klinge, the CEO of RSL CareSA, Tich, and Bill Hignett and a light lunch will be provided. Further details are:

When:    12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Where:   RSL Tanunda "Hut" in the Tanunda Recreation Park, 18 Bilyara Road,
              Tanunda

RSVP:    By close of business Friday, 15 October 21 to
               President Trevor Klose by email to tanunda@rslsa.org.au or mobile
               0418 632 508

This activity is being funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Management Committee