Page 3760 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 26 August 2009
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The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
This motto is something which is as relevant today as it was when the RSL was formed in 1916. Serving in our defence force has not always been popular and, on the contrary, has in the past been scoffed at by portions of our community. I am glad that those days are past us and that there is widespread support for the people that are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we might live with the freedoms we enjoy.
I am a believer in the notion that Australia and all Australians have a contract with all serving and ex-service defence force members. This contract means that, if a member of our community serves in our defence force, Australia and Australians agree to the just remuneration, care and protection for that person and their family. I am a believer that veterans entitlements are just that, entitlements based on a contract. They are not components of the welfare system but components of a remuneration agreement in view of the commitment made by the member and his or her family.
The RSL will forever be special for me because I had the privilege of working for the RSL national headquarters prior to being elected to this place. My time at the headquarters was a very rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the mentorship provided by the national secretary, Derek Robson AM, and the rest of the team at the headquarters, including the national president, Major General Bill Crews AO.
I would like to pay tribute to the ACT RSL branch. In particular, I would like to note those serving on the branch executive and in administration: the state president, Mr John King; the deputy president, Mrs June Healy OAM; the vice presidents, Mr David Millar, Mr Jan Paulga, Mr Bruce Tunnah OAM; the chief executive officer, Mr James Davidson; the treasurer, Mr Mickey Michaelis; the minutes secretary, Mr Paul Bohun; the office manager, Mr Dave Mills; the immediate past president, Lieutenant Colonel John Merrick, retired; the branch advocate, Mr Arthur Craig OAM; the pensions officer, Mrs Kathleen Craig; the welfare and bereavements officers, Mr Colin Berryman OAM, Mr Peter Burrows OAM, JP; the branch returning officer, Mr Arthur Craig OAM; the branch recruiting officer, Mr David Millar; the branch trustees, Mr Brian Cook OAM, Mr Laurie Dillon, Mr Derek Roylance AM, Mr Gary Brodie OAM; the branch auditor, Mr Kim Hanna FCA; the website administrator, Mr Clive Mitchell-Taylor JP; and Capital Lawyers for being the honorary solicitor.
I would also like to pay tribute to the RSL sub-branches that are in my electorate of Ginninderra, including all the suburbs of Belconnen, the Gungahlin suburb of Nicholls and the village of Hall. The Belconnen sub-branch is well served by Air Vice Marshal Mac Weller AM, retired, and the secretary, Mr Dennis Wilkes. I would also like to pay tribute to the Gungahlin sub-branch where Mrs Christine Coulthard OAM is the president, and Mr Rod Bennett is the secretary. The British, Hellenic, peacekeepers and Vietnam sub-branches also serve members that live in my electorate. I would like to record my thanks to those who volunteer towards those sub-branches.
It would be remiss of me not to make mention of the departure of Major General Bill Crews AO as president of the Returned and Services League of Australia. At next
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