A Brief History of the
HMAS Sydney & VLSVA
The concept of forming such
an Association arose out of discussions between the 'founding father' Fred
McLeod-Dryden and John Carroll in September 1982.
(Read 'Mufti' article
dated September 5, 1985)
The
Association as such was formed in early 1984. The founding members
consisted of Fred McLeod-Dryden, Brian McGurgan, Colin Mackenzie, and John
Carroll. Membership has flourished ever since, with the current mailing
list reflecting nearly 500 members within Victoria and 'outstations'
within Australia, and overseas. With the exception of South Australia and
Tasmania, each State has its own active branch or is represented by the
HMAS SYDNEY & VLSVA, which is now recognized and registered in the
Department of Veterans' Affairs Directory of ex-Service Associations.
Affiliations
The
Association also has a 'loose-alliance' with other HMAS Sydney & VLSV
Associations in other states and territories which sees us now as a
recognized National Organization, acknowledged by the Department of
Veterans' Affairs (DVA). This recognition was long overdue.
Membership
Our
Membership is on a tri-service basis for those with active service, and
has been like this from very early days. We represent RAAF Loadmaster
personnel from 36 squadron, the CMF Observer group and the Army small
ships, all with the same fervour and consideration we give to former
members of the RAN. In addition, we include Associate Membership for all
ex-service personnel and civilians who wish to take an active interest
in the operations and activities of our Association.
Other
Involvements
This
Association has an ongoing liaison with the Recruit School at HMAS
Cerberus, and we sponsor a prize for the 'Instructor of the Year' which is
adjudged by internal peer assessment.
This
Association has also contributed financially to the Shrine Restoration and
the HMAS Cerberus Museum. We are actively involved with the Emden
Association in Germany and have kept in touch with them for some
considerable time. As a tangible reflection of this liaison this
Association has a feature wall in the Sydney-Emden room of the Warrant
Officers and Senior Sailors Mess at HMAS Cerberus which depicts the Sydney
- Emden action of the 09th of November 1914.
Amalgamation of the HMAS Sydney II Association with this Association was
inevitable, if only to assure the ongoing viability of our unique
heritage. This painless transition has resulted in a useful partnership
with men that can be best described as 'living history'. We can truthfully
lay claim to be actively representing sailors who have served in all of
the four ships to bear the name Sydney. 'Thorough and Ready' - Aye.
Ongoing
Commitments
As yet,
HMAS Vampire and HMAS Quickmatch have not received any form of recognition
for their trip up the Long Tau Shipping Channel to the port of Saigon in
January 1962. This anomaly has been a long-standing one and will require a
concerted effort to see recognition finally afforded to those that
participated in this deployment.
This ongoing
commitment has finally been resolved with a letter from the Manager of the
Nominal Rolls Section of DVA stating that those who served on these ships
at the time stated will be placed on the Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans.
It is anticipated that the names will be placed on the web site by August
2007. Click here
for a copy
of the letter.
Obtaining
the full text of Mr. Justice Rapke's report into service conditions,
especially those which he experienced when 'serving' aboard HMAS Sydney
during his stay aboard this vessel in the late 1960's and again in the
early 1970's. So far, the various departments with Navy Office have
managed to elude this Association's efforts in this matter. However, we
continue to try.
2007 Update: Rapke
Report: AKA as the Rapke Inquiry is available on the National Archives of
Australia Website. There are in excess of 60 files of which the
June-August file(s) are the most relevant and are titled 'HMAS Sydney
Segment'. These files are heavily censored (expunged). They may be
accessed using the reference number A12433 where indicated, and for
convenience they are all digitised so they may be downloaded straight from
the National Archives site. They are of limited research value.
In August
2001 the Department of Veterans' Affairs held a meeting in NSW with
representatives of the NSW branch of this Association. This was to report
on the findings of a Mortality Study carried out by the Department in
1997, relating to toxins and herbicides. Needless to say, the initial data
supplied by the DVA may be seen as having serious consequences for all
former members of the RAN who served with the RAN Diving Team, HMAS Sydney
and her escorts, the so-called 'Gun-line' ships, and 'Helo-flight'
Vietnam. This information will be updated from time-to-time, as further
reliable and verifiable material becomes available.
2007 Update: The
Water contamination issue forms part of the 2005 study into Mortality and
Cancer Incidence of Australian Vietnam Veterans. There are three volumes
of which the one on 'Cancer Incidence' and the one titled 'The Third
Australian Vietnam Veterans Mortality Study' are the most relevant. These
may be downloaded from the Department of Veterans' Affairs website, or
request copies from either local Federal Members or the DVA. These 3
volumes were only released in January 2007.
The HMAS
Sydney & VLSV Association (VIC) has achieved much for its members.
However, we need your ongoing support to be able to continue to serve you
and yours.
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