Dear Friends,
due to circumstances beyond our control, we have decided to move this year's reunion to the ALBURY WODONGA area 17-19AUG07.
Although we are in the initial planning stage it is anticipated that we will have a reception, Regimental dining In Night, RAAOC Museum, Winery tour and other events.
We are investigating accommodation to suit all those attending and and all the other necessary ingredients, and will get back to you in the next few weeks. That way you will still have plenty of time to make your travel arrangements.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused but this will likely suit more folk.
RAASC VSPA Secretariat
22 Feb 07
Thursday 22 February 2007
Saturday 3 February 2007
IT IS THE VETERAN....
It is the VETERAN , not the preacher,who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN , not the poet,who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN , not the campus organizer,who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN , not the lawyer,who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the ! VETERAN , not the politician,Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN ,who salutes the Flag,
It is the veteran,who serves under the Flag,
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. 
VETERANS KNOW THAT THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE HAS NO EXPIRATION DATE.
I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be EXTREMELY proud if this one reached as many as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.
God Bless them all!!!
VETERANS KNOW THAT THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE HAS NO EXPIRATION DATE.
I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be EXTREMELY proud if this one reached as many as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.
God Bless them all!!!
A CHRISTMAS POEM FOR SOLDIERS
T'was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house, made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give, and to see just who, in this home, did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures, of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought, came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, i found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor, in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured, an Australian soldier.
Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read? curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families, that i saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers, who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate, a bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year, because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder, how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas eve, in a land far from home.
The very thought brought, a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees, and started to cry.
The soldier awakened, and I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom; I don't ask for more, my life is my god, my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over, and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, and we both shivered, from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave, on that cold, dark, night, this guardian of honour, so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, "carry on Santa, its Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night."
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give, and to see just who, in this home, did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures, of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought, came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, i found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor, in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured, an Australian soldier.
Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read? curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families, that i saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers, who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate, a bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year, because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder, how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas eve, in a land far from home.
The very thought brought, a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees, and started to cry.
The soldier awakened, and I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom; I don't ask for more, my life is my god, my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over, and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, and we both shivered, from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave, on that cold, dark, night, this guardian of honour, so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, "carry on Santa, its Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night."
THE PASTORS ASS OR BE YOURSELF AND ENJOY LIFE
The pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won. The pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered in another race and it won again. The local paper read:
PASTOR'S ASS OUT FRONT.
The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the pastor not to enter the donkey in any more races. The next day the local paper headline read:
BISHOP SCRATCHES THE PASTOR'S ASS.
This was too much for the Bishop, so he ordered the pastor to get rid of the donkey. The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent. The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline:
NUN HAS THE BEST ASS IN TOWN.
The Bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey so she sold it to a farmer for $10. The next day the headlines read:
NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10.
This was too much for the Bishop, so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the high plains where it could run free. The next day the headlines read:
NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE.
Alas ... the Bishop was buried the next day.
MORAL OF THE STORY???
Being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery and even shorten your life. So, be yourself and enjoy life. Stop worrying about everyone else's ass and you'll live longer
PASTOR'S ASS OUT FRONT.
The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the pastor not to enter the donkey in any more races. The next day the local paper headline read:
BISHOP SCRATCHES THE PASTOR'S ASS.
This was too much for the Bishop, so he ordered the pastor to get rid of the donkey. The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent. The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline:
NUN HAS THE BEST ASS IN TOWN.
The Bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey so she sold it to a farmer for $10. The next day the headlines read:
NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10.
This was too much for the Bishop, so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the high plains where it could run free. The next day the headlines read:
NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE.
Alas ... the Bishop was buried the next day.
MORAL OF THE STORY???
Being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery and even shorten your life. So, be yourself and enjoy life. Stop worrying about everyone else's ass and you'll live longer
HAPPINESS IS---------
This is AWESOME....something we should all remember.
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.
His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window."I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied."Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up.
I have a choice; I can spend t he day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.Old age is like a bank account.
You withdraw from what you've put in.So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing."
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Cheers
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.
His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window."I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied."Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up.
I have a choice; I can spend t he day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.Old age is like a bank account.
You withdraw from what you've put in.So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing."
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Cheers
LAST YEAR'S BEST [actual] HEADLINES OF 2006
Crack Found on Governor's Daughter [Imagine that!]
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says [No, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers [Now that's taking things a bit far!]
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus? [Not if I wipe thoroughly!]
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over [What a guy!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death [No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant [See if that works any better than a fair trial!]
War Dims Hope for Peace [I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile [You think?]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures [Who would have thought!]
Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide [They may be on to something!]
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges [You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge [he probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group [Weren't they fat enough?!]
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft [That's what he gets for eating those beans!]
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks [Taste like chicken?]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half [Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors [Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is.... Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity We all need a good laugh, keep laughing it will keep you young....
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says [No, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers [Now that's taking things a bit far!]
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus? [Not if I wipe thoroughly!]
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over [What a guy!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death [No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant [See if that works any better than a fair trial!]
War Dims Hope for Peace [I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile [You think?]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures [Who would have thought!]
Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide [They may be on to something!]
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges [You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge [he probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group [Weren't they fat enough?!]
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft [That's what he gets for eating those beans!]
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks [Taste like chicken?]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half [Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors [Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is.... Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity We all need a good laugh, keep laughing it will keep you young....
WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?
SAEED AL SAHAF - Iraqi Head of Information The chicken did not cross the road. This is a complete fabrication. In fact, we do not even have a chicken.
HANS BLIX We have reason to believe there may be potential for this chicken's capability, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
COLIN POWELL Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
GEORGE W BUSH We don't care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road or not. The chicken is either for us or against us. There is no middle ground.
TONY BLAIR I agree with George.
JOHN HOWARD I agree with George and Tony.
KIM BEAZLEY There is no challenge to the chicken at this stage, but if I were crossing the road ....
SIMON CREAN @#@#!!@ Chicken. No one crosses the @#@#!!@ road without my @#@#!!@ say so. It's time for the chicken to put up or shut up.
PETER HOLLINGWORTH (ex Governor-General) I am not aware of any impropriety in the chicken crossing the road. In fact I am led to believe that it was the other way around and the chicken asked for it
DR SEUSS Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, But why it crossed I've not been told.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question.
GRANDPA In my day, we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
OPRAH Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart-warming story of how it felt accomplishing its lifelong dream of crossing the road.
JOHN LENNON Imagine all the chickens, crossing all the roads. You may say I'm a dreamer - but its not the only hen.
MICHAEL JACKSON There's nothing more wonderful than sharing your bed with a chicken.
ARISTOTLE It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
KARL MARX It was a historic inevitability.
ARSENE WENGER What chicken? I did not see it.
ALEX FERGUSON The chicken was not drawn to the other side fairly, and Beckham is not bigger than this club.
SIGMUND FREUD The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying sexual insecurity.
BILL GATES eChicken2003 version 1.0 will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your cheque book - and internet explorer is an integral part of eChicken.
ALBERT EINSTEIN Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON I did not have sexual relations with that chicken!
THE BIBLE And God came down from heaven, and he said unto the chicken THOU SHALT CROSS THE ROAD. and the chicken didst cross the road, and there was much rejoicing.
COLONEL SANDERS Did I miss one?
HOMER SIMPSON Mmmmmmmmm . . . . c h i c k e n.
HANS BLIX We have reason to believe there may be potential for this chicken's capability, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
COLIN POWELL Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
GEORGE W BUSH We don't care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road or not. The chicken is either for us or against us. There is no middle ground.
TONY BLAIR I agree with George.
JOHN HOWARD I agree with George and Tony.
KIM BEAZLEY There is no challenge to the chicken at this stage, but if I were crossing the road ....
SIMON CREAN @#@#!!@ Chicken. No one crosses the @#@#!!@ road without my @#@#!!@ say so. It's time for the chicken to put up or shut up.
PETER HOLLINGWORTH (ex Governor-General) I am not aware of any impropriety in the chicken crossing the road. In fact I am led to believe that it was the other way around and the chicken asked for it
DR SEUSS Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, But why it crossed I've not been told.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question.
GRANDPA In my day, we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
OPRAH Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart-warming story of how it felt accomplishing its lifelong dream of crossing the road.
JOHN LENNON Imagine all the chickens, crossing all the roads. You may say I'm a dreamer - but its not the only hen.
MICHAEL JACKSON There's nothing more wonderful than sharing your bed with a chicken.
ARISTOTLE It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
KARL MARX It was a historic inevitability.
ARSENE WENGER What chicken? I did not see it.
ALEX FERGUSON The chicken was not drawn to the other side fairly, and Beckham is not bigger than this club.
SIGMUND FREUD The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the road reveals your underlying sexual insecurity.
BILL GATES eChicken2003 version 1.0 will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your cheque book - and internet explorer is an integral part of eChicken.
ALBERT EINSTEIN Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON I did not have sexual relations with that chicken!
THE BIBLE And God came down from heaven, and he said unto the chicken THOU SHALT CROSS THE ROAD. and the chicken didst cross the road, and there was much rejoicing.
COLONEL SANDERS Did I miss one?
HOMER SIMPSON Mmmmmmmmm . . . . c h i c k e n.
Finding Peace of Mind
>
>Several years ago, the Sociology Department of Duke University did a >study on Peace of Mind. Eight factors were found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability and wellness. They are:
>
>1. The absence of suspicions and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.
>
>2. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.
>
>3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.
>
>4. Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.
>
>5. Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.
>
>6. Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues ---Love, Honour, Compassion and Loyalty.
>
>7. Don't expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.
>
>8. Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered, egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness.
>Several years ago, the Sociology Department of Duke University did a >study on Peace of Mind. Eight factors were found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability and wellness. They are:
>
>1. The absence of suspicions and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.
>
>2. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.
>
>3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.
>
>4. Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.
>
>5. Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.
>
>6. Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues ---Love, Honour, Compassion and Loyalty.
>
>7. Don't expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.
>
>8. Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered, egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness.
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