CHAPTER MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE FOURTH MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT THE WAVERLEY RSL
The Waverley RSL is located at 161 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley, and is conveniently situated opposite the Glen Waverley railway station. The RSL car park is free but you need to display a ticket on your dashboard (obtainable from reception) or use the public car park opposite.
Next Event…
Monthly Meeting at 1900 on Monday 26 June 2023 at the Waverley RSL – Sunset Room 161 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley.
MAJ GEN Mike O’Brien, CSC, MDA, BSC
“The RUSI Library”
Major General Mike O’Brien graduated from RMC Duntroon in 1968 into the Royal Australian Infantry and served as a platoon commander and intelligence officer in the Vietnam War. He later wrote the history of his battalion that was published in 1995. His extensive military career included regimental, staff training, equipment acquisition, engineering and logistics postings culminating in his appointment as Support Commander-Army. He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for services to Defence procurement and has extensive academic experience and qualifications. In recent years he supervised an Australian government undertaking to co-ordinate the recovery and identification of 250 Australian soldiers killed in action at the Battle of Fromelles, France, during the First World War.
As President of the Royal United Services Institute of Victoria, he will describe the nature and focus of the magnificent collection of books and other artefacts housed in the RUSI Library at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne.
Note: Acknowledging the June anniversary of D-Day landings at Normandy in 1944, the meeting will conclude with a video describing construction and use of the Mulberry Harbours that played a key role in support of the Allied invasion.
Members and Guests are most welcome
A relaxing meal and drink beforehand in the RSL’s delightful Warramunga Room is always a pleasant prelude to the 1900 meeting
Future meetings
Mon 24 Jul “The RAN in Korea” (CAPT Andrew Mackinnon CSC Rtd)
Mon 28 Aug “Show & Tell” Night (Mr Marty Grogan OAM)
Mon 25 Sep “HMAS Melbourne – Forgotten Cruiser”.” (Dr Andrew Kilsby)
Mon 23 Oct “Maritime Heritage Issues in Melbourne” (Dr Jackie Watts OAM)
Mon 27 Nov Christmas Celebratory Dinner – Guest of Honour CMDR Terry Makings AM, RAN (Rtd)
Membership of the NHSA automatically entitles you to be part of the Victoria Chapter and to share in its activities.
We hold our monthly meetings in the well-appointed “Sunset Room” at the RSL – easy access is provided by an adjacent lift. Our program is listed on the website, and we either have a Guest Speaker or show a film. Meetings start at 7.00 pm.
The “Warramunga Restaurant” opens at 5.30 pm and a number of members and guests take the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing meal and a few drinks before the meeting. Our Secretary Lynda Gilbert coordinates the booking of tables, so please let her know in advance by email lynda.gilbert@aol.com if you are intending to join us for dinner.
If joining us for the first time, please let us know when you plan to visit by contacting Andrew Mackinnon and we will ensure you are made welcome!
The Chapter produces a newsletter called the ‘Three-Headed Dog’, containing a variety of articles of interest. Edited by Andrew Mackinnon, this is published 11 times a year and is distributed by email (preferably) or in hard copy if needed. Victorian members receive this free of charge.
President: Andrew Mackinnon
Address: 8 Gleneagles Court
CROYDON VIC 3136
Mobile: 0429 096 911
Email:andrewmackinnon0404@gmail.com
Secretary: Lynda Gilbert
Email: lynda.gilbert@aol.com
The ‘Yachties’ is a unique saga of exceptional valour displayed by Australian volunteers who served in World War II as officers with the Royal Navy.
Recruited under the Dominion Yachtsmen Scheme, their war service in the Northern Hemisphere was as diverse as it was dangerous.
Most sailed in convoy duties in the Battle of the Atlantic and some in the Arctic run to Murmansk in Russia.
A small group distinguished themselves in Rendering Mines Safe.
The majority served in Combined Operations, which included daring coastal raids, the amphibious landings in the Mediterranean and Normandy, covert operations, and mine sweeping.
Later in the war, Yachties also served in the Royal Australian Navy in South East Asia and the Pacific, contributing to victory with bravery, dash and loyalty to country and Empire.
As a group they are the most highly decorated Australian volunteers.
A saga of daring exploits by Australian Yachtsmen Scheme volunteers who served as officers in the Royal Navy and saw action in some of the most dangerous theatres of the war at sea, including the Atlantic convoys, the Artic supply run to Russia, covert operations and the Allied landings.
At home, their European war service attracted little attention and soon slipped from memory-a couple of hundred ‘Yachties’ no longer fitted the national narrative.
But the astonishing fact is that they received about 30% of the RAN’s officer awards in WWII.
To pre-order “The Yachties”, download the form from Australian Scholarly Publishing here.
The ‘Yachties’ is a unique saga of exceptional valour displayed by Australian volunteers who served in World War II as officers with the Royal Navy.
Recruited under the Dominion Yachtsmen Scheme, their war service in the Northern Hemisphere was as diverse as it was dangerous.
Most sailed in convoy duties in the Battle of the Atlantic and some in the Arctic run to Murmansk in Russia.
A small group distinguished themselves in Rendering Mines Safe.
The majority served in Combined Operations, which included daring coastal raids, the amphibious landings in the Mediterranean and Normandy, covert operations, and mine sweeping.
Later in the war, Yachties also served in the Royal Australian Navy in South East Asia and the Pacific, contributing to victory with bravery, dash and loyalty to country and Empire.
As a group they are the most highly decorated Australian volunteers.
A saga of daring exploits by Australian Yachtsmen Scheme volunteers who served as officers in the Royal Navy and saw action in some of the most dangerous theatres of the war at sea, including the Atlantic convoys, the Artic supply run to Russia, covert operations and the Allied landings.
At home, their European war service attracted little attention and soon slipped from memory-a couple of hundred ‘Yachties’ no longer fitted the national narrative.
But the astonishing fact is that they received about 30% of the RAN’s officer awards in WWII.