Early pics of our Flag

I have always loved our flag, from earliest memories of seeing the Queen and waving it at her, to our ANZAC Day March every year or on Australia day and sporting events, our flag is there.  Whenever there is talk of flag change the hairs on the back of neck go up and I get defensive and protective, I understand that there are others who would want to see our flag change, but to me it has to much history attached and I shall always be flying her with pride. 

Australian Flag covering the grave of \'Breaker\' Morant, South Africa, Feburary 1902.

The flag sits above The Sydney Harbour Bridge

The symbol of our Nation stands tall amongst the ruins at Jakarta after a terror attack in Sept 2004

A greeting card commemorating ANZAC Day

A commemoration of the arrival of the Australian Fleet

Patriotic badge from World War I. The Comforts Fund raised great sums of money at home in Australia from civilians which went towards the war effort. Concerts and fairs were organized, and badges such as these were sold.

Commemorating the Naval Victory of the HMAS Sydney over the German Light Cruiser Emden, 1914

The pictorial cover is a photographic record of Sgt. Derrick raising at Satelberg the Australian flag which had been flown previously over recaptured Kokoda and Lae (1943).

Flag carried to many locations during the war period by a member of the Australian Army Corps

                

           

Early Traditional Patriotic Aussie card

On 3 October 1987, the Australian public finally welcomed home those men and women who served in the Vietnam War

The Flag of The Commander-In-Chief Australian Military Forces 1942-45, Sir Thomas Blamey

A poster commemorating the visit of the US Navy ships in 1908.

Greeting Card for Melbourne commemorating the visit of the American White Fleet of United States Naval Ships 1908

Music written and composed by Peter Dodds McCormick who wrote the Australian National Anthem,

Australia and Her Allies

Aussie Christmas card.

World War I postcard shows an Anzac with the Australian flag at Gallipoli.

The edition of the Review of Reviews front cover signed by Egbert Nuttal, after the winning designers were announced.

Victory. Lt AVL Hull of the 18th Battalion AIF, plants the      Australian flag on a German Pillbox as Australian forces overrun Anzac Redoubt, on the Menin Road, during the famous battle of Polygon Wood (Belgium) in WW1. This dramatic incident took place at 7:15 AM on September 20th 1917. Lt Hull was killed in action three weeks later. This picture was used as a Christmas and New Year\'s Greetings card in 1917-18   

Why are we there when we are exporting the enemy here.

        I want to know why the hell we are in Afghanistan losing man after man in a country where we cannot tell friend from foe, a country where we help rebuild their Nation only for them to blow it up again and a country where we train and help the people to stand on their own two feet only to have them turn on us.  I am over helping them, how about we help ourselves for a change.
       Always of the mindset that we take the fight to them and that it is better to fight the bastards there than here, and although I still maintain that the fight is better served taking it to them and keep our Country clear of the shit, I gotta question whether we are still doing the right thing.
 As life is lost and tears are wiped away I sit and wonder why?, why are we still there?.  I know that success in Afghanistan will never resemble Park Ave and is measured by the number of suicide bombings, rebuilding and to a degree mentoring and training up the Afghan Army.  I say we have succeeded in that cesspit and that not much else can be achieved there and if I want to be selfish I will say that I would much prefer to have our men and women home here in Australia, let our Army and Armed Services protect and defend our borders.  We are importing the enemy and this Gillard Govt. is the enabler.  As I type this note preparations are under way to bring home two more lost soldiers, killed while patrolling and protecting a country that I feel would take us in a heart beat if had the chance. 
It is like I just want to shout it from the tallest building with the loudest system. ..... " BRING OUR MEN HOME, THEY ARE NOT APPRECIATED IN THAT CESSPIT AND WE NEED OUR TROOPS HERE TO PROTECT US FROM THE SAME ENEMY THAT THEY ARE FIGHTING THERE,  THE  GILLARD GOVT IS LETTING THEM IN BY THE FUCKING BOATLOAD"  

Two more of our finest killed in Afghanistan

     As we bring home the body of Sergeant Brett Wood who was killed in Afghanistan last week after a roadside IED exploded the Defense Force this morning gave the announcement and confirmed that two Australians had been killed overnight.  This brings the number of men lost in that hellhole to 26, operations began in late 2001.   Both died in separate 'incidents'  No names have been given yet.
      One of the men died when he was shot by a Afghan army national, the traitorous bastard fired his weapon then fled the scene. Another Afghan fired his weapon at the offender but missed, the Afghan soldier traitor is yet to be apprehended.  Both were on guard duty and the 'incident' (more like murder) took place at Patrol Base Marshal in the Chora Valley. Air Chief Marshal Houston said "Despite receiving substantial medical treatment at the base and being airlifted very quickly to a nearby medical facility at Tarin Kowt in well under an hour the Australian soldier died from his wounds," .
     Although his name has not been released we know he is 25-years-old, a lance corporal who had been in the Army for seven years. He previously served in East Timor and had started in Afghanistan in November last year.
    Air Chief Marshal Houston said the circumstances of the 25-year-old soldier's death were disturbing, given that Australian personnel were training and mentoring elements of the Afghan National Army.
     We lost our second soldier when he was killed a few hours later after a Chinook helicopter on a resupply mission crashed. There was a US Chinook in close proximity which landed and provided immediate medivac assistance, but a 27-year-old lieutenant from Vic died at the scene. He was a qualified pilot and had previously served in East Timor and was part of the Queensland flood assitance team.

******My thoughts go to all the family and friends of these men, and as my eyes well with tears and I reflect on what Freedom and Sacrifice really mean  
When you say 'LEST WE FORGET', say the words slowly and thoughtfully, don't use them as a throwaway line, actually think about the life, or lives lost.

MANHUNT FOR ROGUE AFGHAN SOLDIER http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/31/3231591.htm?section=justin



http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=11886



I DON'T KNOW WHY WE ARE STILL THERE IN THAT HELLHOLE CESSPIT, 
Bring our men home to where they are loved and appreciated. 

RE Muslims: Now what do they want.

NO MORE

 LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT,....Please

 

Well we know that the Ju-LIAR DILLard Watermelon Party oops, I mean Julia Gillard Labor Party is all for Multiculturalism and now we have had the chance to put submissions to a federal inquiry into it and of course first cab off that rank is the  Australian Federation of Islamic Councils    They are concerned that muslims are forced to live close together and that money money $$$$ and investment should be given to the muslim community so that they can expand...... 

               “The Government should invest in expanding services like halal and kosher meat and food outlets as well as faith-based schools,” it said. “If the Government and politicians cannot recognize this as essential, it should no longer accuse the Australian Muslim community of intentionally living in enclaves .”Heba Ibrahim, the AFIC board member has told media there are reasons that muslims are drawn to certain suburbs.“I’m saying there needs to be a greater investment generally in schools that wish to go out into other areas that are not heavily populated with particular migrant and religious groups,” she said. 

     On the other side of the coin and a more reasonable submission was one from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry that told a Federal Parliament committee on migration that Australia must learn from the failed “anything goes” model of multiculturalism in Europe and suggested that new migrants to the country be on some sort of bond or probationary period to enable a “confident assessment of their acceptance of Australian values and laws before granting full citizenship” Peter Wertheim from the ECAJ said there was concern about Islamic extremists.. .

Creeping

 

                         
                  *RE Muslims: Expansion you say...., mmmm, the hairs on my back stand up when I hear expansion and muslims in the same sentence.  They already have ample halal outlets, have many schools, and mosques too numerous to count I mean Woolies in many areas now have their own refrigeration for halal meat so that it is not near 'our' food. Many of our foods have become halal to make the muslims feel at home.  I personally find that with the muslim community it seems that the more you give them the more they want and expect.  There must be limitations on what this new multiculturalism will involve, can we all put our hands up and ask for specialty treatment?, is that equality and assimilation or is it creeping Sharia, little steps of Islamic appeasement and then one day awaken to a whole new set of laws and systems in place especially for the muslim community?. The muslim community already has Sharia in matters of marriage, finance and children, so why more?.  The Islamic Council wants more.  I say NO..
      I find that the Jewish Council has a more reasonable approach to multiculturalism, I mean if you wish to live in this beautiful country and be part of this wonderful land I see no reason why you would not be perfectly happy with the way things are, therefore there should be no problem nor hesitation for new arrivals to say 'yeah, sure, I will embrace this country and I will behave myself and prove my worth for this land, I will try and speak the language of my new country and I shall not want nor expect any special treatment, I shall contribute and be a proud citizen of Australia'
       There are places for muslims, places for Jews, places for Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and atheists. Our country is a unique country and we have embraced many peoples from many lands however, when the word Sharia rears its head and the word expansion is also mentioned I say NO..

coming to a Woolworths near you

 Australian Federation of Islamic Councils http://www.afic.com.au/  

Sharia already being administered in NSW  http://www.news.com.au/national/sharia-law-applied-secretly-in-sydney/story-e6frfkvr-1226057896078

Muslims to push for Sharia  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/muslims-use-multiculturalism-to-push-for-sharia/story-fn59niix-1226057100331 

New Premier Rules Out Funding for Halal outlets http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/pay-for-muslims-to-feel-at-home/story-e6frf7jo-1226057835721 

                            

Special refrigeration for Halal meat in major supermarkets

                                                                                                                 

          I hope that people will start to be aware of what is happening here in Australia, even though we are a young country does not mean that we should wait another coupla' hundred years before we pull our heads out of our bum and see the bigger picture, we do not have the luxury of time.  We are fast losing the title of the lucky country and even faster becoming a muslim haven for all the dreggs from war-torn nations of the Muddle East and North Africa and lets not forget these are the same ones who are escaping their own countries because of instability and I do not want that instability imported and then thrust onto us.  I want no part of this new multiculturalism shit. . 
            Our deceased veterans are weeping from above as they watch the demise of this once superb Nation which they defended physically, emotionally and verbally.  Let us not forget our roots and what this country was founded on, it was founded on the blood, sweat and tears of people who embraced a country and a lifestyle that has flourished to become the best Country in the world.  People who came here, went out of their way to learn the 'lingo', who laughed and cried with us through good times and bad, who contributed to this country and payed their dues.  I thank all those from Europe and those from other parts who have made this country a uniquely Australian way of life.  
I SAY NO TO MULTICULTURALISM, 

,... Love It Or Leave It,  is my motto                            

Refugees and 'rithametic

    THIS GOVT. NEEDS A LESSON IN MATHEMATICS,...

These $$$ will be swallowed up

         or at least how to Budget properly
   Last year Govt. budgeted only $239 million for offshore asylum seeker management in 2011-12, it was blown out of the water by 400% to over $1 billion dollars, yes, ONE BILLION DOLLARS FOR ONE YEAR OF OFFSHORE PROCESSING.  Do not be naive and think that off shore processing is costing us too much and therefore we must find alternatives, the point is that the BOATS HAVE NOT STOPPED COMING and therefore the BUDGET WILL CONTINUE TO SPIRAL out of the allocated monies.
      Budget papers this year have put the cost at $1.6 billion, they had estimated $762 million. .. mmmm, do they know that the boats will not stop coming now, have they realized that their policies and their adherance to the left has resulted in a shambles of border protection and the word 'refugee'?
There will be another blowout of the budget if all the Govt. has allowed for the next 4yrs is $2.5 billion for managing boat arrivals.  I say that 2.5 bill will see us through two years not four.
   What about the mainland Detention Centers and 'related costs'  Related costs, by that do they mean the appeal processes and access to courts and lawyers, do they mean renovations and new equipment when riots and demands by these people take hold.?, that piddlie amount of just over $706 million will cover Jack Shit if number of claims and appeals, boatpeople and trouble at Centers is anything to go by.

Call me cold and selfish but I say Enough is Enough.

       This Govt. is having a lend of us all..These allocated monies are just a number plucked from thin air, this lying pathetic Govt. knows how to do averages surely, and if averages are anything to go by we will be over the magic billion dollar mark come Christmas, this Christmas!.I wish this Ju-LIAR DILLard would shove her pride and stubbornness and return to the Howard years of border control.
      Also,$292 million over the next four years on the so-called "Malaysia Solution". Ju-LIAR's new bright idea is to send 800 of these country shoppers to Malaysia and to accept 4000 in return, good maths that one!.  This in turn will take our refugee commitment up another 1000 per year taking us to 14,750 'genuine refugees' per year.  Priority will be given to refugees from Africa, Muddle East and Asia.  Lovely!.
Another $107.7 million will be spent over four years to fund the new process for determination of boat people, in response to a High Court judgment. Who is running this show?. Not us by the looks of things.
     $1.1 billion in this next twelve months to combat border control and it will spend $77.1 million to continue anti-people smuggling surveillance and detection operations. Maritime patrol vessel at a cost of $62 million. It will spend almost $44 million upgrading infrastructure at Christmas Island.  Money, Money, Money $$$$$

Money does not grow on trees ya' know!

"ESTIMATED" COST OF HAVING COUNTRY SHOPPERS,... and I do mean 'estimated'

 

• Department of Immigration and Citizenship budget papers now put the cost at $1.06 billion.
• Managing boat arrivals for the next four years $2.5 billion  (managing boat arrivals for four years, not a real confident line of thought for stopping the boats)
• In the next four years the so called malaysia solution to cost $292 million
• Over four years a new process for determination of boat people, in response to a High Court judgement will cost $107.7 million 
• Increased caseload will give Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal an extra $14 million
• Border protection will cost the government an estimated $1.1 billion
• To continue anti-people smuggling surveillance and detection operations will cost an additional $77.1 million    
• Pay Indonesia (again) over three years to strengthen anti-people smuggling cooperation $33.3 million.
• ACV Triton maritime patrol vessel at a cost of $62 million. 

• Upgrading infrastructure (refurbishing after destroyed by ungrateful country shoppers) at Christmas Island. It will spend almost $44 million

*****My personal view is that DILLard has discovered that the Australian people are not as dumb as she thought and that in fact her alliance with the Left has left a lot to be desired.  Maybe this new Watermelon commie Govt. has full intentions of allowing this country to turn into the trash bin nation of the West but she will put this on the hop border control policy out there and hope that the simple minded Aussies will take her smoke and mirror show.  One minute the woman is bleeting about how dirty and inhuman Narau is and the next she is putting 800 in Malaysia which is no different to Narau.  Ju-LIAR Dillard has put this country at risk the way she has allowed her inept policies to result in a virtual free run at this wonderful country.  I wish Ju-LIAR DILLard would take them personally to Malaysia and stay there with them, Oh, and by the way, how are we to get these 800 to Malaysia, are they to go by plane or ship, and will they embark on the journey willingly or will we have another Tampa***** 


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/federal-budget/asylum-seeker-costs-quadruple-to-1b-20110510-1eh90.html#ixzz1M3MGNi8w

Greens and Coalition wants Malaysia deal dropped, both for entirely different reasons.  http://www.theage.com.au/national/senate-urges-refugee-swap-be-dropped-20110511-1eiyt.html

 Australian Conservative http://australianconservative.com/2011/05/labors-budget-blow-out-on-boats-exceeds-worst-expectations/ 

I sit and look at my country's change

.......And often wish that I could arrange,

A new set of guidlines and rules to abide

.... ..Then perhaps, maybe, then we could stem this tide.

For at this rate we will not stop

...  The flow of trash from tip to top

We are doing our a great dis-service

....  Do you think we can ever reverse this?

For the sake of our children I certinaly hope

......We can rid ourselves of this Ranga' dope!

A one termer we hope and pray

......For the day when we can say, "Fuck off and Hooray"

                                                                                                                                       by diane

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Darwin ain't offshore Ju-LIAR.......1900 more beds for Darwin

Asylum seeker policy

            Is this woman serious, does she think we are stupid or what, we know the woman is a bare faced liar but how can she get away with it.  This post is not about the carbon tax which was a blatant lie to voters but I will say a couple of choice words about her lying about these off shore processing centers.  It will only be a couple of words though as there is nothing to say, except she lied. Again.  There are no processing centers to be built off shore she had no intention of doing any thing of the sort.  If this woman was fair dinkum she would have bitten the bullet, swallowed her pride and put the good of the nation before her selfish Commie agenda. She would have gone to Narau and reestablished the facilities there.  She is a liar. 
        Today we hear that Darwin is to be the new Christmas Island. It will in fact house more than Christmas Island. CI houses 2,600 and Darwin will house a total of 2,900. (Although I see this number rising also)   There are to be  1,900 more beds in Darwin.  400 beds to be added to the Airport Lodge where the country shoppers already enjoy all the mod cons of Hotel living. This number has doubled the facilities recommended amount.  There will also be a new 1,500 bed facility built at Wickham Point to house single men it was announced late on Thursday. 
              Single men hey, lovely.  Will they be let out into the community, will they hassle the local women like they have been known to do on Christmas Island.
               No news as yet as to if this money was allocated into the budget.  If it was allocated that means the Green/Commie Labor Party knew that they would not be going off shore, and if they did not allot the money that means they are well and truly over budget.  they are fucked either way, incompetent self serving mongrels.
              It will be a privately-leased operation costing $9.2million and the first 500 places will be ready mid year, it will be in an industrial area about 35km south of the city.
           Refugee council say that "more beds are not the answer",   Translation?,     we want them out!


Darwin to become the new "hot spot" for asylum seekers/country shoppers 
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/darwin-to-become-asylum-detention-capital-20110303-1bg7i.html

Top end to be the new low end of Ju-LIAR's  socialist commie asylum seeker agenda.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/new-detention-centre-for-top-end-20110303-1bgkf.html


FOOTNOTE: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/human_rights/immigration/idc2010_darwin.html 
the Govt. also uses 
                      The Botanic Gardens Apartments which is a privately owned property located near the Darwin city center. Occasionally DIAC rents an apartment for use as an alternative place of detention. The apartments contain bedrooms as well as kitchen and dining areas, laundry facilities and lounge areas. . DIAC informed the Commission that unaccompanied minors detained at the Botanic Gardens Apartments are taken to Berrimah House on a daily basis to participate in recreational activities there.
and the......The Asti Motel is also a  privately owned property leased by DIAC and operated as a low-security immigration detention facility. It is located near the Darwin city centre. The Asti is used to detain unaccompanied minors and families with children. .

Fantasy Island?, more like a nightmare

FOWF

Go away will you, go to the end of the frigging queue

Happy Birthday to the Australian Army, 110 yrs young on March 1st........History

LEST WE FORGET

The Digger's unspoken, unbreakable creed was the miner's and bushman's, "Stand by your mate."

C.E.W. Bean, The AIF in France 1918      

                    The Australian Army turns 110 this Tuesday. March 1st. Lets put a moment aside, it doesn't take long! Stop and think, I mean really think about this Nation and the sacrifices that were made for us over the past 100 odd years and that are being made for us still today. 
                    How dare we sit idly by and allow this country to go down the dunny, how fucking dare we. Absolute disgrace and a punch in guts for our fallen, they are weeping from above as they watch this Nation turn into some sort of melting pot for those who do not give a fuck or one ounce of loyalty to Her.
                   We owe these men and women (and their four legged friends) no less than honour, we must give them respect and we must always stop and say 'thanks mate, thank you for allowing me the freedoms I enjoy today, thank you for leaving family and friends, comfort and warmth to go to far off lands to protect us, thank you for keeping us safe".  Thank-you for making this country the best in the world, we are a prosperous safe country through your sacrifice and I sincerely, faithfully and most genuinely, thank you.
                  I want to also say sorry to them, I am so sorry that you have endured disrespect and abuse from those who do not know the meaning of freedom and sacrifice, those who come to this country to abuse the very thing that you lay your life on the line for.  Free speech.  They abuse that privilege and I am sorry. I am sorry that these very people go about their daily business oblivious to the fact that if those precious sacrifices had not been made over this last century we would not be the country we are today. .....and, I am sorry that our Labor Govt. does not give you more support and basic necessities needed when deployed and the support needed when you return.
                  Our Army is regarded by all Nations as one of the best, the elite, and that regard is well founded.  They have been to so many campaigns and so many countries, forged many friendships in many nations and they have killed the enemies of Australia.  The Australian Army are protectors of the people no matter who you are, if you need help our men and women are there at the ready for you.

A BIT OF HISTORY 

sourced from:Federation Through The World Wars

LEST WE FORGET,past and present

• On 1 March 1901, 28,923 colonial soldiers, comprised of 1,457 permanent, 18,603 militia and 8,863 unpaid volunteers, were transferred to the new Australian Army.
• The Royal Australian Air Force was later established as a separate service, in 1921 the development of aviation and its use in war had not passed unnoticed, and by 1912 the Military Board had approved the formation of the Australian Flying Corps and the establishment of a Central Flying School at Point Cook, Victoria.
• In June 1911, the Royal Military College, Duntroon, was established.
• In 1911, 155,000 youths were registered, of whom 90,000 were in training, with 20,000 inducted each year until the outbreak of World War I.
• ANZAC Day was first marked on 25 April 1916, the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli the year before.  By early 1916, recruiting in Australia had made it possible to replace the ANZAC losses.
• Following the declaration of war on 4 August 1914, the Fisher Government's pledge of full support for Britain led to the raising of what became known as the Australian Imperial Force (AIF ).The AIF strength in France was maintained at some 117,000 men.  Its battle casualties for the three years of trench warfare between 1916 and 18 were over 181,000; of whom over 46,000 died. Another 114,000 were wounded, 16,000 gassed and nearly 4,000 were taken prisoners of war. In terms of total deaths per 1000 men mobilised, the AIF figure was 145 - the highest of all the British Commonwealth armies        
  
• The years between the wars were difficult for the Australian Army. The public’s reactions to the immense cost of the War were exhaustion, apathy and stagnation, compounded by national economic problems..
• In the decade prior to 1929, opposition to compulsory training scheme began to grow and the Australian Labor Party, elected on a policy which included the abolition of universal training, terminated the scheme in November 1929. Henceforth, Australia was to have an all-volunteer, primarily part-time 35,000 strong Army. In 1931, even though Japan invaded Manchuria international tension increased, unit strengths decreased even further.
• Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 and two days later Britain and France were once more at war with Germany. Australia, as a consequence, was also at war on the 3rd of September 1939.  Australia went to war with an ill-equipped and incompletely trained Army, still home-bound by the provisions of the Defence Act  Strangely enough the first round fired by Britain and the Dominions was again fired from the Fort Nepean Battery. A freighter repeatedly refused to be identified and attempted to enter Port Phillip at 1.50 am on 4 September, only five hours after the declaration of war. One round was sufficient for the SS 'Woniora' to establish her friendly intentions..
•  1942, Australian losses for the whole period of the El Alamein operations from 7 July were 5809, including 1225 dead, 3638 wounded and 946 taken prisoner.
• In December 1941 Australia's seven militia divisions were mobilised and, early in January 1942, Australia agreed to redeploy the 1st Australian Corps (6th and 7th Divisions ) from the Middle East to the Far East.
• Allied intentions for 1943 included plans to recapture the Solomons as far as southern Bougainville, the New Guinea coast as far as Madang and the west coast of New Britain.
• From over 724 000 enlistments, with almost 400,000 serving outside Australia, there were over 18,000 deaths, 22 000 wounded and over 20 000 prisoners of war, mainly from the early stage of the war with Japan.
• In 1947, the Australian Army's involvement in multinational peacekeeping had commenced,.
• A National Service scheme was reintroduced in 1965. The cause was both Government concerns with Australia's capacity to deal effectively with direct security concerns in the region.  This period of national service involved, for most of the period, two years full-time duty.   
  
• For the Australian Army, the withdrawal from Vietnam represented the end of 33 years of continuous operational duties, which had commenced with World War II, continued through the occupation of Japan, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation to the Second Indo-China War in Vietnam. Army casualties in Vietnam were 413 KIA/DoW, two MIA, 2026 WIA, 64 non-battle deaths and 999 other casualties.
• With the election in December 1972 of a new Labor government under Gough Whitlam, the completion of the withdrawal from Vietnam and the ending of the National Service scheme were immediately effected.
• The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait began on 2 August 1990, initiating the Second Gulf War. The UN-sanctioned operation to liberate Kuwait commenced on 17 January 1991, with the land offensive following on 24 February. A ceasefire was declared on 28 February, with a formal end to hostilities on 12 April 1991.
• In September 1999, Australian troops were deployed to East Timor as part of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET), under the command of Major General Peter Cosgrove. In February 2000, governance of military operations was passed from INTERFET to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) with Australia continuing to make a sizeable contribution. 
• In 2003, following a tense stand-off between Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his refusal to allow international weapons inspectors into the country, Australia joined a multinational combat force to Iraq as part of Operation Falconer.
• Operation Slipper is Australia’s ongoing commitment to the war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists.                
  

From the Sudan Contingent, the South Africa war, World War One and through to the end of World War Two, veterinarians have provided professional care for horses and other animals of the Australian Army. It is important to acknowledge veterinarians and those who served with them in war and peace, and allow them to take their honoured place in Australian Army history and to have their contributions recorded for future generations. 

The Victoria Cross for animals

The Dickin Medal, instituted by Mrs Maria Dickin, founder of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals in England, was popularly referred to as "the animals’ VC". It was awarded to any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty associated with, or under the control of, any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units during World War II and its aftermath.
      At least two Australian carrier pigeons attached to the Australian Army have received the Dickin Medal:

The Dickin medal– the Victoria Cross for animals 

Corporal G.R. Rayner of No.3 Section (HQ) Carrier Pigeon Unit No.17 Loft, reading a message removed from the container seen on the bird's leg

• Blue bar cock No. 139:D/D:43:T Detachment 10 Pigeon Section (Type B) attached to Detachment 55 Port Craft Company, Madang 12 July 1945. Awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry carrying a message through a severe tropical storm thereby bringing help to an army boat with a vital cargo, in danger of foundering.
• Blue chequer cock No. 879:D/D: 43: Q Loft No. 5 of 1 Australian Pigeon Section, attached to the US forces, Manus Island, Admiralty Islands 5th April 1944. Awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry carrying a message through heavy fire thereby bringing relief to a Patrol surrounded and attacked by the enemy without other means of communication.        

Peacekeeping 1979-1996

UNCMAC (Korea - Truce Supervision) 1953-*
UNTSO (Middle East - Truce Supervision) 1956-*
ONUC (Congo - Medical Assistance) 1960-61.
UNTEA (West New Guinea - Helicopter Support) 1962.
UNYOM (Yemen - Truce Supervision) 1963.
UNIPOM (India/Pakistan - Truce Supervision) 1965-66.
UNDOF (Syria - Disengagement Observers) 1974-*
UNEF II (Sinai - Truce Supervision, Staff) 1976-80.
UNIFIL (Lebanon - Truce supervision) 1978.
From 1979, the scale of Australian Army commitments generally increased significantly, in several cases to major unit level:
Commonwealth Monitoring Force (CMF) (Rhodesia - Observers) 1979-80.
Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) Sinai - Aviation, Staff) 1982-86, 1993-*
UNIIMOG (Iran - Truce Supervision) 1988-90.
UNTAG (Namibia - Engineer Assistance) 1989-90.
UNMCTT (Afghanistan/Pakistan - Mine Clearance Training) 1989-93.
MIF I (Gulf - Air Defence Detachment for RAN ship) 1990-91.
MNF (I-K) (Iraq/Kuwait - miscellaneous detachments) 1990-91- see Gulf War 1990-91.
UNSCOM (Iraq - Inspection of weapons capabilities) 1991-1999.
MINURSO (Western Sahara - Communications) 1991-94.
UNAMIC (Cambodia - Communications) 1991-92.
UNTAC (Cambodia - Unit Communications, etc) 1992-93.
UNPROFOR (Former Yugoslav states – Observers) 1992-93.
UNOSOM (Somalia - Movement control) 1992; 1993-95 UNITAF (Somalia - Protection of Humanitarian Aid) 1992-93.
UNAMIR (Rwanda - Medical Support and Protection) 1994-95.
UNOMOZ (Mozambique - Military observers) 1994.
SPPKF , TMG/PMG (Bougainville) 1994, 1997-2003.
UNMIH (Haiti - Attached to US Forces) 1994-1995.
MINUGUA (Guatemala –-Military observers) 1997.
SFOR, KFOR (Yugoslavia and Kosovo - Peacekeeping) 1997-*
RAMSI (Solomon Islands – security) 2000-Present-*
UNMEE (Ethiopia/Eritrea - Training) 2000-2005.
IMATT (Sierra Leone - Advice and Training) 2000-2003.
UNMIS (Sudan - Air movement and logistics) 2005-*.
UNAMID (Darfur - Logistics and operations) 2007-*.


 Ladies In Lines, doco about women recruits
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A9NQs3YkvI
Part 2  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9comUsxDBOM&feature=related
Part 3  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfXtBW2pSPE&feature=related
Part 4  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhhUqKMeF70&feature=related 
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSV5cTqqZNI&feature=related 
Western Front WW1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46SocXCb4MM  
Australian Army http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgVjcc1aghs
Dancing digger  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpIao6kNu2M  
Sabi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9sAO1MP05U  

 Hall Of Valour is now open in Canberra     http://www.awm.gov.au/visit/visit-mustsee-valour.asp

Remembrance   http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/    

People profiles, remarkable people   http://www.awm.gov.au/people/index.asp

Army http://www.army.gov.au/ahu/ 

Dept. Of Defense  http://www.defence.gov.au/ 

Army Internet links  http://www.army.gov.au/

Oceanskykhaki  http://oceanskykhaki.blogspot.com/  

Care packages for deployed http://concernedaussies.blogspot.com/2011/01/care-packages-for-our-deployed.html 

Disgrace  http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/soldiers-forced-to-pay-for-equipmentl/story-e6frea8c-1225929106776 


    

 

Are Aussies racist?, Not this question again. .... NO, for the millionth time.

     What is it about PC and MC FFS?

Death of a Nation

  Are you racist if you love your country and do not want it to change,  are you racist if you query the Govt.s proposed MC laws. There has been a 10yr study going on into whether or not us Aussies are racist, good money down the drain when I can tell you for free that we are not racist.   
                I speak for myself and I do take offense to be called a racist, just because a person may harbor negative feelings towards certain faiths or certain people does not, repeat, does not mean that that they harbor those feelings for every single one of every single race and faith.  Unless of course there is now selective racism?
               There are anti-islam sites/pages just like there are anti Jewish and Christianity sites, anti-asylum seekers/country shopper pages, there are anti-gay sites and anti-straight sites, there are anti-bogan sites and anti blonde sites, anti Left wing and Right wing sites there are anti-anti pages search 'anti' and I am sure you will find too many to count, people have different views on things and that is fair enough.  My gripe is being called a racist when the only 'crime' committed to warrant such a label as racist is not wanting minorities to have better different facilities or specialist treatment. That goes across the board. 
            We know that as a country Australians are decent, generous and giving and some feel that the generosity we give is being abused and that our way of life is being eroded. Many are made to feel uncomfortable in the areas they have grown up in. The frustration many feel is evident by the way the threads and posts erupt into attacks and abuse. They are fed up.  
           Why can't we have our own Aussie culture which to me is backyard bbq's with lamb chops, Aussies with bare shoulders in cool cotton dresses, Christmas time with Santa photos, fruitcake and plenty of ham for everyone.  
               Also if MC is so great how come we only see migration to our Western Nations, why don't those who want to embrace MC go to countries other than Western?, because they know that only the West does not discriminate on who they bring into their countries, muslim nations on the other hand to say are not welcoming to non-muslims would be an understatement.  
                 Why are they not called racist.  

                 It seems like it is a one way street, No Right Turn, Stay Left.   It is now time for a two way street, time to get to the roundabout and change direction and balance this out.   

Tolerant Aussies
http://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-tolerant-of-cultural-differences-study-20110223-1b4ib.html 

 ......and in our countries Capital we have 40% who say they are 'anti' muslim.  I bet the questions were real broard.  I have been a market researcher and I know exactly how these statistics work.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/40pc-in-act-say-they-are-antimuslim-survey/2084276.aspx

I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that muslims seem to be the only ones who bleet and whinge, whine and rant about being picked on, 
This is not true, muslims get more than a fair shake and perhaps this is the problem.  If muslims were more inclined to being a part of Australia instead of apart from Australians then the place would be a whole lot better off, and that big ol' melting pot can stop simmering.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/23/3146427.htm

Lets not forget that people jumpt o the wrong conclusions also.
 http://whittlesea-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/five-year-prison-sentence-for-man-who-dumped-gurshan-singh-channas-body/

Remember this goose who set himself on fire after he tried to do a dodgy insurance job.  he blamed "redneck Aussies" http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/we-are-not-a-redneck-mob/story-e6frfhqf-1225826889695 

Muslim racists, nah, couldn't be... could it? 
 http://www.themodernreligion.com/racism/racism-muslims.html   

and in the UK  http://centurean2.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/no-jail-for-racist-muslims-who-kicked-stabbed-bludgeoned-lone-boy/