Duty First
 Is now back in production after a three-year hiatus, have a free read Just Click on the below link:
https://www.dutyfirst.com.au/





Suggested Format and Order of Service
From the Asst Sec Tom Lyons:  

ANZAC DAY 2021


Driveway Dawn Service – 06:00hrs (6 am), Sunday the 25th April 2021.
Light Up the Dawn was an idea that originated within the Australian community and was supported and promoted across Australia in 2020, a year of great challenge and change.
 
As the sun peeked above the horizon, the country stood united – in uniforms or pyjamas, wearing medals, poppies, and sprigs of rosemary – to let Australia’s veterans know that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Where:
When:@ 6 am (0600hrs) rug-up, it’s getting colder.
What to bring:

ANZAC DAY 2021

 
  • Encourage children to come along; 
    Have an Australian Flag to wave would be good. 
    Have a candle to light before the service.
    Rosemary will be handed out along with an Order of Service;
     
    You are welcome to lay a wreath at the appointed time when prompted.

The service will be convened by :
a neighbour living in :

Who served in the Australian Army and served in:       
He was an Infantryman.

All welcome!!! Observe Covid Distancing Please!
For any further information ring:
              ORDER OF SERVICE
                  Driveway Service, 06:00hrs  ANZAC Day 2021.

Welcome to Country – I’d like to acknowledge the Indigenous

Peoples, Elders, and Traditional Owners of this land.
I also want to welcome you all for attending and especially the children for getting out of their nice warm beds.
  • Light-up your candles and we will now begin the Service.



                 Commemoration order of service
Dedication Prayer, recited by all.

A prayer of remembrance. Lord God, help us this day to remember the sacrifice of the first ANZACs, Australian and New Zealander, and the generations of men, women, and children who have died in the cause of liberty and peace. Help us to remember those who still bear the physical and mental scars and disabilities of their service.
Amen.

Commemoration Address by: Convenor.
At the going down of the sun...
I crouched in a shallow trench on that hell of exposed beaches... steeply rising foothills bare of cover... a landscape pockmarked with war’s inevitable litter... piles of stores... equipment... ammunition.... I saw the going down of the sun on that first ANZAC Day... the chaotic maelstrom of Australia’s blooding.
I fought in the frozen mud of the Somme... in a blazing destroyer exploding on the North Sea... I fought on the perimeter at Tobruk... crashed in the flaming wreckage of a fighter in New Guinea... lived with the damned in the place cursed with the name Changi.
I was your mate... the kid across the street... the med student at graduation... the mechanic in the corner garage... the baker who brought you bread... the gardener who cut your lawn... the clerk who sent your phone bill.
I was an Army private... a Naval commander... an Air Force bombardier.
 no man knows me... no name marks my tomb, for I am every Australian serviceman... I am the Unknown Soldier.
I died for a cause I held just in the service of my land... that you and yours may say in freedom... I am proud to be an Australian.
These simple words I believe are what the average serviceman is all about. Their love for this wonderful country – Australia.
They fought for the freedom we now all enjoy today and I sincerely believe, by looking over your beautiful smiling faces today, Australia is in good hands for the future.
If you happen to come across an old Veteran, say “Gidday”, I’m sure they will appreciate it. I do.
Act of Remembrance
  • Invitation for Wreaths to be laid – children are encouraged to lay a wreath, a flower or, leave a candle by the flag. When all wreaths and tributes are laid;
  • The Ode will be played followed by – a minute's silence. Men to remove headwear as a mark of respect.

Convenor: “They shall not grow old, as we that are left, grow old; age shall not weary them nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun and in the evening; We will remember them. answered by all – “We will remember them”.

  • Last Post – Men & boys to remove headwear as a mark of respect – flags to be lowered.
  • One minute’s silence
Convenor: “Lest we forget”

Answered by all: “Lest we forget”.
  • Rouse – at the end of Rouse, headdress to be placed back on – flags the be raised to half-mast until 12:00hrs.

Lord’s Prayer – Our Father whom art in Heaven; Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come, thy will be done; on Earth, as it is in Heaven; Give us this day, our daily bread and; Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us; For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory; Forever and ever.   Amen.
Please join me in singing the National Anthem – Advance Australia Fair:
 Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.


 
Completion of service
 




 
[



If you know any veterans who are not receiving a Gold or White card or who are doing it really tough financially, please refer them to the Low Income Health Care Card website below. Eligibility is explained on the website. The important feature of the LIHC Card is possible retrospectively.


http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/low-income-health-care-card


 

Veterans Retreats WA INC

Come Relax at Meentheena

•  Fishing, crafty catfish
•  Swimming , NO Crocs
•  Snoozing, in the shade
•  Rock Hound heaven
•  Gold Panning 
•  Spectacular scenery
•  Quiet walks
•  Birdlife abounds
•  Local  wildlife, Camels, wild turkey's dingo's, 
and station cattle
•  Extreme Outback
•  Canoe on the Nullagine River
•  Clear skies and great sunsets
•  Lots of sightseeing in the area

Other Items of Interest

•  It is the only remote retreat with-in 1500km of a capital 
city.
•  Nearest health Facilities are at Marble Bar, however the 
camp is equipped with a registered RFDS first aid kit 
and the caretaker is trained in its use by the RFDS.
•  CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT rules apply, as we need to 
know all are safe at all times
•  The retreat is equipped with a registered P.I.B.
(personal Location Beacon) for emergencies.
•  UHF or VHF is essential while GPS is good as all maps 
have co-ordinates.
•  We have erected a tower which has a mobile phone 
antenna. It is not guaranteed to receive telephone 
reception at all times but has been reasonably good. 
TELSTRA NEXT G only.
•  PLEASE BE SELF SUFFICIENT. Our full time camp host 
carries no additional food/fuel supplies.
•  Drop in and set up camp for a couple of days. 
•  Two canoes are at the paperbarks. Go for a paddle up 
the Nullagine river. 
•  There is an adequate supply of potable water.
•  A two person camp shower is available onsite (under 
the water tank )
•  A double self composting toilet unit is on site.Please contact our camp host on phone number 0427291747 before arrival 
This will enable the camp host to be onsite 
when you arrive.
Other contacts are
Veteransretreats.wa.inc@gmail.com

Facebook/meentheenaveteransretreats

www.veteransretreats-meentheena.org

P.O. Box 15 Mandurah, WA. 6210
Please view our website for more details

VETERANS RETREATS Of W.A. INC
MEENTHEENA RETREAT

75 km east of Marble Bar.
5km off the Ripon 
Hills Road.
Approx 280km from Pt Hedland

VETERANSRETREATS Of WA INC
Veterans retreats of WA Inc (VRWA is an association dedicated to those veterans who have served Australia. 
Included are members and ex members of the Defence Forces, Para-military, peacekeepers, Police, 
Fire and Rescue, SES, and Ambulance officers. (This is a guide only and not a barrier). All service personnel will be considered.
THE SITE in the Pilbara is a disused cattle station currently owned by the Department of Lands  and leased to VRWA for 5 
years. At the end of this time ownership will be taken over by DPaW, Dept Parks and Widlife formerly CALM and the lease 
rolled over to us; (provided we have done the right thing of course.) Liaison with the depts. is ongoing and friendly.
FACILITIES  include central camp/caravan site accessible by some cars, (track can be rough) utes, soft roaders & 4wd’s plus
many campsites along the 26km of river frontage we control. Billabongs are fresh all year and a very pleasant way to spend a 
lazy  day  fishing (catfish) and swimming  in running (well moving anyway!) Clean water.
CENTRAL CAMP SITE  has potable water ex bore, 24/7 limited power, showers & ablutions. Shade for vans, a basic 
DIY workshop,  a camp kitchen & clubhouse are  currently being upgraded.  Telstra Next G mobile phone reception is 
available depending on the weather conditions.

NO FIREARMS PLEASE, CHECK THEM IN AT MARBLE 
BAR POLICE STATION PRIOR TO ENTRY TO SITE.

Marble Bar is a veteran friendly town. It has a Post Office/General Store. Check out the Memorial park in the centre of town. Take a 
short drive to the old Comet gold mine/Tourist centre. On the way check out the actual Marble Bar (Jasper), and Chinaman's 
pool or have a coldie in the famous Ironclad Hotel. We are not a caravan park and facilities are very basic, 
a good caravan park is located at Marble Bar for day visitors to Meentheena Veterans Retreat

OUTSIDE MAIN SITE is 4wd only, the tracks are crossed by dry creek beds and somewhat rough. Great 
river access is available in many spots and the billabongs are overhung with paperbark and gum trees. Most sites are shaded. 
Take it in take it outpolicy applies. Food, fuel and town facilities are available at Marble Bar, please support the town and it’s business’s they support us.








 

♦♦♦♦♦