Fire Board

31/08/2025 3/2025 #12

While I’m still waiting for more rain & grass the next reunion now has a committee. The tentative date has moved to October 2027 as well. Page 5 has the current information that I am aware of. There is now a Facebook page to keep you updated as well. Great minds think alike so the saying goes as Peter McGraw posted about the ADF Firefighter Scheme just as I started to enquire about it, so thanks to Peter for the information. Page 2. Peter Learmonth and Danny Clark have posted pictures old and new on page 6. Have you ever heard of the “Imperial Gift”? Page 4 As always, there are too many names listed on page 7.

Cheers, Glen

Web THE R.A.A.F FIRE SERVICE (georama.com.au) hosted by Chas Adlard. It is Chas’s site where you can find back issues of “Fire Board” and back issues of Pat’s Newsletters back to 2011. There’s a wealth of information there. Adelaide Reunion - 2022 Reunion - Adelaide (georama.com.au)

Info on the Hobart reunion and copies of all Fire Board issues are at raaffirereunion.com

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Defence newspapers | News & Events | Defence
Australian Defence Force (ADF) Firefighter Scheme | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)

Advocacy Support — RSL Australia

Call Lifeline on 13 11 14
Beyond Blue | 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention 1300 22 4636

Glen Anderson
0438635159
PO Box 185, Mole Creek, Tas. 7304 glen@raaffirereunion.com.au

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Fire Board

31/08/2025 3/2025 #12

DVA

I was thinking of making enquires about the ADF Firefighter Scheme when this post from Peter McGraw popped up on Facebook. Thankyou Peter.

ADF Firefighter Scheme( Point Cook Fire Ground Contamination): Currently claims by those eligible is processed under DVA's DRCA/VEA procedures/entitlements. DVA has advised me that WEF 1 Jul 26, all such claims will be handled under the new legislation to be known as MRCA. The introduction of MRCA will not affect the scheme or the current handling of claims submitted on or after the 1 Jul 26( I am advised of this by DVA Executive Level Manager). However, I would suggest to all those eligible who have not made a claim to date, do so prior to the 1 Jul 26 as there is a possibility IMO of a mass input of other type of claim submissions to DVA that will further slowdown the processing time to what it is at this time?

Please note I am not an Advocate, just have an ongoing interest in the welfare of fellow ADF Firefighters. Please direct any questions direct to DVA.

For further information: https://www.dva.gov.au/.../australian-defence-force-adf...

Presumptive Liability

The MRCA is also being amended to allow the Commission to specify a list of injuries or diseases that may be accepted on a ‘presumptive’ basis where they are known to have a common connection with military service, without needing to refer to the Statements of Principles (SoPs).

This means, in many cases, veterans will no longer need to provide as much, or any, evidence for a claim to be accepted.

‘Presumptive’ conditions/categories covered under the existing compensation framework will also be carried across to the MRCA, including:

· Conditions for ADF firefighters who participated in firefighting training at Royal Australian Air Force Base Point Cook between 1 January 1957 and 31 December 1986.

· Conditions covered by the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) (Specified Diseases and Employment) Instrument 2017.

· Other conditions currently specified under Departmental policy. ............................................................................

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Fire Board

31/08/2025 3/2025 #12

DVA

Advocacy Support — RSL Australia
Australian Defence Force (ADF) Firefighter Scheme | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au) The form you need to register can be found at

D9387 - Application for the Australian Defence Force Firefighter Scheme

“Point Cook Fire Fighter “ is a good search to start with on the net.

Veteran White Card | Department of Veterans' Affairs

A “White Card” may not be a magic wand but is one less thing to do should you ever need to make claim.

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Fire Board

31/08/2025 3/2025 #12

Historical Notes

The “Imperial Gift”

At the end of World War I Great Britain had a large number of surplus aircraft. In order to establish air forces in the Dominions and stimulate the growth of aviation the British Cabinet decided, on 29th May 1919, to make a gift of 100 aircraft to each of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and India. In addition, aircraft would be donated in order to replace the machines presented by the Dominions during the war.

New Zealand initially refused the offer but subsequently accepted 33 aircraft.

Australia’s “Gift” included -spare engines, other parts, tools and 13 transportable hangars. All of which came in 19,000 packing cases.

I discovered many startling facts while reading about the ‘Gift” none more so than the RAF had 20,000 surplus aircraft at the end of WWI many were still in production at wars end.

The fast pace of aircraft development in the early 1900’s is evident when on the 4th of February 1930 the last of the 100 planes was written off.

The only original surviving Imperial Gift aircraft in Australia are Avro 504K A3-4/H2174, stored at the Treloar Technology Centre (Canberra) and S.E.5a A2-4/C1916, exhibited in the ANZAC Hall* of the main Australian War Memorial. * Currently undergoing renovations.

This “Gift” of aircraft accelerated the establishment of independent Airforce’s in the recipient countries. While the RAF was the first independent Airforce in the world (01 April 1918), the first Army with a aviation arm was the French Army (1910). The race for second place is not as straight forward as many were formed in 1920/21and then dissolved. Even the RAAF formed on 31 March 1921 did not have a “Chief of Air Staff” until 1922.

From
airhistory.org.uk, -
Wikipedia
Aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force

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Fire Board

31/08/2025 3/2025 #12

The NEXT Reunion

Queensland

28th-31st October 2027 (TBC)

Queensland the 2nd largest state in the Commonwealth the 3rd to have a permanent settlement. It was proclaimed as the “Colony of Queensland on June 6th, 1859.

The first state to hold 3 RAAF Fire reunions. “Queensland, beautiful one day perfect the next.” or so they tell us.

RAAF Firefighters Reunion Brisbane 2027 | Facebook your invited to join.

A meeting was held at Ipswich CSI on Saturday 2nd of August 2025

Committee Members are:

Keran Carsburg (Chairman), Anne Down (Secretary), Gordon McCartney (Treasurer), Brian Thorburn (Deputy Chair), Brian Down, Lindsay Crouch, John Ranizowski, Steven Swan.

Proposed Reunion dates are 28th-31st October 2027. The committee is gathering information on three sites.

1. 1.Rydges South Bank Brisbane,
   
   

2. 2.Sea World Resort (Gold Coast)
   
   

3. 3.and possibly a Cruise.
   
   

Once they have the information it will be collated into three flyers with all details of what is available for each site. It will then be placed on the Facebook site to conduct a poll to determine the most popular site (possibly February next). We will then start negotiations with the selected site venue manager.

As mentioned, there is a Facebook page (2) RAAF Firefighters Reunion Brisbane 2027 | Facebook

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Fire Board

31/08/2025 3/2025 #12

The following photos are from RAAF Firefighters Reunion Brisbane 2027 | Facebook and included for those not on FB. Post by Danny Clark

The following were postered with others on RETIRED RAAF FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION by Peter Learmonth.

I have a folder of these in my “foot locker” in the shed, as many of you have stashed away some where I guess.