Mr. B Billson MHR
Federal Member for Dunkley
PO Box 501
Frankston VIC 3199

Friday 03rd February 2006

Dear Mr Billson

On behalf of the Association in particular, and Veterans in general, may I congratulate you on your elevation to the portfolio of Veterans’ Affairs; a Ministry of diverse and complex responsibilities.

As the Honorary Secretary of one of the largest ex service organisations (ESO) representing former members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) who served in many roles during the Vietnam era (1965-1972), I will no doubt have cause to write to you on several areas of continuing concern to our members.

However, my method of communicating with the Minister(s) concerned has always been via the good offices of your colleague, Mr Chris Pearce. Anything of major concern to the membership of this Association will have come to you via him. By doing things this way then gives him an insight into Veterans problems within his constituency, which may well be reflected in yours, and elsewhere in Australia.

I note with some interest that you are in receipt of our newsletter ‘the Grey Funnel Line’ (GFL), ably produced by one of your constituents, Mr Lee ‘Dutchy’ Andrews. I hope you have found this publication both entertaining and informative. No doubt Lee will want to do a feature article on the new Minister in forthcoming issues. Forewarned is forearmed.

Knowing from past experience that members and Ministers require a fair bit of notice prior to an event or occasion, may I take this opportunity to invite you to our commemorative service at HMAS Cerberus for the loss of HMAS Sydney 2. This is an annual event which is always held on the Sunday nearest the 19th of November, as this was the day upon which Sydney 2 was sunk with all hands in 1941. This service will be held on Sunday the 12th of November 2006. I seem to remember that you have attended one or two of these in the past when your colleague, Mrs Bronwyn Bishop was Minister and took the time to honour us with her presence. I hope you can see your way clear to do the same.

Regards

Dr. John R Carroll PhD EdD MAPsS
Hon. Secretary
HMAS Sydney & VLSV Assoc. (VIC)