Wednesday, February 25, 2015

VALE
LESLEY STEWART FIEDLER
8 OCT 1945-12 FEB 2015
What a Wife-What a Partner-What a Friend
Mother to Karina and Nicole
The Glue that held me together
Sadly missed by all

2015 REGISTRATION FORM


2015 Coral Reunion Registration Form
!
Please complete all details so we can check our records and produce new name tags for newcomers/lost tags
All personal details will be treated confidentially and used only for distribution of Coral Reunion information and for other Coral Reunion Members’
enquiries. (It will only take you 1 minute to complete this Form BUT it will certainly help us a great deal…THANKS. Pepe.) !
Surname of Vet Attendee ………………………………………………… First name ………………………
Preferred name or nickname……………………………………………… Army  Service No ……………….
Sub Unit (e.g. 3 Pl A Coy) ………………….. & Unit …………………………………………
Address
…………………………………………………………………………………………..State. ……P/c. …….
 Mobile Phone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ….  E-mail (write clearly)…………………………………………………………………
1st & last name/s of accompanying person(s): ……………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I’m staying at Accommodation: ………………………………………………………………………..……
Reunion Name Tag? Do you have one: YES / NO.
I also need one for:………………………………………………………………………………………….…
I/ We  (circle) have a special dietary need which is: ……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………….. Please provide a suitable alternative meal/s to take this into account. Thank you.
!
Payment Details: I include payment for my/our Dinner Registration, Raffle ticket/s, Bus trip.
$165Couple incl 2 Raffle $5 tickets or $85 Single incl 1 Raffle ticket plus $ ____for the bus & extra tickets
YES / NO. I will pay direct through Bank Electronic Transfer to the Reunion Account which is:
St George Bank BSB 112-908 A/c 02103134. You must indicate your ‘Name’ & incl ‘Coral’
YES / NO. I will pay with a Cheque/ Money Order made out only to “Coral Reunion”. see attached.
The payment amount I’m sending/transferring TOTALS: $ .......................
Register of interest in the trip to Singleton Museum and /or Winery on Sunday
YES / NO : I wish to reserve (Qty) …. seats for the 9.00am Singleton Museum & Winery tour ..Cost $24/h
YES / NO : I wish to reserve (Qty) …. seats for the 9.30am Singleton Museum only tour …Cost $24/h
 Includes $4 entry to Museum
Please Send this to:
Ray Curtis 7/9 Coral drive , Jerrabomberra Heights, NSW 2619
He will send a Receipt to you.
If you have NOT received a Receipt within 4 weeks after sending, then Phone or Email Ray to fix it.
Ph. 02 6255 9426 Email:  rosandray4@bigpond.com

Thank You.

2015 EARLY WARNING ORDER

 Treasurer Chairman
Ray Curtis Garry (Pepe) Prendergast
No7 of 9 Coral Drive Unit 4 47 Karbunya St
Jerrabomberra NSW 2619 Mermaid Waters, QLD 4218
H: 02 62559426 H: 0429 42 58 63
Em: rosandray4@! bigpond.com Em: pepecoral68@gmail.com
!1st Battalion Battle Group Reunion 2015 Warning Order
The 47th Anniversary Reunion 2015 in Newcastle NSW
The principal organiser is Harry Day D Coy HQ (‘Doc’) and he has a small committee including some
local non-Coral Vets volunteering to help.
!
The dates are Fri 15 May to Sun 17 May 2015
!
Friday Night 15th May 2015.
6pm - 8pm Meet & Greet. (M&G)
Newcastle Panthers Club (Formerly known as Newcastle Workers Club)
Cnr King & Union Streets Newcastle. Meals are available in the Club !
The venue for the M&G and the Dinner is the Panthers Club 50 metres east of The
Travelodge Hotel on the opposite side of King Street,
The Civic Park, where the Service will be is another 100 metres east of the Club, so it is
all walking distance !
Saturday 16th May 2015.
3.40pm Assemble for March at Civic Park in King Street Newcastle
3.50pm March Off on King St to Vietnam Veterans Memorial for Memorial Service.
4.00pm Memorial Service to commence.
5.45- 6.45pm Drinks prior to the dinner (also in the Panthers Club).
7.00pm The Dinner commence.
8.30pm AGM !
Sunday 17th May 2015
9.00am Meet at Civic Park to collect buses for 9.00am departure for “Winery” group to
Singleton Military Museum. Those not doing the “Winery” leg will depart at 9.30am. This
stops a choke point que at the Museum.
Morning Tea at Museum will be provided by the bus company around 10.30am
Then Bus trip into Singleton RSL Club for lunch. Winery group first. (Meals $12-15)
Then Winery group head for the Hunter Valley wineries for afternoon wine tasting and purchases
arriving back in Newcastle approx 5pm. The non winery group will return to Newcastle
around 2pm
!
Please note the Service and accommodation is all very central to the Dinner Venue and easy to
get to. You can get more accommodation details from the Newcastle Tourism and more on the Net
like trivago.com, booking.com etc; to make your own enquiries now so you can book early.
Those travelling by plane should look out for cheap flights into Sydney from now on and note that
trains almost run right into Newcastle city and long haul bus lines run into the city center.
!
"1
Accommodation
All the following have been contacted and will do a discounted price for us so refer to
the “Coral Reunion” or “Battle of Coral Reunion” :
Check out the deals on the Net first BUT make sure you know all the inclusions. !
Travelodge Newcastle
6 Storey Hotel 131 Rooms
Cnr King & Steel Streets
Newcastle.
It is 50 yards on opposite side of street to Newcastle Panthers (Workers Club) King
Street.
When booking Quote "Coral Reunion special rates."
It is the closest hotel to Meet & Greet and Main Dinner Venue.
Opposite to 2 shopping centres. Woolworths and Coles Dan Murphy McDonalds etc.
150 yards to Civic Park for Memorial Service.
http://www.travelodge.com.au/
Ph. (02) 4926 3777 !
The Crowne Plaza Newcastle
Merewether Street Newcastle
Situated on Hunter River
Walking distance to Venues
Also close to Restaurants along The Boardwalk. ACCOMMODATION RATES
Queen City Suite: $175.00 per room, per night accommodation only
Queen Harbourside Suite: $205.00 per room, per night, accommodation only !
Please note we are not holding any rooms for your group and they are subject to availability.
Please see the link below and let me know if you have any questions. !
Booking Website:
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?
mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=11822214&utm_source=9796617&utm_medium=emai
l&utm_campaign=36940780 !
Guests wishing to book by phone should call through to In-House Reservations on 02
49075062 during business hours, Monday-Friday, and quote booking code "BCQ"
**Please note that our central reservations team does not have access to your reduced
rates, the above direct number must be given to your guests**
Please note central reservations does not have access to our reduced rates and must
ring above special number. !
Ibis Newcastle
700 Hunter Street Newcastle
Ph. (02) 4925 2266
http://www.ibishotel.com/
http://www.accorhotels.com/
Free buses from in front of Hotel along Hunter Street all hours.
Please quote "Coral Reunion" for special rates. !
"2
Noah's On the Beach.
Cnr Shortland Esplande & Zaara Street Newcastle
Ph. (02) 4929 5181
http://www.noahsonthebeach.com.au/ www.reservations@noahsonthebeach.-
com.au
Short walk to Newcastle Railway Station and catch free buses from opposite side heading
west.
Ask driver to drop you off at Civic Station. Civic Park (Service) is through open plaza
area. !
The Grand Hotel cnr Church & Bolt St Ph: 02 4929 3489 !
Also, Self contained units are available along King Street and Hunter Strret
Please check on sites like trivago.com , wotif.com, bookings.com !
Travelodge, Crowne Plaza and Ibis Hotels are all in walking distance to the venues, There is under
ground parking at the Panthers Club, entrance from King Street and you must be driving west,
same side as the Club. King St is a divided road. !
Also, Stockton Caravan Park (just across the river) for the Grey Nomads is the only &
nearest available and the last ferry from the harbour foreshore back to Stockton leaves at 11.30pm
which is Ok. The Ferry landing is also in walking distance to the venues.
www.stocktonbeach.com.au/reservations Ph: 02 49281393 3 Pitt St Stockton 2295
Future Reunion Matters
Tony Scott has put his hand up for 2017 Reunion in Tassie and we will hold 2016 at the Gold
Coast where I now live (and loving it !!!)
I have asked the 1st Bn to host our 50th Reunion in Townsville in 2018. They have said YES but
subject to any deployment constraints. We’ll keep them aware as time rolls on. We will seek some
funds from DVA to assist with this one being the 50th & probably the last up there.
The tour back to Vietnam in Oct 2018 is on & it will not clash time wise with the Townsville show in
May. We had a show of over 40 hands in support of such a trip in 2018 so planning is happening.
Some of you would like to go to both places, Townsville and Vietnam, but may balk at the two costs
in one year.
I will set it up so that there are two options to choose from according to both the time you have
and your budget.
Option 1: 9-10 days spent mainly looking mainly at Sth Vietnam covering Saigon, Coral, Cu Chi tunnels,
Nui Dat, Long Tan and Vung Tau plus a bit for somewhere around $2500-2600pp.
Option 2: 19-20 days including Option 1 and then seeing the areas Nth travelling up to Hanoi for
under $3600pp. There might be a possibility of adding and extension into Cambodia and Thailand
Prices are simply an indicative a guess at this stage as things will change both in the A$ value (its
going down now but may be up then), air fares, general cost rises in Vietnam. But rest assured I’ll
be looking to reduce these prices with max attendees being around 38-40 so it’ll be first in best
dressed.
You can ease the pain (like I will) by setting up an intra-bank account into which I will allot $80 a
month ($20/wk) for the next 3years + which will grow to about $3000 which is a good start.
Any offers to arrange future Reunions 2018 PLUS are very welcome.
!
Reunion Registration and RAFFLE
"3
The Reunion Registration Form is attached, please complete and forward sooner than
later and Ray Curtis will send you the Receipt. Registrations close on 27 April
NOTE this year you will find your Entry Ticket includes an entry into the Raffle so your Ticket
number is your Raffle ticket number. You can elect to buy more tickets (please do!) which means
your ticket number has more chances.
Dinner Entry Tickets are $155 a Couple & $80 a Single plus the raffle tickets are $5 @.
Your Registration will be acknowledged in Ray’s Receipt with a copy or copies of your ticket number
(Raffle Tickets) going into a raffle box as Registrations are Receipted.
!
The Battle of FSPB Coral Citation for Meritorious Service
!
Pushed a long by some Reunion members but in particular from Alan (Jack) PARR (Mor Pl Base Plate
Sig Op), I have joined together with Jack to progress a Submission to have the Battle of Coral formally
recognised for the great battle that it was.
The fact that the battalion was quickly awarded the RAR’s Regimental Battle Honour Colour in the
early 70’s recognised the Battle. Then 12 Field Artillery Regt were awarded the Artillery Guidon for
this battle in 2008. Both of these Honours clearly recognise the enormity of the Battle of FSPB
Coral.
But the Battle Group as a whole were not formally recognised and the individuals in that battle
were not given their due recognition as was given to the 1st Bn for their first tour and 6 Bn for Long
Tan. As many (all ranks) have said over the years, all the CO’s & TF Comds got the DSO etc; ‘just for
doing their job” & only COs 1st Bn & 3rd Bn & 12 Fd Regt plus Ron Hughes were ‘exposed to a real
threat' (at Coral & Balmoral).!
It is sad that our ‘leaders’ in the past did not seek to put in a submission. Anecdotally we have reports
that the TF Comd (Brig Ron Hughes) at the time said it would be “too difficult” to claim a
Meritorious Citation due the the simple fact that so many units were intimately involved.
It was also clear that the military hierarchy of the day (being ex WW2 & Korean vets) were still not
convinced that this “Vietnam War” was a “real war”.!!! Well, while we all knew so differently first
hand, the simple fact is, that we were not cited for this horrific battle at the time.
Then, with the end of the war and the general community’s lousy negative attitude to that war, it
became a situation where it was “inappropriate” & "too late" to do anything. So nothing was done
& we got on with our lives.!!
A few years ago there was an opportunity to submit a proposal but again the “rules” did not apply
to including the many units at Coral or Balmoral. However, in more recent times we have seen a
number of “backdated” WW2 awards of Meritorious Service and still newer ones (1 Jan ’15) where
they do not only apply to individual units but to a 'war like' Battle Group (of many units & attachments)
which would definitely be similar our TF Coral/Balmoral Battle Group. So the precedence
has been set. Although 12 Fd Regt (Ian Ahearn) did present a Unit Citation proposal in
2012, they have yet to see anything positive come of it.
So, here we go. If we don’t put our story to the highest Authority (& it need not stop at Defence
HQ) then nothing will happen.
Jack & I are at one with driving & producing a submission that will demand a recognition of this
battle as the biggest, bloodiest & longest continuous all-out fight of the Vietnam War for Australians.
!
!
We intend to include all Units & Attachments as one battle group and we will want to see that all
individuals who were present for at least a day qualify. We ruled out placing more days or nights
as the criteria as being too restrictive and difficult to police or determine and that might exclude
"4
some of the first night Mor Pl boys who ‘would have something to say’ about that approach. Some
would say that there’ll be those who will try to get on the band wagon. Well our answer is simply..
we can check most of them but in the end ‘who really cares'. We mostly know who did what and
clearly some did more, and some much much more than others but all who were there were liable
to & experienced the threat of enemy fire both direct & indirect multiple times.
We will require Unit/Sub-Unit & Attachment Reps to volunteer to produce a Nominal Roll of
who was there to the best of their collective knowledge. Make a list of all members of their Section/
Gun/Troop etc; at Coral. To include Regimental No. Full Name, WIA/KIA, Rank and position in
section/platoon. You get Reg Nos from the Nominal Roll on-line. http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/.
To build our story with “new information”, we also need these Reps to collate written personal
recollections of all contacts or actions 12/5/68 -6/6/68. This should include sub unit, names, action
descriptions, casualties, fire support, sketch maps etc; & even copies of your old ‘dairy’ notes
at the time. Results e.g.; how did the enemy react, things that changed the course of the battle/
contact. We need all this collected by 1 May please. !
We may miss someone or 3 I suspect but it is the bigger picture of this great battle that we really
want to get recognised & we won’t/shouldn’t be distracted or bogged down in any minor argument
about who was or wasn’t there. !
We can only do this with your help. Clearly, the internet will be the medium for collating most of
our background data so as we ask you for your input don’t let us down. ‘Just do it !”
! Jack Parr is responsible collate all Rep’s Nominal Rolls &
information for the Submission.
Volunteers (YOU !) contact Jack on 07 4936 or 0439 985 462 or email parralanj@hotmail.com .!
We’ll keep you up to date at the Reunion & in the next Newsletter and those on the Net with us will
obviously be able to get a bit more info from time to time.
We will work the ‘Defence system’ initially but if stalled we may even need to go to the Parliament
or GG if we don’t get the necessary support from within the current Defence hierarchy.
Wish us luck !!! Lets get it done this year ! Watch this space !! Wait out !
!
Passing Parade VALE:
It’s an obvious fact that we will all eventually fall off the twig at some time and we have lost a few
more this year. I do this so you know who has passed on.
Most recently we lost Lenny B Rogasch Admin Coy cook 15/1/15, Graham (Grazza) Hill Mor Pl
6/6/15, Graeme (Bones) Stevens A Coy 2 tours 30/6/14, plus Ken Gagblonski C Coy ( a few years
ago), Ken Martin A Coy (Winton back in 7/7/2007) and Frenchie Behan also about 5-6 years ago.
Your Duty is done Rest in Peace Fellas
!
My Thanks
Again my thanks to Ray Curtis who helps me with the Reunion work & in particular the Registrations
and minds the Reunion funds… he really does very good work and willingly which I really appreciate.
Thanks Ray!!
But, life is for living while we can, so…
Keep Smiling…have FUN… Good health… and …see you in Newcastle.
Cheers ……….Garry (Pepe) Prendergast Together then …together again
!
"5
Some Jokes to brighten up your day
Melbourne Zoo had acquired a female of a very rare species of Gorilla.
Within a few weeks, the gorilla became very cantankerous and difficult
to handle. Upon examination, the Zoo veterinarian determined the problem.
The gorilla was on heat. To make matters worse, there were no male
gorillas of the species available. While reflecting on their problem,
the Zoo management noticed Kevin, a big Kiwi lad,responsible for
fixing the Zoo's machinery.
Kevin, like most Kiwis, had little sense, but seemed to be
possessed with ample ability to satisfy a female of ANY species.
So, the Zoo administrators thought they might have a solution.
Kevin was approached with a proposition.
Would he be willing to have sex with the gorilla for $500?
Kevin showed some interest, but said he would have to think the matter
over carefully. The following day, Kevin announced that he would
accept their offer, only under three conditions:
"Furst," he said, "I don't want to have to kuss er."
"Sicondly, you must niver tull anyone about thus."
The Zoo administration quickly agreed to these conditions,
so they asked what was his third condition.
"Wull," said Kevin, "You gotta give me another wik to come up with the $500.”
Three ladies are playing the 4th hole at a members-only golf club, when a naked man,
wearing a bag over his head, jumps from the trees and runs across the green.
The 3 ladies look and are in shock at the size of his manhood.
The first lady says, "Well he definitely is not my husband."
The second lady looks at his manhood and says, "For sure he’s not my husband."
The third lady takes a really good look and says,
“I’d say he's definitely not even a member of this club!”
! From a
Really Blonde friend of mine !!! She said….
Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with those expensive, double-pane, energy-efficient
kind.
Today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He complained that the work had been completed
a year ago and I still hadn't paid for them.
Helloooo…? Just because I'm blonde doesn't mean that I am automatically stupid. So, I told him just
what his fast-talking sales guy told me last year... that these windows would pay for themselves in a
year.
Hellooooo? It's been a year, so they're paid for, I told him.
There was only silence at the other end. I bet he felt like an idiot.
!
I was telling a young woman in the pub about my ability to guess what day a woman was born just by
feeling her boobs.
“Really oh Bullshit" she said, “Well OK go on then...try."
After about thirty seconds of fondling she began to lose patience and said,
"Come on, what day was I born?"
I said, "Yesterday."
When you are over sixty, who gives a stuff !!
"6

!1st Battalion Battle Group Reunion 2015 Warning Order
The 47th Anniversary Reunion 2015 in Newcastle NSW
The principal organiser is Harry Day D Coy HQ (‘Doc’) and he has a small committee including some
local non-Coral Vets volunteering to help.
!
The dates are Fri 15 May to Sun 17 May 2015
!
Friday Night 15th May 2015.
6pm - 8pm Meet & Greet. (M&G)
Newcastle Panthers Club (Formerly known as Newcastle Workers Club)
Cnr King & Union Streets Newcastle. Meals are available in the Club !
The venue for the M&G and the Dinner is the Panthers Club 50 metres east of The
Travelodge Hotel on the opposite side of King Street,
The Civic Park, where the Service will be is another 100 metres east of the Club, so it is
all walking distance !
Saturday 16th May 2015.
3.40pm Assemble for March at Civic Park in King Street Newcastle
3.50pm March Off on King St to Vietnam Veterans Memorial for Memorial Service.
4.00pm Memorial Service to commence.
5.45- 6.45pm Drinks prior to the dinner (also in the Panthers Club).
7.00pm The Dinner commence.
8.30pm AGM !
Sunday 17th May 2015
9.00am Meet at Civic Park to collect buses for 9.00am departure for “Winery” group to
Singleton Military Museum. Those not doing the “Winery” leg will depart at 9.30am. This
stops a choke point que at the Museum.
Morning Tea at Museum will be provided by the bus company around 10.30am
Then Bus trip into Singleton RSL Club for lunch. Winery group first. (Meals $12-15)
Then Winery group head for the Hunter Valley wineries for afternoon wine tasting and purchases
arriving back in Newcastle approx 5pm. The non winery group will return to Newcastle
around 2pm
!
Please note the Service and accommodation is all very central to the Dinner Venue and easy to
get to. You can get more accommodation details from the Newcastle Tourism and more on the Net
like trivago.com, booking.com etc; to make your own enquiries now so you can book early.
Those travelling by plane should look out for cheap flights into Sydney from now on and note that
trains almost run right into Newcastle city and long haul bus lines run into the city center.
!
"1
Accommodation
All the following have been contacted and will do a discounted price for us so refer to
the “Coral Reunion” or “Battle of Coral Reunion” :
Check out the deals on the Net first BUT make sure you know all the inclusions. !
Travelodge Newcastle
6 Storey Hotel 131 Rooms
Cnr King & Steel Streets
Newcastle.
It is 50 yards on opposite side of street to Newcastle Panthers (Workers Club) King
Street.
When booking Quote "Coral Reunion special rates."
It is the closest hotel to Meet & Greet and Main Dinner Venue.
Opposite to 2 shopping centres. Woolworths and Coles Dan Murphy McDonalds etc.
150 yards to Civic Park for Memorial Service.
http://www.travelodge.com.au/
Ph. (02) 4926 3777 !
The Crowne Plaza Newcastle
Merewether Street Newcastle
Situated on Hunter River
Walking distance to Venues
Also close to Restaurants along The Boardwalk. ACCOMMODATION RATES
Queen City Suite: $175.00 per room, per night accommodation only
Queen Harbourside Suite: $205.00 per room, per night, accommodation only !
Please note we are not holding any rooms for your group and they are subject to availability.
Please see the link below and let me know if you have any questions. !
Booking Website:
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?
mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=11822214&utm_source=9796617&utm_medium=emai
l&utm_campaign=36940780 !
Guests wishing to book by phone should call through to In-House Reservations on 02
49075062 during business hours, Monday-Friday, and quote booking code "BCQ"
**Please note that our central reservations team does not have access to your reduced
rates, the above direct number must be given to your guests**
Please note central reservations does not have access to our reduced rates and must
ring above special number. !
Ibis Newcastle
700 Hunter Street Newcastle
Ph. (02) 4925 2266
http://www.ibishotel.com/
http://www.accorhotels.com/
Free buses from in front of Hotel along Hunter Street all hours.
Please quote "Coral Reunion" for special rates. !
"2
Noah's On the Beach.
Cnr Shortland Esplande & Zaara Street Newcastle
Ph. (02) 4929 5181
http://www.noahsonthebeach.com.au/ www.reservations@noahsonthebeach.-
com.au
Short walk to Newcastle Railway Station and catch free buses from opposite side heading
west.
Ask driver to drop you off at Civic Station. Civic Park (Service) is through open plaza
area. !
The Grand Hotel cnr Church & Bolt St Ph: 02 4929 3489 !
Also, Self contained units are available along King Street and Hunter Strret
Please check on sites like trivago.com , wotif.com, bookings.com !
Travelodge, Crowne Plaza and Ibis Hotels are all in walking distance to the venues, There is under
ground parking at the Panthers Club, entrance from King Street and you must be driving west,
same side as the Club. King St is a divided road. !
Also, Stockton Caravan Park (just across the river) for the Grey Nomads is the only &
nearest available and the last ferry from the harbour foreshore back to Stockton leaves at 11.30pm
which is Ok. The Ferry landing is also in walking distance to the venues.
www.stocktonbeach.com.au/reservations Ph: 02 49281393 3 Pitt St Stockton 2295
Future Reunion Matters
Tony Scott has put his hand up for 2017 Reunion in Tassie and we will hold 2016 at the Gold
Coast where I now live (and loving it !!!)
I have asked the 1st Bn to host our 50th Reunion in Townsville in 2018. They have said YES but
subject to any deployment constraints. We’ll keep them aware as time rolls on. We will seek some
funds from DVA to assist with this one being the 50th & probably the last up there.
The tour back to Vietnam in Oct 2018 is on & it will not clash time wise with the Townsville show in
May. We had a show of over 40 hands in support of such a trip in 2018 so planning is happening.
Some of you would like to go to both places, Townsville and Vietnam, but may balk at the two costs
in one year.
I will set it up so that there are two options to choose from according to both the time you have
and your budget.
Option 1: 9-10 days spent mainly looking mainly at Sth Vietnam covering Saigon, Coral, Cu Chi tunnels,
Nui Dat, Long Tan and Vung Tau plus a bit for somewhere around $2500-2600pp.
Option 2: 19-20 days including Option 1 and then seeing the areas Nth travelling up to Hanoi for
under $3600pp. There might be a possibility of adding and extension into Cambodia and Thailand
Prices are simply an indicative a guess at this stage as things will change both in the A$ value (its
going down now but may be up then), air fares, general cost rises in Vietnam. But rest assured I’ll
be looking to reduce these prices with max attendees being around 38-40 so it’ll be first in best
dressed.
You can ease the pain (like I will) by setting up an intra-bank account into which I will allot $80 a
month ($20/wk) for the next 3years + which will grow to about $3000 which is a good start.
Any offers to arrange future Reunions 2018 PLUS are very welcome.
!
Reunion Registration and RAFFLE
"3
The Reunion Registration Form is attached, please complete and forward sooner than
later and Ray Curtis will send you the Receipt. Registrations close on 27 April
NOTE this year you will find your Entry Ticket includes an entry into the Raffle so your Ticket
number is your Raffle ticket number. You can elect to buy more tickets (please do!) which means
your ticket number has more chances.
Dinner Entry Tickets are $155 a Couple & $80 a Single plus the raffle tickets are $5 @.
Your Registration will be acknowledged in Ray’s Receipt with a copy or copies of your ticket number
(Raffle Tickets) going into a raffle box as Registrations are Receipted.
!
The Battle of FSPB Coral Citation for Meritorious Service
!
Pushed a long by some Reunion members but in particular from Alan (Jack) PARR (Mor Pl Base Plate
Sig Op), I have joined together with Jack to progress a Submission to have the Battle of Coral formally
recognised for the great battle that it was.
The fact that the battalion was quickly awarded the RAR’s Regimental Battle Honour Colour in the
early 70’s recognised the Battle. Then 12 Field Artillery Regt were awarded the Artillery Guidon for
this battle in 2008. Both of these Honours clearly recognise the enormity of the Battle of FSPB
Coral.
But the Battle Group as a whole were not formally recognised and the individuals in that battle
were not given their due recognition as was given to the 1st Bn for their first tour and 6 Bn for Long
Tan. As many (all ranks) have said over the years, all the CO’s & TF Comds got the DSO etc; ‘just for
doing their job” & only COs 1st Bn & 3rd Bn & 12 Fd Regt plus Ron Hughes were ‘exposed to a real
threat' (at Coral & Balmoral).!
It is sad that our ‘leaders’ in the past did not seek to put in a submission. Anecdotally we have reports
that the TF Comd (Brig Ron Hughes) at the time said it would be “too difficult” to claim a
Meritorious Citation due the the simple fact that so many units were intimately involved.
It was also clear that the military hierarchy of the day (being ex WW2 & Korean vets) were still not
convinced that this “Vietnam War” was a “real war”.!!! Well, while we all knew so differently first
hand, the simple fact is, that we were not cited for this horrific battle at the time.
Then, with the end of the war and the general community’s lousy negative attitude to that war, it
became a situation where it was “inappropriate” & "too late" to do anything. So nothing was done
& we got on with our lives.!!
A few years ago there was an opportunity to submit a proposal but again the “rules” did not apply
to including the many units at Coral or Balmoral. However, in more recent times we have seen a
number of “backdated” WW2 awards of Meritorious Service and still newer ones (1 Jan ’15) where
they do not only apply to individual units but to a 'war like' Battle Group (of many units & attachments)
which would definitely be similar our TF Coral/Balmoral Battle Group. So the precedence
has been set. Although 12 Fd Regt (Ian Ahearn) did present a Unit Citation proposal in
2012, they have yet to see anything positive come of it.
So, here we go. If we don’t put our story to the highest Authority (& it need not stop at Defence
HQ) then nothing will happen.
Jack & I are at one with driving & producing a submission that will demand a recognition of this
battle as the biggest, bloodiest & longest continuous all-out fight of the Vietnam War for Australians.
!
!
We intend to include all Units & Attachments as one battle group and we will want to see that all
individuals who were present for at least a day qualify. We ruled out placing more days or nights
as the criteria as being too restrictive and difficult to police or determine and that might exclude
"4
some of the first night Mor Pl boys who ‘would have something to say’ about that approach. Some
would say that there’ll be those who will try to get on the band wagon. Well our answer is simply..
we can check most of them but in the end ‘who really cares'. We mostly know who did what and
clearly some did more, and some much much more than others but all who were there were liable
to & experienced the threat of enemy fire both direct & indirect multiple times.
We will require Unit/Sub-Unit & Attachment Reps to volunteer to produce a Nominal Roll of
who was there to the best of their collective knowledge. Make a list of all members of their Section/
Gun/Troop etc; at Coral. To include Regimental No. Full Name, WIA/KIA, Rank and position in
section/platoon. You get Reg Nos from the Nominal Roll on-line. http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/.
To build our story with “new information”, we also need these Reps to collate written personal
recollections of all contacts or actions 12/5/68 -6/6/68. This should include sub unit, names, action
descriptions, casualties, fire support, sketch maps etc; & even copies of your old ‘dairy’ notes
at the time. Results e.g.; how did the enemy react, things that changed the course of the battle/
contact. We need all this collected by 1 May please. !
We may miss someone or 3 I suspect but it is the bigger picture of this great battle that we really
want to get recognised & we won’t/shouldn’t be distracted or bogged down in any minor argument
about who was or wasn’t there. !
We can only do this with your help. Clearly, the internet will be the medium for collating most of
our background data so as we ask you for your input don’t let us down. ‘Just do it !”
! Jack Parr is responsible collate all Rep’s Nominal Rolls &
information for the Submission.
Volunteers (YOU !) contact Jack on 07 4936 or 0439 985 462 or email parralanj@hotmail.com .!
We’ll keep you up to date at the Reunion & in the next Newsletter and those on the Net with us will
obviously be able to get a bit more info from time to time.
We will work the ‘Defence system’ initially but if stalled we may even need to go to the Parliament
or GG if we don’t get the necessary support from within the current Defence hierarchy.
Wish us luck !!! Lets get it done this year ! Watch this space !! Wait out !
!
Passing Parade VALE:
It’s an obvious fact that we will all eventually fall off the twig at some time and we have lost a few
more this year. I do this so you know who has passed on.
Most recently we lost Lenny B Rogasch Admin Coy cook 15/1/15, Graham (Grazza) Hill Mor Pl
6/6/15, Graeme (Bones) Stevens A Coy 2 tours 30/6/14, plus Ken Gagblonski C Coy ( a few years
ago), Ken Martin A Coy (Winton back in 7/7/2007) and Frenchie Behan also about 5-6 years ago.
Your Duty is done Rest in Peace Fellas
!
My Thanks
Again my thanks to Ray Curtis who helps me with the Reunion work & in particular the Registrations
and minds the Reunion funds… he really does very good work and willingly which I really appreciate.
Thanks Ray!!
But, life is for living while we can, so…
Keep Smiling…have FUN… Good health… and …see you in Newcastle.
Cheers ……….Garry (Pepe) Prendergast Together then …together again
!
"5
Some Jokes to brighten up your day
Melbourne Zoo had acquired a female of a very rare species of Gorilla.
Within a few weeks, the gorilla became very cantankerous and difficult
to handle. Upon examination, the Zoo veterinarian determined the problem.
The gorilla was on heat. To make matters worse, there were no male
gorillas of the species available. While reflecting on their problem,
the Zoo management noticed Kevin, a big Kiwi lad,responsible for
fixing the Zoo's machinery.
Kevin, like most Kiwis, had little sense, but seemed to be
possessed with ample ability to satisfy a female of ANY species.
So, the Zoo administrators thought they might have a solution.
Kevin was approached with a proposition.
Would he be willing to have sex with the gorilla for $500?
Kevin showed some interest, but said he would have to think the matter
over carefully. The following day, Kevin announced that he would
accept their offer, only under three conditions:
"Furst," he said, "I don't want to have to kuss er."
"Sicondly, you must niver tull anyone about thus."
The Zoo administration quickly agreed to these conditions,
so they asked what was his third condition.
"Wull," said Kevin, "You gotta give me another wik to come up with the $500.”
Three ladies are playing the 4th hole at a members-only golf club, when a naked man,
wearing a bag over his head, jumps from the trees and runs across the green.
The 3 ladies look and are in shock at the size of his manhood.
The first lady says, "Well he definitely is not my husband."
The second lady looks at his manhood and says, "For sure he’s not my husband."
The third lady takes a really good look and says,
“I’d say he's definitely not even a member of this club!”
! From a
Really Blonde friend of mine !!! She said….
Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with those expensive, double-pane, energy-efficient
kind.
Today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He complained that the work had been completed
a year ago and I still hadn't paid for them.
Helloooo…? Just because I'm blonde doesn't mean that I am automatically stupid. So, I told him just
what his fast-talking sales guy told me last year... that these windows would pay for themselves in a
year.
Hellooooo? It's been a year, so they're paid for, I told him.
There was only silence at the other end. I bet he felt like an idiot.
!
I was telling a young woman in the pub about my ability to guess what day a woman was born just by
feeling her boobs.
“Really oh Bullshit" she said, “Well OK go on then...try."
After about thirty seconds of fondling she began to lose patience and said,
"Come on, what day was I born?"
I said, "Yesterday."
When you are over sixty, who gives a stuff !!
"6
2015 Coral Reunion Registration Form
!
Please complete all details so we can check our records and produce new name tags for newcomers/lost tags
All personal details will be treated confidentially and used only for distribution of Coral Reunion information and for other Coral Reunion Members’
enquiries. (It will only take you 1 minute to complete this Form BUT it will certainly help us a great deal…THANKS. Pepe.) !
Surname of Vet Attendee ………………………………………………… First name ………………………
Preferred name or nickname……………………………………………… Army Service No ……………….
Sub Unit (e.g. 3 Pl A Coy) ………………….. & Unit …………………………………………
Address
…………………………………………………………………………………………..State. ……P/c. …….
Mobile Phone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . …. E-mail (write clearly)…………………………………………………………………
1st & last name/s of accompanying person(s): ……………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I’m staying at Accommodation: ………………………………………………………………………..……
Reunion Name Tag? Do you have one: YES / NO.
I also need one for:………………………………………………………………………………………….…
I/ We (circle) have a special dietary need which is: ……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………….. Please provide a suitable alternative meal/s to take this into account. Thank you.
!
Payment Details: I include payment for my/our Dinner Registration, Raffle ticket/s, Bus trip.
$165Couple incl 2 Raffle $5 tickets or $85 Single incl 1 Raffle ticket plus $ ____for the bus & extra tickets
YES / NO. I will pay direct through Bank Electronic Transfer to the Reunion Account which is:
St George Bank BSB 112-908 A/c 02103134. You must indicate your ‘Name’ & incl ‘Coral’
YES / NO. I will pay with a Cheque/ Money Order made out only to “Coral Reunion”. see attached.
The payment amount I’m sending/transferring TOTALS: $ .......................
Register of interest in the trip to Singleton Museum and /or Winery on Sunday
YES / NO : I wish to reserve (Qty) …. seats for the 9.00am Singleton Museum & Winery tour ..Cost $24/h
YES / NO : I wish to reserve (Qty) …. seats for the 9.30am Singleton Museum only tour …Cost $24/h
Includes $4 entry to Museum
Please Send this to:
Ray Curtis 7/9 Coral drive , Jerrabomberra Heights, NSW 2619
He will send a Receipt to you.
If you have NOT received a Receipt within 4 weeks after sending, then Phone or Email Ray to fix it.
Ph. 02 6255 9426 Email: rosandray4@bigpond.com
Thank You.
"7

ATTENDING THE 2015 REUNION

Names of all attending will be added as registrations are received....
Please advise Pepe of any address changes or if you want to be added to the mailing list
pepecoral68[at]gmail.com
replace (AT) with @ for working address this is to deter spam bots

 
Lastest numbers are
 
Dinner        308
 
Museum only        55
Museum & Winery        63

Those attending Newcastle Reunion 2015




John (Jock) & Sandra Swan
2



John Goodwin & Russel Magee
2



Jack Langley
1



John & Chery McCallum
2



Ray & Kathy Behrendt
2



Bill & Kath McLellan
2



Kevin & Anne Martin
2



Bryan (Jazza) & Jenny Smith
2



Harry & Dianne Day
2



Terry & Kathie Woodward
2



John Quane
1



Peter (Fenchy) LeRiche
1



Barry & Patrice Greene
2



Ross & Vicki Brogan
2



Bill & Marianne O'Reilly
2



Rob Petrie
1



Tim Foster & Sheryl Sommerville
2



Alan & Lynette Sisley
2



John (Rusty) & Robyn Carruthers
2



Bob (Bomber) Gibson
1



Peter & Therese Kercher
2



Owen & Janet Trimmer
2



Les & Liz Smith
2



John (Squizzy) & Wendy Taylor
2



Chris & Luke Studwick
2



Neville & Susan McQuilkin
2



Tom & Lyn Yates
2



Bill & Fran Raggatt
2



Terry Curtin & Merle Hoffensetz
2



John & Diana Kearns
2



Leigh Boneham
1



Lyle Bilton
1



Peter Whitbourne
1



Ray & Jeanette Doudle
2



Bernie & Kirstie Williams
2



Robert Markey
1



Alan  Neilsen
1



Bob & Bella Edelman
2



Terry Anlezark & Judy Walker
2



Mike & Denise Dwight
2



Ted & Linda Houlihan
2



Lorne (Doc) & Joy Clarke
2



Les & Margaget Bray
2



Dave & Chloe Cunningham
2



Don & Teresa Mackenzie
2



Ray Stimson, Kirwin & Cheryl Williams
3



Dave & Del Armstrong
2



Keith & Rose Pratt
2



Ken Graham & Iris Writer
2



Jim Poland
1



Joe Griffin
1



Dick & June Roe
2



Robert (Rosey) Rose & Heather Van Lochem
2



Harold (Darky) & Jane Over
2



Gerald (George) & Lyn King
2



David & Margaret Harrison
2



Ron Collins
1



Wayne (Simmo) & Barbara Simmonds
2



Peter & Shirley Triplett
2



Alan (Zig) , Philarney & Samara Unwin
3



Graham & Libbie Knight
2



Wayne Hodge
1



Father John (TINK) Tinkler
1



Blue Brunette
1



John Quinn & Sharyn Muller
2



Max Newnham
1



Dave & Jeanette Tyrner
2



Tony & Karen Scott + Tracy & Grag Lemmon
4



Tom & Sue Loughridge
2



John & Inna Maas
2



Barbara & Rob Landgraf
2



Jim Smith
1



Bill Cantwell
1



Stan Barratt
1



Ian Cornell
1



Chris Durbridge
1



Rick & Christine O'Shea
2



Rod & Beverly McNab + Christine McDonald
3



Vern & Lynette Cazaly
2



Ned & Pam Kelly
2



John, Chris & Joanne Perrett
3



Rod Forster
1



Hart (Snow) & Helen Oetjin
2



Garry Cairncross
1



Bob Priest
1



Bruno & Pat Flematti
2



Chris & Meryl Norman
2



Rob & Rosemary Riley
2



Rob & Helen Huggan
2



Roy Woodward
1



Geoff Maynes
1



Jim & Pat McDonnell
2



Bill & Jan Ryan
2



Kevin & Sharyn Pilkington
2



Ross & Bev Hoy
2



Gordon & Michelle Bell
2



Harry & Dian Wall
2



Mick Bayley
1



Jack Parr
1



Trevor Gibson
1



Ken Ellis
1



Noel & Pandida Pinch
2



Dan & Ann Wyborn
2



Merle Collison + Roger & Tracy Worthington
3



Daryl Kerslake & Kerry Biggs
2



Fred & Debra Blunden
2



Hal & Meng Mills
2



Brian Brodrick
1



Ken & Betty Hughes
2



Ivan (Herb) Everett
1



Graham & Dale Stevens
2



Peter Farrell & Barb Smith
2



Ray (Jack) Dillon 
1



Bob & Helen Sutton
2



Alan & Glenda Loxton
2



Robert & Dianne Foot
2



John & Kaye Foxwell
2



Dick & Sharyn Clark
2



Ian & Pauline McCartney
2



Terry & Marlene Rich
2



Bob & Margaret Towns
2



John Marsh
1



Len Howell & June James
2



Bruce & Daphne Craven
2



Peter Gray & Val Mack
2



Dave Griffiths
1



Fred Alderman
1



Reg Bateup
1



June Slater & Kim Seibokas
2



John Dalton
1



Barry & Sandra Cartwright
2



Andy & Jan Hoban
2



Larry Davenport
1




233