Compo inequalities

I attended the presentation on the ‘New Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme’ at RAAF Williams in Melbourne on July 22.

I found the presentation informative, however, there was one aspect of the proposed scheme with which I disagree: the value of compensation to a family upon the death of a member.

The presentation implied that the family of a member who has died as a result of warlike service would receive a significantly greater amount than that received by a family of a member who died as a result of peacetime service.

The presenters justified this difference by citing it as a stipulation from ex-serving organisations.

Apart from the name placed upon the situation, whether it be warlike, non-warlike (peacekeeping), or in a training/exercise environment, there are glaring similarities:

• In these situations a Defence member has lost their life.
• All members signed on the same dotted line to serve their country unconditionally.
• The difficulty it places upon their families is the same.
  

Although financial compensation is never adequate for the loss of a loved one, to imply that the compensation is dependant upon the environmental circumstances is derogatory of the service provided by soldiers, sailors and airman not deployed in ‘warlike’ situations.

A death as a result of an accident in training, peacekeeping or general duties places the same financial burdens upon the family as a loss during war.

The presentation made it clear that the new scheme was trying to help the member, but this part of the new scheme actively discriminates between families for the same tragedy.

It is my opinion this part of the proposed scheme should be reviewed to the end that the compensation to the family should be the same regardless of the environment in which the death occurs.

I encourage all members to look over the information on the scheme at DPE’s website (http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/militarycompensation2003/default.htm) and to voice their opinion on this matter by writing to the DPE at militarycompensation.2003@defence.gov.au

CAPT Ian J Stewart.
ian.stewart@defence.gov.au

L51 adopted

While HMAS Kanimbla was in The Gulf recently a group of school children from Surveyors Creek Public School (near Penrith) adopted the ship’s cooking crew and sent them dozens of letters and care packages.

The crew answered every letter and the principal (Mr Williams) has put them all in an album along with photographs that the crew sent them and put the book in the school library.

Sailors AB Steven Moore and AB Lori Dunne (with the consent of the ship’s CO) went along to the school and presented them with a large framed photograph of the Kanimbla in The Gulf on Anzac Day with a photograph of the Prime Minister insert. The sailors were then invited to present the school awards and a beautiful morning tea was served.

I hope that you can find space in the Navy News to print this letter as these children did this to cheer up the sailors and it did.

Colleen McSpadden
colleenmcspadden@hotmail.com

Wahroonga breeds another fine scout

I was browsing the internet and spotted an article about CMDR HD ‘Denny’ Wetherald visiting his old boy scout troop 1st East Wahroonga.

I was also a member of 1st East Wahroonga from 1965 to 1967. My father worked for Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. in Granville, NSW from 1963 until 1967 and my family lived in Wahroonga. I attended Saint Leos College.
We were Americans, and returned to the US after 1967.

I spent over 25 years in the Air Force and am currently a Major in the United States Air Force Reserve. I just thought it was interesting that another “Yank” who eventually ended up in the US military was also a member of 1st East Wahroonga boy scout troop. The troop was a very fine troop, and I am sure an inspiration to myself and the Commander who also later joined the military.

MAJ Richard Beaman
rbeamanjr@comcast.net

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