Dear Veterans
Are you a South African Military Veteran now living in Queensland? The South African Military Veterans Organisation of Australasia (SAMVOA) always welcomes new members and I would personally like to extend an invitation to you and to any members of your family who may wish to join the branch. SAMVOA has a single rank structure that being Veteran and membership is free.
SAMVOA is an ex-servicemen orgnisation comprised of military veterans who were called up or volunteered to serve South
Africa in the SADF or the SANDF, who completed their commitment and who now reside in Australia, New Zealand or in countries peripheral to this region.
SAMVOA is entering its second year in Queensland and has been active in the other states of Australia for approximately 7 years. Our core foundations are solid and the branch is here to serve its members, and most importantly to honour our fallen comrades and keep their memory alive. To this end, the two remembrance parades that we attend are the Anzac Day Parade in Brisbane and Armistice Day.
We hold a meeting once a month, where we come together to share camaraderie, discuss upcoming historical (military) events, memorabilia and medal collecting. We have guest speakers from time to time and a formal mess dinner once a year.
We encourage family members to participate by providing an avenue whereby our forefathers medals can be researched and obtained to facilitate Heritage membership and present the opportunity for them to be remembered at the two aforementioned parades.
I do hope you will consider joining the branch as a member and march with the Aussies in the ANZAC day Parade in April, as a proud ex-South African Military Vet.
Responsibility for the success of the SAMVOA Brisbane branch ultimately lies with all of us. Those of us who are involved so far think that this is a fantastic opportunity to develop something which will form great comradeship, act as a social focus point and provide long-term support for all its members and their families.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to welcoming you as a member.
Yours sincerely
Gordon Pugh
STATE CHAIRMAN (QLD)
The information pack contains all relevant details about the SAMVOA Queensland chapter in an easy to print pdf. format.
If you have any additional queries please contact Gordon Pugh on 04104 58308 or email Pughg_2564_live.com.au.
SAMVOA information pack.pdf
Queensland State Office
Mr Gordon Pugh
Chairman
Mobile: 04 104 58308
eMail: Pughg_2564_live.com.au
When applying for service records it is advised that you send your application to the Documentation Centre on email address, dod_dps_perssep_telkomsa.net.
For queries regarding medal entitlements it is advised that you contact Mrs Engelbrecht at the Medal Application Centre on email address, ceremonial_telkomsa.net.
Start off your application with a general introductory paragraph requesting that they either supply you with a service record or investigate your medal entitlements (whichever is applicable).
Set out your military history as best you can remember. We recommend that you use the following template as a guide.
Application for <service record><medal entitlement> for ex SADF service men or women
Please note:
When filling in the details above, elaborate on as many facts as you can remember, ie, Name of National Service and Citizen Force unit/s and length of time spent in this/these unit/s.
If you served in the operational area, name the bases and/or unit/s you served in and the length of time spent in the operational area.
Include as much detail as possible such as any contacts/operations you may have been involved in and the dates (if possible).
Include any names of persons who were in charge of you or who served with you.
Attach any documents you may have to support your application, such as call up papers or letters to confirm completion of service etc.
Footnote:
For those who are looking for military records for WW1, WW2 and Korea the following website might be of assistance, www.the-amc.com/The-Amc/research.
Their ideal is our legacy...........Their sacrifice our inspiration
Under construction
under construction
Meetings alternate between Brisbane and Gold Coast.
Brisbane: Greenbank RSL, Sub Branch Office, 54 Anzac Avenue, Hillcrest.
Gold Coast: venue to be advised.
Starting time 14h30 unless advised otherwise.
Contact Gordon Pughon mobile # 04 1045 8308 for more details.
Gold Coast Chapter
Mr Ernie Lomax
eMail: lomasfam_bigpond.com
Gold Coast: venue to be advised
Contact Gordon Pugh on mobile # 04 1045 8308 for more details.
SAMVOA is an ex-servicemen organisation comprised of Military Veterans who were called up or volunteered to serve their country, South Africa in the SADF and/or the SANDF, who completed their commitment and who now reside in Australia or New Zealand, or in countries peripheral to this region.
SAMVOA was started by Tony Macquet in Melbourne in 2004 after attending his first Anzac Day parade. He was so impressed as to how the Australians honoured their fallen and kept their memory alive, he decided to form SAMVOA, due to the large number of expat South Africans, the majority of which would have done National Service in either of the armed forces, SA Police or Correctional Services.
The organisation has branches in:
SAMVOA has no affiliation to any political or religious organisation and is a non-sexist organisation. Furthermore, these subjects will never be raised or discussed.
SAMVOA is a single rank organisation with Veteran being the only rank. The organisations strength will come from veteran membership and comradeship at Club level, and the organisation will take its lead and direction from this membership level. All Veterans will belong to a Club, irrespective of the office they hold, and any Veteran will be able to aspire to serve in any office of the organisation, based on his or her dedication and capability.
SAMVOA Veterans will participate nationally in recognised Memorial Services and Ceremonies, notably:
Marketing
Mutual support and brotherhood
Other
Ordinary Membership
In order to qualify for Ordinary Membership of SAMVOA, prospective members need to produce their Force Number, as issued by the SADF/MK/SANDF, and show evidence that they completed at least the Basic Training element of their National Service. These Veterans will be entitled to vote and to hold office, and their continued membership will be assured by their dedication to the ideals of SAMVOA and their good standing as a member of their Club.
Heritage Membership
In order to qualify for Heritage Membership of SAMVOA, prospective members need to have had a parent or grandparent who served South Africa in a military capacity and who has since passed on. They will need to prove this relationship and connection, be 16 years or older and their application will be considered on the basis that they will be the sole representative of that person on SAMVOA. Heritage Membership applications will proposed at Club level and ratified by the Regional Executive. On acceptance, these Veterans will enjoy normal membership and they will be entitled to vote and hold office. Their continued membership will be assured by their dedication to the ideals of SAMVOA and their good standing as a member of their Club.
Selective Skills Membership
Selective Skills Membership may be conferred on individuals, who do not qualify for membership, but have special skills deemed to be important enough for the SAMVOA to acquire in order to improve the image and performance of the Organisation. In this instance, membership will need to be promoted at Regional Executive level and ratified at National Executive level. On acceptance, these Veterans will enjoy normal membership and they will be entitled to vote and hold office. Their continued membership will be assured by their dedication to the ideals of SAMVOA and their good standing as a member of their Club.
Associate Membership
In order to qualify for Associate Membership of SAMVOA, prospective members need to have belonged to an allied force or regiment, which served alongside South African Forces at some stage in the military history of South Africa. They will need to prove this association and to produce their Force Number, as issued by their respective Defence Force, and show evidence that they completed at least the Basic Training element of their country’s Military Service. Associate Membership applications will need to be ratified by the Regional Executive and, on acceptance, these Veterans will enjoy normal membership, except that they will not be entitled to vote and hold office. Their continued membership will be assured by their dedication to the ideals of SAMVOA and their good standing as a member of their Club.
(Contained in the Constitution of the South African Military Veterans Organisation of Australasia SAMVOA)
Membership form.doc
This Veteran Organisation dedicates itself in grateful recognition and memory of their countrymen, the Immortal Dead of South Africa, who at the call of Duty made the greatest Sacrifice on the battlefields of Africa, Asia and Europe and on the Sea.
It was a great Honour to present Ernie Lomax and Derek Austin, certificates and medals issued by the Ceremonial Department in South Africa. Although a few decades overdue, no less deserving.
Ernie received the Southern Africa and General Service Medals. Derek received the Pro Patria and General Service Medals.
Congratulations!
The 1st Formal Mess Dinner proved to be one of the highlights of the SAMVOA Queensland Branchs social calendar. This years event was held on Saturday, 14 May 2011, where the Guest of Honour was Tony Macquet, Veteran, National Chairman, and founder of the South African Military Veterans Organisation of Australasia (SAMVOA).
The evening commenced with pre-dinner drinks at the Greenbank RSL Sub Branch. Amongst the guests was Veteran Eric Pay and his wife. Eric is the Vice Chairman of the South Australia SAMVOA branch. Unfortunately Veteran Mike Black, SAMVOA Victorias Chairman, was unable to attend.
At 2000 h dinner was served at the Sub Branch dining area, and those attending were treated to an excellent two course meal.
At completion of the meal, everyone reconvened for an address by the Guest of Honour and founder of SAMVOA, Tony Macquet.
The dinner included all the traditions of a military dining-in-night, including three toasts: the first to South Africa, the mother country, wishing her peace; the next to Australia, new home, desiring that we be worthy citizens; and the last, to Fallen Servicemen and Women, Lest we Forget.
During the ensuing presentation ceremony, floating trophies were awarded to Derek Austin for his successful drive to recruit members for the Queensland Branch, and Gavin Murphy for his tenacity in supporting the Branch. A thank-you plaque was also presented to Tony Macquet for his attendance as well as support of the Branch.
At the conclusion of the dinner and proceedings, guests and their partners mingled, and shared old war stories with each other for the remainder of the evening.
The 1st Formal Mess Dinner of SAMVOA Queensland was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Special thanks goes to Gordon Pugh for his tireless efforts over the past few months in coordinating the event, resulting in it being a resounding success.
Regards
Webmaster
A sombre 2011 Anzac Day dawn service in Brisbane gave way to a joyous march through the streets of the CBD.
Thousand of people flanked the streets of Brisbane, as service men and women marched, rode in jeeps and saluted Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley at King George Square as the ANZAC procession wound its way through the city streets.
Amongst these were a proud group of the Queensland branch of SAMVOA veterans marching under their banner borne by bearers Gavin Murphy and Graham Leathem. This year we also had some young men and woman marching, remembering their fathers and grandfathers who have served their country. The crowds responded positively and joined ex South Africans in the crowd who cheered and waved as they marched past.
Congratulations to Gordon Pugh for yet another well-planned and organised march!
"Lest we forget"
This year we also had some young men and woman marching, remembering their fathers and grandfathers who have served their country. The crowds responded positively and joined ex South Africans in the crowd who cheered and waved as they marched past.
Congratulations on your 1st formal Mess Dinner held on Saturday, 14 May 2011.
Special thanks to Tony Macquet, Veteran and National Chairman of SAMVOA.
CHAIRMAN (QLD)
Medal and certificate presentation -
14 January 2012
SAMVOA mess dinner
Melbourne - 15 October 2011
Family braai
Wellington Point - 9 October 2011
Camping trip
Texis - 16 September 2011
QLD mess dinner
Brisbane - May 2011
ANZAC day march - April 2011
ANZAC day braai
New Farm Park - April 2011
Historical presentation by
David C George - February 2011
Christmas party - December 2010
Don Clark - QLD oldest member
ANZAC day march - April 2010
The Kindred Association of Australia
The Returned Servies Association of New Zealand
The Council of Military Veterans Organisations of South Africa
The Part Time Forces Council of South Africa
The South African Legion
