VETERANS' ADVISORY COUNCIL

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Can the minister advise the house of any recent appointments to the Veterans' Advisory Council?

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Minister Assisting the Premier with South Australia's Strategic Plan) (14:39): I thank the member for her question. She has a very well-known interest in veterans' affairs. In fact, I think that we will be turning up at Tea Tree Gully at quarter to six on ANZAC Day. We will be cold together and honour our veterans.

Members will recall that the veterans' affairs portfolio was created on ANZAC Day in 2008 to recognise the needs of the veterans' community in South Australia. Indeed, South Australia led the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Bragg! I warn the member for Bragg.

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: The appointed members of the Veterans' Advisory Council represent just about every ex-service organisation in South Australia. This gives every member of the veterans' community a voice at the highest level of the state government. It is also pleasing to note that the composition of the Veterans' Advisory Council has received the overwhelming support of the ex-service community.

Recently, I hosted a reception to thank all members of the Veterans' Advisory Council for their hard work on behalf of the veterans' community in South Australia during the last two years. The reception provided an opportunity to farewell previous council members who have represented the veterans' community with distinction and to also welcome new members to this valued advisory body.

The Premier, who has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of veterans' affairs, not just within government but also in the community, was in attendance. The Premier has sought to ensure that the contribution of all men and women who have served Australia is recognised and commemorated in South Australia. The Premier's attendance was greatly appreciated by all at the reception.

Late last year, a number of members stepped aside to allow new members to join the Veterans' Advisory Council. I would like to place on the record my thanks to the following people for their efforts in representing the veterans' community in South Australia: Brigadier Max Lemon AM, representing the Legacy Club of Adelaide; Squadron Leader Jennifer Dowling, representing the Partners of Veterans; Mr Paul Coppock, representing the Vietnam Veterans Association; and Mr Bob Ellis, representing the Vietnam Veterans Federation.

The newly appointed Veterans' Advisory Council members, effective from 1 January 2011, are: Lieutenant Commander John Godwin, who served as a Weapons Electrical Engineer Officer in the Royal Australian Navy for 13 years; Mr Michael 'Moose' Benyk—there are two Moose on the council, the other one being Moose Dunlop.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: 'Meece'.

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: No, they are not 'meece', they are moose.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: Two moose is moose—Mr Michael 'Moose' Benyk, who served in the Navy from 1963 to 1972. His rank on discharge was Petty Officer Engineering Mechanic. Mr Benyk completed two tours to Vietnam in 1965 on HMAS Sydney and HMAS Duchess and tours on HMAS Duchess and HMAS Hawk in 1965 to 1966 during the Malaysia/Indonesia confrontation. Interestingly, he was on HMAS Voyager when she collided with HMAS Melbourne on 10 February 1964 and was also serving on HMAS Melbourne when she collided with USS Frank E. Evans on 3 June 1969. I think that is a point that the relevant committees of inquiry missed.

Mr John 'Gillie' Gillman, who was a national serviceman from 1966 to 1968 and then served in South Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Mrs Jan Wallent, who is the current president of the South Australian branch of the Partners of Veterans Association. Lieutenant Colonel John Spencer, who has over 35 years of military service, including as a national serviceman from 1965 to 1972. Gerrald Francis Harrison OAM, who served with the 3^rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, and served in the Korean War. Mr Harrison was wounded in the Battle of Maryang San in October 1951 and again in July 1952. He has been a long-serving office holder, including president and vice president of the Korea and South East Asia Forces Association of Australia (SA Branch).

I am also pleased to inform the house that the Veterans' Advisory Council is privileged to retain the services of former governor Sir Eric Neal as the independent chairman for a further period of two years. Sir Eric has made an enormous contribution to the veterans' community as the inaugural chairman of the Veterans' Advisory Council. I look forward to working in partnership with the Veterans' Advisory Council and being a strong advocate for the veterans' community in South Australia.