It is with a level of regret that we pass on the sad news that Peter NEYLON passed away this morning.
Peter has suffered from a long term terminal illness including the past 9 months in palliative care.
Our thoughts are with Allison, Peters wife at this time.
A valued work colleague to many.
Funeral arrangement details to follow.
Bill passed away on Saturday 27th July 2024 after being in care after a period of illness aged 87.
Bill worked most of his career in Ringwood in the eastern Melbourne suburbs and is fondly remembered by his peers.
We pass on our condolences to his wife Mary and his family and friends.
Bill’s funeral will be held at the Heritage Funeral Home, Pioneer Chapel, 1416 Healesville – Koo Wee Rip Rd, Woori Yallock on Tuesday 6th August 2024 at 11:00 Hrs.
Dear Members,
The Committee is pleased to announce that the new updated and improved RAAV website is now **LIVE**.
There’s plenty for members to explore…..In short it’s a new look, a new feel, a new era for RAAV.
New applicants who wish to join the Association can now apply online.
Members can now order for the RAAV merchandise via the website.
All Districts now have their own page, with contact details, meeting dates & links to the location of their meetings.
Send any ideas on how you would to use the page via the contact page.
There are links to our partner & affiliate organisations, including Welfare & Wellness resources.
We have recently partnered with Aged Care advisors, Financial planners with plans to include law practitioner advisors in the near future.
Links to these information documents are available as are the links to each advisors organisation should personal contact be required.
There’s a new Special Interest Groups tab that you may find useful, these are just a starting point, the interest groups are for all members to use.
If you are in an existing interest/social group would having a page here be of benefit to your group?
If you’re not sure “Contact us” to explore it further.
There are two interactive pages that allow you to enter information securely into the table on those pages.
On the In Memoriam page should you have any information on a colleague that has passed and that information is not listed you are able to add it directly to that persons entry yourself.
The Vineyard Appreciation Society page is also set up to allow members to share their favourite cellar doors and wines with other members directly to the web page.
More pages enabling member interaction are planned.
We value & look forward to your feedback & suggestions regarding the new website, they will be very welcome…… use the ‘Contact Us’ link on the RAAV website.
Each suggestion will be considered and implemented based on its merits.
In the meantime we sincerely hope you enjoy exploring your Association.
Check back regularly for news, info and feature updates to the site.
Best regards,
Graham Douglas
Membership/Webmaster
on behalf of the RAAV Committee
At the RAAV Committee meeting today Our Chaplain/Advisor shared an ANZAC tale he had come across. An appropriate story for this time of year….
Fighting Mac
I am often asked what a Chaplain does.
It’s a great question and the answer is as diverse as the work of Ambulance Victoria itself. Mostly we are there to pastorally care for our staff and their families, to listen, to share a coffee and support in ways that are very specific to our role as on the ground Chaplains.
In my previous life, as a Salvation Army Officer, I was also in this similar situation of care for people at varying stages of their lives. As we approach ANZAC Day, I felt to share with you a brief glimpse into the life of a famous Salvo Chaplain from World War One.
His name was “Fighting Mac” …The life of World War One Salvation Army chaplain William Mackenzie, or ‘Fighting Mac’ as he would become known, is well known around the world and is an Aussie legend in his own right.
Chaplain to the First Infantry Brigade, Fighting Mac went ashore with the troops at Gallipoli. In one three-day period, he conducted 647 funerals and after one funeral service he found three bullet-holes in his hat. He was later awarded a Military Cross for his work, an honour virtually unheard of for a military chaplain.
You might be interested to google more information around Fighting Mac for your own understanding.
Chaplains and their role are often very misunderstood.
People think about the religious connotation that often comes with the label.
However, we are much more than just about spirituality. You will find Chaplains in every area of Emergency services, Military, and a variety of other forms in Australia.
We are here to serve and support our people, at often very difficult times of their lives.
I am inspired by the service of those who have gone before us. People just like Fighting Mac.
As we pause to remember this ANZAC day and all those people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, let us offer our deepest respect to all who served.
Even the Chaplains.
LEST WE FORGET.
Gary Grant
Senior Chaplain
Pastoral Care Lead Ambulance Victoria
