1990-1993

Our History - (1990-1993)

23 MAR 1990 - Northern New South Wales Squadron
The formation of a Northern New South Wales Squadron was first considered on 30th March 1984 but it not until 23rd March 1990 that the Northern New South Wales Squadron was formed consisting of Iluka/Yamba. Evans Head, Ballina, Kingscliff and Byron Bay (in formation) The first Squadron Commodore was Ron Doyle and Doug Duffy was Deputy Squadron Commodore. The Squadron received its Charter on 27th November 1992.

25 MAR 1990 - Silver & Gold Awards
The AVCGA Radio Communication Training Manuals for Base Station Radio Operators as produced by Vice Captain Laurie were distributed.

Queensland Volunteer Marine Rescue Committee liaison body was formed.

Members Colin Anderson and David Jackson received the Commodore's Gold Award for their rescue of 6th November 1989.

The Commodore's Silver Award was awarded to QF7 member Arthur Harding

16 JUL 1990 - National Board Meeting

Members Guide was completed; price to be $2.60 each.
Support is still being sought for the production of the National Newssheet.
National Radio Orders were declared as By-Laws

SEP 1990 - Launch of "Pride of Noosa"
National Commodore Clarke launched the QF5 Noosa Rescue Vessel "Pride of Noosa".

9 NOV 1990 - Coast Guard is Now 30 Years Old
It was noted that Syd Bullen, (Victoria) was doing research in connection with the History of Coast Guard in Australia. New South Wales has already produced a record entitled "21 Years On" dealing with the history of Coast Guard. Les Swift, with the help of others agreed to write a history of our Organisation covering the past thirty years

1990 - The Queensland State Council
The Queensland State Council, (Committee of Commodores) was established in 1990. The creation of the Bureau of Emergency Services (BES) in December 1989 saw the amalgamation of all emergency service groups, including the Volunteer Services under the administration of a single coordinating body. Following the involvement of BES in the development of Volunteer Marine Rescue Service in Queensland, it became essential to coordinate the efforts of the four AVCGA Squadrons. In response to this Government initiative, "The Queensland State Council" was established to represent the interests of the Queensland Flotillas on all matters at State level.

The Queensland State Council comprises a Chairman, the four Squadron Commodores, an Adviser, a State Training co-ordinator and a State Manager. Commodore Domotor, Central Queensland was the first Chairman. The Council is responsible for the administration of Government funding in accordance with its Service Agreement with the Queensland State Government and liaises with all Queensland State Government Departments, Instrumentalities and other State Organisations.

National Board approved the formation of a Section attached to the Victorian Squadron for the purpose of assisting that Squadron

9 MAR 1991 - National Board Meeting

Working Agreement between the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, Swansea Flotilla and Norah Head Search and Rescue Boat Club Inc was signed.
Commodore John Pearson was granted Life Membership of the Association

23 JUN 1991 - Working Agreement
Working Agreement between the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, Ku-ring-gai Flotilla and Terrigal Sea Rescue Service Inc was signed

26 JUL 1991 - New South Wales Squadron negotiations
New South Wales Squadron negotiation is to obtain a lease on the former MSB building at South Head on Sydney Harbour for a Radio Base.

A certificate suitable for display is to be presented to all Radio Bases. (Refer to attachments)

Charter was presented to Wallaroo, SAF 7.

International Life Boat Federation Conference - Oslo, Norway

NOV 1991 - George Menge granted Life Membership
Commodore George Menge was granted Life Membership of the Association

JAN 1992 - Torres Strait in formation
QF22 Torres Strait was in formation. The area served was Torres Strait Islands within 100nm radius to the north and 20 nm south on the western and eastern coastline of Capt York. The first Flotilla Commander was John Keenan. On 7th August 1993 their 23ft Haines Hunter vessel "Quetta Star" was launched by National Commodore Graham Clarke. The Flotilla base is sited in the old meteorological station in the old Fort complex situated on Green Hill (Refer to documents folder for a map of the Torres Strait area ) This flotilla was eventually taken over by VMR at the request of DES Tree Planting Ceremony, Yeppoon

16 FEB 1992 - "Maroochy 1" vessel launch
QF6 Mooloolaba launched its Rescue Vessel "Maroochy 1"

28 MAR 1992 - Port Jackson moved to South Head
NF1 Port Jackson moved into South Head Signal Station providing a radio service twenty-four hours a day seven days a week, thus maintaining a 200=year history of one of Australia's most historic sites, the boldest facility in Australia that has been continuously manned since inception. ( A full history of the Signal Station can be read in documents attached to the history)

3 APR 1992 - Copyright
A copyright statement to appear on all internal publications and printed literature of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association.

COPYRIGHT:
"This document is subject to copyright. No part of this document may be changed, reproduced, photocopied in whole or in part without the written permission of The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc. National Board"

3 APR 1992 - National Board Meeting

Format of future National Board meeting discussed.
Mr. Peter Murray from Berne, Murray and Tout was guest speaker.. 'Legal pitfalls for rescue personnel" .
Application for Charter for QF16 Cooktown was presented.
Formation of a Flotilla at Goughs Bay.
Captain Sheila Robinson, National Stores, was granted Life Membership of the Association

AUG 1992 - Tasmania Flotilla One
Tasmania Flotilla One (TF1) was in formation as a result of an unplanned get together of like minded boaties on board the motor sailor "Marloo" whilst moored in the duck pond, Bruny Island during the long weekend of 1-2 March 1992. Discussions on "Marloo" led to the subject of safety and qualifications of crews and of a self help organisation which could assist the Tasmanian Police Marine Division in the area.

Discussion continued for six months, the result being that Kettering was considered to be the best location .A transportable lined shed was offered for use as a duty and radio room, a birth for the duty boat and a room at the near-by hotel as a meeting/training room all at no cost.

The inaugural meeting was held in August with 21 persons owning 11 craft ranging from 15ft half cabin to a 43ft ocean going motor sailer .On 5-6th September Commodores Clarke, Hardie and Henry visited Tasmania and were shown the proposed area and met with prospective members. Commodore Henry conducted a training course at Kettering. On 9th September, Commodore Clarke announced that Tasmania Flotilla No 1 had been born, based at the Oyster Cover Marina at Kettering in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel some 30Km South of Hobart.

John Watson was the first Flotilla Commander. The Base is manned every weekend and public holidays except Christmas Day. Dr. Frank Madill, Minister for Police and Emergency Services is Patron of the Flotilla. The Flotilla Charter was granted on 25th March 1994. In 1996 Commodore Watson purchased the ex QF2 rescue vessel

18 NOV 1992 - National Board Meeting

VF12 Sandringham and QF14 Lake Eildon were in formation.
Charter granted to the Northern New South Wales Squadron.
A proposed "Swearing In" procedure for elected and appointed officers was submitted by Vice Captain A. Laurie and was accepted. Minor changes to the original were made on 25th November 1994.
The Financial Year for the Association to be as at 30th June.
Commodore Yowe, South Queensland Squadron presented the first Squadron report which included a pictorial presentation

27 NOV 1992 - Committee of N.S.W. Commodores formed
Committee of Commodores was formed in New South Wales. Squadron Commodore Lakeman was appointed Chairman and Rear Commodore O'Neill as Secretary. Name was changed to New South Wales State Council on 25th March 1994.

National Commodore Hardie advised that it was necessary to have a Protocol Book as a reference book for every procedure so that no one makes a mistake and so that we can look professional in our public contacts as well as in other marine activities. The procedure for Scattering of Ashes at Sea will be written into the Protocol Book.

FLOTILLAS IN FORMATION at this date. Torres Strait, Keppel Sands, Fitzroy River, Shellharbour, Kiama, Bermagui, Sandringham, Goughs Bay, Apollo Bay, Tasmania.

"Log On", "Mayday Priority Order" and "Telephone Enquiry Message" forms using the Coast Guard Logo were presented by Commander Wilson and were approved.

Commodore Tom Porter, North Queensland granted Life Membership of the Association

At the National Board meeting held in Yeppoon a tree planting ceremony, arranged by the Hotel Resort was performed by Commodore Clarke in the Hotel grounds.

26 JAN 1993 - Commodore Bill Henry Honoured
Commodore Bill Henry, National Training Commodore was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours list

17 MAR 1993 - Working Agreement signed
Working Agreement between the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc and Southern New South Wales Squadron and the City of Wollongong Aerial Patrol Inc was signed

1993 - TF3 Devonport
TF3 Devonport was formed late 1993 and has expanded into Port Sorell and Wynyard. The Flotilla has the use of the old Devonport Marine Board building situated beside the River Mersey opposite the Spirit of Tasmania Ferry Terminal. A 4.8 metre vessel provides on water assistance. The Base is open every weekend of the year. The Flotilla operates marine radio at Devonport and Wynyard. On 12th October 1996 a Commissioning Ceremony conducted by Deputy National Commodore Archbold was held to officially receive TF3s 16ft half cabin Bell Boy. The Flotilla received its Charter in 1998

16 MAY 1993 - TF3 Devonport
Special meeting held at Maroochydore re Executive of QF6 and Sunshine Coast Squadron with the National Executive, Minute Secretary and members of the Sunshine Coast Squadron in attendance

20 JUN 1993 - vessel “Robert Hardie Alert”
The Commissioning of the Patrol vessel “Robert Hardie Alert” was performed by Commodore Clarke and the Commissioning Order was presented to Commander John Watson, TF1.

Formerly the police launch Alert, the vessel will be used for search and rescue operations mainly in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. The vessel was named after National Commodore Robert Hardie one of the longest serving officers of the National Board, who played a major role in the formation of the Tasmanian group.

At the same time Dr. Frank Madill, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Patron of AVCG Tasmania presented Commander Watson with the Tasmanian Ensign. The ceremony took place on the former Manly ferry, ‘North Head’ on Hobart’s waterfront.

23 JUL 1993 - National Board Meeting

Portland Roads Radio Base was established.
Commander M. Wilson was appointed National Public Relations Officer.
Captain C. Laurie was officially appointed National Minute Secretary having compiled the minutes for the past two years.
The Twenty Year Long Service Award to be a gold anchor similar to the ten-year silver anchor award.
NF16 Bermagui Flotilla was granted its Charter.
QF20 Keppel Sands was granted its Charter.
Commodore Reg Leigh Smith, the first Queensland State Commodore received Life Membership.
Commodore Cowie provided a brief report from the inaugural meeting of the New South Wales Committee of Commodores. Commodore Dick Lakeman was appointed Chairman with Rear Commodore Alan O'Neill as Secretary
Commissioning of Robert Hardie Alert, Tasmania

17 SEP 1993 - National Event
"It's a National Event". A special fund raising campaign to assist the National Board operations was planned. (Attachments in History Document folder)

23 SEP 1993 - National Board Meeting

The Associations Incorporation Act 1991 and its effect on the Association as an incorporated association under the relevant legislation was raised by Commodore Askey. The Association must comply with all the requirements laid down.
Coast Guard History - Commodore Jones was to continue with this project with assistance from National P.R. Officer Wilson. Commodore Anderson offered to assist with editorial matters.
CAPITATION FEES RAISED $2.
The "Us and Them" Syndrome was prepared by Vice Captain Gillett, Commodore Hardie and Commodore Clarke. (A copy is attached in the Document folder)
"Some reasons for the existence of Squadron and National Boards" written by Commodore Robert Hardie, National Board Adviser and Vice Commodore Chris Gillett, N.S.W. Squadron, July 1993.
The Queensland Flotilla Profile, 1993, a pictorial record of Facilities and Operational Resources as a result of over 25 years of commitment to safe boating, compiled by Captain C. Laurie with the assistance of Captain Peter Smith and the Queensland State Council, was presented to National Board members.

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