Page 4 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 61

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

From our Friends Down Under

Dear Secretary, Editors comment. Without sounding to cynical yet another
You might well be aware, the Australian Army Catering short-sighted endeavour to save money which has adverse
Corps is under severe attack from the “privatisers” who have effects to both military ethos and morale.
managed to convince governments that in-barracks catering
services are so much more efficient under the management of
overseas for-profit multinational firms.
Those of us “Old&Bold” of the Corps, not convinced
by this economic rationalist argument, have attempted
(unsuccessfully) to reverse this policy which has resulted in
the AACC being reduced to just over 300 personnel, and
therefore being unable to feed our troops on operations or
during national emergencies such as bushfires and floods.
Just to let you know that I have not given up the fight
to save our Corps, I have continued over the years to write
to Ministers and Parliamentary Reviews over this matter (at
times very much a voice in the wilderness!). And my latest
effort is a Submission to a Senate Select Committee which is
examining the capacity of the Defence Force to assist in the
National effort during emergencies.
My submission essentially claims that we no longer have
the capacity to feed our troops in the field for any length of
time, and to do so, we must reverse this privatisation policy
which has decimated our reserve of trained soldier tradesmen,
needed when sudden emergencies arise.
This links in with the current government’s post-Covid push
to return service and manufacturing jobs back into Australia
and make us less dependent on foreign manufacturing bases.
A further reason for me making this submission now.
Editor – Brian Kay (retired AACC – Lt Col) also sent in a letter congratulating the
Best Regards formation of the AACC dated 22 July 1943, you will be receiving this latest copy of the
Brian Kay Flaming Cauldron circa the 80th anniversary of the formation.

ACC Commando Chefs ‘Regroup’

By Alex Testo (ex WO1)

Over the weekend of 13 -15 May 22 the ex ACC ‘old & bold’ by a ‘banyan’ in the Citadel. Finally, for those who could cope,
Commando Chefs of 29 Commando RA, attended the 60th a Church Parade on the Sunday. For most this was the first
Anniversary of the formation of the Regiment, held at the ‘Regroup’ in over 35 years. The w/e lived up to its ‘sore head’
Royal Citadel Plymouth. The weekend included a ‘run ashore’ expectations and all those Warriors who attended showed the
down the Barbican on Friday night, a Freedom of the City best of Commando Fighting Spirit.
Parade through the centre of town on the Saturday, followed ‘United We Conquer and We Sustain’ .

‘Run Ashore’ L to R : Richard (Smiler) Britten, Stevie Carroll, Alex Testo, Dino Miles, ‘Parade Day’ picture including Derek (Scouse) Gilbert RA & ex ACC. Also on parade but
Al Mac, Stevie Platt and Lee Forster not in the picture was Commando ACC Chefs: Bernie Burnett and Ian (Ossie) Ostick
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