To SAA Members :
SAA Members
As you may have seen, in recent times, through the great work of Tony Vine our National VP, the presentation of Bereavement Pins on behalf of the RAN to the families of our departed shipmates.
Information below, which is a cut and paste from the Navy Intranet site, explains the eligibility of the Bereavement Pins as well as outlining the use of and presentation of the Australian White Ensign.
Attached is also a copy of the SAA Policy on Reporting the Death of a Member. Reporting the Death of a Member
Of course the SAA is always available to assist families should they want it during the difficult time of losing a loved one.
Chief of Navy Bereavement Pins eligibility
In 2018, the Chief of Navy extended the eligibility of those who can receive Navy Bereavement Pins, beyond the immediate family of those who died whilst rendering effective service, to include the immediate family of Navy Veterans.
Immediate family normally means widows and widowers, parents, siblings, and children of the deceased. Extensions to this eligibility can be made for compassionate and compelling circumstances.
The contact email address for making application for the Navy Bereavement Pin is: navy.bereavement@defence.gov.au
Use of the Australian White Ensign on a coffin
All RAN veterans who separated from the Navy, for reasons other than punitive, are entitled to apply to have the Australian White Ensign (AWE) used as a pall on their coffins, or at a Memorial Service held for them.
On each occasion when a request for the AWE is made, an individual approval process is undertaken.
The full name and date of birth of the deceased is sufficient to allow for their service record to be checked and their eligibility for the AWE to be confirmed. Approval is given by Director Navy Sensitive Issues Management in Navy Headquarters; the approval is conveyed to either the family's representative or the funeral director officiating the ceremony via the Navy Bereavement Liaison Officer (NBLO).
Should a Funeral Director not be able to provide an AWE, the NBLO will direct them to liaise with their nearest Navy Establishment, to assist with the loan of an AWE for use during the funeral service. AWE used for the purpose of a coffin pall are not to be made available following the Service.
The contact email address for making application for the use of the AWE is: navy.bereavement@defence.gov.au
Presentation of the AWE to Family Members
Established in 2019, Navy policy only permits presentation of a 'Cased AWE' to the family of a member of the Royal Australian Navy who was rendering effective service at the time of their death
Cheers
David Strangward, AM
SAA National President
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SUBCON BOOKINGS NEWS :

SUBCON 2025 : Information now has its own page
SUBCON 2025
SAD NEWS
The SAA is saddened to advise of the passing of the following : CPOETSSM HUGH PETER REID R57982
HUGH Peter Reid
ABMTSM Ethan (Olly) Ollington Ethan Ollington |
Submariners Walk Heritage Trail Memorial Extension Expression of Interest
Please see the email below from Dave Strangward, National President,
SAA Members: Below this message is an email from the Qld Branch and I believe it is of interest to all, I fully support this action and could I ask that each state table the request to their members and provide a response indicating members interest to Brian Mateer
Please reply to Brian Mateer, President, SAA Queensland your expression of interest to have a memorial plaque on the wall.
Email address:- presidentsaaqld@gmail.com
David Strangward, AM
SAA National President
Dear Dave,
I am putting an application in for the extension of the subject memorial on behalf of the Management Committee,
SWHT Sub-Committee and the members of the SAA QLD INC through the DVA grants program "Saluting Their Service".
In the application there are specific criteria that are required including supporting documentation and needs.
I can pull this together. However, for this venture to become a reality I need the states to give me an indication of the interest level of members who would like to have their names included by named plaques mounted on the wall extension for their families, generations of submariners in the future and for the admiration and contemplation of the Australian public.
For this to be a success and a major memorial to the Submarine Service, cooperation and a commitment that the individual state associations will focus on this being a major attraction for the SAA National and Submarine Squadron communities.
Please send it to the state secretary’s for their input and return it to me. Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Eric Brian Mateer
President
Submarines Association Australia - Qld Inc
Ph 0404 011 005
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