16 December 2005
Mr Anthony William Pahl
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
Dear Mr Pahl,
It is with pleasure that I write to advise that your award of the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division [for service to veterans through the International War Veterans Poetry Archives] has been approved by His Excellency, Major General Michael Jeffery, AC CVO MC (Ret'd), Govenor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
The Governor-General has asked me to extend to you his congratulations.
Your award, along with others, will be announced in the press and published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on Thursday, 26 January 2006. I ask that you treat this matter as strictly confidential until after the date of publication. From that date you will be entitled to use the initials "OAM" after your name.
In due course you will be invited to attend an Investiture ceremony at which you will be presented with the insignia of your award. A date for this has not yet been finalised, but I expect that you will be contacted soon about arrangements in April/May by the Government House in your State of Territory [South Australia].
May I add my own congratulations to those of the Governor-General on your award.
Yours sincerely
Malcolm Hazell
Official Secretary the the Governor-General
Webmaster's Note: The above letter is exact in its wording except for the wording of the citation indicated in square brackets in the 1st paragraph, the name of the State added in square brackets in the 4th paragraph, and the omission of a paragraph regarding media contact)
ANTHONY WILLIAM. PAHL, OAM
(A Short biography)
Biographical Information:
Anthony "Aussie Bard" Pahl enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1967 at the age of 17 and served for over 20 years. He was stationed at numerous Air Force bases throughout Australia and served as a helicopter gunner in Viet Nam with 9 Squadron RAAF in 1969 – 1970, and was based in Malaysia for 3 years (1973 -1976). He and Maria, his wife since February 1968, have two married daughters and two grandsons, all of whom live in America.
An Australian Viet Nam Veteran, Anthony has been in receipt of the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (T&PI) War Disability Pension since 1992. Anthony created, developed, and maintains several web sites including those for the International War Veterans' Poetry Archives (IWVPA), the Royal Australian Air Force Viet Nam Veterans Association (RAAFVVA), and the International Community for the Relief of Starvation and Suffering – Canada Branch (ICROSS Canada). The IWVPA site, in particular, is a personal website created in January 2001 as a coping strategy to assist Anthony to deal with war related PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Poetry and Writing:
Anthony has been writing poetry since 1988. He writes on all manner of subjects but as a Viet Nam Veteran, he has an affinity for war/veteran related poetry, always striving to convey his Australian heritage with the unique and rich Australian version of English. An untrained and self-taught wordsmith, Anthony rarely writes to conform to "accepted" styles or formats, preferring instead to express as the mood and subject takes him, and to sculpt his works to reflect his motivations and perspectives as closely as possible.
His writings have been published extensively on the internet, and have been included in several books including "Angels in Viet Nam – Women Who Served" and "Spinning Tails – Helicopter Stories" by Jan Hornung; the War Poetry Anthologies, "Poems of Distant Wars" and "Who Will Cry for the Soldiers – Tears from Distant Wars" published by IWVPA, "The Great Kiwi Summer Poetry Slam 2001/2001" sponsored by Subritzky Line Coastal Shipping of New Zealand, as well as several other magazines and newsletters.
International War Veterans Poetry Archives:
Anthony insists that war poetry does not glorify war. There is nothing glorious in war except the warriors but, as individuals, they will deny that. Bravery is the rule rather than the exception. The perceived degree and by whom the act is witnessed decides the "official" status of bravery. One thing is certain, the mere act of ensuring that a mate's "six" is covered is an act as brave and selfless as storming an enemy machine-gun post. The purpose for both is to stay alive and to keep mates alive; the purpose is not to "win" bravery awards. In war, nobody "wins" medals, they win life or death... and life is never given, it is always taken.
For many of those who find it difficult to come to terms with personal war experiences, whether it is first hand or as a loved one or friend, writing is almost like a magical pill. Within the structured framework of the written word, emotions can be haltered and led to a point where the writer is enabled to manifest and relate to the gamut of emotions engendered by the experiences and consequences of war.
From a handful of poems by a handful of poets, IWVPA now includes over 7,000 poems by some 500 poets – and that number is currently growing at the rate of about 5 poets and 50-100 poems per month. Writers from many nations are represented on the site; Afghanistan, America, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Great Britain, India, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Tibet, Turkey, and Zimbabwe to name a few. Above all, the IWVPA website espouses support and honour for the warrior regardless of the political, economic, or social reasons for the war.
Veterans and friends of Veterans of all nations are invited to contribute poems and/or short stories for publication in the archives. Submissions may be fact or fiction (or a combination of both) but must relate to War, Veterans and/or the consequences of war (e.g. on families, friends, country, health, welfare etc)
The importance of the IWVPA resides in the fact that they may be freely accessed by the public, by Veterans and their families, history students, and other interested individuals or groups. Of course, international copyright laws restrict the reproduction of any work unless prior consent (in writing) is obtained from the author or his/her lawful representative.
The poems and stories that form the International War Veterans' Poetry Archives are a timeless record of War and its consequences. It is vital to remember the manner and sacrifice needed to win and retain Freedom, and for the trustees of that memory and our heritage, the writers, to know that their words are not penned in vain.
ICROSS Canada:
Anthony was honoured by the International Community for the Relief of Starvation and Suffering (ICROSS) Canada with the ICROSS CANADA Humanitarian of the Year Award for 2004 for his artistic ability in the hosting, design, and maintenance of their web site and for spreading the word to the world about ICROSS Canada's efforts to help the HIV/AIDS Orphans and suffering poor in the 3rd World.
Contact:
Postal Address:
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
Murray Bridge, SA, 5253,
Australia.
Websites:
IWVPA: http://iwvpa.net
RAAFVVA: http://raafvva.ozbard.com
ICROSS Canada: http://icross-canada.com
Ribbon Bar of Anthony W. Pahl, OAM
Top Row, (l to r): Order of Australia (General Division), Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 (Viet Nam), Viet Nam Medal Bottom Row (l to r): Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 (SE Asia), Defence Force Service Medal with Clasp, Australian Defence Medal, RVN Campaign Medal
2 February 2005
Mr Anthony Pahl OAM
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
Mat I convey my warmest congratulations on your award of a Medal (OAM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
I was delighted to see your name on the OAM list in the Australia Day Honours recognising your service to veterans through the International War Veterans Poetry Archives.
This award is a just and appropriate recognition of your contribution to the Australian Community.
Yours sincerely
NICK MINCHIN
Liberla Senator for South Australia
Wednesday 25th January, 2006
Mr AW Pahl OAM
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
It gives me great pleasure to hear that in recognition of your outstanding service to South Australia you have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia
Please Accept my sincere congratulations on this very well deserved honour.
Your sincerely,
Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, AC, CVO, MBE
GOVERNOR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
26th January 2006
Mr Anthony Pahl OAM
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
Dear Mr Pahl
On behalf of the Government of South Australia, I am delighted to extend my congratulations to you as the recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australian Day Honours 2006 for service to veterans through the International War Veterans Poetry Archives.
Your contribution to South Australian Society is to be highly esteemed and I am pleased it has been recognised in this way.
Again my sincere congratulations.
With kind regards
Yours sincerely
MIKE RANN MP
Premier
1 February 2006
Mr Anthony Pahl
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
Dear Mr Pahl
On behalf of the Liberal Party I write to congratulate you on being included in 2006's Australia Day Honours List.
This year more than 90 dedicated and deserving South Australians received Australia Day Honours. The awards celebrate the contribution and achievments of these citizens to the Australian Community.
Your dedication and enthusiasm for service to veterans through the International War Veterans Poetry Archives is to be commended. Your contributions to this State have been appreciated by many, and encapsulate all that it is to be Australian. It is certainly fitting that you have this year been honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia.
Once again, congratulations on this honour.
Yours sincerely
Rob Kerin
LIBERAL LEADER
MEMBER FOR FROME
OFFICE OF THE LORD MAYOR
31 January 2006
Mr Anthony Pahl OAM
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
Dear Mr Pahl
Congratulations on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2006 Australia Day Honours List for service to veterans throught the International War Veterans Poetry Archives.
The public recognition of your contribution to our State is well deserved and I wish you continued success.
Your Sincerely
Michael Harbison
LORD MAYOR
27th January 2006
Mr A.W. Pahl
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
Dear Tony,
We are delighted to read you were the recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for your service to Veterans through the International War Veterans Poetry Archives.
Please accept our congratulations and the recognition of this Award by our Community for your Service to the Australian Community.
We would like the opportunity to sit down with you and hear of your achievments. Please contact our Personal Assistant, Ros Kruger on 85391100 to arrange a suitable time.
Yours faithfully
Mr A W Pahl OAM
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
Dear Mr Pahl
On behalf of the Repatriation Commission and the Department of Veterans' Affairs I offer my congratulations on your award of the Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2006 Honours.
I am pleased that appropriate recognition has been given for your service to veterans through the International War Veterans Poetry Archives.
I extend my warmest congratulations.
Yours Sincerely
Mark Sullivan
PRESIDENT
8 February 2006
2nd February 2006
Mr AW Pahl
3 (Lot 33) Bremer Road
MURRAY BRIDGE SA 5253
Dear Mr Pahl
A brief note to congratulate you on receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours announced on Thursday 26th January 2006.
You must feel very proud to know that your outstanding contribution for service to veterans has been recognised.
Congratulations again on your achievement!
With best wishes for the future.
Yours sincerely
Paul McCarthy
