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Frequently Asked Questions

What is 131 Locators Association?

The Association was formed to bring together those who served in the Army as part of 131 Divisional Locating Battery (131 DLB), and includes both national servicemen and regular soldiers. A significant focus for the Association is those who were part of Detachment 131 DLB in South Vietnam between 1966 and 1972.

What is its structure?

The Association is a not-for-profit organisation incorporated under the NSW Associations Incorporation Act. 131 Locators Association was incorporated in 2010.

What are the aims of the Association?

The stated aims from the Constitution are:

  • to establish a central forum for former Members of 131 Divisional Locating Battery to establish and maintain ongoing contact
  • to provide a communication point for former serving 131 Battery soldiers which includes newsletters and a website
  • to establish a verbal, visual and written history of 131 Battery activities, with particular attention to its role in 1 Australian Task Force, South Vietnam
  • to coordinate activities for specific events including Anzac Day, annual reunions and anniversaries
  • to provide directed advice and information to 131 Battery soldiers who may need assistance for health and related reasons
  • to do all such other things as by law permitted that may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects or as may be deemed necessary or expedient in the best interests of the Association

What rules does it operate under?

The Association has a written constitution which sets out the rules for its operation as a legal entity.

Why was it established in NSW?

The driving force behind the formation of the Association was a group of former national service soldiers who live in Sydney.

Who can be a member?

Anyone who served as a soldier with 131 DLB may apply to be an Member. Provision is also made in the constitution for Affiliate Membership. This covers a group who have some affiliation with, or interest in the Association.

How do I apply for membership?

Use the member application form located on this website.

How is the Association managed?

The constitution provides for a Committee to be formed to manage the Association. Members of the Committee are elected from the membership, but only financial Ordinary Members may nominate for the Committee. Committee members serve for one year and may nominate for re-election at the Annual General Meeting.

How is the Association funded?

Members pay an annual subscription which is used to fund the Association. Donations by Association members or others may also be received.

Is there any external funding?

In 2010 the Association applied for a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund the establishment of a website and to purchase some computer equipment to assist in writing material. It was successful in this application and as a result the 131 Locators Association website has been established.

How does the Association communicate with members and others?

131 Locators Association publishes a monthly newsletter, titled Eyes and Ears. The original newsletter of this name was first published within 131 DLB during 1967 in South Vietnam. From time to time special editions of Eyes and Ears are released. The website www.131locators.org is a valuable means for communication, particularly the Events Calendar section. The Association Committee meets via face-to-face meetings and also utilises Skype for between meetings updates.

Can Association Sub-Committees be formed?

The Association Constitution provides for sub-committees to be formed. These may take the form of regional or special interest or event sub-committees.

Where are most members located?

Association members reside in every State of Australia, predominantly in the east coast capital cities.

When is the Association’s Annual General Meeting held?

The AGM is held within five months of the end of the financial year. The Association’s AGM is of a standard format and it at this meeting that Committee members and Officers are elected, and audited accounts made available to members. The Constitution provides for proxies to be assigned to other financial members of the Association by those unable to attend the meeting.