Who's Who
PATRON-IN-CHIEF
Rt Hon Sir Zelman Cowen
AK, GCMG, GCVO, KStJ, QC
Sir Zelman was born in Melbourne on the 7th of October 1919. He was educated at Scotch College and Melbourne University, and served in the Royal Australian Navy during World War II as a Lieutenant. He went to New College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and completed the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law. From 1947 to 1950, he was a Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford and at that time was a consultant to the British Military Government in Germany.
In 1951, Sir Zelman returned to Australia to take up the post of Dean of the Law Faculty at the University of Melbourne – a post he held until 1966. During those years he was a visiting professor at various American Universities and an adviser on constitutional matters at the British Colonial Office, and the governments of Ghana and Hong Kong. Author of several books, he published a biography of Sir Isaac Isaacs, the first Australian-born and first Jewish Governor-General of Australia.
Sir Zelman was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England in Armidale, New South Wales in 1966. Later, he became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Queensland in Brisbane. He was Emeritus Professor of Law at Melbourne University and the Tagore Professor of Law at the University of Calcutta, India. Sir Zelman handled the disturbances in Brisbane during the Vietnam War with great skill and diplomacy.
Following the resignation of Governor General Sir John Kerr in 1977, Sir Zelman was considered the best choice for that position and assumed office on 8th December 1977, remaining until 29th July 1982, and being the second Australian Jew in the highest office in the land.
From 1982 to 1990, Sir Zelman was Provost of Oriel College, Oxford and following his retirement, he returned to Australia, becoming involved in Jewish community affairs. Sir Zelman is married to Lady Anna Cowen. They have three sons and a daughter. One son, Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen, is Director of the Institute for Judaism and Civilisation in Melbourne.
Sir Zelman received numerous honours and awards for his services. He was made a Privy Councillor in 1981; A Knight of the Order of Australia in 1977; Knight Grand Cross of The Order of St Michael and St George in 1977; Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 1980; Knight of Grace of the Order of St John Of Jerusalem in 1976; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1990; as well as numerous Fellowships and Honorary Doctorates from renowned universities and other international institutions. Author of many books on law, he has given lectures over many years. His recreational interests include music, the performing and visual arts, and he follows St Kilda in the AFL.
PATRON
Major General Jeffrey V Rosenfeld CStJ
MB BS (Melb), MD (Monash), MS (Melb)
FRACS, FRCS (Ed), FACS, FRCS (Glasg) ad eundem, FACTM, MRACMA, RAAMC
Professor & Head, Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School, Monash University
Professor & Director, Department of Neurosurgery, Alfred Hospital and Monash University
Major General Surgeon General Defence Heath Reserves
It was with great satisfaction that VAJEX greeted the news that our Patron, Professor Jeffrey V Rosenfeld CStJ, was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Surgeon General, Defence Health Services on 15th January 2009. His last promotion to Brigadier was on 9th February 2007.
Professor Rosenfeld graduated in medicine from the University of Melbourne in 1976, completed general surgery training in Melbourne and undertook neurosurgical training. He also trained in Oxford (UK) and at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio (USA). On his return, he was appointed Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital, and later spent two years on laboratory research at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.
Professor Rosenfeld specialises in cerebrovascular surgery, brain tumour and skull base surgery, minimal access and neuro-endoscopic surgery.
After countless life-saving operations performed over many years, Professor Rosenfeld has been recognised for his excellent skills and knowledge in his field and has been honoured many times by universities and hospitals in numerous countries.
Commissioned Captain in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps in 1984, he was successively promoted to higher ranks, and deployed no less than seven times on overseas duties with the Australian Defence Force as Surgeon General, Defence Health Reserves. He has served in Rwanda, East Timor, Solomons and Iraq, receiving medals for services rendered. Our Patron has served as Corps Surgeon and District (State) Medical Officer of St John Ambulance and was its Commissioner (Victoria) December 2001 to June 2005; he is a Commander of the Order of St John (CStJ). It would take many pages to list all of Major General Rosenfeld’s achievements, honours and appointments and published papers.
Our Patron is a man of many talents. He is a great orator and an accomplished musician who is proficient on some 12 instruments.
We wish him great success in his new rank and appointment and extend our good wishes to his family.
COMMITTEE
President: Ben Hirsh
Vice President: Judy Landau
Hon Secretary: Ian Mansfield
Treasurer: Ian Mansfield
Public Officer: Stephen Tusak
Welfare Officer: Eric Gordon
Committee: Pearl Crafti, Louise Dyskin,
Bezalel Goldberg, Harry Groch, Harold Karpin
President Ben Hirsh is passionate about promoting VAJEX and is determined to revive our tired and low-profile image. Ben and his committee are working towards having us known in the Jewish community, which is something that until now has had a low priority.
He has been a member of the VAJEX committee for over 16 years, previously serving as either Secretary or Vice President.
He has assisted in locating graves and memorials of long-forgotten Australian Jewish soldiers who died on active service, ensuring their commemoration both on our Wall of Remembrance and Obelisk, and in the VAJEX Book of Remembrance. In addition, he has assisted the Jewish Holocaust Centre by providing historical data and identifying medals.
Ben is a military historian and consultant on Orders, Decorations and Medals, and has held office in the Military Historical Society of Australia. He has worked as a provider of historically accurate uniform pieces and has given his expertise to television series such as "The Sullivans", "My Brother Tom", and "Fields of Fire". He also provided military information for the full length film, "Death of a Soldier", which told the story of US Army Private Eddie Leonski.
He is extremely well respected in the local and wider military community and is working to ensure that our association has a strong future.
Ben writes about his CMF Service:
Having registered for compulsory National Service at the age of 17 and still waiting to be called up five years later, I decided to join the Citizen Military Forces, now known as the Reserves. The nearest unit was the Artillery Depot in Landcox Street, East Brighton - home of the 10th Medium Regiment's P Battery.
I was interviewed by the Adjutant, filled in a lot of papers and was told to go for a medical examination, which I am happy to say, was pronounced to be A1. As the unit was “closing down” for the holiday period, I was asked to come on 27th January 1959, was sworn in, and issued with the usual gear: uniform, boots, gaiters, etc all 1937 pattern equipment and training commenced.
Being keen to learn, I was soon taught the basics of what our 5.5 inch gun was all about. My turn came to learn about laying the gun: bearing, elevation, angle of sight and accuracy and speed in what we were doing. The first camp at Seymour Site 17 went by very quickly and I was paid 42 shillings ($4.20) a day as a gunner-recruit.
Tuesday night Parades were of two hours duration - not long enough to absorb what was on the agenda. A three day exercise known as “Operation Firepower” gave us a taste of what real action would be like in actual warfare. P Battery fired in support of advancing infantry and then covered its retirement after “all objectives were attained.” By then I was getting good at laying the gun and looked forward to the next weekend camp or annual camp. At the end of 1959, I was promoted to Lance Bombardier, wearing one stripe, and hoping for the best. I also passed the course for promotion to sergeant by being proficient on the 25 pounder field gun - but never got to fire one. During 1960, I was invited to do a course for first appointment (officers’ course) but, by then national service was coming to an end and by 30th June, all the “conscripts” suddenly left the battery. We became Regimental Headquarters and I was put into Signals and later, as part of the officers' course, into Survey - an important part of Artillery. One achievement was, as 2-I-C of my gun, we won first prize for being the first gun “into” and “out of” action and me winning the “best gun-layer in the battery” award. As a result of this, P Battery also won the “Kaiser’s Cup” back after an absence of two years from the Frankston battery. Our prize consisted of potato chips and cigarettes.
My military career came to an end when I was honourably discharged on the 11th of November 1960. I kept in touch with a few of the battery members, one being the late MAJ John Phillips OAM RFD ED, who was the guest speaker at our Remembrance Day Luncheon in 2006.
For the time I spent in the army, a Certificate of Service arrived in 1993. I am proud to have served if only for such a short time.
Vice President & Webmaster Judy Landau supports Ben in his endeavours by working at a practical level. In 2009 when her portfolio was expanded to include the artwork for printed documents and certificates, she began by recreating the pages of our fallen in 2009, for the Books of Remembrance. Sadly, this was inspired by the tragic death of our member, the late Pte Greg Sher KIA Afghanistan. Judy wanted to further honour his memory by adding red poppies to his page, so for the first time, all the 2009 pages were redesigned and printed in colour.
Part of Judy’s focus is on how VAJEX is presented. All certificates, documents, the Memorial Stakes, Service Programs, Bentchers etc, have been newly created or improved and given a professional appearance with her skilful computer work. She has made our new display wreath, designed our Association Flag and Banner, and brightened up our Memorial Candles display.
As MC for all of our Services and Functions, her compassionate confidence at the microphone has given a reverent depth to our Services that has been acknowledged and appreciated by both members and guests alike.
She is a driving force in the revitalisation of this Association and has actively participated in its promotion and growth.
Judy served in 3 WRAAC COY and 3 DIV INT. She is a member of the WRAAC Association, the Australian Intelligence Corps Association and the Australian Intelligence Association.
Secretary Ian Mansfield joined VAJEX in 2003 and has been our Secretary since June 2003. He has also taken on the role of Treasurer since August 2009.
After leaving Melbourne High School, he joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on 27th July 1981 as a Seaman SN (Stores). Ian completed Recruit Training at HMAS Cerberus on the 18th January 1982 and was posted to HMAS Platypus (NSW).
Over the next 20½ years in the Navy he had postings to the following places or ships:
HMAS Stuart (DE)
HMAS Waterhen (NSW)
HMAS Cerberus
HMAS Brisbane (DDG)
HMAS Coonawarra (NT)
HMAS Perth2 (DDG)
HMAS Kuttabul (NSW)
HMAS Warramunga (ANZAC Class)
Promotions: SMNSN 17th October 1981
ABSN 14th January 1981
LSSN 30th June 1988
For the duration of Ian’s career many courses were completed including one for promotion to Petty Officer (awaiting vacancy for Promotion).
Whilst posted to HMAS Brisbane deployment also included the Gulf War 1990-91.
The following awards and decorations have been received:
AASM/KUW Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp - Kuwait
LKM Liberation of Kuwait
ASM KUW Australian Service Medal with Clasp - Kuwait
MUC Meritorious Unit Citation
DFSM Defence Force Service Medal (15 years service)
Australian Service Medal
Ian’s hobbies include photography, family genealogy, reading and bike riding just for fun and to keep fit.
He joined Freemasonry in 1990 and is still an active member.
Welfare Officer Eric Gordon
Welfare Officer and Public Relations Officer of VAJEX, Eric’s brief is to be available to members and potential members. This covers areas of welfare and communication on any topic that may arise, or that a member wishes to raise. He still considers himself a trouble shooter from his experience in the IDF.
Eric served in the IDF, 178538 being his Service Number. In 1953, he completed an Officers' course in the Gadna, Rosh Ha Nikra. He then attended the Air Force Technical Academy (now Air Force Base 21) and completed an Aircraft Engineer course. Eric served in Tel Nof as a trouble shooter on the test bench, where he was Number three in the Accessories Department, with the rank of Acting Sergeant. Eric was a participant in the Sinai Campaign of 1956. He was a Sergeant of the Guard, responsible for guard duties for the whole of the Air Force parameter of the camp.
Eric is available to help with issues arising from inter-personal problems, health problems, etc. To contact Eric, email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone VAJEX on 0412 307 031.