Ex-diggers wage interstate battle
A TURF war raging between two Jewish ex-service personnel organisations is a far cry from the military sacrifices these veterans have dedicated themselves to honouring, and the rift is threatening their viability.
A TURF war raging between two Jewish ex-service personnel organisations is a far cry from the military sacrifices these veterans have dedicated themselves to honouring, and the rift is threatening their viability.
The national body, the Federation of Australian Jewish Ex-Service Associations (FAJEX), which has been representing Jewish ex-diggers since 1953, was told by its southern-state constituent, the Victorian Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (VAJEX), in October last year it was quitting the federal body.
VAJEX was frustrated with what its executive saw as a Sydney-centric administration, and that the Victorian body had been denied a turn to host the running of FAJEX.
An outdated constitution that seemed unclear on the exact length of time that NSW and Victoria – the two largest constituent states – were to take turns in administering FAJEX, did not help matters.
However, FAJEX immediate past president Wesley Browne said a new memorandum of operation has clarified the rotation system, with Sydney and Melbourne to run FAJEX in alternating years, if VAJEX returns to the fold. The new arrangements have the backing of state constituents from Queensland, Western Australia and NSW.
The split could not have come at a worse time, said Browne, who has just ended a 12-year term as FAJEX’s Sydney-based president. Preparations are underway for the organisation’s commemoration of the centenary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli in two years’ time.
Newly elected FAJEX president Brian Nebenzahl, also from Sydney, told The AJN that NSW had become the de-facto headquarters some years ago and that VAJEX had been compliant, as it did not have the secretarial and logistical resources to run the national organisation, but Victorians became increasingly disenchanted.
Running FAJEX “was done on a casual and friendly basis, but now it’s become more formal”, he said.
Nebenzahl admitted “personalities were involved” in the dispute, but he hopes behind-the-scenes talks will bring about a ceasefire, the impasse will be resolved at this Sunday’s VAJEX AGM, and the Victorian organisation will rejoin FAJEX.
“We haven’t dismissed them. Victoria’s an important part of the network,” Nebenzahl told The AJN.
He said FAJEX has to present a united front as the representative of Australian Jewish ex-service personnel in seeking government funding for major projects, including the Gallipoli commemorations.
VAJEX president Ben Hirsh, a strong advocate of the Victorian organisation remaining independent, declined to comment publicly. Seven years in office, he said it was up to the membership whether he would stand for re-election at the AGM. The AJN understands there is at least one other candidate for the VAJEX presidency.
PETER KOHN
VAJEX commemorates Remembrance Day 2011 at Carlton Cemetery. Photo: Ian Mansfield.
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