Patron-In-Chief

Major General Jeffrey V Rosenfeld AC OBE KStJ (Ret'd)

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
Chair, Australian Defence Human Research Ethics...

Patron

Mr Jack Smorgon AO

Jack Smorgon was involved in the Smorgon Group of Companies from 1954 until 1995, mostly in the meat industry where he was Managing Director of the Meat Division from 1976-1991.

A Member of the Board of the Committee for Melbourne (CFM), he was appointed Chairman in 1995 and stepped down after 10...

President Board

Marvin Bude

On 11 July 1968, I enlisted in the Australian Army 3 Base Worksop (RAEME) as a craftsman and was honourably discharged on 27 February 1973, with the rank of Sergeant. My postings were at Bandiana, Puckapunyal and finally at Chapel Street, St Kilda Barracks.

To members who were rising through the ranks to attain...

Hon Treasurer Board

Philip Burman

My father was a Corporal with 4th Docks Operating Coy, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) in New Guinea during World War II. He died on the 11th July 1945 in Wau, New Guinea and was buried in the Lae War Cemetery.

I am an accountant and was a partner in a medium sized accountancy practice...

Asst Treasurer Board

Natalie Wills

As a qualified and Registered Bookkeeper and BAS Agent with my own Company for the last 11 years, I do auditing and bookkeeping for my clients. I am the daughter of an ex-service member of VAJEX Australia and it is my pleasure to assist the Hon Treasurer. 
I am happily married and have two wonderful sons.

Secretary Board

Randi Grose

Randi Grose is the daughter of parents who both served during WWII. Her father Harry Grose was a signalman in the Army, while her mother Ruby (née Schoenheimer) served in the Air Force. Both became life members of VAJEX Australia following their arrival in Melbourne from Brisbane, where they had been foundation members...

JCCV Rep Board

Garry Fabian

My story spans two continents and a range of different places and life experiences.

I was born in Stuttgart, Germany, a country where my family lived from the beginnig of the 13th Century.

With the advent of the Third Reich in 1933, it became a place that progressively became more hostile and dangerous, and even life threateningly dangerous for those of the Jewish religion, as well as people whose outlook did not conform to the National Socialist concept of the ideal citizen.

In 1936 my family decided to emigrate to the Sudenten Land part of the Czech Republic to start a new life. However, this dream was short lived when the area was annexed to Germany in 1938. On 15th March 1939, we fled to Prague, the capital, which was occupied by Germany.

Board Member

Manny Kingsley

Manny is the son and son-in-law of Holocaust survivors. He is the stepson of Henry Kingsley, a “Dunera Boy”, whose pre-war family was murdered by Nazis and others who joined and served in the Australian Army.

Manny, a former History Politics teacher and University Lecturer, has a PhD in History and Education from the University of Melbourne. He joined VAJEX Australia to support past and present Australian Jewish Servicemen and Women.

Welfare Officer/Past President/Life Member

Ben Hirsh

Ben Hirsh is a past President of VAJEX Australia was a Board member for over 20 years, serving as Secretary and Vice President.

Ben has assisted in locating graves and memorials of long-forgotten Jewish soldiers who died on active service in Australia, ensuring their commemoration both on our Wall of Remembrance and Memorial, and...

Past President/Life Member

Judy Landau

Judy Landau is a Past President who also served as Editor of PARADE magazine and InFormation newsletter and set up this website in 2009. She was Webmaster and Research Historian until 2018 and stepped in as the Secretary, Treasurer, PTE Greg Sher Shield awards manager and Grants Officer when there were no portfolio...

MC/Life Member

Julie Leder

I have been a Musician, a Senior Constable in the Victoria Police and until a few years ago, a Sergeant in the Australian Army Reserve.

Joining the Army in 1977 means I was a member for 33 years. At that time there were no women permitted in the Band Corp (the first woman couldn’t...

Grant’s Officer / IPP

Michael Raleigh

Michael Raleigh was born in Melbourne in 1945. His parents, both Viennese, came to Australia in 1938 to escape the Nazis. He attended Brighton High School (as it was then) and commenced employment in 1964 with the Commonwealth Department of Immigration looking after overseas students...

Life Member

Ian Mansfield

Ian Mansfield joined VAJEX in 2003 and was Secretary from 2003-2013 and has served as 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...