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Makan – No. 41
April Fools Day, 1950

Official Organ of 2/30th. Bn. A.I.F. Assn,
21 Military Road, NEUTRAL BAY.

Patron: Brig. F.G. Galleghan, D.S.O., O.B.E., E.D.
President: J.H. Cooper, Esq.
Hon. Secretary: S.F. Arneil, Esq.
Hon. Treasurer: R.E. Ellis, Esq.

Dear Dig,

Reg Ellis was talking to an ex-P.O.W., some time ago and the chap, who was not of the 30th, was speaking about his plans to spend his 3/- per day cash when it arrives. This chap was himself certain that the claim would materialise and he was eagerly anticipating his cheque. Reg rather bluntly asked him what he had done to help the cause for reimbursement of subsistence and received as a reply a look of vary blank surprise. The chap in question was not a member of his own Association nor had he, at any time, contributed cash to help defray the expenses of this claim. He apparently thought that this subject was brought up by some of the politicians because of the inherent goodness they possess. Just in case any of our members are under the same impression, then we would like you to know now that this claim, whether it be recognised or not, has entailed a considerable amount of work by all Associations who are represented on the Eighth Division Council. The Council receives its cash from Association Members and our Association has always been quick to co-operate with any financial calls made upon it by said Council. A lot of money will be needed to further this claim and there are many Associations who are not in the same happy financial position as your own. A target of 3/- per member has been aimed at and we have already contributed 1/- per member without calling upon members themselves. If the claim is recognised, all members of our Unit will receive their money. It seems to us that those of the Unit who are not members of the Association and have, therefore, not helped the claim should feel morally obligated to send a donation to the Fund. Finally on this subject, we would like to mention that one of our lads sent along £1 to help the fund. The money was sent entirely without strings attached to it and we thank him very much.

It is six weeks now since the big Divisional Reunion at Sydney, but we were unable to report it in our last issue because we must have our Makan ready by the middle of the month. If you were unable to be present, you missed an experience. There was such a colossal roll up that the arrangements which had been made were totally inadequate to deal with the type of show which eventuated. Instead of 1,000 turning up, the number was closer to 2,000 and, as there was only one small door at which ONE man served the beer, the atmosphere at the start developed into a cross between a butcher's picnic and boy scout's corroboree. Inside the hall, where there was enough room for every men to turn his head only, quite a good show developed. There was not enough space, unfortunately, to move around and find one's friends, but it was surprising to find that dozens of familiar faces were everywhere. Apparently there are lots of chaps who have not a unit association of their own and this was their first opportunity to go to a reunion of P.O.W. The whole show was something like the first mad scramble we had at our own reunion just after we returned home. The organisation needed to run a function such as this is very great and a vote of thanks, from all those who turned up, must go to the people who did all the work. We can expect a more comfortable night next year and, from present indications, the reunion could easily become a permanent feature.

I was quite amused to read the rot which was printed in the papers the next morning telling of the roars of enthusiasm which greeted certain statements which were made, per amplifier, by some of the V.I.P's present. The stupidity of such reports would be apparent to all those who were present. From the moment the doors were opened it was impossible to make oneself heard by one's next door neighbour without shouting and roaring like Stantor himself. Such din and babel is what one expects at these shows and, for all the discomfort, I think that most of the boys enjoyed the reunion.

There was one little point which was mentioned to us so often during the night that I will give it to you as we received it. After marching to the Cenotaph, there was a short service before the laying of wreathe took place. A radio announcer then read a list of people who were to lay the wreaths and the list included every organisation of any size among the Service Associations. The list was a yard long and it was good to see that the representatives of such organisations had not forgotten our day. When the list had been finally read, we were amazed to realise that the soldier who commanded our Division longer than any other Commander did not even warrant a mention. Without comment we leave you to chew over this little point for yourself.

George Gough of Waverley is anticipating moving into a new house which he intends to buy at Cabramatta.

Keith Mulholland of Narrandera works as a steward at the local bowling club. He enjoys good health and is the father of a little red haired daughter.

Con Hedwards of Woolgoolga is working for the Forestry Commission. When he first came home he went into the banana business with – Grahame (Don Coy.) who was wounded at Gemas but who was lucky enough to be invalided home before the fall of Singapore. A bad year put them out of the banana business. We hope that their troubles are now over.

Ron Stoner has left the city for a few years and at present is managing the local bank at Grafton. He has not yet taken over the actual management of the town, but we imagine that within a short time he will be president of half the clubs in town and secretary of most of the others. Ron is enjoying country life and, with so many of our members living in that district, he has plenty of opportunities for a yarn about the old days.

Les Smith, known to our chaps as "Authentic" Smith and who was a QX number in the unit, is a buyer, at Grafton, for Borthwicks, the big meat people. "Authentic" was married on election day. We wish all happiness to him and to his new wife in their future life.

On Anzac Day this year we will be assembling as usual at a point in the gardens, near the Conservatorium and about fifty yards from it in the direction of the Quay. The Old Man is particularly anxious that we have a larger roll up than usual and, if you can possibly make it, we urge all members of the Unit to attend. The dress is, of course optional, as it always has been for this march. However, we officially make the suggestion that, as very few of us have been issued with our rows and rows of medals, it would he more uniform if they were left at home in the old tin trunk. The "Returned from Active Service" badge is rather neat and has been worn by the majority of the Unit in our previous marches. The Old Man, however, presses very strongly that all ranks wear the Association Badge and we agree that it would make a very uniform show. However, whatever you wear, we know that the march will be treated as it always has been by our chaps, and will be carried out in such a dignified fashion that onlookers, if any, will realise that we are a bunch of ex-servicemen. A march of this calibre will be, as usual, in marked contrast to any such units as allow their members to treat the day as a picnic and to spend the whole time of the march whooping and roaring at their friends on the sidelines and acting little better then a bunch of crimson clowns. We will be led by the Old Man and this year the banner will be carried by Sid Grounds of A Coy.

Hospital News: About the middle of the month of March, the following lads were in Yaralla Hospital. Lou Brown, Watty Gates and Jack Heatley. Don't forget to let us know of those chaps who are in hospital -- it is very hard for us to find out unless we are told by the patients.

One last item of news. February 15th is a memorable day for all of us and one which does not usually call for a great deal of rejoicing, but in lots of cases the wheel turns around and good luck fairly beams out upon us. The latest example is that of Arch Thorburn, whose wife presented him with a really lovely daughter on this day. We have heard, although we will not vouch for the authenticity of the tale, that the baby is to be christened "Changi" as a rather unusual name. The Committee is not keen on this practice of loading a child with names which will always require an explanation, they are much more conservative and, had their opinion been asked, they would have advised the lovely old Japenese name ITCHI (one). We have also heard that the baby's name is Diana. It's hard to know what to believe really.

See you Anzac Day,

STAN ARNEIL.

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