Makan – No. 68
1st July, 1952

Official Organ of the 2/30th Bn. A.I.F. Assn

COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

We welcome to the Association, Sid Hennessy of Petersham, as our newest member. We have not seen much of Sid during the last two years, but hope to see him at all our functions in future.

Sid Hart, Newcastle, is still a keen member, although we see him rarely. Perhaps Sid may be persuaded to make the journey from Newcastle for our next re-union.

Tommy Coombes of Padstow is reasonably fit, and by hearsay is doing fairly well in business.

Sid Grounds, in days gone by, a man who always "spoke his mind", has generally succumbed to the charm of the Georges River district where he is living, and is now definitely mellow. Working in an outer suburb of the town, Sid rarely comes into the city and spends his leisure time potting about his garden.

Lew Cohen recently enjoyed a holiday at Tweed Heads. Lew is as well as can be expected and we hope to see him at the next re-union.

The Association sends congratulations to Lloyd Stuart and his wife on the celebration of their recent marriage. Lloyd was thought to be a confirmed bachelor, and is one of the last to join the married ranks. His wife is a golfer, so she will be able to keep an eye on him during the week-ends. The Stuarts are living at Rockdale.

Dick Newman of St. George, Queensland, recently spent a short period in Greenslopes hospital, Brisbane, trying to kill the hookworms. During his last holidays at Southport, he renewed acquaintance with Vince O'Reilly, Joe Veivers and George Gallard. Some time ago he also bumped into Scotty Coutts who is working at Dirranbandi (in Queensland I think).

Harry Riches met Ernie Stratford and Alf Jones during a visit to Greenslopes hospital.

Dave Tate has won a cane-farm in a land ballot at Erisvale.

Len Dever is working up around the Queensland border so we hear.

Tommy Grant of Mt. Burrell, Tweed River came good with subs for a couple of years. Tom is well.

Little Gordon Saifallie is still as perky as ever. He is living at the Hotel Burlington, Hay Street, Sydney.

Bill Middleton of Taree is well to the front in musical circles at Taree. As you can imagine, he still maintains a great interest in music.

Laurie Mountford, ex band, is one of our latest Life Members. Laurie hails from Leeton and he is reasonably fit.

The Association sends its congratulations to Bluey McIver and wife on the birth of their first child, a girl. Bluey is very proud of his little girl and by all the reports of outside sources he has every reason to be as she is of export quality with purple and gold blood in her veins.

Ron Eaton is a man who is much to be envied at the moment by those of us who are working in the chill atmosphere of winter. Ron is now in the midst of what amounts to a world tour for his firm. He will be away for five or six months, and although it will be a business trip of sorts, it will really be a long extended holiday for Ron. Applications for employment at Birt and Co., Ron’s firm, will not be accepted by this Association.

Terry O'Rourke of the Forestry Office, Griffith, wrote us such a newsy, interesting letter that we will give you most of it as it comes:

"The last time I wrote to you, Stan made some insulting remarks re my hand writing – so this time I will take no risks. (This letter is neatly typed, S.A.). As a matter of fact I have been told the same thing on other occasions...

The typing is not the best as I have just returned from leave and my two forefingers are not yet functioning properly.

We drove to Sydney in the A40, had a few days on the Tooheys, picked up my brother and his wife and went to Laurieton for a couple of weeks fishing. Had enough to eat, but had to work pretty hard for them. Anzac Day was spent up there, very good...

The worst part was coming back to the west, give me the coast any time. The only compensation is we get a months leave per annum. I still live at Narrandera and work here, travel home week-ends.

Margaret Anne, now twelve months, weighs 24 lbs I’m afraid she will be a night club addict later on as she believes in taking her natural rest during the day and keeping wide awake at nights.

Rex Rowe called here while I was away, on transfer as C.P.S. to Balranald. He stayed with the one and only Bill Brown for a few hectic days. They have a brand new addition to the family, one month old, and I understand Rex is not getting much sleep either.

Saw Les Perry last week, he is still working at the Forestry Commission nursery at Narrandera. Tommy Stevens is working at the Narrandera Hospital and still manages to sink his dozen pints and smoke his 4 ozs. per day. I tell him he is lucky to be a bachelor otherwise he might be rationed a bit!

All those who attended the Narrandera re-union of ex-8 Divn. in 1949 had a great time, ask Hoot Gibson. Well the next re-union will be held on Saturday, 1st November. Keith Mulholland, Don Garner, Les Perry and Vic Hamlin are on the committee and they have got out a very attractive invitation which will be sent out later."

Kevin Ward, ex A. Coy, is still badly affected by his eyes. He works the switchboard at Sydney-Technical College.

Lennie Lansdown of l Carlton Crescent, Summer Hill, is as fit as can be expected.

More of the General Meeting

During the General Business "eight to a table" created an enjoyable diversion when he stood up and said that he disagreed with the Association’s request to its members that they wear Association Badges on Anzac Day rather than medals. He said that as far as he was concerned, the Old Man wore decorations to which he was justly entitled and which every member of the unit would like to see him wear. He also pointed out that the March was under the direction of the R.S.L. and the orders were that "Medals shall be worn." Then up jumped Tom Bowden like a brave captain at the bridge and said that HIS WIFE had sewn his medals on his coat (cringes from the married men), and as far as he was concerned he would WEAR HIS CRIMSON MEDALS on the march NO MATTER WHAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD TO SAY. There were loud cheers for Tom and everybody tried to speak at once. The Old Man came in on this one and said that in reply to Jimmy Peebles all ranks did not wear medals, Sir Leslie Moreshead not even wearing a Returned From Active Service badge. He also said that as. far as he was concerned, it did not matter two hoots in hell what the members wore so long as in the main, they all wore the same, whether medals, ribbons, or badges. It was great fun, but Jimmy Cooper broke it up when he said that the Executive would consider the matter and make a recommendation before the next March.

One of our proudest members at the  moment is JOE GEOGHEGAN whose wife presented him with a baby son, Ross, the first boy after four daughters. The Association sends its congratulations to Joe and his wife on their good fortune.

3/- per day

Last month we indicated that you might receive a circular letter from the 8th Division council asking for a contribution from your instalment payments from the 3/- per day monies.

Briefly, the story is this: Some time ago delegates from Unit Associations and other interested ex-members of the 8th Division were called together at a special meeting at which one member of the Council put forward a suggestion which was roughly along the following lines:

That all members of the 8th Division be asked by circular letter to contribute £5 towards a fund which would-be used for the establishment of the 8th Divisional Council headquarters in Sydney with secretarial representation in other capital cities. These funds would be used to establish scholarships for dependents of ex-division members and general for welfare purposes. The Council, permanently established, would assist ex-8th Division members in their problems.

Members would be asked to sign a form which would enable the money to be deducted from the 3/- per day payment at the source. £2 would be deducted from the first instalment of roughly £32 and the other £3 would be deducted from the balance if and when the total sum of approximately £190 was paid.

In that main we think that is what the scheme envisaged.

Those attending the meeting were asked to report to their Unit Associations to obtain their opinion of the project. One of our delegates, Ron Chipps, asked that more specific proposals be sent to the Unit Associations. A letter was then received from the Council, giving to the Executive's mind, a not very tangible picture of what was planned, and the Executive were asked to consider the matter and to brief delegates, ready to vote at the next meeting of the Council.

The Executive discussed the matter and instructed the delegates that we could not support the proposal. At the Meeting of the Council our delegates put forward the views of the Executive; but the subsequent minutes of the Council meeting did not make it clear that our Association had voted against the proposal. In fact the minutes could be read in such a way that one permanent member of the Unit, who was associated with the venture but who had not attended the Council meeting, was under the impression that our delegates had voted for the proposal. The Executive were disturbed that such an impression should be created, particularly as the minutes of the Council meetings are circulated to the other Unit Associations. Accordingly a special meeting was called and the question was again discussed from every angle.

At this meeting, members of the Executive passed the following motion which was delivered to our delegates for presentation at the Council meeting.

"It is resolved that the delegates of the Association are instructed that in no circumstances will the 2/30 Bn. Association associate itself with the proposal to seek a voluntary contribution from former Ps.O.W. from the Japanese reparations. And that it be further instructed that the Council be informed that this association will advise its members against making any contribution to any fund called for by the Council and that neither delegate be a member of any sub-committee formed to further the object."

That is the motion which was passed and it was arrived at after examining every angle of the proposal. Some of the point's raised which might interest you are:

1. The proposal to set up an independent organisation to deal with 8th Division ex-Service problems would create a grave danger because the R.S.L. and the Legion would regard us as outside their orbit and would possibly be inclined to preclude us from enjoying the benefits of their organisation, which is back ed by years of experience.

2. This Association itself is against the accumulation of "funds." It reflects rather bitterly on the final destination of the millions of pounds collected during the war for prisoners-of-war. The balance of this money was transferred to Red Cross Funds. We are not unmindful of the fact that applications for material assistance to the Red Cross are referred to the Canteen Services Trust Fund, thus leaving the Red Cross Funds untouched.

3. The Executive considers that many funds last for such a long time, that those who finally receive the benefits, are far removed from those for whom the fund was originally intended.

4. There is the possibility that a large sum of money would be required for the administration of the fund.

That is the picture as we see it. We have given you all the facts in order that you may decide differently yourself, if you so desire, but the Association stands by its resolution and advises you not to contribute to the funds.

For your information the last minutes of the Council show that the 2/15th Field Regiment Association is also against the proposal.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL

Back to 1952 index or Main Index