Makan – No. 72
1st November, 1952

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

COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

Reg Friend has now moved into his own home at Manly Vale. Reg has been building his home for a considerable time and it has left him very poorly both as regards money and health.

Neil Huntley of Spring Ridge writes that he met Schnapper Bale at Part Macquarie whilst staying there on a holiday. Schnapper is the same old good hearted fellow we knew, and he promptly made Neil an honorary member of the local Ex-servicemen's Club. Schnapper's wife and baby evidently made a great impression on Neil for he describes them in glowing detail. Schnapper still fishes and owns a nice launch, and skiff, and a new home. Neil is doing well - he tells us that in his district the wheat crop should be a bumper and that the ewes are lambing well. On the strength of his prospects, he has bought himself a new Chev.

Arthur Wightman has changed his job and address, and can now be found, C/- N. Z. Loan Co., Bendigo, Victoria. It is a couple of years since we have heard from this member and in the interim his wife has presented him with a little daughter, now 14 months old, and, of course, the best baby in the world. No doubt this performance will be repeated later.

We are very glad to report that, in future, Andy Knox's subscription will always be paid on the due date. Not that Andy has reformed at all - but his wife has taken on the responsibility.

Arnold Ainsworth is still an identity at Kempsey – where he often spends his spare time in the company of Darby Young and Scotty Wallace. It is a long time since we have seen Arnold - we hope that he will be able to attend one of our reunions some day.

"Two-Finger" Mick Cutler is now living in a housing settlement at Herne Bay. He is married, of course, as all sensible men are, and has a little family. Bernice, his daughter is almost two years old, whilst the light of his eyes, little Stanley, is two months old. The responsibilities of a wife and family have not changed Mr. Cutler, and we expect to enjoy his bright personality at the next reunion.

Arch Thorburn, complete with wife and three daughters, recently combined business with pleasure and enjoyed a stay at Wagga. During the week there, Arch spent his time in court, restoring innocent men to the bosoms of their families; in the weekends he purchased Murray Cod from the local fish shop and was photographed proudly holding them in one hand, whilst in the other he clutched a bundle of fishing tackle. The fish were very good to eat, and apparently were very hungry because Arch was able to catch a few with the poor quality bait which he uses. During his stay there he visited Curley Heckendorf and his family and also renewed acquaintance with other members of the Association.

ANNUAL REUNION

As we told you last month, our 7th Annual Reunion will be held at the Drill Hall of the St. George Regiment at Arncliffe on Friday, 21st November, commencing at 8 p.m. The place is very easy to find, being only a short distance from the Arncliffe Station. If you are in town on the 21st November and have a car available, or if you are looking for a lift to the Hall, ring Jim Cooper at BL2177. Those with cars should ring him preferably the day before. We will not be providing a supper, other than cheese and biscuits this year, so please remember to have your tea before you arrive. There will be plenty of beer and soft drinks for those who require it. If any country or interstate members intend to be present, would they please write to Reg Ellis as soon as possible, giving details of their arrival and departure. Now, will you please take note of this - we desire to make our visitors' stay as pleasant as possible and if you can treat a visitor to a Saturday afternoon or night, or a Sunday at golf, tennis, swimming, car rides, picture shows or what have you, will you kindly make your offer to Sammy Hall, BU5931. If we have the visitors we will take up your offer, if not, there will be no harm done.

TAMWORTH REUNION

Last month, the Old Man was invited to attend an ex-Eighth Division Reunion at Tamworth. It was apparently a very good show as there were 128 returned men there. Those present of our Unit included Ray and George Michell, Tom Bowden, Doug Hicks, Wal Eather and others. The dinner was prepared and served by wives of 8th Division members, and they certainly did a wonderful job from the reports we received. The presence of the ladies had a somewhat restraining, but not sobering effect on those present. The Old Man danced a stately waltz between the tables at about 11.30 p.m. and at the conclusion of the dance kissed the hand of his partner in a most courtly fashion. It is said that he teetered slightly when recovering his balance after the bow to the lady, but he must have impressed her for she refused to wash up afterwards for fear of destroying the imprint. Once again those Tamworth fellows over estimated their drinking capacity as there was one 18 gallon left over. Alick Tapp of the 18th Battalion, who proposed that Brig. Galleghan be invited as Guest Speaker, was the brother of Dave Tapp, one of our lads who died in Changi. These reunions are good opportunities for ex-8th Division men to get together and the country folk come for miles around to be present.

THREE SHILLINGS PER DAY

The ACT to enable payment of the first portion of our claim was introduced into Parliament on the 16th October, and was approved by the House of Representatives on 21st October. By the time you receive this MAKAN you may have even received payment, although it is unlikely that the red tape could be unravelled as quickly as all that. However, it does appear that we will receive the money in November or December. Prior to your receiving this thirty odd pounds, you may receive a brochure from the 8th Division Council outlining the schemes the Council has in mind for establishing a Fund to benefit ex-Eighth Division members in various ways. You will be asked in the brochure to contribute £5, in two instalments, probably to the Fund. Your committee considered every aspect of this Fund at two meetings called for the purpose, and the members were unanimous in their decision that the establishment of the Fund is NOT in the best interests of the 8th Division personnel. The reasons by which they arrived at their decision was explained to you a couple of months ago. After arriving at their decision, the committee, although realising that you are at liberty to make your own choice in the matter, STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT ALL EX-MEMBERS OF OUR UNIT REFRAIN FROM CONTRIBUTING TO THIS FUND.

The best news we have heard recently is that a son, Michael Rowan, has been born to Curley Heckendorf and his wife of Lockhart. Curley's friends will be very happy to hear this news as Curley and his wife suffered the misfortune of losing their first little baby a few days after its birth.

The Association sends its best wishes to the Heckendorf's on this happy occasion.

Please forward. cheques, money orders or postal notes to Reg Ellis, "Jemaluang", Hunters Hill.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL

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