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Makan No. 91
1st June, 1954

COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

Frank Purvis helps to print the most widely read but most despised document issued within Australia, the Income Tax Assessment Returns. He has been with the Government Printer for some years now and, as a profitable past-time, teaches bookbinding at the Sydney Technical College.

We hear that Arthur Buckingham has four children, so far, and is still going strong.

Jim McIntosh of Canberra City, father of two lovely children, has been teaching Carpentry and Joinery at the Canberra Technical College since 1945, Jim is a rifleman in his spare time, having represented N.S.W. in 1951, whilst in 1950 he missed the Queen's Shoot by only one point.

Ian Pryce of Murwillumbah has not been able to make any of our Reunions as yet but hopes to get down some year. He writes that, although we have mentioned Ossie Jackson on occasions, we have not mentioned Os' work for Legacy. That's the type of fellow that Ossie is, of course, we have to hear of these things from other sources. Ian also writes that he sees Alex Olley now and again. Alex lives in the district.

Vince Leonard has given up his little farm at Seven Hills and has bought a new brick home at Cabramatta. Vince and his family have gone without most mod cons. since the war and feels the effort was worth it now that they have been able to enjoy the comforts of a comfortable home of their own. We expect to see Vince and his wife at the next Ball now that they are within transport distance of the city.

John Taylor of Perth, father of three children, and the completely domesticated male if there ever was one, writes that he is now an enthusiastic gardener and spends most of his weekends planting and weeding. John is feeling the strain of a hard practice and is looking forward to a holiday in Sydney in August. We all look forward to seeing him.

Did we mention recently that Eric Arps and wife are rejoicing in the birth of their first baby? It was a boy and they have called him Graham Alfred.

Some folk have more than their share of bad luck. A cyclone some time ago flattened the bananas on Keith Richardson's farm and wiped out the efforts of many months hard work. This was bad enough, but, later Keith and his wife lost their little daughter, Fay, who was only four years old. Fay was an only child, and Keith's wife is expecting another baby shortly. All members will sympathise with them in their sad misfortune.

Harry Teasdale writes of the annual get together of ex Eighth Div. men at Lismore. The list of those present reads like a 2/30th roll up and includes Harry Riches, who came down from Brisbane, Bob Newman and Norm Lee from Woolgoolga, Ossie Jackson, Jack Newman, who has not altered with the years, Bob Neillings, who is now farming, Ian Pryce (Ian is now Inspector of schools in the Murwillumbah District), Ernie McNiven (who is a picture of health), Ernie Stratford (Manager of the Main Arm Co-op Butchery), Tom Wright and Tom Gardner. Harry also tells us that Tommy Gardner, whilst carrying out his duties as a Linesman, almost put the local railway bridge out of action. He was standing up in the P.M.G. truck looking backwards when his head hit the viaduct and almost bent it. Tom had to have some stitches in his head to repair the damage.

Recent inmates at Yaralla Hospital have been Sammy Finlayson, Arthur Carroll, Jack Heatley and Dadda Duprez. We hope that most of them are out of hospital now.

Les Perry is now living at Great Western in Victoria, a one-horse town about 140 miles from Melbourne. Les was appointed to an excellent job, which carried a residence at a nominal rental and all sorts of other advantages. A residence for a single man is far too boring in a town like Great Western, so Les was jolted out of his apathy and married a lass from Narrandera whom he had been casting sheep's eyes at for some time. Having lived at Narrandera all his life, Les found it a big change, to change jobs and shift to another state, all in the space of a fortnight, but both he and his wife like their new district very much.

SUBSCRIPTIONS. Reg Ellis spends a lot of his time proving to me per telephone that we are slipping financially in the Association, as we do not receive many new members now and the increasing number of Life Members tends to reduce the intake of annual subs. I didn't mind it very much during January and February, and even during March it was bearable, but, and April and May have just about worn me down. It appears that there are about 40 members who are dragging the chain on the annual sub of 5/- and Reg has taken it to heart. For my part, I feel that if he doesn't keep quiet about these subs, soon then I'll pay the lot myself just to shut him up. Will you please save our sanity and look at the bottom of this Makan now. If you notice a large sign there reminding you of your insolvent position then PLEASE do something about it.

ANNUAL BALL.  We apologise for the short notice, but we now inform you that the Eighth Annual Ball will be held this year on July 10th, at the NEW DUNGOWAN RESTAURANT, MARTIN PLACE, SYDNEY. Johnny Parsons, our Social Secretary, has been forced to retire from his Association duties due to a new venture of his, to wit, one delicatessen and what-have-you shop which takes up ALL his time at the moment. Doug Blanshard has stepped into the breach and has organised the Ball in record time. The cost of the tickets will be 1 each or 2 per double and bookings may be made by telephone - XB1075, Reg Ellis, or XX2068 Doug Blanshard. A limited amount of liquid refreshments will be available at 36/- a dozen, delivered ice-cold on the table.  Order with your reservation. We urge you to really make this Ball a success and to do so we must raise the average attendance over the past few years. Will you make every effort to come, and not only this, but will you drag out your Unit cobbers and bring them along to make it a real family party? If you come you will enjoy yourself so don't miss out, ring for a reservation today.

"According to Plan", an article giving a few personal impressions of the Gemas-Gemencheh battle, was favourably reported on by the Official War Historian and his staff and by others, including Lt. General Gordon Bennett. Some copies are still available at 2/6 per copy, post free. Cash to Reg Ellis if copies are desired.

Recently your friend Padre Walsh dropped into Sydney, and as the Makan for that month had been printed, we were unable to acquaint you of his visit. However, we were able to rustle up about 20 of the chaps from the inner city and we went to a Chinese Restaurant in Dixon Street and treated Paddy to a free feed. It was a night to remember and Paddy enjoyed it immensely. Des Kearney and Ward Booth came along and we pushed them to the piano where they went through the bracket, which we have all heard hundreds of times. The songs lose no freshness in the re-telling and these two brought the house down. Des sat slumped in a chair and with, dead-panned face sang to the playing of Ward, who sat up like Jackey with his great big face split from ear to ear with his usual grin as he brought back the old memories. The food was excellent and we were personally attended by Mr. Lee, a leathery faced gentleman of indeterminate age and a great desire to please. We had a room to ourselves, decorated in Chinese style, and as Arch Thorburn pointed out, Mr. Lee is a good Chiang Kai Scheck as a large photo of the Generalissimo occupies pride of place. The advantage of this restaurant over any others we have found is that the food, besides being of first class quality, is of a most reasonable price. In addition bottled beer may be purchased as required and, with a special room, we consider that there is no finer place for a small gathering. If you are interested, the cafe is the Great Eastern in Dixon Street.

Max Pyle and his four brothers own property at Narrandera and their fortunes have improved since the war as the irrigation area now embraces their property. Max has matured in the wood a lot, probably due to working too hard in the last few years. He is a fully fledged Councillor of the Berrigan Shire Council, is married, with one daughter.

We will report the Annual General Meeting next Makan.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL.

Please make all cheques, money orders and postal notes payable to Reg. Ellis, Money Orders and Postal Notes to be made payable at the G.P.O., Sydney.

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