Circular No. 107
1st October, 1955

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

COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

There has been a strong rumour around the city that a second payment from the sale of Japanese assets is due to us. There is no truth whatsoever in the rumour as on 21st September, Mr. Menzies said in the House "He knew of no imminent payment to former prisoners of the Japanese from the Fund set up by the Japanese Peace Treaty, but he would make enquiries and see if one were likely."

Newest member is Roy Mooney, ex "A" Coy, who lives at Campsie. Roy has remained unchanged through the years and will be along for the reunion in November.

Ron Foster is back in Sydney after some years travelling abroad. He is living at Epping, and considers that Epping is a choice suburb. Ron is working for the M.L.C. selling insurance.

Athol Charlesworth of Bardwell Park sent his subscription along but forgot to add any news of himself.

Terry O'Rourke has been transferred from Griffith back to Narrandera in his capacity of field officer for the Forestry Commission. He obtained the tenancy of a Housing Commission home at Narrandera and although the rental is high it is preferable to travelling back and forth each weekend. Tom Stevens and Keith Mulholland are still in Narrandera (writes Terry) and both are well. At Boree Creek, Terry struck Vic Hamlin in the local inn with a pint of beer halfway down his throat. Vic choked over his beer, he doesn't see a 30th man down that way very often. Vic is, and looks the part of, a successful wheat farmer.

Bill Brown has sold his house in Griffith and moved out to a small farm where he will build a new house and run several hundred fowls - Black Leghorns and Australorps. For the time being he will continue to work as a "Fault" man for the P.M.G. Bill always did work too hard.

The last paragraph of Terry's newsy letter contains the best piece of all, and that is that his wife has just presented him with a new son. Congratulations from all members Terry, on your good fortune.

On the 8th October the Annual 8th Division Reunion and Dinner for the Tamworth District will be held at Tamworth. When we say Tamworth District we mean that Tamworth is the focal point of the Reunion, as all ex 8th Division men are welcome. The cost of the night is ₤1 and our mutual friend Wal Eather has made a statement that the ₤1 includes as much mead as a man can consume between 7.00 p.m. and midnight. Wal is a man of his word so we believe that there will be ample supplies of everything. The guest speaker at the Reunion will be Major Shaw, who was the Engineer in charge of the demolition of the bridge at Gemencheh. He is almost an ex 30th man. Next year we may organise beforehand and descend upon Tamworth in force, this year if you can make it you should attend. It should be a good night.

Extract from the A.B.C. News 20/9/55.

"A bus driver, who, on his way home from work, helped to save the life of a baker injured in an accident has been awarded a trophy by the Commissioner for Government Transport, Mr. Shoebridge. He's Mr. Philip Paget, a driver from Pagewood Bus Depot, who last year released a baker trapped under his delivery cart after it had collided with a heavy lorry on the Hume Highway, Chullora.

Mr. Paget is a member of the Government Transport Department's First Aid Corps - a voluntary organisation which now has a membership of more than 3,300 men and women, representing 29% of the Transport Department's employees.

Mr. Paget saw the accident when he was returning home from work. He quietened the terrified horse, and while bystanders kept it under control he freed the bread carter from the battered cart and applied first aid from a kit he had handy in his car. His action was commended by the police authorities and the Medical Superintendent of Western Suburbs Hospital who say that Mr. Paget's resourcefulness prevented a serious accident.

The Commissioner's Cup is awarded annually to a member of the Corps for the best practical case of first aid treatment with 12 months ending December. Mr. Paget has been recommended for its award on two previous occasions, both in 1952."

Just what you would expect from Phil.

Ron Ollis is back in town after an absence of some years and has bought a home Pymble. Ron is looking forward to attending our functions and he will be a welcome stranger.

Keith Broughton was in Yaralla recently but has returned to work now. Keith has not been well for some time.

One of the nicest letters we have received for some years came from Karl Sinclair of Armidale. Karl has settled down to a very mellow state and wrote the letter in a reminiscent mood. It was delightful.

Karl has not been in good health for some years and sacrificed an excellent salary to take a less worrisome job. He is reaping the benefit of it now. Karl turns his hand to writing now and again and some time ago had a small article published in the Women's Weekly.

Karl's family are growing up; Joan, his eldest daughter, has been married for some years, and has presented him with three fine grandsons. Jolyon, his son, is 19 years of age. His youngest daughter, like so many children of the 8th Division, was a stranger to her father for many years, as she was seven months old when he left Australia. The lass is a gem and promises to be a worthy daughter of her father. Karl's letter recalls to mind one of his sayings during the P.O.W. era, and it has borne fruit. Karl used to say that the day would come when 30th men would lean on the bars of the hotels throughout the Commonwealth and brag about knowing Black Jack. His words have come true although our opinions in those days went up and down with the rations.

Sid Kirschler, of Forbes is keeping well. Like others he sends his subscription along regularly but is not a good letter writer and just forgets to tell us of himself.

Goodyear Rubber now employ four of our chaps, Les Hall, Stewart Plowes, Hank Massey and Jack Walsh. They are all at the Granville works. Next February the Lismore boys will be holding their annual get together and B. J. has been invited as guest speaker. The reunion, the date of which has not been fixed, will be on a Saturday night and should be a rather enjoyable function. All the North Coast boys will be there and probably a team from Brisbane, so if you are interested in a quiet weekend in February we might be able to arrange a party to leave Sydney on Friday night by plane returning on the Sunday afternoon. Further details in the next Makan.

ANNUAL REUNION

This will be your second last reminder for what promises to be one of our best reunions to date. It will be held at the Gallipoli Legion Rooms, Loftus St., Sydney on Friday, 11th November, commencing at 8.00 p.m. At the Reunion a Life Membership Badge will be presented to Black Jack in recognition of his untiring effort on our behalf since 1940. We urge you to come along in strength to show your affection for the Old Gentleman and to meet your many friends again. The charge will be 15/-. There will be more refreshments than you can consume.

Please forward cheques, money orders and postal notes to Reg Ellis at Boronia Park. All money orders and postal notes to be made payable at the G.P.O., Sydney.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL.

Back to 1955 index or Main Index