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Back to 1959 index or Main Index Makan – No. 135 Dear Dig, Alex Olley has written from Larnook via Lismore telling us of the 8th Div. Reunion which was held at Lismore in February. It was apparently very well attended as usual and those present included Harry Teasdale, Harry Riches, Joe Johnston, Ron Sweeney, Jimmy Small, Jack Mathews, Jim Morgan, Artie Power, Jack Newman, Jerry Myers, Ernie McNiven, Curley Frazer and Sorro Sorenson. Alex is a Dairy farmer and has a small family of three boys and two girls. LAST POST All members of the Association extend their sympathy to the wife and family of our late friend Norm Wilson, who died at Kyogle Memorial Hospital on 27th Feb. Norm attended the Lismore reunion on 14th February and Harry Riches wrote that Norm did not look at all well. He was taken ill on the 27th Feb, and died on the same day. The cause of death is recognised as a delayed war effect of beri beri and kidney trouble. Norm was 48 years old and had not been in good health for many years. He was buried from the Kyogle Presbyterian Church which was crowded with mourners from all parts of the North Coast. Included amongst the mourners were thirty ex-members of our own and sister units of the 8th Division. Harry Riches is working hard as usual and has made great improvements on his farm. Harry attended the Lismore reunion together with Bruce Pratt, Chum Farley and Ron Chipps, all three from Brisbane. We are indebted to Harry for newspaper cuttings of the death of Norm Wilson. Stonger McMahon has been transferred by his bank (the National Bank of Australasia) to Griffith where he often meets Bill Brown (P.M.G.) and Bill Hodge (Storekeeper). Stonger spends his life travelling around and in addition to various spells in Sydney has been stationed at Tamworth, Maitland and Tenterfield. ANNUAL PICNIC The first Annual picnic which was held on the first Sunday in March was an outstanding success even though the weather was most unkind. Rain fell heavily in Sydney until 10 a.m. and reduced portions of the picnic ground at Lane Cove National park to a quagmire. However, forty five car loads of members and their families attended and an excellent day was enjoyed by all. Races for the children and the adults were a great success and in this regard Wild Bill Ennis was a real draw card for his work on the microphone. A special tribute must go to Margaret Blanshard and Cecily Boss for their assistance in packaging the presents for the children. Country visitors were a welcome sight and it was a treat to see Derek Smith and Stewart Blow and others and their respective wives. Next year the organisation of the picnic should be smooth as we have learnt a lot from our first effort. We also found that some of the wives were a little shy of meeting other members but this also will disappear we hope next year. The Old Man and Mrs. Galleghan attended of course and were most impressed by the happy atmosphere of the picnic and the sturdiness and good health of the one-hundred and-thirty children present. Many letters of appreciation were received after the picnic, the general tenor being that the picnic was one of the happiest functions we have ever held. BATHURST MEMORIALS The Association sent a photograph of the Bathurst Memorial to all the next of kin of whose addresses we have. Many letters of appreciation were received including one from Mrs. Bowden, wife of our late friend, Tom, in which she enclosed newspaper cuttings of the dedication at Gunnedah of a memorial to the deceased of the 8th Division. The memorial was dedicated by Lieut. General Gordon Bennett in the presence of local Civic dignitaries, next of kin, deceased members of the 8th Division and visitors from the surrounding districts. HONOUR FOR THE OLD MAN The Association extends the best wishes to the Old Man for the honour Her Majesty saw fit to bestow on him in the Birthday Honours list last month, Her Majesty bestowed the Imperial Service Order upon Black Jack in recognition of his services to this land of ours. The honour was enthusiastically received by a wide section of the community, the congratulatory messages including one from the Acting Prime Minister, Mr. MacEwan. ANZAC DAY This year was most enjoyable, and we can perhaps now say that our Anzac Day programme is permanently settled. The march was very well attended, one-hundred-and-fifteen ranks being on parade. The actual assembly of the troops was a first class army shemozzle with Units practically standing on one another's toes. However, the weather was fine, the band was reasonably good and everybody was in fine spirits. Prior to the march, Cecily Boss brought along a suitcase filled with the new Battalion ties and they sold so well that almost all the marchers wore the new Unit tie. (The Unit tie is available from Jackie Boss for just 10/-, no extra cost for postage.) After the March the Unit assembled and remained all day at the Rawson Hotel in George Street. The publican made available to us the same bar where we drank last year although it has been renovated considerably. Chairs were available for those who wanted to take a rest and all the lads enjoyed the delicious sandwiches which Harry Collins' wife had packed herself and donated to us. The freshly cut sandwiches made all the difference to the day as imbibing on an empty tummy is neither enjoyable nor conducive to a long day. With the assistance of the food and the restful and uncrowded atmosphere of our own bar the troops remained until the death, and swore that they had never enjoyed a happier Anzac Day. Unit pride is something which really means something to Scotty Webster. The Old man was booked to attend a Civic Luncheon for the Royal Empire Society at Newcastle after an inspection of a cadet parade. Scotty Webster heard of the proposed visit, took the day off, and piped the Old Man into the Reception just as he used to pipe him into celebrations during the war. It was a nice gesture from Scotty. Major Rod Anderson, ex A. Coy. is with Fire Fighting Equipment of 87 Cecil Street, South Melbourne. We haven't seen Major Anderson for some years as he has been working in other States - he would be a welcome visitor to one of our Unit Reunions. Wal Eather, Headmaster of the Public School at Westdale near Tamworth, has been elected President of the Tamworth Sub-Branch of the R.S.L. Wal is taking his duties as President very seriously as, well he might because the job carries heavy responsibilities with it. Tamworth has a palatial new R.S.L. Club House and a very big Sub-Branch. Arch Dickinson ex 15 Platoon C. Coy. was a recent visitor to Tamworth and the opportunity to talk over old times and old comrades was fully taken up by both of them assisted by Ray Michell who is the popular and efficient manager of the Club. Frequent visitors to the club are Doug Hicks, Ron MacLean and Edgar Dengate. 8TH DIVISION RE-UNION DINNER – TAMWORTH Wal Eather writes that the Annual Dinner will be held this year on the 10th October. The Guest speaker has not yet been named but all other arrangements are in hand and the evening promises to be an excellent one as usual. This annual dinner is attended by all the 8th Division personnel within a reasonable distance of Tamworth and includes a fair sprinkling of our own lads. However, as Wal is now the President of the Tamworth Sub-Branch he has issued a special invitation to members of the 2/30th to attend the function. Bed and accommodation (writes Wal) present no problems and a most enjoyable evening will be assured for all who attend. Big McNiven from Bangalow writes that Ron Sweeney is fast becoming a top line Auctioneer during his spare time from farming. Mac writes that in addition to Ron's voice being good for selling he still sings a good song. Jack Korn of Lismore is still showing off about his baby daughter, Julie, although she is now a grown up 14 months old. Wal "Starver" Jones has been in hospital at Yaralla after suffering a mild coronary occlusion whilst in Sydney on business. Starver is a man with a heart of gold which has probably been weakened slightly because of the burden of other people's troubles which he constantly carries. We wish him a speedy recovery. ANZAC DAY MARCH Stop press gentlemen. In reading the type we found that one of the most important items was missed. It was the name of the Standard Bearer. Dutchy Holland was the man and a better Standard Bearer never marched before the Unit. Stewart Blow will come up from Berry to do the job. Cheerio! STAN ARNEIL Back to 1959 index or Main Index |