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Makan – No. 21
1st August, 1948.

Official Organ of 2/30th Bn. A.I.F. Assn.
Box 56,
BROADWAY.

Dear Dig,

The neatest man in the 8th Division was, without a doubt, Rus Perkins. His bouncing energy and immaculate appearance, even after a hard day's work on the 'drome or in the tunnels, was a by-word with most of the boys. You might remember his neatly patched trousers and his black boots glistening from hibiscus leaves. It took a good man to remain neat and tidy under those circumstances, and would naturally think that a chap like Rus would carry on in civil life as impeccable and undisturbed as a tailor's dummy. That is what I thought until a couple of days ago when I went down to a sale at David Jones' to buy my wife a special pair of slippers. The sale was not as crowded as sales usually are, although the mobs were surging along at a fair bat. As I was borne past the shoe counter at a fast rate, I screeched out "Slippers" to a shop assistant and threw her the money, but collected instead an egg-beater about 20 yards further along, and followed this up with a red beret wrapped in cellophane, just before the crowd jammed to a halt and I found myself about 4' from Perkins. I hate to shatter illusions, but the old Rus, was a changed man. Torn and dishevelled, he was fighting madly to prevent two near-sighted old ladies from buying his trousers which had been torn from him in the first rush of the bargain hunters. His spirit has been completely broken and he intends to enter a trappist monastery.

We congratulate Alex Campbell, Bert Galbraith and Gogo Lloyd this month on the birth of their new sons. Alex and Bert are quite excited over the strangeness of it all, but as this is Gogo's second time past the post for a boy, he is quite blasé about the whole business and talks nonchalantly of the duty of Australians to build for a bigger Empire.

Frank Ryan wrote from London to us that he saw the Dark Gentleman slide past in a black Humber of such considerable length that it had to back around the corners. B.J. was in full war paint and still looks, and is, the part as he always was. Frank is enjoying his newly married state very much, although his wife is finding the lack of what we consider in Australia to be normal food supplies, quite strange. Frank also wrote that he was at a London newsreel, which showed an excellent short of a yacht race on Sydney Harbour. He states that it was with great glee that he noticed Harry Abrahams sitting up as large as life in the leading yacht.

Two more of our boys will be going off the deep end this month. Jasper Parry will be married in Brisbane on the 21st August. We are told that, if Squire O'Donnell is able to get out of bed in time, he will be best man. However, the wedding is at 5 o'clock and, as you realise Squire does not usually get up until well after that time, there might be a little difficulty there. Jasper's bride-to-be is a Queensland lass and we are hoping that we will meet them down here later on. Jacky Boss will also be married on Friday, 20th August, at St. Augustine's, Neutral Bay, at 4.45. He is to be married to Reg. Ellis' daughter, Cecilie, so it will be a real 30th wedding. You cannot realise how lucky Jacky is unless you nave known Cecilie yourself. The Association sends its heartiest congratulations to these two young couples on this happy occasion.

Porky Evans was lucky enough to draw a mercery shop in a Housing Commission ballot last month. The shop is new and modern and is situated at the Dellwood Shopping Centre, South Granville. If you live in the Western Suburbs or out that way, this is an excellent opportunity to purchase anything you desire for yourself and family. I have seen the shop myself and have had a prowl around the stock room. He has such a large range of new stock and this includes such scarce lines as sheets and towels that I am sure that, if you cannot go yourself, your wife will spend a profitable hour there, both for yourself and Porky.

Here are the addresses of six more of the lads. These names follow in sequence from last month's list.

W.T. Barnes, W.S. Bell, J.G.J. Black, F.J. Bladwell, A.L. Blomfield, O. S. Blow.

On the 14th August there will be a reunion for the 8th Division personnel at Esplanade Hotel, Newcastle, at 6.15 p.m. There will be a short wreath laying on the Hunter Street Memorial at 6 p.m. We had intended to hold a Newcastle reunion of our own this year, but have decided that it will be far better if we throw our weight behind this one. The arrangements are that we will go to Newcastle by train or car on the Saturday, attend the reunion, stop the night and return in the morning. The trains will leave Central frequently during the day. The cost will beat your own expense for the weekend and will approximately be:

1. Train Fare                                          12.9
2. Hotel Accommodation                         9.6
3. Reunion Charge                                 15.0
4. Whatever else you like to spend          £1.17.3

I have referred these arrangements to Sammy Hail, who is an expert on these matters, and his private estimate runs as follows:

1. Train Fare Sydney-Newcastle             12.9
2. Makan                                              2.0
3. Reunion Charge                                15.0
4. Grog                                                £4
5. Cost of ambulance Newcastle-Sydney (to be ascertained later). "Added to this" said Sam" is the probable cost of doctor's bills which would automatically follow after the night spent in some gutter or lane."

One thing you must be sure to do is to fill in the form attached so that I will be able to inform Newcastle immediately. If this is not done, we will be uncertain of our Hotel accommodation and will not be playing the game by those who are trying to arrange a good show for us. If you would like to go, we must have the attached reservation, together with 15/- by Thursday, 5th August. Sorry the notice is so short - we have bean uphill making long distance negotiations. I will send on your 15/- as soon as I receive it so will not be able to get a refund for you if you are unable to attend.

Cheerio.

STAN ARNEIL.

President: J.H. Cooper, 105 Pitt Street, SYDNEY.
Treasurer: R.E. Ellis, 21 Military Road, NEUTRAL
BAY.
Secretary: S.F. Arneil, Box
56, BROADWAY.

TO the Secretary,

Enclosed find 15/- as a reservation for the reunion dinner on 14/8/48. I, will make my own arrangements to get there. I will travel by train/or car.

(SIGNED)         

(Full Name)

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