Makan – No. 73
1st December, 1952

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

COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

All the members of "A" Company will be shocked to hear of the death of their friend, Alex McKenzie. Alex was a byword in the Company for his good spirits and was a fine example to others. You will recall that Alex lost his leg at the Causeway, but this disability did not dim his brightness. He was one of the nicest chaps one could have met and we have followed his struggle with interest since he came home. He was successful in obtaining a soldier settlement block and tackled the job of making a success of it with the tenacity he had always displayed. There was no home on the block, and Alex lived in a tent. He had been living like this by himself for some years, and it is very sad to learn that he was found dead there. He died from natural causes. Every person in “A” Company joins with the Association in expressing sympathy to his next-of-kin.

Here is a golden opportunity for those of you who live in the Eastern Suburbs and have children to give a helping hand to, one of your mates, at no cost to yourself. This is how you may purchase your children's toys from George Stephenson, who has opened a super toy shop in Bondi Road, near Denham Street. George has all the toys a child could dream of. If you live near his district, just take the trouble to visit his shop and see them.

Jack Greenwood and his wife have sold their home at Port Hacking and are now comfortably settled in a nice little flat at Bondi. From the proceeds of the sale they have invested in a new car, so now Jack rides to his favourite fishing haunts instead of walking. The Greenwoods live very close to the Eric Stones and as you can imagine, a great amount of nattering goes on between the two families.

Des Kearney has just returned from a tour of the North Western districts. During the tour he renewed acquaintance with many of our friends, most of whom are farmers, or connected with the land, and all are doing well. Obviously, to become a man of affluence, one should move to the country, and take up farming. Among those he met was Oscar Griffiths, late of "C" Company. Oscar is a shearer and is shearing the graziers as well as their sheep. He may be found C/- I. Sampson, Quirindi. At Narrabri, Des met Bob and Ron Gibbs. Bob is as poor as a crow (in health, not wealth) but Ron is exactly the opposite. You might remember Ron Gibbs, he was invalided from the unit before-we left Australia; however, he became a member of the Association on the spot and we welcome him as a friend.

Ken Bush, ex “B" Company, and Tom Bowden, ex band, are both prosperously employed in Gunnedah. At Wyandra Ray Tweedie from the A.S.C. is farming and making a well buttered crust from his labours. At Armidale Des passed Don Garner -subaltern, who is also on the road selling soft goods.

Les Rogers, one time signaller, writes from Schofield R.A.A.F. Station, where he is a Sergeant, the Senior Sergeant mark you, of the Ground Combat Squad. Les is married and lives with his wife in the special married quarters they have an the Station. Les and his wife are to be congratulated on the birth of their first child, a lovely little girl.

These of you who were at Tamworth will be sorry to hear that Father Carroll, the old Parish Priest, died there recently. Father Carroll's name will always be associated with the founding of our unit and his death is a surprise as he was speaking to the Brigadier only a few weeks before his death. Wal Eather represented the Unit Association at the funeral.

WELFARE

We have not mentioned previously very much about the efforts of our welfare officer on behalf of members of the unit. You will be interested to know that Sammy Hall is making a very successful job of his duties. He assists us in other ways, of course, but he has achieved some very fine results in the welfare field. This month he, in conjunction with the Old Man, managed to obtain a pension and medical benefits for the mother of one of our deceased comrades. Last month, the Association made three disbursements of welfare and Sammy, in addition to his usual cases which crop up now almost every week, is working on two difficult cases at the moment. We are debarred from disclosing names of these receiving aid of course, and Sammy is well suited for a job of this confidential nature.

Johnny Parsons is getting in early for our next year's Annual Ball which he has informed us will take Place on 6/6/53, at the Coronet Restaurant and Ballroom in George Street, near Wynyard Station. This is advance information so that you may plan your functions accordingly.

Friends of Dave Clarke will be delighted to hear that his wife has presented him with a small son, Peter James. This is the Clark's second baby, the first being a daughter. Dave has realised the need for more spending money now that his responsibilities have increased and accordingly he has purchased a mixed business at Frederick Street, Concord – if you live around there, go out of your way to pop in and make a few purchases from Dave.

Jim McGoldrick has broken two year's silence with us to tell us the good news that his wife has presented him with a daughter, Ann Patricia, who is now nearly four months old. Jim recently spent a couple of months in Concord and just managed to get home the day before the floods cut Maitland off from the main highway.

Members of the Association join with the Committee in sending their sympathy to Nugent Geikie in his recent bereavement.

Bluey Peterson is now living at Thirroul on the South Coast and is working at the steel works at Port Kembla. Bluey and his wife are very keen on Thirroul, they hope to build a home there. They love the beach and the climate suits them well.

Doover Brown of Mosman has quietened down a lot and we see him rarely. He is a real family man and with three beautiful children to support, Doover feels the weight of his responsibilities.

John Kreckler has changed his occupation many times since his discharge from the Army. However, he apparently improves himself each time he changes his job and he is now second-in-charge of Lamond’s furniture Store near Railway Square. John is married and he and his wife are very proud of their first baby boy. There will be more to follow, of course.

This Makan is being written before the Reunion, and we have received one letter which certainly poses a very real personal problem. Jim Peebles, who until the second week in November, was living in the Arncliffe district, has now shifted to Epping and whereas he was previously within walking distance of the Drill Hall, he will now have to pay his fare from Epping to attend. You can appreciate the worry of this for a man like Jim. At the time of writing this letter, he has not made up his mind whether he can stand the expense or not, so we will let you know next month if he attended the Reunion.

One last word – if you are unfinancial, please send us your subs along today. Please make  all cheques, postal notes and money orders payable to Reg Ellis, Hunters Hill.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL

P.S. We want a job for an excellent clerk. This member is on the market through no fault of his own and we give him the highest recommendation, both as to the quality of his work, his character and his appearance. If you can help him, please ring our Welfare Office, Sammy Hall, at Bungs (Aust:) Pty. Ltd, M-647l. In reference to the payment of £32 to Ex P.O.W. application forms are now being sent out by the authorities at the rate of 700 a day. Some will get their cheques before Christmas but the majority will receive them afterwards. We take this opportunity of reminding you that we have no connection whatsoever with and are not in favour of any appeal which may be made by the 8th Div. Council.

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