COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

We open our first Makan of the New Year with some very sad news of two of our members. Your former comrade and friend, Tom Bowden, died just prior to Christmas Day. His death was due to heart trouble we believe and was so sudden that Christmas cards, written by Tom himself were delivered after his death. Tom was always a Thirtieth man and was intensely loyal to the Unit and its reputation and to the Unit Association. He was a prolific source of information to us on the movement of ex-members of the Unit in his district and he maintained such a wide correspondence with other members that he often supplied us with news of members in other parts of the State. Tom was a man with strong opinions and boundless energy - you will recall that he usually brought the house down at General Meetings with his forthright statements. His inability to ease down the pace of his work probably hastened his end and as you can be sure that he used his strength and energy to the last. The sadness of Tom's death is that he leaves a widow and a young daughter to grieve for him. We will remember Tom, as a jolly fellow who always went out of his way to help his friends and his friends were legion. We convey to Mrs. Bowden and her daughter your sincere sympathy in the loss of such a fine husband and father.

We have another tragedy to record and it concerns your friend Curley Heckendorf, of Intelligence in the Unit. You might recall that, on the birth of Curley's son some time ago we expressed our happiness at his good fortune, particularly as his wife had lost their first little baby just after its birth. Curley and his wife were very happy with their second baby and were looking forward to the birth of their third baby as a playmate for their little boy. The baby came along, a strong little girl who fulfilled all the expectations, but Heck's wife lost her life giving birth to it. It is difficult to express sympathy as we would like to say it in such a case. The loss of a wife to a devoted husband is a dreadful thing and, under these circumstances, would be almost too much to bear. We can only say to you, Heck, that this news has been a great shock to your many friends and all members of the Association extend their heartfelt sympathy to you.

The loss of comrades in Peace, and the number will grow each year, recalls to mind the loss of our former comrades in War. On, January 14th this month we remember that 14 years ago we saw our friends go down to death in the first clash of the A.I.F., against the Imperial Japanese Army. We have good memories of our former comrades and it is just as well that we do as they have disappeared from the thoughts of most people today, if indeed they were still remembered even by the end of the war. If they are remembered at times it is usually lip service only. If a remembrance were genuine then it would extend whole-heartedly to the living ex-servicemen whereas, in actual fact, if one asked for preferential treatment because one had once volunteered to make some sacrifice for one's country, then one would be shown the door very smartly. However, we will always remember our comrades, both living and dead. You members of the Association are doing that throughout the year - we see examples of the family spirit on every side. For the dead, both during the war and after, we will place a laurel wreath on the Cenotaph on the 14th January at 1.30 p.m. We will be joined by representatives of the 2/15th Field Regiment and of the Eight Division Sigs, both units which participated in the Gemencheh-Gemas show. The wreath laying will be simple and will be quick. If you are in the city on that day we request that you come along to pay respects to your former comrades.

We were unable to report in our last Makan of the Annual Reunion, which was held at Arncliffe Drill Hall on the 27th November. The Reunion, as usual, was a success. The attendance was near the record mark with ever 140 present. Other Units of the Division were well represented – we have had the same chaps from other Units coming for years. The Old Man was present and all the old faces and a pleasant sprinkling of new ones too. These Reunions are jolly affairs and we hope to attend them as a Unit for many, many years to come. We must thank Johnny Parsons for his help in obtaining the Hall for us and we also thank the C.O. of the St. George Regiment for his permission to allow us to use the Hall. Doug Blanshard obtained most of the beer for us at the last moment. The barmen, Doug Blanshard, Ron McBurney and Bluey MacIver, sweated their way through the night in their usual fashion pouring 70 gallons of beer and soft drink down 140 gaping, thirsty throats. They have been barman so long now that they automatically work as a team and enjoy their work. It was a good reunion - don't miss the next one.

On the 1st January your subs become due for the following year. Five shillings is all we ask from you, although our expenses per head come to much more then that, but if you send along your 5/ - then we will leave you alone. Reg Ellis is the man who tallies up your subs and he likes to have his books cleared up early in the year - why not send in your subs this month? In fact, why not sit down and write a cheque for one or two years' subs as soon as you have read this Makan. Write the cheque and give it to your wife or mother, she will send it to us. Remember that, if you were in arrears last year, then such arrears are automatically wiped out on the 1st January and you can start again. That's all for this month. No New Year Resolutions from us but you have New Wishes from the Old Man and the Executive and Committee. All you wish yourself and a little more.

Stick together,  

STAN ARNEIL

Please send all cheques, money orders and postal notes to Reg. Ellis at Boronia Park.

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