Circular No. 110a
1st March, 1956

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

COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

Neil Huntley harvested what was believed to be a record Australian crop of grain sorghum last year. He cropped 122 bushels or over three tons per acre. Can that record be approached by others of our members on the land??

We heard "over the air" that Jock Logan's furniture store at Moree was gutted by fire recently. We have not yet heard from Jock but sympathise with him in his troubles. The capital losses caused by such a fire would be covered by insurance but insurance would not cover his loss of business whilst the stocks and buildings were being replaced. Again Jock employs a number on his staff and knowing him we realise that he would feel his responsibility to them.

Stan Desmet of Lillian Street, Junee came to Sydney last November to attend the reunion but mistook the date an the calendar and turned up at the Gallipoli Legion just twenty-four hours late. The Secretary of the 2/6 Field Regiment had a hard job persuading Stan that he was wrong but eventually did so and then invited him to join the 2/6 Reunion. Stan writes that they were a nice bunch of chaps, and he enjoyed a couple of hours with them.

Les Perry has returned to Narrandera after an absence of two years in Victoria. He writes that Ararat where he was living is a very nice town but it doesn't stop raining in that district and he was left poor buying and carting wood to provide a little heat in his house. Les has one daughter, Annette, who was born on Armistice Day, 1954.

We received an amusing reply to a letter written by Arch Thorburn to Bruce Upcroft of Tasmania. The letter was a gentle reminder that Bruce owed the Association the vast sum of five shillings and would he kindly remit same as soon as convenient? An addressed envelope was enclosed with the letter. Bruce found no objection to the request nor to the addressed envelope rather pointedly enclosed, but he did say that it was rubbing salt into the wounds to have to pay to receive the letter which was inadvertently sent to him unstamped. As proof of his statement he returned the envelope to us with seven pence worth of excess postage attached. We enjoyed the joke as did Bruce. Bruce is now at the Commonwealth Bank at HOBART, having been transferred from BURNIE. Bill Gilligan and Frank Hayes are both near Bruce and are keeping well. Bruce has lost touch with JACK HEATLEY since he (Bruce) moved to Hobart and would like Jack's address. Will you please take note, Jack?

Malcolm MacDougal, who made a short visit to Australia some months ago is the biggest man we have ever seen. He is huge. Malcolm with his ducks and his independent and sometimes entirely unorthodox opinions was a landmark in the 2/30th Bn. and will never be forgotten by the troops. He has now mellowed with the years, has taken to himself a wife and is engaged in a law practice in London. The law practice which Malcolm took over was a very old and very conservative practice where only the most respectable people came for guidance and assistance. There is no doubt that one can now say that it remains a very old practice and leave it at that. Malcolm is still troubled with the wound in his leg and at the time of speaking to him it was giving him a great deal of trouble.

One of the highlights of his career since 1945 was an incident which took place during his temporary service as a magistrate at Singapore. An old Chinaman came before him charged with "inflicting cruelty on dumb animals inasmuch as he did transport a tremendous number of them at the one time on a basket mounted on a push bike, therefore, causing the ducks to be so closely confined that they were in danger of asphyxiation"! The accused did not stand a chance as Malcolm recalled that his precious ducks at Changi had kept him in comparative luxury for years. A heavy fine was imposed.

GENERAL REUNION

For many years now we have received requests from country members to hold a Reunion in the April-May period, a period which is apparently more suitable to them than the harvesting period later in the year.

We regret the short notice but announce that a General Reunion will be held at the Gallipoli Legion Club Rooms, Loftus Street, Sydney, on April 6th at 8.00 p.m. We are looking forward to seeing as many of our country friends as can make it and sure them of an excellent evening.

The Gallipoli Legion Rooms are the best we have used to date and we hope to enjoy one of our biggest reunions ever. Make a note now to come along and start now to arrange for your cobbers to accompany you.

We suggest that if you are eating in town on that night that a meal at the Far Eastern Cafe in Dixon Street would be a good start for the Reunion. The only fault that one can find with Mr. Lee of the Cafe is his slowness but if one roars loudly enough and long enough then it will be possible to enjoy a meal and be on time at the Reunion.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

That little matter of five shillings per year is still a headache for some, not in finding the money but in finding the time to post it to Reg Ellis. He suggests that a good cure would be to post along at least ten shillings preferably a pound note and solve your worries for from two to four years. Why not take his advice, or better still become a Life Member and never worry about fees again!

Ross Madden of Armidale has changed his job and is now working for Bill Humphrey. He writes that they have not had a fight yet and the job is working out quite satisfactorily. Ross, Bill Humphrey and Karl Sinclair travelled to Tamworth for the last Reunion there.

Harry Griffis and wife Noleen wrote such a newsy letter recently that, although both signed the letter, we suspect that Noleen did the writing whilst Harry lazed an the lounge. They are now living at Taree, N.S.W. and revolve their lives around their baby son. Max Ross of Krambach called to see them at Christmas time. Max is a busy storekeeper.

The Griffis letter gave us the disquieting news that Fred Abbotts has had a heart attack and on 23/1/56 was an inmate of Taree District Hospital. We hope that the attack was not severe and as we receive further news of his condition we will inform you in the Makan.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL.

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