|
Back to 1961 index or Main Index Makan – No. 149 Dear Dig, A lot of our fellows are becoming interested in Bowls these days, Clubs are not easy to join I believe, because of the increasing popularity of the sport. However, if you live near Hurlstone Park, your friend, Joe Geoghegan (UW2428) may be able to get you into a new bowling club in that district. Cec Palmer's wife, of Scone is on the job for Cec and has just ordered him a regimental tie. Things haven't been too good for the Palmers lately, with one of the boys in hospital for a spell and Grandad in hospital for a long time with a bad heart. Alan Thorncraft's wife, of Balgowlah, is also on the job and has ordered a tie for the Master of the House will recall that Alan was with the Carrier Platoon. Les Hall never does things by halves and his family, apparently, are the same. He's just been for a decent holiday, but I won't talk of it - I think you would prefer his own letter. Here it is.... “Herewith cheque to the value of £1.2.6 covering the cost of one new type tie. Hope I am not one of the ratbags who always order too late. The 2/6 is for postage. Have been away on the best vacation my wife and I have ever had. Travelled - with caravan - to Mildura with stops at Wagga, Albury, Bendigo on the way, then down to Horsham, Ballarat, Melbourne - spent a wonderful week there. Came back to Albury, Wagga for a week with my family, thence to Canberra and home. The weather was what the doctor ordered, fine, warm and thoroughly enjoyable. Did not start off very well, though Glad (wife) met up with an unfriendly dog at Wagga. Result -rushed to hospital ten minutes after we arrived there. This was right after an illness of one month. Two nights later, at Albury, the sweet young thing took ill at midnight and it looked as if the vacation had ended. However, with much ministration, the young lady was fit to tackle the trip to Bendigo two days later. From then on good health weather and friendly folk made the difference and we had a whale of a time. Saw Stan Ringwood, V.I.P. In the Fire Station at Junee, for a few minutes. It was a Sunday, so it was a glass of water with which we celebrated our reunion after nineteen years! He looks well. As I had failed to take my address book with me I was unable to find any of the 2/30th boys along the run. Did hear about Vic Hamlin. He lives out in the mulga near Lockhart. Did intend to find his property, but my family had me an the run so much at Wagga that time leg-roped me and I made it home just in time to get back to work. The last “Makan" was a beauty. Young Harry Holden must have more go in him than the Ford “Falcon". His letter was most interesting just the same. Jackie Conn - he was a Sig. First I have heard of him since early Changi days. Next time I go to Kempsey I will most certainly look him up. Nice to hear of Bert Farr as well. This is supposed to be a letter for a tie. Sorry I rambled on, hope you are not tired of the drivel. P.S. Will be visiting Yaralla next week. If any of our boys are there, I will look them up." Dick Andrews of Bethungra, is a comparative newcomer to our Association, but is making up for lost time with the greatest enthusiasm. He has ordered his tie and will send us a letter at least once per year. Dick writes that Frank Dyson of Central Queensland was driven out of his district by the drought and has now settled in Cootamundra. Terry O'Rourke is a broth of a boy with headquarters at Narrandera where he works for the Forestry Commission. He writes that Keith Mulholland, Les Perry, Tommy Stevens of Narrandera are still battling along and he frequently meets Vic Hamlin of Boree Creek. He reports that Jock MacKenzie is also going strong. Terry is an active member of the R.S.L. Sub-Branch, and his wife is President of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the local R.S.L. Sub Branch. They're busy people, in addition to their civic pursuits, they have four little children to care for. Athol Charlesworth of Leura sends regards from himself and Carl Odgers to all their friends. LAST POST Bob Neillings of H.Q. Company is the latest of the Unit to pass on. He died recently, on the North Coast, and we are indebted to one of our members for the news. Bob was in the Transport Platoon in the Unit and was very pleasant company, a good fellow to be with. His age would not have been more then fifty, if that, and it is sad to see a man die at such an early age. The sympathy of all members of the unit go to Bob's next-of-kin. Recently the Old Man toured the North Coast for Legacy talking to groups of people, attending functions and generally stimulating interest in the great work of Legacy. When B.J., visits a district the 2/30 boys come from everywhere and that's just what they did during this trip. At Lismore a Smoko was attended by Robbie Robinson, Fred Winters, Ernie McNiven, Ron Sweeney, Crummy (never knew if Crummy had a first name) Alex Olley, Brian Jones, Jack Newman, Ossie Jackson, Snowy Hampton, Laddie Newlands, Don McKenzie, Russ Mackie, Clarrie Lattimer and Tommy Gardner. They came from a dozen towns to pay their respects to the Old Man and were joined by men from 8th Div. H.Q, 8th Div. Sigs, 2/12 Field Coy, 2/12 Field Ambulance, 22nd Bde H.Q., 2/15 Field Regt., A.A.S.C. & 4th Anti-Tank. It is good to see such representation from the whole Division because a United Division is always preached by B.J. as the ideal spirit to attain. The Old Man's trip was filled with incidents of interest to us because our own friends figured in them all. We will give more details in our next "Makan" but the choicest item of all was recorded in the "Northern Star," 7/9/61. Here it is: TO DINNER BY FIRE ENGINE. When Brigadier F.G. Galleghan, official Legacy Week guest, went to a dinner at Bangalow he was driven to the Masonic Hall on a fire engine. The engine was driven by the captain of the Bangalow Fire Brigade, Vic. E. McNiven, who was a fellow prisoner with Brigadier Galleghan. A highlight of the dinner was the piping into the hall of an enormous pie carried by Mr. McNiven. It wee piped in by Shirley Doolan and presented to Brig. Galleghan. The presentation was the fulfilled promise made by Mr. McNiven when a prisoner of war with Brigadier Galleghan. The promise was that an outsize pie would be presented to him if ever he visited Bangalow. The dinner was given by Legacy and attended by Legatees from Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads, Lismore and Bangalow. Representatives of the Bangalow R.S.L. and Newrybar R.S.L. Women's Auxiliaries, the C.W.A., Legion of Ex-servicemen, boy scouts and other organisations also attended. A war sister, Mrs. E. Hayter, represented the Bangalow Hospital Women's Auxiliary. Brigadier Galleghan and Mrs. Galleghan were accompanied from Lismore by Legatees V. Mulville and E. Budnick. A toast to "Fallen Comrades" was proposed by Legatee Ross Poolman of Byron Bay. A silent toast followed with lights extinguished. The "Last Post" & "Reveille" were sounded. A toast to the work done by the women's auxiliary was proposed by Legatee Harry Fowler, Legatee O. Jackson proposed a toast to the visitors. Mr. Jackson said Brig. Galleghan was commander of the 2/30th Battalion, and that they were fellow prisoners of war. In his address Brig. Galleghan said what a pleasure it was to meet former comrades of the battalion and fellow P.O.W.’s. He said the battalion was the first to meet the Japanese and it inflicted the first defeat on them in Malaya. From the time I first saw a fire engine I have always wanted to ride on one. The Old Man was always lucky! Don Sutherland of Bowen, North Queensland sends his regards to all his friends. Bill Jones back from his long spell in Malaya has shifted to West Como. Mr. Charles Clayton is one whom we do not often mention but he is always at the ready in terms of assistance if we want any printing done for the Unit. The actual saving in expenses to the Association in printing costs has been considerable over the years, but the monetary savings have been overshadowed by his whole attitude of kindliness towards us. An Honorary member of the Association, because of the unceasing efforts he made during the war when he was a member of our Comforts Fund, we say "Thank you, Mr. Clayton, for your generosity and your kindness!" John Maclay. We mentioned last issue of our pleasure at hearing of John Maclay after all these years. Well, John has come good with a letter and will be at the Anniversary Dinner. However, after reading his letter I can understand the reason why he has been out of circulation for some time. John joined a bowling club exactly eight years ago and has not been the same since. He says that the game is a disease and through this simple action of joining the club he has been in the dog house with his wife and two sons ever since! All we can say is that it must be great - a really great game! However, in addition to his bowling he was Secretary of the local Parents & Citizens (6 years), Secretary of the Kubura District Boy Scouts (several years), committeeman Rydalmere Bowling Club (6 years) editor of the Bowling Club's monthly journal (3 years) and finally Secretary and President of the local Cricket Club. Well, we think he has given a fairly good reason for not being around. BATHURST MEMORIAL The Committee has decided not to hold an official gathering at the Bathurst Memorial this November due to the State-wide call for attendance at the Reunion Dinner on 18th November, however, it has been decided that an official party must go to Bathurst next Anzac Day and although it is a long time off yet, we are hoping that members who can make the trip will advise us of their intentions. ANNUAL REUNION DINNER There is no need to remind you of the importance to us of the Reunion Dinner on 18th November, a Saturday. The Dinner will be held at Anthony Hordern's, entrance through a small lane, off George Street, on the Quay side of Anthony Hordern's. The dinner is timed to start at 6.30 p.m, but we ask that you try to be there at 6.00 p.m. in order to allow a comfortable "shake-down" half hour or so before we start. If you have not already booked then do so at once, but the main thing is that you come along to our anniversary dinner. If you have not yet been to a reunion, then this is the time for you to start because you will enjoy every minute of it and your only regret will be that the evening will end too quickly. There will be a good meal for you and plenty of ale and soft drinks for those who desire it. This will be the night for you to chew over memories of old comrades both living and dead. LET NOTHING STOP YOU in your attendance at the anniversary dinner on Saturday, 18th November, at 6.00 p.m. SEE YOU AT THE REUNION STAN ARNEIL Back to 1961 index or Main Index |