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Back to 1968 index or Main Index Makan – No. 180 Dear Dig, The "Old Man" speaking to Bruce Ford recently mentioned the praiseworthy contribution our fellows are making to Sydney Legacy. The Old Man himself has been a conspicuous member of Sydney Legacy, and held office in various capacities for 17 years before handing the torch on to younger men. He retains his membership on the reserve of this great movement, but has, in recent years, relinquished many of the responsibilities that membership normally entails. He is justly proud of the part the 2/30 Bn. blokes have played in Legacy and believes no other unit organisation could better the record of our fellows in the movement. These of our chaps have achieved leadership in Sydney Legacy: Ron Chipps (C Coy)
recently appointed Chairman of Police Co-operation Committee. Others, in country areas, as has been mentioned in previous Makans, are active in Legacy leadership. Some, now in reserve or fully retired, have attained high office in Legacy, notably Phil Schofield (C Coy) who, at one time, was Chairman of Junior Welfare Committee in Sydney Legacy and later, between 1953 and 1955, Hon. Secretary and Vice-President respectively of Melbourne Legacy. PERSONAL PARS ABOUT PEOPLE WE KNOW ALEX DANDIE (H.Q. Coy) recently decided to verify and approve a two-day hike for boys of his Scout Group by testing it out himself. Like many of us who overlook the fact that we are getting old, he thought he'd do the two-day hike in one. He did! Result? Overworked backbone. Fibrositis. He's now back to normal good health and feeling pleased with the progress being made by daughter Jenny, rising 19, who is doing a University Arts course under a Teachers' College Scholarship. Son, Bruce, 14½, is in 3rd year at High School and a keen Scout. He plans to go to the N.Z. Jamboree at the end of this year and Alex, who is himself an active Group Scoutmaster, is all for it, Alex is senior official in the Chief Security Department of the "Wales", Sydney. TERRY O'ROURKE, District Forester, Narrandera, had to report to Concord R.G.H, late in August for stomach tests, etc. We learned that his daughter Margaret is in 6th Form and aims to follow the teaching profession. Son, John is in 4th Form and a keen Senior Scout. He and his Scouting mate recently canoed down the Murrumbidgee River from Bermbed Weir to Yanco Weir, 80 odd miles in 18 hours. Terry's other two, Jim and Kathleen, are respectively in First Year and 4th Class at school. Apart from complimenting Terry and his wife Muriel on their top notch family, we also commend them for their public spiritedness. Muriel is President of the R.S.L. Women's Auxiliary and was recently presented with a Life Membership Badge by Lady Yeo. Terry is, and has been for a long time, Secretary of the local R.S.L., Sub-Branch and is also a Country Councillor on the Public Service Association Central Council. Terry tells us that VIC HAMLIN (C Coy) a long-time resident of Boree Creek (that's way out in the back-blocks) is well, KEITH MULHOLLAND (D Coy) of Narrandera is reasonably well and TOM STEVENS (C Coy), also of Narrandera, is in fair health only. (*"Bermbed"?) BOB JACK, who suffered a mild coronary some time ago, is in good form again. Bob intimated that on his trip up North, mentioned in last issue of Makan, he greatly enjoyed the hospitality of NEIL HUNTLEY and his wife at Port Macquarie. Our President, ARCH THORBURN, practises law on the 14th Floor of the palatial Commercial Union Building in Pitt Street. We learned recently that Arch has a daughter in law, which seemed rather absurd seeing that his son, Angus is only 14. The explanation is simply that his eldest daughter, Diana 18, who won a Commonwealth Scholarship last year, decided quite by herself to take up the study of law and has been attending University Law School throughout this year. Arch's twin daughters, aged 16, are both progressing through their Secondary School education at P.L.C. Pymble, and above-mentioned Angus has turned out to be a top-notch performer in the field of sport. He is attending Knox Grammar School where he has shown himself to be an outstanding hurdler, footballer and cricketer. He has been playing in the school's "A" teams in both football and cricket and has represented "Knox" in the Associated Schools football team. RUSS PERKINS (B Coy), who is at Westmead, coughed up his annual subs last month but gave us no news. We are pleased to have his good wishes, but would rather have a story about himself and his to pass on. BRUCE UPCROFT was on the Gold Coast recently and called on JOCK LOGAN at his Palm Beach Furniture Emporium. Jock does a mighty job keeping in touch with 2/30 Bn. fellows in Northern N.S.W. and Southern Queensland. He furnished Bruce with news about VINCE O'REILLY (A Coy) who is foreman at the Cascade Gardens on the Nerang River near Surfers' Paradise; BILL ANDERSON (D Coy) who works for the Gold Coast City Council; KEV THOMPSON (H.Q. Coy) who is with the Southern Electric Authority at Maleny, about 20 miles from Caloundra; JACK MATTHEWS (D Coy), Logan Village, who has a family of at least 8 children and is a grandfather; and TOM GRANT (C Coy) whose home is in the Tweed River area. FRED ("JOHNNO") JOHNSTON (B Coy) is now in his 50th year, 34 of which have been spent in the employ of Prouds, the big Sydney jewellers. He looks well despite occasional "off" periods. He was one of the handful of 2/30 Bn fellows in the Blakang Mati Island party during P.O.W. days. His only daughter is married and his 20-year-old son is training to be a machinist/fitter. The son attends a trade course at "Tech" on four nights a week and does two nights a week as a gymnastic instructor at the Y.M.C.A. It is with regret that we learn that BILL SKENE (C Coy), a Deputy Registrar and 2 I/C of the Registrar-General's Department, has had to retire before running the full course owing to illness. NOEL JOHNSTON recently returned home from his round-the-world trip. We're looking to him for something of his experiences for publication in the next issue of Makan. Congratulations to JIM COOPER on his re-election as Chairman of the Sydney Stock Exchange. SICK PARADE Members are reminded, if unlucky enough to be up for admission to hospital, please contact KEVIN WARD, Telephone 642 3932. Visits by fellow members will then be arranged. Apart from NORM MACAULEY, none has lately had an extended term in hospital, at least no one that we know of. BUSINESS REGISTER Members are invited to send in particulars of their businesses for inclusion in a Register of 2/30 Bn. Businessmen for 2/30 Bn. clients. All we want is: Type of Business; Name; Address and Phone Number. LAST POST "The Red Shadow" or just "Red", as he was affectionately known to us, had been ill for some time after suffering a stroke in N.Z. and, though he spoke hopefully of getting better following his return to Australia, his condition showed little improvement in the months before his passing. He was our Transport Officer up to the time we established ourselves at the Causeway when, on 24th January, 1942, he left to take over duties as Staff Captain on 27th Brigade H.Q. He retained that position until enabled to rejoin "The Old Man" and his close friend STUART PEACH at A.I.F. Headquarters in Changi Camp where he carried out duties as personal assistant and A.D.C. to "The Old Man" for the rest of his P.O.W. days, For many years Norm was a working Director of Prestige N.Z. Ltd - a subsidiary of Prestige Ltd., Melbourne. He was esteemed by the company's employees and highly regarded by members of the Foletta family who virtually control the Prestige group of companies. He is mourned by his wife, formerly Sister Jess Doyle, an ex-army nurse who served with the 8th Div. in Malaya and was a P.O.W. in Java, a son, Peter, who is studying law in Wellington, N.Z., and two daughters, Barbara and Judith. "Red" had a warmth and affection for his friends and his old Battalion. We who knew him sorrow with his widow and family and extend to them our sympathy. JOHN BERNARD BRUCE (2nd Rnf. D Coy) aged 45, died and was buried in his home town, Peak Hill, in the last week of September. Jack was an unobtrusive, hardworking chap well known to fellows in Don Coy. Ann Hayes, wife of Brian (D Coy), made a purple and gold sheath of stocks and daffodils and attended the funeral. We appreciate this thoughtful gesture. The sympathy of all members goes to the Bruce family in their bereavement. Those who were at No. 1 Camp Shimo Sonkurai will be saddened to learn that ALLAN BUTTENSHAW died about the end of July. Allan will be remembered for the wonderful job he did as Sergeant in charge of the Cholera Ward. He volunteered for service amongst cholera patients and Major Bruce Hunt said of him: "He is the finest N.C.O. I have ever been privileged to meet and I have been in two Wars". Allan was an Ambulance Driver at Manly before the War and came back to his old job. The Association sent a wreath and three of our fellows attended the funeral. The father of BRUCE MITCHELL (C Coy) died at the beginning of August. He was 78, a Lieutenant in the 38th Bn. A.I.F. in World War I and proud to have served his country. Bruce died of dysentery at Kanburi No. 1 on 4.12.43. His father bore the loss with fortitude and maintained a keen interest in the Association that held the former mates of his son. "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM". CHANGI MEMORIES (Extract from Editor's Changi Diary: 6.4.45 ) "Went across to the hospital and looked up Sammy Hall in the main block. Col O'Donnell and Malcolm MacDougal were there and we spent a pleasant hour talking about food and drink. Left at out 9.30 p.m. and called on Meillon and Geikie with MacDougal. These three are planning an extended tour of eastern Australia - camping, fishing, drinking and bludging. Our chat finished on the usual note - food." BESSIE ELLIS has received a number of letters from next-of-kin and has replied to all of them. We appreciate receiving these letters from next-of-kin and are glad to know they enjoy reading Makan. WOULD THEY KINDLY IGNORE ANY MENTION OF SUBS IN MAKAN. And such mention does not apply to them. REUNION SATURDAY 23rd NOVEMBER COST $5 covers everything including drinks. The appointments are
superior. BE THERE! DON'T FORGET! WILL BE SEEING YOU AT THE REUNION. CHEERS! Back to 1968 index or Main Index |