Back to 1970 index or Main Index Makan – No. 190 Official Organ of the 2/30th Bn. A.I.F. Association EIGHTH DIVISION A.I.F. NATIONAL MEMORIAL As mentioned in last issue of "Makan" the dedication of a National 8th Div. Memorial under the direction of Brigadier Sir Frederick Galleghan and his Committee will take place at Bathurst on Saturday, 15th August next. This memorial, a broken column of red polished granite standing about 7 feet high, will be erected just off the street footpath on the concrete concourse entrance to the Bathurst City Hall. The initial proposal by former 8th Div. members living in Bathurst and District was for a modest memorial; partly dressed stone and bronze plaque; however the invitation of the Bathurst City Council to place the memorial in the middle of the concrete entrance to the City Hall called for something more in keeping with the site. Dr. J.H.E. Flak, B.A., Ph.D., M.Ed., Dip. Art, E.M., Mitchell College of Advanced Education, Bathurst produced a most acceptable design symbolic of the 8th Divan. and its history. This will take the form of a blade at whose broken tip is incised the figure "8" and a sword-cross. The stone will be set on its low rectangular podium to present its edge to the main thoroughfare. The cost of the Memorial and its erection, around $2,500.00 will be met by donations - $2 and over being taxation deductible - from former members of the Division and A.I.F. Malaya, including 23rd Brigade New Guinea and Darwin and those who served in Timor and Ambon. DONATIONS ARE INVITED NOW. Please send donations with the enclosed application form direct to Norman Paul, P.O. Box 8, Bathurst, 2785 or to Bruce Ford, or to Bessie Ellis with your annual sub to the Association if you have not already paid it. Their addresses will be found on page one of this publication. All servicemen and servicewomen of the 8th Div., including husbands, wives, widows and relatives are invited to attend the unveiling and dedication of the Memorial at Bathurst on Saturday, 15th August, preceded at 3 p.m. by a short march and the laying of a wreath at the Bathurst War Memorial. Decorations and medals will be worn. August 15th is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the termination of the war against the Japanese, and the thirtieth anniversary of the formation of the Division. A REUNION, including ladies, assembling at 6.30 p.m. on August 15th, will be held at the Bathurst R.S.L. Club, Rankin Street, the subscription for which is $5.00 per person to be forwarded with Memorial donation or request for accommodation as outlined in the enclosed Dedication folder. Because of our important place in the history of the 8th Div., because of the strong association between 2/30 Bn. and the people of Bathurst and District, and also because of the role of our beloved Patron, "B. J." in this commendable project we must give it our whole-hearted support. Your Association Committee hopes you will without delay write our your accommodation slips and send your cheques to Norman Paul by first post. The time left for booking accommodation is fast running out and you must not dally if you are to ensure you will have a place to lay your heads on the night of 15th August. SICK PARADE Our esteemed hospital visitation convenor Kevin Ward has himself been quite ill. He is still far from well but is on the mend we are happy to record. Since last "Makan" the undermentioned were admitted to Concord and subsequently discharged: Sir Frederick Galleghan, Admitted and still in hospital are: Len Roberts, HQ Coy ASSOCIATION FINANCES For your perusal and earnest consideration we quote hereunder our Treasurer's Statement as at 9th June, 1970: Balance as at 20th February, 1970 $222.42 Receipts Payments Balance as at 9th June, 1970 carried forward $63.89 As you can see our working balance is very low and would not in fact cover the cost of another Makan. As there could be other accounts coming in as well I think the Committee should give serious consideration as to the advisability of cashing some of the Commonwealth Loan". It looks grim doesn't it? Well, it's up to you fellows. What are we to do about it? Seemingly rising costs have overtaken us and to keep afloat we have either to "cough up" overdue subs., pour some voluntary donations into the coffers, cut down the number of issues of Makan, or start cashing in on our Commonwealth Bonds reserve. For years the bonds have provided us with a steady income without which we would not have been able to maintain our regular communication with members and next-of-kin. If we are to cash bonds at their present heavily depressed market value we must forego the steady income from interest we have been so dependent upon in the past. What are the views of our readers ? We should like to hear from you about it and thus stimulate discussion which is bound to occur at our Bathurst foregathering on 15th August. In the meantime two members of your Committee have weighed in sufficient to make this issue of Makan possible. **** TED RICKARDS, B Coy, whilst at Concord was delighted to have the opportunity of having quite a chat with the Old Man who was there at the same time. Ted after trying his hand over the years at shearing and stewarding has now settled down to the job of Greenkeeper at the Mungindi Club. A popular B Coy man, he has been missing out on "Makan", an omission since repaired by becoming a financial member of the Association. **** **** **** **** I was talking with the mother of George Johnson, C Coy, yesterday. George is far from well and is selling his property at WANGAN, North Queensland and has built a new home in town. He has two girls and a boy. He sends his regards to all. It was his nephew who fell or was swept off the flight deck of the Aircraft Carrier Melbourne early in April. As Nana Johnson says "Grog again". Fred Arnott, HQ Coy, is at Mullumbimby and is not very fit at present. He was in the local hospital early in April. Although blind, he has a good manager looking after his hotel, the "Commercial", for him. He sends his regards to the fellows also". **** **** **** **** **** **** We do hope the O'Rourkes will be at Bathurst again on 15th August and that they'll encourage as many Narrandera folk as possible to make it for this historical occasion. **** **** **** So says two lines in a bawdy Australian poem in the style of "The Man from Snowy River" about that delightful little town in the foothills of the Snowys - the home of CLYDE BLENCOWE, D Coy, and A. E. "Bluey" GRAY, C Coy. Clyde's letter enclosing $9 was a boomer about the togetherness of subs from the Tumba boys from now. Clyde said "Hope and trust you can work it out O. K." Sure Clyde, if we can't we'll call for a photo finish to decide which of you is in front. The Tumba twosome send "Regards to one and all". **** **** **** **** **** **** **** Last known address E.A. "Sandy" Christensen,
Allambie Heights. **** The scroll has been beautifully illustrated by water colour pictures drawn by Ted Campbell, HQ Coy, whose help in the production Andy gratefully acknowledges. These delightful water colour sketches include illustrations of the Bn. flag, colour patch, banner and rising sun badge, also vivid scenes, amongst groups of coconut palms and Japanese characters, depicting the outline of the Gaol, a messing point within the Gaol and an attap hut in Battalion lines outside the Gaol. Since an appeal was made for original poems and songs in last October's Makan our supply of copy has been enriched by a collection of writings from various sources. Of these, this gem received from Andy Hyslop is an important piece of Battalion literature. It faithfully expresses the deep sentiments we all felt at the time it was written and reading it now we can recapture the spirit that, with the inspiration of the Old Man, welded us into the united force we were in action and in captivity. MALAYA, 22nd November,
1944. The times have changed
since Atkins slogged And with debunking
writers strewn The fashion does not run
that way "Forget it chum", say
bitter souls Ten thousand noes; we
will with pride And facing all posterity And masterful, he moulded
well, We suffered swift and
heavy blows At Ayer Hitam none were
seen We fought outflanked the
long way back But over bukit, parit,
plain, "It's just another unit!"
– well For how can fail a
regiment That honours still the
stern Old Man, We've felt the sting of
English jeers, We toiled at grim,
inhuman tasks Remembering the vanished
men, FOR THE FALLEN Except thy spirit wake we
fail So shall in vain a
foreign earth And wider with a wakening
race A. Hyslop. **** DEDICATION BATHURST SATURDAY, 15th AUGUST, 1970 BRIGADIER SIR FREDERICK
GALLEGHAN, D.S.O., O.B.E., I.S.O., E.D. THE IDEA The proposal for a National 8th Division Memorial came from a group of former members of the Division living in Bathurst and District, which referred the suggestion to Brigadier Sir Frederick Galleghan, who placed the proposition before a meeting of 8th Division Council and Unit Associations where it received unanimous approval. The Bathurst group was requested to set up a committee and formulate plans. These were approved by the committee at Sydney of which Sir Frederick is President. WHY BATHURST? The majority of members trained at the Bathurst Camp. "They knew Bathurst". Which other City or Town is better placed? THE MEMORIAL The design chosen is the work of Dr. J. H. E. Flak, B.A., Ph.D., M.Ed., Dip. Art., E.M., Mitchell College of Advanced Education, Bathurst. A broken column of red polished granite, of unusual shape and many planes, standing about 7 feet high, symbolic of the Division and its history; with a bronze plaque. To be erected just off the street footpath on the concrete concourse entrance to the City Hall; a position suggested by the Bathurst City Council as being worthy of such a monument. THE COST The cost of the Memorial and erection to be met entirely by donations - $2 and over being taxation deductible - from members of the Division and A.I.F. Malaya. Any amount donated surplus to requirements to be donated to Legacy. A separate cheque would assist bookkeeping requirements. DONATIONS ARE INVITED NOW. The Memorial involves a heavy financial commitment. Would you please send your donation immediately to: Major Allan Shearing, E.D., Harris Park, N.S.W. or Norman Paul, Bathurst, N.S.W. or included with application for accommodation. (Form attached). DEDICATION All servicemen and service women of the 8th Australian Division and A.I.F. Malaya, including husbands, wives, widows and relatives are invited to attend the UNVEILING and DEDICATION of the Memorial to take place at Bathurst, Saturday, 15th August, 1970, preceded at 3 p.m. by a short march and the laying of a wreath at the Bathurst Way Memorial. Decorations and medals will be worn. August 15th is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the termination of the war against the Japanese, and the thirtieth anniversary of the formation of the Division. A REUNION including ladies, assembly 6.30 p.m., August 15th-Buffet Dinner, including refreshments - to permit maximum movement; some seating available; is arranged at the Bathurst R.S.L. Club, Rankin Street. Subscription is $5 per person, to be forwarded with your donation or request for accommodation. Admission will be by ticket forwarded to you by post. For catering purposes early payment of subscription is essential. ACCOMMODATION AT BATHURST All accommodation at Bathurst has been reserved. This will be allocated on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED basis. All is of reasonable quality. Bed and breakfast rates vary from Single $5 to $8.50; Double $9 to $12. It might be necessary for some requiring single accommodation to share. Please indicate if this is acceptable. Booking applications must be received prior to 10th July when blanket reservations expire. A deposit of $2 per person is required. Please apply on the printed tear off form. All applications will be acknowledged giving name of Hotel or Motel and room number. Those wishing to extend their stay should clearly state their requirements by enclosing a memo. If demand for accommodation exceeds the local supply, Orange, 34 miles West, the nearest town will have some rooms available. Please indicate if you are willing to stay at Orange if necessary. FAMILY UNITS at Karingal Village are suitable for families or parties of men, willing to provide own food and cook, sheets and towels. These units accommodate five or seven persons. The village is about 3 miles from the Post Office on the slopes of Mount Panorama. Charge is $7 per unit. If sheets and towels are provided the additional cost is 40c per person per night. CARAVAN PARK The City Caravan Park has a modern amenities block and power outlets. TRAINS Central Western Express leaves Sydney about 8 a.m.; seats must be reserved. ACTION REQUIRED NOW: Complete the attached form of application for accommodation, attach a signal for a longer stay. Please include your cheque and post to Box 8 P.O., Bathurst, N.S.W. 2795. Application for accommodation at Bathurst, Saturday, 15th August, 1970 DEDICATION OF NATIONAL
MEMORIAL 8th DIVISION A.I.F. Name Accommodation Required
Deposit $2 per person No. DONATION. Separate cheque would help $ Post to: Norman Paul, Box 8, P.O., Bathurst, N.S.W. 2795 Spare application form. Come along if you possibly can and put in your application NOW.. if you want a bed! Back to 1970 index or Main Index |