Newsletter January 2009
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PRESIDENT’S PONTIFICATIONS
Another year has come and gone and I don't know where it
went. When I retired I thought I'd have all the time in the world to do
whatever I wanted but it hasn't worked out that way. When I look up my
diary every day seems to have another job to do or a doctor to visit. Anyhow
enough of my complaining, we had a good turnout for our AGM at Kedron Wavell
and most agreed that the meal was better than previously.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our Committee for putting their
hand up again for another year. One change to our committee for 09 with
Vice President Harry Sherwood replaced by Kevin Dios-Brun. Harry is going
to be heavily involved with his local RSL. We all wish Dianne a speedy
recovery from knee surgery. To all other members and wives who are feeling
a bit crook we hope you are up and about soon.
We will see you all on Anzac Day and don't forget the Navy will be last
off this year so hats/caps and sunblock will be a must.
Regards
Doug
NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be our annual ‘trip to the beach’.
Due to booking clashes at Mooloolaba Surf lifesaving club we have decided
to try a different venue on the North Coast, so on Sunday the 17th May
our meeting will be held at the Dicky Beach Surf lifesaving club, Coochin
Street Dicky Beach. The meeting will be held in the boardroom with lunch
in the function room to follow. Don’t forget your raffle prizes and ticket
money. RSVPs to any of the committee by Wednesday the 13th please.
Other 2009 dates to remember, Sunday the 19th July, Sunday 13th September
and Sunday 13th December.
Don’t forget to mark your diaries accordingly.
LAST MEETING
Our last meeting was the AGM at Kedron Wavell RSL on Sunday
8th February. As mentioned in the Presidents Pontifications a reasonable
turnout enjoyed the facilities at KW and with the exception of VP Harry
Sherwood the previous executive and committee were re-elected. Due to personal
reasons Harry was not able to stand again and was replaced as VP by Kev
Dios-Brun. Congratulations to Kev and the committee and our thanks to Harry
for his assistance and support whilst vice president.
MEMBERSHIPS
A decision was taken at the AGM to increase our membership
dues to $15 . This small increase is our first for many years and the committee
and attendees at the AGM agree it is warranted. After cross checking our
membership list and the financial status of those members there are some
who have not been financial for several years. We do not seek back dues
from our members – pay your dues for the current year and continue on as
before. Your continued support and contact with the association is important
to us. Don’t forget that dues for 2009 (now $15) can be paid to Treasurer
Henry when you attend the meetings or alternatively sent to him at the
address at the head of this newsletter if you are unable to attend a meeting.
BUNDABERG 09
Reunion committee chairman John ‘Irish’ O’Callahan and secretary
Dick Harrison gave a report on the reunion at the AGM. The response to
date has been encouraging and events and costs are being finalised. The
planned events and costings are available on our website for downloading/printing.
These forms need to be completed and returned to Dick as soon as possible
to assist with bookings etc. It is intended to have updates in each of
our remaining newsletters until October. Stay tuned.
FLEET ENTRY
The Royal Australian Navy will conduct a ceremonial Fleet
Entry
with up to 20 warships steaming into Sydney Harbour accompanied by a Fleet
Air
Arm Flypast on Friday the 13th March 2009. This spectacular event will
be the culmination of the Fleet Concentration Period, one of the Navy's
largest exercises, conducted on the East Coast of Australia. The fleet
entry will be followed by a ceremonial inspection of the RAN ships by the
Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, AM, RAN, and his
senior staff while the ships are at anchor in Sydney Harbour. This number
of warships has not been seen in Sydney Harbour since the Bicentennial
celebrations in 1988. For the first time in over 20 years, the Royal Australia
Navy will exercise its right to the Freedom of Entry to the City of Sydney
on Saturday 14th March 2009. The Queen's Colour will be paraded as part
of this ceremony and will be the first time it has been paraded by the
Royal Australian Navy in Sydney since it was presented by the Governor
General in 1989.
It is expected that there will be up to 5000 RAN personnel marching along
with Australian Naval Cadets from all over NSW and the ACT. This march
will be the largest parade of naval personnel since the World War II Victory
in Japan Day Parade in 1945. More than one third of the RAN will be participating
and an event of this scale is unlikely to occur again in
the near future.
LAW OF CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
The probability of meeting someone you know increases
dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with!
REUNIONS
A reunion will be held at Caloundra in September 2009 for all
who served in HMAS BATAAN. For further information contact John Laughton
on email johnfl@aapt.net.au or by contacting him on 03 9704 7799 or mobile
0417 336 423.
HOME FRONT
Home front is a prevention program designed to prevent falls
and accidents in and around your home. All DVA Gold and White cardholders
are eligible for a free home front falls prevention assessment. You can
have an assessment once per calendar year. As Home Front is a preventive
program aimed at making the household safer from falls and accidents, it
is not designed to meet urgent medical needs, care services, or assistance
with garden maintenance. If you have a medical need for aids and appliances
or home modifications call DVA on 133 254. If you need assistance with
respite care, personal care, domestic assistance, or home and garden maintenance
and you are a Gold or White card holder call DVA on 133 254
HOBART 3
For those with computer access member Rob McLear thought we might
be interested in this site - http://defencemodels.com.au/Projects/Hobart.asp. This is the web address for the company that was commissioned to construct
the models of the new HOBART CLASS AWD Destroyers of which Hobart will
be the lead ship. The models will be displayed at places like Navy Office
and the Australian War Memorial.
THE BACK PAGE!
I was having trouble with my computer, so I called Richard the 11 year
old next door whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to
come over.
Richard clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.
As he was walking away, I called after him, 'so what was wrong?
He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.'
I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID
ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.'
Richard grinned. 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error
before?''
‘No,' I replied.
'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out.'
So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T
AND
STUD ROOSTER
A farmer went out one day and bought a brand new stud rooster for his chicken
coop. The new rooster struts over to the old rooster and says, 'OK’ old
fart, time for you to retire.'
The old rooster replies, 'Come on, surely you cannot handle ALL of these
chickens, look what it has done to me, can't you just let me have the two
old hens over in the corner?'
The young rooster says, 'Beat it: You are washed up and I am taking over.'
The old rooster says, 'I tell you what, young stud; I will race you around
the farmhouse. Whoever wins gets the exclusive domain over the entire chicken
coop. The young rooster laughs. 'You know you don't stand a chance, old
man, so, just to be fair, I will give you a head start.'
The old rooster takes off running. About 15 seconds later the young rooster
takes off running after him. They round the front porch of the farmhouse
and the young rooster has closed the gap. He is only about 5 feet behind
the old rooster and gaining fast. The farmer, meanwhile, is sitting in
his usual spot on the front porch when he sees the roosters running by.
The Old Roster is squawking and running as hard as he can. The Farmer grabs
his shotgun and
- BOOM - he blows the young rooster to bits. The farmer sadly shakes his
head and says, ‘Damn it.....third gay rooster I bought this month.'
Moral of this story?
Don't mess with the THE OLDER GENERATION; age, skill, wisdom, and a little
treachery always overcome youth and arrogance!
Hope to see you on ANZAC DAY
