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PRESIDENT’S PONTIFICATIONS

It would seem that a lot of my old shipmates that I only catch up with on ANZAC Day, appear to be looking a lot older than the last time I saw them. I'm glad it's not happening to me! We had a good turnout for this year's march and the reunion was again a success, thanks again to Alan's organisational skills. Our tour of the Warramunga was a real eye opener. The Navy of today is certainly a lot different to the one I remember. There were some good-looking sailors on board! (Don't forget when we were in they were very pretty “WRANS”). I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Captain and the numerous crewmembers around the ship that took the time to answer our questions. We had 15 people turn up for the tour, some travelling down from Hervey Bay.
Please try to make an effort to come to our next meeting at Mooloolaba.

Regards
Doug Marsen

NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be held at the Mooloolaba SLSC on the 18th May. RSVPs to the Secretary (for catering) by Wednesday the 13th PLEASE!
Don’t forget to mark your diaries accordingly.

ANZAC DAY
The day dawned fine with clear skies. Over 50 members and some family members marched behind the Hobart Banner with everyone keeping in step due to the band directly in front of us. The after-march get together was held at the Berkley on Ann again and Chris Brewster and his staff made sure that we were well looked after. New Treasurer Henry Diekema was kept busy with new memberships (5) and receiving dues as well as organizing President Doug to sell raffle tickets. My thanks to those who turned up early to assist with the banner.

SICK BAY
Jim Orr has had a short stay in hospital and we have received information that one of our ladies, Anna Sundholm, hasn't been enjoying the best of health lately. Our best wishes to Jim and Anna and hope to see you both up and about soon.

VALE
News received from Mike Wright via email that Captain Donald Procter (Weary) Weil – O1233 – passed away on 23 April 2008. Weary was a member of the Commissioning Crew and served and 1st Deployment. Our sympathies are extended to his family.

PERSONALISED YEARS OF SERVICE - RAN Memorabilia

Mark Crandon from Exclusive Memories produces personalised, framed pictorial naval histories of various types. Ray Duesing has one (which is shown on the webpage) and is very happy with the result. Mark frames the ships you have served on and displays them with your service details. If you are interested contact Mark at www.exclusivememories.com.au or 1300-138-668 and, very important, mention how you heard about the product.

“HMAS HOBART” PRINT – ANZAC Day Raffle
The second picture kindly donated by Mark Crandon (the first was a raffle prize at our Christmas function) was raffled on ANZAC Day and the lucky winner was Peter Thomas. There were several books of tickets sold and everyone was amazed when the winning ticket was Green D 39! Peter's day further improved when he was the winner of the second raffle as well – a bottle of Rum! Well-done Peter.
We would like to thank Mark for his support. Mark’s generosity improved our financial position on the day and we recommend his products to anyone interested in Navy memorabilia.

URGENT AND DEADLY
The following warning was received from Marty GROGAN, Special Projects Officer. HMAS SYDNEY & V.L.S.V.A. (VIC)
If you served in the Navy in the 60’s and 70’s you have potentially been exposed to ASBESTOS.
Some years ago Veterans in that risk category were advised to have annual Chest X-rays to monitor our health in relation to this insidious disease.
Recently I was advised that 2 Members of our Association (both ex Stokers) who have been having regular Chest X-rays have recently been diagnosed with Asbestosis and one in particular has full-blown mesothelioma. Both had recent Chest X-Ray’s, which showed up nothing at all. Being smarter than the average Jolly Jack they had A Deep Image Scan done of the Chest and Abdomen, which resulted in the discovery of this insidious disease.
On hearing the dreadful news I rang DVA and tried to enquire how to go about getting an accurate Test done i.e. Deep Image Scan and whom should I go to for this Test.
I was put on to about 6 different people who either had no idea what I was talking about or had been instructed to be very vague about the subject.
In the first instance they did not even want to know me because I do not have a DVA File Number and then when the message eventually got through that I was not trying to get anything other than information from them they suggested I should contact the Dust Diseases Board, Health Service Australia and my local Doctor to get a referral for a Chest X-Ray.
Further advice was that they would NOT fund any tests/medicals but if it was discovered that I had any disease that I thought might be related to service in Ships then I should lodge a claim with them for consideration. I have since found out from Defence sources that you can contact the ADF Asbestos Call Centre on 1800-000-655 to register and that they would send out some paper work. I have since received that paperwork and it only gives a brief overview of Asbestos and a telephone number to contact for testing in each State. I rang the number in Victoria to find out that they do not even give you a Chest X-Ray unless you fail the spirometry (lung capacity) test. I further enquired if they recommended CT Scan’s and the reply was only if they thought there were any concerns after having a Chest X- Ray and then very rarely.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.
SEE YOUR LOCAL DOCTOR TODAY
AND INSIST ON BEING REFERRED FOR A DEEP IMAGE SCAN.

HOBART HISTORY Continuing with our biographies of Hobart’s crew.

Rear Admiral Guy R. Griffiths AO DSO DSC RAN (RETD)
The DDG's first Commanding Officer; Rear Admiral Guy Griffiths was born in Sydney,
1 March 1923, and spent his early years in the old Rothbury/Pokolbin district in the Hunter River Valley, NSW. He entered the Royal Australian Naval College as a cadet midshipman in January 1937, aged 13. He was made Chief Cadet Captain in 1939, was posted to the Royal Navy and joined the battle cruiser HMS REPULSE in March 1941.

In December 1941 HMS Repulse was sunk off the east coast of Malaya, and after rescue, ‘Midshipman’ Griffiths was posted to the battleship HMS REVENGE. In January 1943 he served in the destroyer HMS VIVIAN, then he joined the RAN cruiser HMAS SHROPSHIRE on commissioning in May 1943. The next two years saw action in the South West Pacific, including the LEYTE and LINGAYAN Gulf operations in the Philippines and the battle of SURIGAO STRAIT. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross after the Lingayan Gulf operation.
After the war, he completed the Specialist Course in Gunnery at HMS EXCELLENT, Portsmouth, England and after two years exchange service, returned to Australia. From 1950-52 he served as Gunnery Officer in the Aircraft Carrier HMAS SYDNEY and saw action in the Korean War. At the end of 1952 he returned to the Korean theatre and saw further action in the destroyer HMAS ANZAC.

In 1954, after undergoing the Royal Naval Staff Course, he served in the aircraft carrier HMAS MELBOURNE on commissioning in October 1955 to the end of 1956 when, on promotion to Commander, he was posted as Fleet Operations Officer until August 1958.
In July 1961, after two years ashore in Navy Office, Canberra, he was posted in command of HMAS PARRAMATTA on commissioning, which was the first of the new River Class Destroyer Escorts in the RAN. This was followed by duty as the Director of Tactics and Weapons Policy at Navy Office, Canberra.
In 1964 he was promoted to Captain and in December 1965 he took command of HMAS HOBART, the second of the guided missile destroyers on its first commission. The ship saw action in Vietnam in 1967 and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

From late 1967 he served in Malaysia as Naval Adviser to the Chief of Naval Staff, Royal Malaysian Navy and in 1970 attended the Imperial Defence College, London.

In 1971 he was posted as Director-General Operations and Plans at Navy Office, Canberra and was promoted to Commodore in the same year. From late 1973 to mid 1975 he commanded the aircraft carrier HMAS MELBOURNE, Flagship of the Australian Fleet and in addition to normal operations participated in “Operation Navy Help Darwin” after Cyclone Tracy in 1975.

On 30 June 1976 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed Chief of Naval Personnel on that date. He took up the position of Flag Officer Naval Support Command on 12 January 1979 and was awarded the AO in that year. He retired from the Navy in January 1980 after 43 years’ service.

Rear Admiral Griffiths is married with one son and one daughter and his interests include golf, skiing, reading and family history research.

Continuing to be active he was Personnel Director of Wormald International until 1983 and he acted as a Defence consultant for three years. In 1987 he took up the position of Chief Executive Officer for the North Shore Heart Research Foundation and finally retired from fundraising in 1995.
He held the position of:
• National President (1980 – 2004) of the Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council Incorporated, which represents over forty ex-servicemen and woman’s organisations on repatriation matters.
• A Director of the Australian Vietnam Was Veterans Trust (1985 – 2003).
• He is currently patron of a number of ex-naval associations including the UK based HMS Prince of Wales HMS Repulse Survivors Association and a life member of The Naval Historical Society of Australia.

AWD UPDATE
Received from Bill Bowley, President, NSW Division.
“Had a call from Guy Griffiths today to tell me he has spoken today with CN (VADM SHALDERS) who has told him that: -
The new HOBART will have 39 as her number,
41 will go to BRISBANE and 42 to the third one.
CN said Guy could make it public, as it was a final decision.
Guy has asked me to pass it on to those who should know”. Looks like the previously mentioned number is not destined for Hobart. We will have another DDG 39!

VIETNAM WAR EXHIBITION
The Tweed/Coolangatta RSL Sub Branch and the Gold Coast War Museum are seeking volunteers to man a number of displays over a 3-day event. Those manning exhibits would be required to talk with the visitors to the exhibition about their wartime experience and that of the artifacts displayed. The event will be held at the RSL on the 14 and 15th August. For more details please contact Bob Meehan (War Museum) on 07- 5533-5620 or Joe Russell (RSL) on 07-5534-4076.

PUSSERS’ RUM
For those interested in re-acquainting their taste buds with ‘Pussers Original British Navy Rum’ it is now available in Australia. For further information contact Julian Hartley, on email jules@southtradeint.com.au, or telephone on 0410-554-191.

LOOKING FOR
Dr. Pat Howden is trying to contact ex Cruiser man Syd Clark. If anyone knows Syd's contact details or his whereabouts please contact the Secretary.

HMAS WARRAMUNGA VISIT
President Doug and several members of the Association visited the Anzac class frigate HMAS Warramunga on the 11th April. POSN Jason Lynch expertly guided us around the various parts of the ship. Everyone enjoyed sticking their noses into various nooks and crannies of interest to them – Stokers into engine/machinery spaces, Gunnery rates into the 5” mount etc. Ray Davis was all smiles when invited to have his photo taken beside the Port Flag Bin but Pres Doug wasn’t allowed into the Ops room! Although everyone enjoyed the tour no one wanted to “re-up”. Our thanks to Jason and the crew.

CORRECTION
In our March Newsletter we gave Bundaberg reunion organiser Dick Harrison’s contact phone number as 07-4159-8348, it should have been 07-4159-4515. Apologies to all concerned – especially to the family who have been fielding reunion enquiries.

REUNION UPDATE
Planning for the event, although still in its infancy, is well underway. Suggested accommodation has been posted on the web site for those who like to book early. I was rather taken with the facilities available at Cane Village and would recommend it to anyone. Tours and costs are being finalised and will be posted in the very near future. To date some 36 odd have registered their interest in attending, whose names have been posted.
Also, we have set the Dinner cost at $55.00 per head.
Our Reunion 2009 Committee is: - Chairman: John O’Callaghan (07-4159-2585)
Secretary” Dick Harrison (07-4159-4515) - dick.coralcoast@bigpond.com
Treasurer: Phil McNamara (07-4155-2790) and Member, Dave Young (07-4154-4599).

TOUGH TIMES?
Appears we served during the wrong era ......

Monday, 14 April 2008 038/2008 REWARDING SERVICE IN THE NAVY the Minister
for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon, today announced the establishment of a Navy Capability Allowance.
"The retention of all ADF serving personnel is a priority of the Government," said Mr Snowdon.
"The Navy Capability Allowance is aimed at retaining trained and experienced serving sailors."
The Allowance provides a financial incentive of $24,000 to general service sailors and $60,000 to submariners of Able Seaman through to Chief Petty Officer rank who agree to complete a further 18 months service.
"It is important that we provide key Navy personnel with a substantial incentive to remain in the Forces," said Mr Snowdon.
"The Navy attracts sailors with a passion for their country, a desire to serve and a sense of adventure.
"And the Allowance forms part of a larger range of recruiting and retention initiatives being pursued by the Government to address workforce shortfalls within the Australian Defence Force." More than 6000 sailors and 250 submariners will be able to benefit from this financial incentive.

NAVAL HISTORY From member Jim Orr.

Brian Bevan was born on 6th June 1924 at Bondi, Sydney and joined the Navy as a Stoker in May 1942. In May 1945 he was a member of the crew in HMAS Australia when she left Australia for repairs and refit. These repairs were necessary because of the extensive damage the ship suffered from Kamikaze suicide planes.
On arrival in England in June ’45 she went into dock at Devonport and after completion of refit left for home on 26th December ’45.
During the ship’s stay in dock several sporting teams were formed to play the locals. Having played League for Eastern Suburbs as a junior he opted for the League team. In November the Warrington Club gave him a trial and he scored a sensational try.

The following week he was picked in the “A” team and was signed on for 300 pounds. He went home with the Australia and after being demobilised he returned to Warrington. In his first season 1946-7 he scored 48 tries, 14 more than anyone else in the league. Within four years Bevan had overtaken the club try-scoring record of 215.
His greatest year was when he scored 72 tries in the 1952-3 season. A hundred times he scored at least a hat trick of tries; twice he scored 7 tries for Warrington.
In his prime Brian had looked anything but a top athlete. He was quoted as “looking as though he was on his last legs. Bald long before his time, knees heavenly bandaged, false teeth out and cheeks sucked in, tongue licking at the breeze, otherwise noticeable for his lurching walk, he could be mistaken for a broken-down old chap who had dreamily walked on to the pitch from the local twilight home.”
In his British first-class career 1946 to 1964 he scored 796 tries in 688 matches, 225 more than the runner-up who was none other than the famous Welsh winger Billy Boston.
In 1988 the English Rugby League Hall of Fame was started and Bevan, with 8 others was inducted. Brian, with the other inductees, was featured in a Commemorative Stamp Issue by British Post. Brian Bevan was born near the sea at Bondi and retired to live by the sea near Brighton, England. He died in June 1991 aged 66, a month later the main stand at the Stadium was named after him and in 1993 he was honoured with a statue being unveiled outside the stadium. Brian was also honoured by being inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2005.
THE WIZARD OF OZ WAS SIMPLY THE GREATEST

BORED?
For those with time on their hands (and a computer) an interesting site to look at is http://www.navy.gov.au/spc/ncamo/NCAMO_Book.pdf

AND NOW FOR SOME FUNNIES

A married couple is lying in bed on the morning of their tenth wedding anniversary, when the wife props herself up on one elbow and faces her husband:
"Darling, this is such a special occasions ... I want to make a confession. Before we were married I was a hooker for eight years." The husband ponders this bombshell for a moment, and then looks adoringly into his wife's eyes. "My love, it's been a perfect ten years with you;
I can't hold your past against you. "He nuzzles up to her…..maybe you could show me a few tricks of the trade, and spice up our sex life?!"
"I don't think you understand," she replies awkwardly.
"My name was Douglas and I played for the All Blacks!"

AND

(From one of our Hobart Ladies – Yvonne Napier)
A little old lady was visiting the dentist to have a tooth removed. The dentist noticed how nervous she was and to put her at ease as he was putting on his gloves he said, 'Do you know how they make these gloves"? "No", she replied. "Well I'll tell you, they get people with different hand sizes to dip both hands into a tub of latex, then after pulling them out and allowing them to dry they have all sizes gloves". "Oh! That's clever", she said.
Just as the dentist was about to subtract the tooth the little old lady started to giggle, then laugh.
"What's wrong, I haven’t given you any laughing gas. Please sit still", the dentist demanded.
"I know", the lady explained, "I was just wondering how they made Condoms"!