COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

The Old Man recently spent a very enjoyable holiday in Perth where he was entertained at several functions organised by ex Eighth Div. men. He renewed acquaintance with John Taylor and with Major Hunt of "F" Force reputation. One function, however, was a little out of the ordinary as it was organised by a group of former woodenheads and there was not one piece of brass nor the smallest of pips present. It was apparently organised on a very lavish style and the Old Fellow was very touched by it. He voted this show the most enjoyable of the trip. We sincerely hope that the food on the ship was better than that dished up to the rank and file on the trip over in 1941. The said rank and file were not really upset, on that trip, that the nauseating food dished up to us was too greasy, oily and smelly to eat. The solution to that problem was to throw the stuff out of the porthole and line up for hours at the dry canteen queue for chocolate and tinned fruit. No, what really used to send us into a frenzy was to have to listen to some clown carrying a commission from the King or wearing a sergeant's stripes telling us, whilst their belts bulged with the masses of luxurious food of which most of them had never even heard, that our food was "Yes, VERY tasty, Corporal. Very nutritious too I might say and as a matter of fact QUITE EQUAL TO THAT WHICH IS SERVED IN THE OFFICERS' AND SERGEANTS' MESSES'." However, the responsibility for that fiasco was not that of the Old Man or we would have had a better trip, it's a long time ago anyway.

Many of our follows will be sorry to hear of the death of Padre Alexander Rowan MacNiel, the senior Presbyterian Chaplain in the last war and a well known figure to all of his faith in our Unit. You will recall his little palm church at Changi Gaol. He was only 59 years of age when he died and since the war he had not fully recovered his normal health. Padre MacNiel leaves a wife, son and daughter. This Association tenders its sincere sympathy to the family in their sad loss.

Stan Lugton is still in Wagga and is alleged to divide his time between painting the town according to the orders he receives as a painter and painting the town red according to his own inclinations.

Congratulations are in order for Alex Campbell and his lovely wife on the birth of their third son. Alex has had a lot of trouble and illness during the last few years and consequently we have seen little of him. We hope that such a lucky event as the birth of a third child will usher in a period of good fortune for him.

The Association welcomes to its membership Joe Pearce, and to life Membership Hylton Collins. Joe is a "chesty" as you probably know but he has adapted himself to his new way of life much better then many of us who enjoy good standards of health. We haven't heard much of Hylton Collins for some time but will give you news of him as we receive it.

We have apparently not mentioned before that Ron McBurney and his beautiful wife were blessed with their first child, a boy, last July. They called the baby Phillip and, to the great Joy of all Ron's friends he has inherited the looks of his mother. Dad is doing well in the Police Force and has come a long way since he joined the Force. We wonder what his superiors would say if they were to see Ron sweating it out as barman at the Annual Reunions.

Bill Evans is staggering at the moment from the bad luck, which has struck at his family. His little boy was an inmate at the Coast Hospital for some time and is now an inmate at the Crippled Children's home at Campbelltown, where he will probably be for a long time. Bill is not depressed for himself, but he feels very badly for his boy. In addition to his own family troubles, Bill's father is spending most of his time at Concord Hospital and, although there is no better place for a sick ex-serviceman to be, it is still a great worry for Bill.

Clarrie Miller is the No. 1 Boy in the Modern Fumigating Co. of Milton, Brisbane, Queensland. He travels the coast spraying hotels, cafes, etc. Clarrie says that he is still suffering from beri beri but Dave Tate says that Clarrie's swollen girth line is due, not to beri beri, but perhaps to beer beer.

Jack Chatfield, ex A. Coy., was sighted in Cairns recently where he builds houses quicker than most architects can draw the plans. He is very fit and well and is prospering.

Rex Rowe, who is the Clerk of Petty Sessions at Balranald, and as such, is an important man in the town, is keeping in good health, as is his family. Rex does not often come to the city, but we hear from him once or twice each year.

Kingie Martin, that popular little chap from Don Coy., spent a holiday in the city recently and renewed acquaintance with his close friend Sid Musgrove. Kingie lives at Old Coast Road, Dorrigo, and is the only Unit man in that district. He has had a good spin since the war and has no complaints.

Bluey Peterson and his wife, June, and family have moved into their own home at Fairy Meadow, from the previous residence at North Wollongong. Bluey and his wife like their new district.

Joe Roxburgh is fit again after a nasty little setback with an appendix, which went haywire and necessitated five weeks in hospital before he was right again. Joe's youngest son is working in a mixed business at Kiama so he spent a short time in that lovely area recuperating.

Jack Korn of Lismore is very prompt with his subs as usual this year but he is a bad letter writer and gives us no news of himself. As far as we know, however, Jack is still living in the state of single blessedness.

We would like to mention with gratitude those members who notified us so promptly recently of the death of Tom Bowden. We have, so for, been able to our respects either by representation at the funeral or by wreaths to most of our chaps who have died since we came home. This little gesture is usually very much appreciated by the next-of-kin of the deceased and we like to be able to do it. We request that, if you are handy when a former comrade dies, you let us know by telegram if you are in the country or by telephone if you are in the city.

We often hear of the parents of your former friend Wally Bell, ex A. Coy., who died at Kanburi. Wally's father was a Digger of the first World War and both he and Mrs. Bell are keen supporters of the Association. The years are telling on Mr. Bell a little and he is not as fit as he used to be. This Association sends its best wishes to these fine people and hope that Mr. Bell's health will improve rapidly.

On January 14th, the twelfth anniversary of the first Australian action against the Japanese, ex members of the Unit gathered at the Cenotaph in the annual commemoration, which we make in honour of our Fallen Comrades. There were about 30 members present, together with representatives of the 2/15th Field Regt. and the 8th Div. Sigs. Wreaths were laid on the Cenotaph by Brig. Galleghan and Jimmy Ling, President of the 8th Div. Sigs. Association.

On 5th February, Her Majesty, the Queen, will inspect ex-servicemen at Hyde Park, Sydney. All ex-servicemen and women are invited to attend and to gain entrance to the area they must wear Campaign Ribbons. The wearing of these ribbons is the only method by which one can gain entrance to the Park and it must be clearly understood that Association Badges, Miniature Medals, War Ribbons, Returned from Active Service Badges, etc., are NOT SUFFICIENT and will NOT give you a passport to the area. The time of the inspection will be 11 a.m. but EX-SERVICEMEN MUST BE IN PLACE BY 10.30 A.M. A big crowd is expected so you should come early if you wish to gain a good vantage point. It is impracticable to nominate a meeting point in the Park and it is suggested that Unit members meet at the corner of Elizabeth and Park Streets, in front of the T & G. Building, at 9 a.m. and move off to the Park at 9.15 a.m.

If you have not already had your medals mounted, it is also suggested that you take them to Christies in George Street, Sydney, or the R.S.L. Trading Depot in Wingello House, and have them property mounted for your own satisfaction.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL

Please forward all cheques, money orders and postal notes to Reg. Ellis at Boronia Park.

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