Circular No. 111
1st April, 1956

Official Organ of 2/30th Bn. A.I.F. Assn

COMMITTEE

Dear Dig,

Doug Blanshard is in business at Mona Vale as a draper and haberdasher and is making a reasonable crust for his efforts. Doug and his pretty wife Margaret have a daughter Sue.

Mrs. Ray Kuskey has written that she and Ray have just returned from a three weeks tour to Perth, by sea, and they enjoyed every minute of it. Prior to the sea trip Ray spent a month at Yaralla Hospital. Ray has been suffering from arthritis for some time now.

Dick Tompson has changed his address but not his house. Previously he lived in Parkes St., one of two such streets in that suburb. The confusion with postal deliveries became too much for the residents and they were successful in having the name of the Street changed to Bareena Drive, Balgowlah.

Eric Arps and family are well. First person to become a Life Member this year is Arthur Collison, now living at Como. Arthur is as pleased as a dog with two tails with his new home which is in Como, just a stone's throw from the water. Arthur is a weekend fisherman, but has also been a keen gardener for years and we wonder which pursuit will take first call in his weekends now.

Clarrie Lattimer of Kyogle is keeping fairly fit. He is a little hard to report as his letters contain postal notes only, together with his address. Subscriptions are always handy but we like the "news bits" with each letter too.

J.E. Martin of Petersham is another who is tardy with news. We hope to see him at the reunion and gain something of interest from him for the Makan.

Clarrie Burgess of Milson's Point is still up to his neck in trouble, but at least his mouth is above the surface and his feet are on a firm foundation. The next two or three years should see Clarrie back to smiling point.

Brian Hayes of "Carroll" via Gunnedah was unable to attend the Lismore Reunion because of heavy floods in his district. He works on "Avondale" Station and spent that week moving sheep and cattle out of range of the flood waters.

Lloyd Stuart’s Secretary, his mother, writes that Lloyd is well and enjoys his Makan. We hope to see Lloyd also at the Reunion.

The Association extends its sympathy to Andy Knox of Collaroy Plateau on the loss of his mother recently. Andy and his mother were devoted to one another and he feels her loss very keenly.

Arthur Wightman, ex H.Q. Coy., now has a soldier settlement block on Golf Hill Estate, Shelford, Victoria. We hope to hear from him within the next few months and give the news of his project. Arthur is a hard worker and will do well.

We were very sorry to hear that Jim O'Connell's wife has been on the "very ill" list although she is in better health now. Jim and his wife are both battlers and the cost of his wife's illness took the stuffing out of their plans to improve their little home at Avalon Beach.

Karl Sinclair of Armidale sends along best wishes to all his friends in the Unit. Karl is one of the ‘Armidale mob' who include Bill Humphreys and Ross Madden.

Harry Riches of Brisbane was injured in an explosion at his work recently and spent three weeks in hospital recovering from bad burns. Harry was extremely lucky to have missed the main force of the explosion but was badly shaken up all the same. We hope that he suffers no after effects and will soon be back to normal.

Ack Ack Martin from the South Coast of N.S.W. visited Reg Ellis for a weekend recently. Ack enjoyed the weekend, Reg bringing along Jackie Boss and Ned Keleher to renew acquaintance again with our former axeman. Ack still chops at the shows and wins more than his fair share of the prize money. At Nowra recently he won the 12" underhand chop and was a finalist in the 20” underhand and was a finalist in the 20" standing block.

Bert Welch, North Arm, North Coast Line, writes that he is keeping well.

Jim Rutherford one of our friends of the 2/29 sent along a donation to our Welfare fund. Jim has bean associated with the 2/30th for as long as we have and has assisted many of our chaps in the past.

Ray Streatfeild of Kingsgrove, rejoices in his good fortune inasmuch as he is the father of two boys and a little girl. Ray says that were is nothing better than a good wife and a little family and most people will agree with him. Ray is doing well enough to remember others less fortunate than he and sent along a donation to the Association Funds.

GENERAL REUNION

There will be a General Reunion of the Unit at the Gallipoli Legion Club Rooms, Loftus Street, on 6th April.

The Gallipoli Legion is ideal for a function and you will recall that our last reunion in November was held there for the first time. The appointments of the Legion are good and the situation is quite central. Loftus St., is within one hundred yards of the Circular Quay Railway Station.

It is hoped that a big crowd will attend the reunion. It is being held as an experiment to see whether the country lads can attend with less inconvenience than in previous years when it has been held during their busiest period, The cost of the reunion will be 15/0 per head and there will be as much liquid refreshments, cheese and biscuits as you can consume. Telephone your cobbers now and make a real night of it. If you are dining in the city on that night, we suggest that the Far Eastern Cafe in Dixon St., might be a quiet spot whereat to eat your rice. The old chow has the fire under the kuali already and the soya sauce there is just right. Don't be later than 6.15 if you can help it.

ANZAC DAY

The March should be a good one this year and if the weather prophets are correct it will be marched in heavy rain. As you are not unused to a little rain it is not expected that this will deter you from participating.

The Old Man has resigned from all "Martialling Duties" this year and will take his place as leader of the Unit. The Committee selected one of the most respected of our members, Bill Ennis, to carry the banner in the forefront of the Unit. We expect a big roll up of members for the March and it may not be untimely to remind ourselves of a statement which has been made before but which bears repeating. "For every man entitled to march on Anzac Day there are thousands who have not this privilege".

Please forward cheques, money orders and postal notes to Reg Ellis at Boronia Park. All money orders and postal notes to be made payable at the G.P.O., Sydney.

Cheerio,

STAN ARNEIL.

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