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NEWSLETTER MARCH/APRIL 2011
ANZAC DAY
We form up in William Street, back from Elizabeth Street. The march starts at 10:00 a.m. The Air Force is last. We march before 9 Squadron. Be there no later than 10:00 a.m. We probably won’t step off before 10:30 a.m. or a bit later. I will be there around 9:30 a.m. I will have the banner on display where we will be forming up. The Port Office Hotel will be open as usual at 11:00 a.m. (Don’t forget if you can’t march please still join us at the Port Office). The entry fee is $17.00 – local beer $3.00 other prices are as per attached page.
John Mac and I had a meeting with 33 Squadron. They are a Squadron on the move and when they get their aircraft, the new Airbus A330 tankers, they will really take off. They wish to join us on ANZAC Day. They are going to have two-up to see if anyone is interested in playing. They possibly will have 30 to 50 people so we will see how it goes this year.
Next year we will be at the head of the march. The Australian Army Training Team will also be up with us to celebrate our 40 years since leaving Vietnam, 70 years since 35 Squadron was formed in Perth, 10 years since 35 Squadron was disbanded.
I will have some DVD’s, pens, stubby holders, glasses at bargain prices. If you blokes don’t want them, 33 Squadron may purchase them.
I think it is great that we have 9 Squadron, 3 Squadron and now 33 Squadron. Because all you buggers ate 2 Squadron’s food they won’t attend and share ANZAC Day with us.
Reunion February 2012
John Mac and I met with Kel Ryan at the Enoggera Army Camp at the National R.A.R. Memorial Walk where we will hold our meet and greet on 26 February approx. 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The good news is they will supply the beer; wine, soft drink plus a sausage sizzle and it will be done by volunteers.
I will be contacting the sub-committee for our celebration. The sub-committee is John Mac, Trevor Benneworth, Ron “Sticky” Glew, Keith Kinch, Geoff Hall, Bob Collins and me and our Courier Vice-Marshall, Peter De Jonge. (right) (I stand to attention when I write his name – I love you too much Wallaby Boy).
Stock Take – Stock on Hand
There will be no more stock purchased. Hopefully we can sell the stock we have so we won’t be out of pocket and we can contribute to our celebrations in 2012.
I am working with a sponsor to hopefully do something for our celebrations – more on that later.
The only thing is if anyone wants a RTFV-35 Squadron shirt, I will need to know before the end of the year so I can order them. These must be prepaid. They are “Bisley” shirts.
Gary Kimberley.
We received a letter from Gary who is looking for one of those girly FIGMO's - see HERE. Gary supplied us with his address and phone number but we have omitted it from the letter to save him from scammers. If you can help him, get in touch with us and we'll pass it on.
Banner
Kinchy is doing a story on our banner for our website. I am looking forward to that being completed. I have a letter dating back to 1993 that Geoff Hall sent to the ANZAC Day Committee asking for permission for us to march as RTFV-35Sqn Association. It is now on our website.
The Oaks Accommodation
I asked The Oaks for some sponsorship for our celebration in February 2012. They reduced their price a little but I am disappointed with this. I will keep working to encourage them to reduce their price a bit more. If five guys can get together; they can put a futon in the lounge. At $139.00 per night, that’s not too bad – that’s $28.00 per night each twin share.
Both John Mac and I did a tour of the apartments. They are excellent. Everything is supplied – washing machine, dryer, washing powder included and a full size fridge, oven, hot plate and microwave so you only need groceries.
Dedication Plaque
Website Stories
We need more stories to help preserve our history. I am going to dob John Mac in. John was telling me a story about when on a mission they landed. The two pilots were leaving to have lunch and John asked how much fuel etc was required. It was a very hot day John and the assistant loadie unloaded and loaded and had the aircraft refuelled etc. The pilots arrived back and asked if everything was ready. John Mac told them all was good. He then asked “What did you bring us for lunch?” Stunned looks and the pilots said “nothing”. With that John and his assistant loadie put their flying suits on and went to a Yankee mess, had lunch including sweets etc and returned about an hour later and said “We are now ready”. John tells this story better but, like all of you, getting him to put pen to paper or finger to keyboard, is impossible. These are the stories we need for our website to help preserve our history.
Allan George
I have contacted Alan and I am still waiting for him to get back to me. He tells me he keeps in touch with Kev Griffiths (he is not too well). I will know more when Alan gets back in touch.
The Australian Flying Corp.
Till Napoli (Vets Affairs in Brisbane) gave me some copies of the A.F.C. This is a very short story plus a lot of photos of the history of the A.F.C.
35 mm Slide Scanner
Target stores have a scanner that you can scan your slides to your computer to digital photos. I have done mine and put them on a C.D. rom. So those people who attend the Brisbane ANZAC Day will be able to see the “A” team at work and play. To those of you who don’t have computers, if you send them to me, I can convert them for you. Dick Smith stores have a scanner for $144.00 that I think you can print them to paper. If anyone has 6/8 mm film, send it to me and I will get it converted to D.V.D., send you a copy of the D.V.D. plus send back your original 6/8 mm film.
Debt Collector
We now have a fee/debt collector. Anyone who is late paying their fees will receive a visit from him – Air Courier (Vice) Marshall Peter De Jonge or Honorary Rad Tech, whichever is the highest rank.
Merchandise
I thought the merchandise I bought would sell but it appears no one is interested in purchasing it. I will sell it out at cost. If it sells we will be able to contribute to our reunion. Some members have asked about a polo shirt for our reunion. If we do that it will have to be prepaid before I order any shirts. I am doing a “volunteer” shirt. I will forward that design to all members. If you are interested then prepay and I will order you a shirt.
Sponsorship
I have approached two organizations for product sponsorships.
Australian War Memorial
I wrote to the A.W.M. to see if they would be interested in doing a story on Wallaby Airlines.
They replied that they would do a story on A4-185 crash. They require an eye witness account to this event. I thought we also should send stories of A4-173 – A4-171.
If anyone knows or can contact the air crew involved plus maintenance staff who attended after the incidents, please let me know.
All stories should be sent to me with permission for us to use on our website.
Stroke
There is now a new indication of when someone has suffered a stroke, see HERE
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John Mac has applied for a grant to have
a plaque at the Shrine in Brisbane which will be dedicated in
February 2012.
