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President's Musings
| February 2021 |
I assumed the Presidency in October 2003, and advise that I
am not nominating at our AGM on February 22nd. As things are
at time of writing all other members of the Committee will
be re-elected as no one has nominated against them. The
exception will be Sue Buxton who is retiring. My sincere
thanks are extended to Sue for her wise council. I am delighted to advise you that Captain Andrew MacKinnon has agreed to stand for the position of President. I have been his proposer and he has been seconded by LCDR John Redman. Andy’s application is further supported by Frank Cronin and Marty Grogan. Continue reading..... |
| December 2020 |
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and
healthy New Year! Our function held at Waverley RSL on December 14 was a great success and our MC Marty did a superb job as per normal. As I write this he is journeying to Sea power Canberra to deliver the wonderful model crafted by Gerry Shepherd of HMAS Bataan. Great gestures both by Gerry, in gifting it to our Navy, and by Marty, who is delivering it to Canberra at his own expense. Continue reading..... |
| November 2020 | At last, some light at the end of the Tunnel. Our second meeting for the year will be at Waverley RSL on Monday December 14 and will be our ‘End of Year Celebration, ‘Covid Style’, in that we are restricted in how many we can have in the Sunset Room for a meal and ‘Knees Up!’ It will certainly be low key compared to last year with drastically reduced numbers. The RSL have gone out of their way to accommodate us and with a total of 30 allowed it must be first in best dressed. Continue reading..... |
| October 2020 | We are still no wiser as to when we will be able to get together, however a number of us have taken advantage of the Society’s Zoom presentations and have found them very informative. This month Colin Randal told us all about the tunnels on Garden Island, the reasons why they were dug during WWII and the actual creation of the complex. We invite you to join us on November 24 at 1000 to view Gillian Lewis and Noel Phelan’s presentation entitled ‘The Sydney / Kormoran Battle and Locating the Ships’. Interested?? Please let me know and I will ensure you get an invitation email to join the meeting. As an added bonus we are to have another presentation in December as well. More information next month. Continue reading..... |
| September 2020 | Our last meeting was in February when we were to view a video on The Hospital Ship Centaur but ended up watching an excellent video on USS Missouri, the ‘Big Mo’. We obtained a new copy of the Centaur Video but have not had an opportunity to screen it. During our conversations with Lensie Matthews, the wife of the author/producer Tony Matthews, Marty and I expressed interest in Tony’s books and have received a copy of Tony’s book, ’Shipwrecks and Seafarers Scandals’ which I found to be good reading. Continue reading..... |
| August 2020 | “We are all in this together” in the words of the jingle, but I guess that we are all surprised and disappointed to be at stage 4, and in lockdown! Personally, I have been heartened by the number of phone calls I have received from my NHS friends. Thank You! The society overall still receives queries concerning ‘Uncle Fred ‘who was in the Navy in the 1920’s and any enquiries Sydney receive about Victoria’s Colonial Navy they handball to us. We find long time member CMDR John Wilkins a ready source of information on this subject and it was one such query about a crew member of HMVS Victoria which led to John sending us the material I found most interesting and which I have included excerpts from in this 'Musings.’ Continue reading..... |
| July 2020 |
On August 24th we planned to restart our Speaker’s Program
with an address by WO Ray (Pedro) Rich OAM BEM RAN Rtd.
Pedro was going to recount his experiences of the Voyager II
tragedy which occurred on February 10, 1964 when his ship
came in to collision with HMAS Melbourne II. Unfortunately,
we have had to postpone our meetings until happier times. Our colleagues in Sydney hosted a ‘Zoom’ presentation on July 21 and a number of our Victorian members were able to enjoy viewing it. We enjoyed an excellent presentation by Gillian Lewis entitled ‘Finding HM Bark Endeavour'. More..... |
| June 2020 | On May 25 1970 Lew Lind convened a meeting on Garden Island in Sydney and some 40 people attended during their lunch break. Within 40 minutes the Naval Historical Society of Australia was launched, an interim committee appointed with Lew as President, funds raised and a provisional constitution approved. Offices were found in the Royal Marine barracks building (building 31). Lew remained as President for 18 years and was associated with the society until his death in 1994, and can truly be considered as our founding father. More..... |
| May 2020 | The words of the song ‘Until we meet again’ apply to our current situation, and, if this virus scourge has achieved anything worthwhile it caused us to speak to our neighbours and enjoy their fellowship. We all talk to each other in my particular neighbourhood, and I’m getting to know ALL the neighbours after living there since 1975. Our colleagues in Sydney are to be congratulated on their endeavours to use ‘Zoom’ technology to extend the outreach of each of our Speaker programs and we find it most encouraging that a number of our members logged on to the test presentation, conducted on May 14. We look forward to sharing the first actual NHS Presentation with our Sydney colleagues. More..... |
| April 2020 |
Unfortunately we are unable to catch up with each other at
our meetings of late, but be assured that when our leaders
give the go ahead, we will be back in action, full ahead! I spoke with WO Ray (Pedro) Rich, our Speaker for our 25 May meeting, and we decided that given that the 'Emergency' has been extended for another month, it was best to postpone his address about the HMAS Voyager tragedy until later in the year. This is also the case with our March Speaker, Leigh Webster and his subject ''Off shore and Specialist ships Australia'. We appreciate their co-operation. More..... |
| March 2020 | At our opening meeting this year we enjoyed a video presentation 'Mighty Mo' the Battleship USS Missouri, which covered her involvement in both the Korean and Gulf wars. The Video we intended to screen was a copy of 'Centaur - Death of a Hospital ship’, but unfortunately the sound track had deteriorated badly over the years and was inaudible and not suitable for presentation. We have contacted the folk who produced the video, and we are in the process of purchasing a copy which we will screen on June 22nd. Our guests who came to our meeting especially to view it will be advised. More..... |
| February 2020 |
We wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year! This month we will enjoy a DVD presentation entitled CENTAUR-Death of a hospital Ship. When the Japanese submarine torpedoed and sank the Australian Hospital ship in May 1943, large loss of life eventuated. The wreck was found on December 20 2009, and the realisation that she lay off the coast of Caloundra in Queensland brought it home to us that she was so close. Join us on the 24th to view this first class documentary based on the stories of survivors! More..... |
| December 2019 |
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2020.
We celebrated our years' end with style with 89 of us
getting together in the Sunset Room at Waverley RSL on
December 6th to enjoy a beautiful meal and fellowship! Our Guest of honour was our Patron the Chief of Navy, VADM Mike Noonan AO RAN, and we were indeed honoured in that he stayed in Melbourne an extra night in order to be with us. More..... |
| November 2019 | Friday December 6 is only a few weeks away! Have you booked in to attend the 'Event of the Year?' We have begun to organise the table placements already. We are anxious to ensure you will be sitting with your friends, but please make it easier for both Marty and I by sending your cheque to Marty, or making your direct debit payment today. More..... |
| October 2019 |
Incorporating: President's Report for the AGM October 28, 2019: Our End of Year Function for 2018 proved very successful. CMDR Max Speedy enthralled his audience with his experiences of the Vietnam Conflict as 2ic of the RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam. It was indeed an interesting address. More..... |
| September 2019 | Roger Buxton, a former RCN Weapons Officer spoke to us last month about the Battle of the Atlantic in relationship to the effect changing technology had upon the outcome of the battle. Roger provided a very interesting illustrated lecture concerning of how the battle was fought by sea and air. We enjoyed part one in August and have part two to look forward to at our October 28th meeting. October 28 is also our AGM. More..... |
| August 2019 | THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Thank you for the many messages of support during my recent health hick up! Thank you to my friends who visited me in hospital and at home, and thank you to my scribe, our marvellous Marty, who not only visited me, but kept my friends up to date whilst I spent two weeks in three separate hospitals. I feel very humble and not a little blessed to possess such a large network of friends. Complete now with a Pacemaker I look forward to six weeks of twice weekly sessions of cardiac rehab. We enjoy an excellent health system and I am certainly testament to the manifold benefits it provides. Full report..... |
| July 2019 |
Marty Grogan's talk about HMAS Nestor and 'The Nestor Bell'
was very well received at our last meeting. To actually have
the 'Bell' there made it even more special. We look forward
to hearing more 'Tales from the Museum'. What a wonderful
asset our HMAS Cerberus Museum is. Thank you Marty! At our July 22nd meeting we will have three guests, namely our National President, Captain David Michael, plus LEUT Mario De Angelis and his wife Anna. During the meeting David will present Angelo with his prize for winning our annual Essay Competition. As an added bonus David is our Speaker for the evening and he will recount on his involvement in the Gulf War 1990-91. Full report..... |
| June 2019 | We enjoyed having Captain Mike Oborn with us last meeting and found his address most interesting. This month we will enjoy a 'Tale from the Museum', complete with the artefact, which is the 'Nestor Bell'. The former Manager of the Museum at HMAS Cerberus, our Marty Grogan, will recount HMS/HMAS Nestor's brief but valiant career and of her sinking, June 16 1942. Her Battle Honours were: Bismark 1941 – Atlantic 1942 – Malta Convoys 1941–42 and Indian Ocean 1942. More..... |
| May 2019 |
We look forward to welcoming amongst our midst Captain Mike
Oborn CSM RAN on May 27. A warm invitation is extended to
our sister naval organisations to join us to meet and greet
our new CO of HMAS Cerberus. He has been a Clearance Diver,
commanded three ships, served with the RN Amphibious Task
Group and also in Afghanistan, and has a lot to talk about! Also, don't forget to diarise Marty Grogan's talk on June 24 entitled 'Tales from the Museum: The Nestor Bell'. More..... |
| April 2019 | We trust Anzac Day fulfilled all your expectations. Unfortunately we were unable to hold our meeting this month but look forward to getting together on May 27th when we will have Captain Mike Oborn CSM RAN with us. Currently CO of HMAS CERBERUS many of us got to know Mike whist he was XO there from 2011-2014 and are enjoying having him and his family back amongst us. He is an excellent speaker and he surely has got a lot to talk to us about:- from being a Clearance Diver to Commanding HMAS BELTANO, SIRIUS and CERBERUS – his service with the RN's Amphibious Task Group – and him being deployed to Afghanistan – he has certainly got around!!!! More..... |
| February 2019 | Our first function this year is Monday February 25 and we have an excellent RAN DVD to share. Entitled Ban-Zia it covers the conflict with Japan and like Frank, I believe you will really enjoy it. More..... |
| December 2018 |
We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a healthy and
safe New Year! Our 'End Of Year Celebration Meeting' proved very successful this year. CMDR Max Speedy enthralled his audience with his experiences of the Vietnam Conflict as 2ic of the RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam. More..... |
| November 2018 |
We were treated to an excellent presentation of the AEI
story at our last meeting by our member Captain Ken Greig.
Unfortunately I was unable to view the film, and hear Ken's
talk, but the forty odd folk who were there thoroughly
enjoyed it. Thank you sincerely, Ken. I do hope that you can join us for 'Our Great Year-End Get-Together' on the 26th. CMDR Max Speedy has a great story to share with us about the RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam and in essence our gathering is a celebration of awarding of the Unit Citation for Gallantry. We have requested that Max bring some copies of his book 'A BLOODY JOB WELL DONE' which he co-authored with Bob Day. At $30 each they represent good value. More..... |
| October 2018 | On May 23rd 1998 Jenny and I were present at the launching of Nuship Warramunga at Williamstown Dockyard. We both found it an emotional moment when this beautiful ship slid down the slip way into the waters of Hobson's Bay for the first time. Amongst the large crowd present were 260 veterans of the first HMAS Warramunga. I counted as amongst my friends a number of those veterans who were not only members of our Chapter of the NHS of A, but were also actively involved in the Waverley RSL. Our Chapter has forged a very strong link with the RSL, and many of us dine in the Warramunga Restaurant prior to our meetings in the Sunset Room each month. Sadly our Warramunga Veterans have passed over the bar, but we are delighted to advise that the link with the original ship and her successor continues with the RSL and our Chapter. More..... |
| September 2018 | After six weeks in Europe, having missed most of our winter, it is nice to come home to a Melbourne spring. Initially I was based in Milan and ventured into the Swiss and Italian Alps, as well as the Dolomites, and visited the Cinque Terre and Portovenere coast. Whilst on this trip I saw Naval Units in the distance and also later drove past the La Spezia Naval Base but was unable to visit its splendid Museum. A highlight of my time in Italy was an eight nights tour of the Italian Lakes. In England I visited the Naval Dockyard at Portsmouth over three days, and took the boat trip around the fleet three times thus being able to obtain some great pictures of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH. More..... |
| July 2018 |
Our presentation in July is 'The History of the Royal
Australian Navy Volume One’. This is an excellent video made
by the RAN Video Unit and is first class. You will enjoy it. We have some exciting news for you! The Hooley family are very generously funding the distribution of our 'Three Headed Dog'. This means that the society is able to provide your 'Dog' be it by electronic means or the hard copy sent by Australia Post, free of charge. More..... |
| June 2018 | Our 'Meet and Greet' Meeting for our new SNO, Commodore Greg Yorke, CSC RANR, last month, was most informative and interesting. We look forward to assisting where ever possible his quest to further promote the profile of 'Navy' in Victoria. The Victorian population at large could not fail to be impressed by the 1,000 strong contingent of the RAN marching through the heart of Melbourne on ANZAC Day. They made us very proud, and it was a great start to promoting Navy as well! Congratulations to Commodore Yorke, Captain Tim Standen CSC RAN and all the matelots who took part. 'Bravo Zulu!' More..... |
| May 2018 |
At our April meeting, we paid homage to our original ANZACS
through the medium of the ABC Archives recording. To still
hear the voices of original veterans was indeed a privilege. We have a new Senior Naval Officer in Victoria, Commodore Greg Yorke CSC RANR. You will have an opportunity to meet and greet him at our May 28th Meeting. Commodore Yorke has agreed to speak to us, and indeed he has a very intriguing tale to tell, his having had an interesting career both in and out of uniform! More..... |
| April 2018 |
Our year has started off very well with good attendances to
February and March meetings. Last month WWII WRAN Pamela
Nicholls captivated us with her humour and the tales of
trials and tribulations encountered in her early days as a
WRAN, in, (on board) HMAS HARMAN and provided an insight
into the War against the Japanese in the dark days of 42/43.
It was fascinating to learn how we monitored Japanese Naval
radio Traffic and that Pamela and her colleagues were able
to read their code. If you missed the meeting you can listen
to a pod cast of it on our web pages on the Navy Victoria
Network Website. You just click on recordings. PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR APRIL MEETING IS BEING HELD ON APRIL 30th, NOT ON 23rd ON April 30th we celebrate ANZAC day by listening to the men who were there! ANZAC VOICES GALLIPOLI is an ABC CLASSIC TWO CD RECORDING WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM YOUR ABC SHOP OR ON LINE. IT IS CD 481-1626 and on the 30th we will hear disc one. These men are no longer with us and the recollections were obtained from ABC archives for these recordings in 1990. Underlining the narrative is some very reflective backing music. More..... |
| March 2018 |
We began our year with a very interesting illustrated
address by CMDR Matthew Hoffman RAN, the XO of HMAS
CERBERUS. CMDR Hoffman told us of his Naval career to date
and left us in no doubt as to the importance and
effectiveness of our submarine force in respect of the
overall defence of our nation. Our speaker on March 26th is WWII veteran Pamela Nichols who enlisted in the WRANS in 1943. Check out the flyer for further information. You definitely won't want to miss it! More..... |
| February 2018 |
We wish you and yours a Happy and Healthy New Year. We have
an excellent speaker lined up this month. Our XO at HMAS
CERBERUS, CMDR Matthew Hoffman will share with us his
passion for HMA Submarine service. As a submariner he
certainly knows his subject!! CHECK OUT THE FLYER FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION! More..... |
| December 2017 | Our End of Year Function has to be considered a great success. LCDR Mohapp was a very engaging and entertaining Speaker, plus numbers attending were most gratifying! Its success was certainly a joint effort, so pat yourselves on the back. As is normal, Waverley RSL ensured the success of our celebration with good food, excellent service and superb facilities. More..... |
| November 2017 |
Thank you sincerely for the confidence you have shown me and
my team in re-electing us. Thank you! We look forward to our 'End of Year Celebration' on November the 27th. We have a very interesting person to speak to us. LCDR Cassandra Mohapp RAN, the First Lieutenant of HMAS Cerberus speaks very well and she certainly has an interesting tale to tell. I'm looking forward to catching up with you on the night. Over the last couple of months I have been researching the 'Pride of the Victorian Navy' HMVS Cerberus. More..... |
| October 2017 | Currently I am assisting my NHS colleagues in Sydney with the revamping of the Naval Historical Society of Australia web site by researching HMVS CERBERUS. Having access to HMAS CERBERUS on a weekly basis has enabled me to delve into the archive boxes in the Museum and the collection in general to research the 'Pride of the Victorian Navy', HMVS CERBERUS. The passage in London of the Colonial Naval Defence Act in April 1865, cleared the way for Victoria to build, man and maintain their own Navy under the British flag. More..... |
| September 2017 | At our August meeting we viewed our last Naval Video Time Capsules presentation, Part 2 of 'The British Pacific and East Indies Fleets'. As we have come to expect of these films from the archives of the IWM in London, we were witness to much historic footage, formerly not readily available to us. The late Roland R Smith compiled and presented the 11 episode series which we have viewed over the past 5 years or so. It is an excellent series and made available to us by David McFall of the NHS in Sydney. More..... |
| August 2017 | Our presentation of the IWM Archives Film 'British Pacific Fleet-Phase one' was very well received at our meeting last month ,and it is pleasing to know that many are looking forward to viewing the sequel, 'British Pacific Fleet-Final Chapter' on August 28th. My thanks are due to our Secretary, LCDR John Redman for Chairing the July meeting in my absence. More..... |
| July 2017 | Last meeting Doug Jenkin held us enthralled with his tale of his adventures whilst a member of the crew of HMAS Culgoa F408 in 1952 off New Zealand. Her Captain, LCDR Wright, did not underestimate the situation in regards to the storm they survived, with his conclusion that: "Looking back, it is no exaggeration to say that the ship fought for her life, and won!" More..... |
| June 2017 | Our May meeting was well attended and it is pleasing to find so many of us making use of the Warramunga Restaurant prior to our meeting. A lovely meal and a drink followed by an excellent speaker is all rather pleasant. It was great to share Jan's video of the 'Yachties' special day in Canberra, and to also hear further stories about these very brave men! 'Bravo Zulu' Jan! You certainly won't want to miss Doug Jenkin's account of his adventures in 1952 whilst serving in HMAS Culgoa, this month. More..... |
| May 2017 | Greetings! Attendances were down for our April meeting, but those able to be present enjoyed an excellent film of the Gallipoli campaign played on really fabulous facilities provided to us in the Waverley RSL Sunset room. We enjoyed an excellent meal in the Warramunga restaurant before the film and it was a good night. One thing your President found was that by having our meeting so close to ANZAC day, resulted in many of us not able to make it. Lesson learnt! More..... |
| April 2017 | We commemorate Anzac Day this year by sharing an excellent DVD documentary entitled 'Gallipoli Untold Stories' at our April Meeting. I have previewed the presentation and very much enjoyed the first-hand accounts given by ten of our heroes who were alive in 1990 when this DVD was made. It also gives a rare insight into what really happened, and includes rare black and white film footage and photographs many of which I hadn't viewed previously. One glaring omission is that they have not mentioned the exploits of AEII on April 25th, and it's bearing on the campaign. More..... |
| March 2017 | My sincere thanks are due to both Marty Grogan and Frank Cronin, my Vice Presidents, who conducted our very successful first Official Meeting for the year at our new home, the Waverley RSL. Captain Tim Standen's address was very well received, and in all the meeting went very well. More..... |
| February 2017 | Both Marty Grogan and I have met our new CO Cerberus and SNO Vic recently. Our departing SNO, Captain Steven Bowater, convened a meeting at Cerberus for President's etc of the 'Navy Family' in Victoria to meet with his successor Captain Tim Standen, and the newly appointed XO, CMDR Matthew Hoffman, for us all to meet and greet, and fill them in re our activities and objectives. It was an excellent initiative, and most enjoyable. More..... |
| December 2016 | Christmas Greetings to you all. May 2017 be a happy and healthy new year for you and your families. With our change of venue for our meetings I feel we have new opportunities for growth, whilst consolidating our loyal membership. Notification of our various activities though the Waverley RSL Mailing list of 900 email addresses, not only is very generous of the RSL, but is an offer which provides us with access to like minded folk. In reality the ball is now in our court and it is up to us to capitalize on this splendid opportunity. More..... |
| November 2016 | Thank you sincerely for supporting my re-election and also that of my team. We appreciate your vote of confidence. When I perused my annual report to the AGM, I came to the conclusion that 2015/16 was indeed a very successful, active year for us, and it was well supported by you. THANK YOU! More..... |
| October 2016 | October is a momentous month for us in that we vacate our centre of operations of many years, the Melbourne Naval Centre, and as from February next year enjoy the facilities of the Waverly RSL in which to hold our Monthly meetings. Navy week falls in October as well and many of us will be attending the Seafarers Service at Saint Paul's Cathedral, and the open day at HMAS Cerberus functions just for starters. More..... |
| September 2016 | October this year sees the end of an era for us and heralds a new beginning for our organisation. For many years the Melbourne Naval Centre has been our meeting place in Melbourne, thanks to the generosity of the Melbourne Naval Centre Inc Committee. More..... |
| July 2016 | We did enjoy the 'Naval Video Time Capsules -Episodes of the Royal Navy last month and indeed are looking forward to also enjoying 'D-Day reflections of Operation Neptune on July 25th. Full detail elsewhere in this 'Dog'. We are very fortunate to have some excellent speakers in the months ahead. On August 21st, Nicky Cree has some rare films shot by his father CMDR Charles Cree DSC RN to share with us. More..... |
| June 2016 | This month we remember the 'D Day' landings of 1944 and I'd like to share with you a video filmed in colour from HMS BELFAST. Those of you not familiar with computers should view this, somehow! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/ World War Two as you have never seen it: extremely rare colour footage of D-Day invasion released… More..... |
| May 2016 | My friends and I spent ANZAC day at Foster in Gippsland. As in previous years HMAS CERBERUS provided personnel to assist in both the march and the service. Well done Navy!!! More..... |
| April 2016 |
Greetings! As Anzac Day approaches we reflect on Anzac Days
past, and on friends who have 'Passed over the Bar.'
Lest we Forget! LCDR Kelly Haywood, Senior Officer Instructor at the Maritime Logistics School at our HMAS CERBERUS, gave us a snapshot of the intricate job done by the 'Pussers' of today when she spoke to us at our last meeting. Kelly has certainly had an interesting career to date and her 'Navy Stories' where listened to with a great deal of interest. Also, her abiding interest in creating awareness about suicide, depression and mental health, touched a chord in amongst her audience, to which a number responded. More..... |
| March 2016 | Greetings one and all! We hope you have remembered to mark the changed meeting dates for our March and April Meetings at the MNC. The dates are March 21st and April 18th. You won't want to miss out on Rodney's Suppers or our excellent speaker in March and interesting ANZAC video in April! We have to vacate by October 30th and only have a further eight meetings at our Melbourne Naval Centre. We will miss the ESU Building, where we have enjoyed many wonderful shared experiences over many years. More..... |
| February 2016 | We extend New Years Greetings to you all, trusting that you will be both happy and well in 2016. Personally I look forward with confidence to the year ahead, knowing that I am supported by an excellent team and a loyal and faithful membership! Give yourselves a hearty slap on the back!! I enjoyed meeting our New National President, David Michael, whilst I was in Sydney last month. We had a very productive meeting and I commend the Member's Survey to you, and urge you to make your views known. More..... |
| December 2015 |
Naval pride was well to the fore in Port Melbourne on Friday
November 27th and in Hastings on Saturday November 28th. We were absolutely delighted with the overall quality and authenticity of the 'Answering the Call' statue our Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO CSC RAN, unveiled In Port Melbourne on the 27th. Admiral Barrett has been very supportive of this project since becoming our leader and his speech prior to the actual unveiling, revealed a depth of knowledge in the project, it's conception and objectives. We have obtained a copy of our Chief's speech and I am delighted to share it with you by quoting exerpts from it. I feel it certainly ticks all the boxes. More..... |
| November 2015 | We have an excellent team assembled for the year ahead, and welcome to the Executive our new secretary LCDR John Redman RAN (ret) and new Librarian and assistant Librarian, LCDR Roger Buxton RCN (ret) and Sue Buxton respectively, who are taking up the baton from our Sue Curwen and her able assistant Fay Claxton, and we acknowledge the excellent job, Sue and Fay they have done in setting the Library up. On the sick list is our 'money man' George Bird. Get better soon George. We miss you! More..... |
| October 2015 | Many of us attended the Navy Ball at the Atrium Flemington Racecourse on October 17th, and the consensus is that it was a splendid occasion. Our congratulations go to the organising committee for a job well done. Personally I had a great time! More..... |
| June 2015 | Our Speaker at our May Meeting was Tim Smith, Executive Director of Heritage Victoria who treated us to an interesting and informative illustrated address entitled Australia's Heritage at Sea. Tim is no stranger to our Society having spoken to our Sydney Colleagues at the 'Boat House' previously. More..... |
| April 2015 | We celebrate the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign this month, very much aware of the part played by Navy in this epic, whilst not in any way detracting from the valor, determination and pure grit shown by the armies of the British Empire, and of France. More..... |
| February 2015 | We wish you a happy and healthy new year. Our Treasurer, George Bird, has been under the weather recently, but his 'better half' Betty hopes to have him 'hale and hearty' soon. All the best, George! Whilst perusing the 'Australia Day Honours Lists I was delighted to see that our National President Paul Martin has been awarded the OAM. More..... |
| December 2014 |
Jenny and I extend Season's Greetings to you all. May you
all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy
2015. Our 'End of year get together' at the Waverley RSL was very well attended, the food was excellent, and all seemed to have enjoyed themselves. Captain Stephen Bowater lived up to his reputation as being a very interesting Speaker, and CMDR Jim Speed was very appreciative of his 90th Birthday cake and was polite when commenting upon our rendition of 'Happy Birthday, Jim!' More..... |
| November 2014 | Thank you for your vote of confidence with my re election as your President, and for providing me with such a good team to spread the load.Our Program for next year will see some changes implemented which we believe will cater better to the needs of our diverse membership base. We have a duty of care to our colleagues who prefer not to drive at night, which is coupled with that of our younger membership who like to come to our meetings and are still in the work force, but who find that by the time they get home from work, they don't feel like going out again. More..... |
| 27 October 2014 |
REPORT TO THE AGM 27th OCTOBER 2014 The 12 months from October 2013 - to October 2014 has been momentous, with excellent Speakers interesting films and good fellowship. More..... |
| October 2014 | Each year on October 21st we commemorate the 'Battle of Trafalgar' and focus on our shared heritage as members of the British Commonwealth. Just 12 months ago it became very obvious to me, how much the Royal Navy has influenced our RAN and indeed navies right around the globe. More..... |
| September 2014 | Our meeting room at the MNC was filled to capacity, for our August gathering, to hear CMDR Jim Speed speak to us. We were intrigued to hear Jim's story of his exploits as a RN Naval Commando on Sword Beach which began 6th June 1944, and continued until the situation at the beach area was secure. It was an insight into a little known aspect of the Normandy landings, and also of the intense training regime undertaken prior to the event. We were privileged to hear Jim speak with so much clarity and candor of events of 70 years ago, which were of such great momentum. Might I add, he put all us younger shavers to shame by speaking completely without notes! More..... |
| August 2014 | One cannot but be very impressed by the Royal Canadian Navy's contribution to total Victory in WWII. On September 22nd at the MNC you will have the opportunity of meeting LCDR Roger Buxton CD RCN (Rtd) who will speak to the topic "The Transformation of the Royal Canadian Navy During the Second World War. "It is quite a remarkable story! Roger will describe the state of the RCN in 1939 taking us through WWII, with an emphasis on the conflict in the North Atlantic. Mark it in your Diary now! More..... |
| June 2014 | We are delighted to advise that Captain Stephen Bowater OAM RAN has accepted our invitation to join us at our end of year function in November, accompanied by his wife Mrs Juliene Bowater-Woodrow. Captain Bowater has had a very interesting career to date. Stephen Bowater joined the RAN as a 15 year old Junior Recruit in 1976. By 1989 he had been promoted to Chief Petty Officer Combat Systems Manager(Aircraft Controller). Highlights of his time as a sailor include a 'Peter Mitchell RAN Instructor of the Year' award and two Middle East deployments in support of the USN Battle Groups during the Tehran US Embassy hostage crisis. More..... |
| May 2014 | Our Frank Cronin is extremely proud of the fact that his Dad served in the 'Australian Flying Corps' both in England and France during WWI. For research on the Australian Flying Corps ,we recommend http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/ww1-flying/ to you as it is an excellent article from the AWM on the AFC. Thinking about Frank's Dad and his mates, led me to research the development of the Royal Flying Corps and its Naval Wing ,which became the Royal Naval Air Service on July 1 1914. More..... |
| April 2014 | We have had a press release from Defence detailing command changes at the top level. We are delighted to note that Vice Admiral Ray Griggs is to be Deputy Chief of Defence in July and that Rear-Admiral Tim Barrett is to be our Chief of Navy in his stead. We extend our warmest congratulations to them both. More..... |
| March 2014 | Rear Admiral Tim Barrett AM CSC RAN was our speaker this year at the Creswell Oration. Currently our Fleet Commander Australia, his career spans three decades. Justifiably proud of the success of the RAN's International Fleet Review, the title of his address was 'The significance of the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy's First Fleet', which proved to be of great interest historically. More..... |
| February 2014 | We wish you health and happiness for 2014. Mac Gregory joins us in March, and personally having been intrigued by his accounts of his time as ADC to our G.G. Sir William Mc Kell CGMG. I recommend that you not miss the opportunity to share Mac's reminiscences on March 24th. Our April 28th meeting will feature short films obtained from the AWM on our involvement in WW I. New member, Rodney Phillips, has lent us his copy of the History Channels DVD 'HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY'. There are three episodes, and they will be screened at our May ,June and July meetings. Also I'm delighted that LCDR Roger Buxton CD RCN has agreed join us on August 25th.Roger will speak to us of 'The transformation of the Royal Canadian Navy 1939-1945'. Detail of our activities planned for February, March and April are listed in detail on two websites, the Naval Historical Society, and the Navy Victoria Network. We are so grateful that these excellent Web sites are made available to us. The NVN has even developed an app for your 'smart 'phone so you can be up to date at all time! Detail NVN website. More..... |
| December 2013 |
FAREWELL TO AN OLD FRIEND LCDR Mac Gregory and I attended the funeral of CMDR Hugh Pryce Jarrett RAN R'td on Monday 30th September. He was 92. Mac was a colleague, sometime shipmate, and close friend to Hugh .I enjoyed Hugh's company immensely and admired his scholarship. We spoke at length of his experiences in HMAS WARRNAMBOOL and of her tragic sinking. Hugh was named after his Canadian cousin Hugh Harper, a casualty of WWI. At Hugh's request I searched in vain for Hugh Harper's name on the WWI Memorials in Belgium at Tyne Cot and the Menin Gate. John Redman and I were fortunate to find Hugh in excellent form when we visited him at RSL (Vasey) Park in Frankston the previous November. Hugh was not only an accomplished Naval officer, historian, etc he was a hero and I'm indebted to my friend LCDR John Redman for providing the following information to us from which we are proud to quote: More..... |
| November 2013 | My friend and yours, WO M.G.(Marty) Grogan OAM RANR, joined our RAN on the 25th November 1963, and is still part of it, and wears our Navy's uniform. 50 years service is a fantastic achievement and we are proud to know him! Well done Marty! His close friend, Brent Balchin also joined the Navy in 1963 and both he and Marty served together. Brent is no longer in the Navy, but he shares Marty's passion and is, like him, using his considerable talents to promote our Navy's History. I was pleased to feature examples of Brent's skill as photographer and printer of Naval photographs at our recent 'Show and Tell'. More..... |
| October 2013 | Sydney was very welcoming to visitors for the IFR. Why go to the Gold Coast when Sydney town can turn on such gorgeous weather and fantastic hospitality! Part of the magic was the overall Naval presence both in the harbour and in Sydney itself. She was very much a proud Navy town! The fact that so many of the sailors were in uniform is just something you rarely see these days. I was very glad that so much of my time was spent on the harbour because the huge crowds over that first weekend .I tried to get on a Darling Harbour Ferry on the Friday, but to no avail. Only a third of the awaiting passengers were allowed to board! More..... |