You will remember last month that I told you about our latest member, Scott Howe, well he has \done the right thing and filled in his Personal History sheet so now I can tell you a bit about him. He joined the Corps in December 1997 being given the number PO51580T and joined 630 Troop. During his service he qualified as a Landing Craft rating. He moved around quite a bit during his time in the Corps going to Lympstone, 40 Commando, Poole, back to CTC., 40 Commando, Baltbat (Latvia), Cdo. Logistic Reg. JSCSC, CHF, HQ 3 Cdo. Bde., CTC again, Bmatt (Czech Republic) HQ Inf. Warminster. A varied selection if I may say so. I'm not sure what some of the acronyms are, I'll have to get Scott to enlighten me. As regards scenes of action he can boast of N. Ireland, Macedonia, Kosovo & finally, Iraq. A couple of unique spots there!. Great to have you along Scott, hope to see plenty of you when you aren't helping the Sydney Swans along their winning way.
My spies tell me that the VP service was well attended and the post service gathering at the
Combined Services Club was well worth attending, our lot got a special invitation to go upstairs with the hierarchy. No doubt there will be a good showing next year!
Bryan Owen, our webmaster, suggests that you have a shufty at our www. site The address is
www.royalmarinesassociation.org He's been working behind the scenes on it bringing it up to date.
A couple of welfare cases this month. Frank Clark is soldiering on but he has difficulty walking, he needs a stick, and his kidneys are not the best. Georgie Bush has been carrying out nursing duties for his wife, Kaye. It was first thought that she'd had a stroke but that proved to be not the case which was a relief, she still needs looking after though and who better to do it than Bushie! The news isn't good for John Lees' daughter, Rachel. Her cancer has reached her brain and she is now at home where Phyllis can care for her. John was full of praise at the meeting for the hospitals and her church for the care that has been given to her. It was remiss of me but I forgot to mention last month that Nick Wise had been suffering from pneumonia. I'm glad to report that he is now firing on all cylinders, or should I say all rotors are working well.
It's getting close to the Central Coast get together at Doyalson RSL. Don't forget that those
coming by train are being catered for by the club supplyimg a bus to pick you up at approx 1100 hrs. at Wyong station and will take you back when it is time to go home. A lot of work has gone into arranging this function so let's have a good turnout. We always have a good time at these gatherings.
Also creeping up on us is the Corps Birthday luncheon at Chatswood RSL. It will be held on
October 23rd. Sitting down to eat at 1200hrs. The price is $35-00 a head but the committee has decided in their wisdom to subsidise paid up members and their cost will be $18-00. A combined hot and cold buffet will be laid on plus the customary tots for toasts etc. Who knows, there could even be a bottle of plonk on the table to imbibe. Once again we would ask for donations for the raffle. Quality rather than quantity in this case please, cheeky aren't I ! Rig of the day is usual RMA uniform, ie. Blazer & Flannels plus medals, it being a formal celebration. We are once again inviting the widows of past members to join us. There is a chance, a good one, that there will be a few ex bootnecks who have joined the Aussie army coming along, all the more the merrier. I'm now taking names and numbers for attendees so please let me know if you intend coming. Remember, if you say you will be there you are committed and will be up for the cost.
There was quite a bit of discussion at the last meeting about a suitable way of celebrating the 350th birthday of the Corps in 2014. We know it is quite a way away but ideas are wanted. One idea was a full weekend up in the Hunter valley. Give us your thoughts on doing something special. Events will be being held all over the world at this time so let's not be left out. We will most likely be running various fund raising things to really be able to make memorable celebration. I believe that the Corps will be carrying out the Royal Duties again like they did for the Tercentenary. It's hard to believe that was nearly fifty years ago.
Below is a proof of this year's Association Christmas card. Same price as last year, $12-50 for ten including envelopes. Please let me have your orders as soon as possible. The colours will be brighter on the final card.
Here endeth the lesson, see you at the next meeting. Don't forget Doyalson. |
