October 26th we held the 344th Birthday Luncheon at the Ringwood RSL Club at 12:30 Hrs.
74 Members, Wives, Partners, and Guests attended. Two absentees were Ken and Toni Moore, while on Holiday in the Cook Islands Ken came down with Pneumonia and did not respond to the local Hospital treatment and was flown back to The Royal Melbourne Hospital, the latest news he is going home to recuperate.
The afternoon began with the MC, Danny Allen RNZN, presenting The Head Table who was me with my Wife Pamela, Guests of Honour our Padre the Rev Hugh McCartney with Wife Pamela, and Vice President Mo Gorham with Wife Pauline.
After all were seated Danny asked that they please charge their glasses for the “Loyal Toast.” I then gave the toast to “Her Majesty the Queen” followed by the response from Vice President Mo Gorham.
President of the Ringwood RSL Mr Harry Seymour recited the Ode and I then handed the Microphone over to Danny for the rest of the afternoon - who then announced that the free bar tab was now open for beer wine & soft drinks.
It was great to see PO/X112954 Bert Love who drove almost 300km from Cobram Victoria. Also PO/X120637 Ted Ludbook and wife Joy who also made the train journey from Myrtleford country Victoria, to attend. During the course of the afternoon I presented Ted with one of our RM Plaques for him to take to his local RSL.
We were then served with a very delicious three course luncheon while being entertained by Musician Norm Price, with his Guitar and amplified recorded back up. Between the courses there was dancing to 1940's music.
As the afternoon progressed, dance music continued until it was time for the Cake Party - which consisted of The Oldest 91Yr old CH/X101389 Alec Smith & The Youngest PO40757E WO1George Fowler, to cut the cake. Accompanying the cake were me PO/X126800(T) and PO/X130524 Lt Keith Harrex (ret).
As the afternoon neared the end it was the call to UP Spirits and after I gave the Toast to the Corps, our Associate Member Bert Attwood RNFA followed the tradition of our late Member Eric Funge in all of us singing “Sons of the Sea.” And a thank you to Danny, for organizing the Lunch, to Audrey Teear, and to Ann Davies for selling of Raffle tickets, and the Chef’s, Waitresses & Staff of the Ringwood RSL for the use of their facilities.
Carriages arrived at 17:30 Hrs ending another great day.
Our Next Event will be the Remembrance Service at the Ringwood RSL, anyone visiting please contact me:
David Wilcox at Ph 9870 5360 Mobile 0401 332 869
email dfandpj@alphalink.com.au
or our Secretary, Michael Tucker
Ph 9439 7577 email mtdogs@optusnet.com.au
Finally on behalf of the RMA Victoria (Australia) I would like to Wish a Merry Christmas, and a Peaceful, 2009 to all our readers.
David Wilcox, President