RAAF 7TH INTAKE 1953
TOTTENHAM/FROGNALL
50th Anniversary Reunion
Glen Waverley RSL
15th – 16th March 2003
This was to be a special event, celebrating as it did, 50 years from the date that we entered service with the RAAF.
As Victoria was the training centre for the southern states, recruits were enlisted not only from Victoria, but Tasmania and South Australia as well.
The recruits were raw and young, all being 18 years of age.
After our initial introduction to service life in North Melbourne we were posted to No.1 Stores Depot, Tottenham to begin the next six months of our lives.
We were 82 in number (from the records I have) and divided into three ‘flights’.
A Flight under Corporal R Thompson (D.I.)
B Flight under Corporal W. Peterson (D.I.) and
C Flight under Corporal N. Jones (D.I.).
In number A Flight had 25 members, B Flight 29 and C Flight 28 members.
Sadly, some of our number are now no longer with us. The most recent advice is that AC-R D. DUFFY is deceased. No other details are available. You will have read of others, in previous articles on our earlier reunions the report of the passing of some of our members.
It has been difficult for the organizers of our reunions to make contact with all those 82 recruits over the years since our reunions began. However, there has been a consistent number of us that have regularly attended the reunions along with some who have been able to attend on a less regular basis. We have been happy to meet together in any number to once again relive the experiences of those days so long ago.
Following our last reunion in Canberra the cudgel of organisation was taken up by Colin Mackenzie. As those that attended Glen Waverley will attest, this was as successful as all previous reunions.
After booking into the Novotel Hotel, we began at the Glen Waverley RSL and were warmly welcomed by the President, Mal Carson (See Pictures). After viewing the collection of memorabilia, dinner was partaken in the Warramunga Restaurant where all enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal.
During the proceedings, John Trollop read a poem that was typical of our members, see Pictures.
It was arranged by Colin and Ken Greenberg that a visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a tour of the MCC Museum. This is a timely visit as the building is due to be demolished in October prior to redevelopment for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. The tour took in the Long Room, Cricket Museum, football change rooms, media area, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and to the Members Pavilion. Many thanks to Ken Greenberg for this opportunity. Following the tour lunch was enjoyed before we broke up and went on our different ways. Some to home, others taking the opportunity to visit Federation Square and city sights.
*****
List of Attendees
John Ball
Kevin & Barbara Bunce
Len & Barbara Glare
Ian & Monica Green
Ken Greenberg
Ron & Heather Hearn
Des & Betty Hinds
Harold & Ann Inglis
Ivan & Margaret Lee
Colin & Jean Mackenzie
Les & Heather McCann
Norm & Jean McGeary
Don & Dorothy McLennan
Brian & Josephine Mewett
Noel Meyer & Eileen Herbert
Lindsay Millar
Lindsay & Helen Porter
David & Eunice Spencer
Dean & Joy Standish
Bruce & Annie Stevens
Keith & Heather Thompson
Neil Tolliday
John & Margaret Trollop
Kevin Weir
*****
It was agreed by a majority that the next reunion would be held in Mildura, under the care and attention of Noel Meyer during October 2004.
*****
Edited and Updated by
Kevin Bunce
18.3.2003
