President’s Message - exwraaf.comexwraaf.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/WRAAF-Bris… · Web...

WRAAF BRANCH BRISBANENewsletter - October to December 2013

Australian Flying Corps and Royal Australian Air Force Association Queensland Division

Message from our PresidentRosie Forster

I welcome you all to our last meeting for the year and with Christmas only 44 days away we’ll all have plenty to do before then. The past two months have been a busy time for me but I will not bore you with all the details, other than to say I had a wonderful trip; met some crazy & wonderful people, saw & learnt a lot about this great country.

The Reunion was a great success & I’m sure you have heard about it by now. Meeting up with friends you haven’t seen for 30+ years was my highlight. The most important news to come out of the Reunion is that Brisbane is hosting the next one in 2015 at Coolangatta.

In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my committee for their support throughout the year & to all of you for making this branch what it is today. I wish you & your family a wonderful Christmas & all the very best for the coming year.

Look after yourselves & take care, see you all in January.

Rosie*****************************************************

2014 WRAAF Branch Meetings

Meetings are held in the Brisbane Square Library Community Meeting Room on the ground floor (all Saturdays at 10 am to 12 noon). You can gain access to the Library via the side entrance through the food court any time after 9 am. The security guard will let you in.

18 January 8 March 10 May12 July 13 September 8 November

*****************************************VALE

SQNLDR Margaret Cass 1928—2013 Margaret received her formal education at Methodist Ladies College and began her professional life as a Private Secretary. She joined the WRAAF where she attained the rank of SQNLDR. Postings included OIC WRAAF at Williamtown, OIC WRAAF RTU at Edinburgh SA. Then to Melbourne at 1SD, SOPUBS and RAAF Base Laverton. Margaret was very fondly known as ‘Mama Cass’ and there are no doubt many ex-WRAAF who will have great stories to remember. Unfortunately ill health made life difficult in recent years and Margaret died on 11 October 2013. She fought bravely and will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Shirley Brown (nee French) a stewardess who joined in 1952.

Olwyn Felton (nee Punter), W18480. Died 9th Nov 2013 Aged 74 Years.

*****************************************WRAAF Branch Newsletter – Oct to Dec 2013 1 of 10Printed with the kind assistance of Councillor Bruce Casos, Division 4, ICC



WRAAF Branch SOCIAL CALENDAR 2014

Date EventSat, 18 January WRAAF Branch AGM & Ordinary General MeetingThurs, 27 February Council Bus Trip to Maroochydore for lunch Sat, 8 March WRAAF Branch Ordinary General MeetingFri, 25 April ANZAC Day March in BrisbaneSat, 10 May WRAAF Branch Ordinary General MeetingSat, 12 July WRAAF Branch Ordinary General MeetingSun, 27 July Ex-Servicewomen’s Church Service, St John’s CathedralSat, 16 August Tri-Service Lunch, Kedron-Wavell Community CentreWed, 10 Sept Annual Memorial & Wreath Laying Service, KallangurSat, 6 Sept Toowoomba Annual Ex-WRAAF Reunion LunchSat, 13 Sept WRAAF Branch Ordinary General Meeting17-19 October TBC Hervey Bay ESW Annual Birthday Weekend Sun, Sept/Oct TBC Ex-Servicewomen’s Golf Day, Bribie Island Golf ClubSat, 8 November WRAAF Branch Ordinary General Meeting and Christmas LunchTues, 11 November Remembrance Day Service, ANZAC Square, BrisbaneSat, 12 November WRAAF Branch Meeting & Christmas LunchNov/Dec TBC Other Services Christmas Morning Tea

*****************************************BREAKING NEWS!!!

WRAAF NATIONAL REUNION – GOLD COAST, QLD 9 to 11 October 2015!!

See Special Events on Site Menu on our website www.wraaf.org.au for more information and Expression of Interest form

*****************************************WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING?

35th TOOWOOMBA WRAAF REUNION ;- 8 th September 2013

The Toowoomba girls have once again put on a wonderful weekend. The Saturday lunch was held at the Blue Mountain Hotel and as in past years the service and the meal were first class. I sat next to Bonnie Boon and our table did very well with the raffles. It was great to see Peg Lindsay, Toowoomba’s Patron and Elaine and all the other girls. The committee should be congratulated as once again their organization has resulted in a warm atmosphere where old friends could reunite and enjoy each other’s company. Our numbers were down this year but we look forward to more of us heading up the mountain for next year’s reunion. Date to be advised. 1st or 2nd weekend in September.

Christmas Lunch 9 th November 2013

We had another good turnout, with over 50 of us, at the newly named Market Buffet at the Treasury Casino including Rosie and Leigh’s sisters and two serving ladies from RAAF Amberley. As always it is fascinating to talk to current members and to discover how different their Air Force experience is to the one we had. The food was plentiful and bountiful and as usual the seafood, especially the prawns, was the big

WRAAF Branch Newsletter – Oct to Dec 2013 2 of 10Printed with the kind assistance of Councillor Bruce Casos, Division 4, ICC

http://www.wraaf.org.au/



ticket item, closely followed by the indulgent desserts. Secret Santa was lots of fun and a good deal of thought went into the gifts. All in all it was an enjoyable end to 2013.

*****************************************All Services Morning Tea 30 November 2013

Nearly 50 members & guests attended the Morning Tea, although it was raining we didn’t have the excitement of last year, when Brisbane had the bad storm & the hotel was flooded. The food was delicious & it was lovely to be able to sit & chat with everyone. The raffles were a great success, just ask Peg Lindsey – good on you Peg. Over all the day was a great success & Tracy & staff did a great job looking after us.

*****************************************PERTH REUNION 11-13 October 2013

The Qld Contingent at Perth

Mrs Black, (Sqn Off Gibney) cutting the cake

*****************************************

RAAF NEWS ONLINEYou can access the latest RAAF News – now simply called Air Force – online by going to http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/?xml=defencenews_airforce.xml


http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/?xml=defencenews_airforce.xml



RAAF RADSCHOOL MAGAZINE

You can check out the latest issue of the Radschool magazine by going to www.radschool.org.au, click on Magazines then follow the prompts to the latest volume.

*****************************************DID YOU KNOW????

WRAAF history project?Would you like to share your service experiences for a WRAAF history project?

Dear Ladies,The seeds of this project were planted many years ago. I was the second female to be accepted into the technical trades in RAAF in 1985 and was surprised at the lack of written history of women in the Air Force during the post WWII period. Much had already been accomplished by you, the women of the WRAAF, but there seemed little interest in writing about it. I had thought on many, many occasions that someone should write this history. It was a thought that would continue to linger in the back of my mind long after my very brief RAAF career. It was not until 2011 that the project became a very real possibility when, as a postgraduate history student at Monash university, I interviewed ex-WRAAF Lynn Mitchell here in Melbourne for my oral history assessment item. It was clear from those discussions that nothing much had changed in regard to the written history of the WRAAF. Once again I looked seriously at the possibility of taking the project further. After completing my course with distinction I realised that I was well equipped to write the history of the WRAAF, and that if this history was going to be written then I would be the one to write it. The size of the project was prohibitive in the initial postgraduate levels of university study, the time constraints involved and life getting in between, meant that the project stalled for a while.With all of the ups, downs, twists and turns I have resolved to complete this as a private project. It is a chapter of the Australian story that I believe must be told and one that cannot be considered complete without the input of the women involved, you!With this foremost in my mind I have attached a form that I would encourage you to fill out and return to the address below. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that your experience isn’t interesting enough. I guarantee that you will have at least one very interesting, intriguing or funny experience to share, but in all respects a historically significant tale to tell. I do hope that you will consider taking part in this project. Kind Regards,Colleen Nazareth26 Blue Range CrescentLynbrook, 3975Phone: (h) 03 9799 3773 (m) 0402 693 160Email: [email protected]

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further information.

*************************THE WAY WE WERE.

Courier-Mail 29 January 1954Birthday partyThe Women's Royal Australian Air Force held a birthday party— the first since the war — at Manhattan Gardens last night. Among the guests was Flight Officer O. B. A. Thompson, Officer Commanding the


http://www.radschool.org.au/



WRAAF at Amberley air base. She was formerly in charge of WRAAF training at Point Cook (Victoria) RAAF Station.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic). Saturday 30 January 1954WHEN I SAY MOVE ....YOU MOVE!The W.R.A.A.F. corporal didn't exactly ROAR at the new Point Cook recruits yesterday, but she sure did YELL!When Corporal P. Cox (at left) told the girls "Dress by the right," the girls' heads snapped around like this (below).The W.R.A.A.F.'s, who began their initial training only this week, will take part in the Trooping of the Color, ceremony when the Queen visits the Point Cook station.Yesterday's parade was one of the first rehearsals for the ceremony.

Queensland Times (Ipswich) 9 February 1954

IPSWICH GIRL IS 1000th W.R.A.A.F.--WILL SEE QUEEN

Proud parents in Ipswich today are Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Rodgers, Short Street. Bundamba. Their daughter, 21-years-old Dorothy Maud, is Australia's 1000th W.R.A.A.F. and will be in the guard of honour for the Queen the day she arrives in Melbourne. Dorothy and her parents are "thrilled to bits" about it all. To be "Rookie No. 1000" at Point Cook was one of Dorothy's big moments, but now that she is to be in the guard of honour for the Queen, it's doubly exciting. Dorothy will graduate two days before the Queen arrives in Melbourne. Like any other Australian girl she's always wanted to see the Queen, and now that she will be in line for a first-class view, she can hardly wait for the big day to come.

Dorothy has always been keen, too, on the Air Force. In Ipswich she was well known as a basketball player, and worked on the staff of Mather's Shoe Store. She went to the firm in Brisbane, and while on the staff there, joined up. Her brother, Private J. W. Rodgers, and his bride, an Army nurse, also share the family's excitement. Private Rodgers returned recently from Korea, and is at present at Wacol.

West Australian (Perth, WA) Friday 30 April 1954

Officer Extols Work Of The W.R.A.A.F.

There were now nearly 700 members of the Women's Royal Australian Air Force, all very keen on their work and playing an invaluable part as members of the permanent air force.

This was said yesterday by' Squadron-Officer E. M. Brett, command W.R.A.A.F. officer at Headquarters Home Command, Penrith, New South Wales. Squadron-Officer Brett, whose home is at Dardanup, started the W.R.AA.F. at Pearce in 1951 when she held the rank of Flight Officer. Now she is responsible for eight units at which members of the W.R.A.A.F. are stationed in Western Australia; South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. She makes regular inspections of units and visits each State at least twice a year. Squadron-Officer Brett will begin inspection duties at Pearce on Monday and is looking forward to revisiting her old station. During the Royal visit to Canberra she had the honour of marching before the Queen for the second time when she led the march of the W.R.A.A.F. squadron. The first occasion was in Lon don last year when she was a member of the Coronation contingent.




Mercury (Hobart) Tuesday 11 May 1954

Advertising

YOUNG WOMEN

If you are mentally alert . . . care about your appearance, and have the will to win in a Service that is rewarding and an important part of Air Force units throughout Australia, the W.R.A.A.F. provides many opportunities for bright, go-ahead young women to fill current vacancies in the musterings listed below.

Suitably qualified girls and women between 18 and 35 years (up to 37 years if former N.C.Os.) will find excellent opportunities for promotion to non-commissioned and later commissioned rank. You can enjoy a life of true comradeship in a grand job for the good of your country.

*****************************************NOT ANOTHER TRAVELOGUE!!

By Judy Morris

At last the opportunity arose for my longed for trip to Ireland. I have travelled some over the last ten years but Ireland and I seemed destined not to meet. I am very fortunate in having a group of friends who are also great travellers so when the conversation turned to visiting Ireland we were all packed and ready as quick as Jack Flash.

Always at the beginning is that awful plane trip. We travelled on Singapore Airlines and it is probably as good as any but I think economy class travel from Australia to anywhere is punishment for past sins. However, we survived but I did have a foot massage in Singapore airport while we waited for the connecting flight to London – just to try to feel a little human again. Every time I do that trip I say I am definitely flying business class next time but never seem to do it. It’s probably a bit like childbirth – you forget the pain until you do it again.

We started with a week in London and were very pleasantly surprised to find this beautiful city awash with sunshine. It was really hot so a bit surreal when rain and gloom was the expectation. I love to be a tourist so did all the sights including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. The Abbey looked like a fairy palace sparkling in the sunshine. The highlight of London for me was a tour of Winston Churchill’s war rooms. The place is as it was during the war and it was pretty incredible to see how the war was run from such cramped and uncomfortable little rooms. Another highlight was seeing ‘The Jersey Boys’ in London’s West End. Also had the best omelette of my life in Soho. Did lots of lunches in London pubs and if the English do nothing else well, they have surely got that right. Fish and chips and Guinness pies in a London pub make you think you have died and gone to Heaven.

From London we joined a coach tour to see Ireland without the stresses and strains of driving and finding our own way around and this turned out to be a fabulous way to do the trip. The tour director was a very informed and articulate guy whose knowledge of history was astounding. I loved his commentary and his penchant for reading poetry was so surprising and enthralling. The entire coach was silent when he lapsed into his poetry.

We visited Bath with the famous Roman ruins, Cardiff (fabulous Cornish pasties), Stonehenge and passed through gorgeous Wales countryside to catch the ferry to Ireland.




Loved Killarney, Waterford, Blarney, Kildare and the Ring of Kerry. Ireland is just as green as expected and just as gorgeous. I was a bit ho-hum about seeing the Waterford crystal factory but it was fabulous (bought a pair of magnificent whiskey glasses). Didn’t think much of Dublin – it was a bit gloomy to my mind. Downpatrick was just beautiful and St Patrick’s Cathedral wonderful. I touched the huge rock which covers the ‘reputed’ grave of St Patrick. . We visited an Irish pub and drank Guinness and sang Irish songs, went to a vaudeville night and can’t remember ever laughing so hard, and rode in a jaunting car. Belfast was gorgeous and Trinity College was amazing. I am an ardent Oscar Wilde fan and just loved walking the same halls as he did. Belfast has the most amazing place celebrating the Titanic. It is 4 stories high and is totally absorbing. Very informative and the artefacts etc., rescued from the Titanic and the photographs were quite enthralling. It is probably a much asked question, but we did enquire why such a massive display was built for a ship which sank on its maiden voyage and the reply was that ‘it was fine when it left Ireland’ and I guess you can’t argue with that logic.

The Irish people were just gorgeous and of course you can listen to that Irish lilt forever. One sad piece of information we picked up is that the Irish economy is in a very bad way and the Irish people are once again emigrating in large numbers. All over Ireland one house in five stands empty. Let’s hope things pick up again soon.

We moved on briefly to Scotland and I was blown away by the magnificent Edinburgh Castle. Sadly, we missed the Tattoo, but the castle itself can entertain for hours. There is a little chapel built by one of the Queens (Mary I think) and sitting in there made me very aware of the centuries of history whirling around. Further down the track we visited Shakespeare’s Stratford –upon-Avon and the Cotswolds. Another best was the scones and clotted cream there. Never to be forgotten. Back to London for an overnight before heading off to Paris on the Eurostar. Paris looks to me like it is built from lace. It is so unbelievably big with the most beautiful buildings. It is enough for me to walk around Paris and just look and absorb its beauty. No wonder they write songs and movies about the place. Of course, lots of baguettes with cheese and red wine didn’t hurt a bit. The Eiffel tower at night is such a sight. The French people are not so friendly but that possibly seemed so after coming from Ireland where the folk there couldn’t do enough to help. A bit of French attitude to the uncultured Aussies there I think. The highlight for me was a day trip from Paris to the D-Day beaches at Normandy and the American cemetery. Very moving and quite awesome to stand in the German gun bunkers and look down the beaches. Had to revisit “Saving Private Ryan’ when I got home. From Paris, off to Singapore. I am not a fan of modern Singapore. To me it has lost its character and I prefer the post-war Singapore with teeming masses of all creeds and colours, exotic foods and impossible traffic with trishaws mixed up in it all. I visited Kranji cemetery and Changi War Memorial and was totally emotional about the war history. The cemetery is beautiful and I just sat and absorbed the peace and sadness. However, the Bugis Street markets are fabulous and I felt like I was back in Penang when I was there. I got a bit carried away and bought 8 watches so now have a watch for each day and two on Sunday. I have been so engrossed reliving the journey that I perhaps got a bit carried away and probably bored you all to pieces but at least I haven’t invited you all to a slide night. I hope to go to Eastern Europe next so stay tuned – I will be happy to ‘entertain’ you with my travel tales when I get back from there.




A Note from Sandie Downes on her outback tour.

Destination: Driving towards the Birdsville Track!Route: Brisbane to Port Augusta, and home via Broken Hill.On 21st August we (Sandie and husband Charlie) left Brisbane, campervan in tow, travelling via places such as Chinchilla, Mitchell, Charleville, Quilpie etc. called the Diamantina country. Whilst driving along the route from WINDORAH to BETOOTA, we came across a group of walkers. Ex-servicemen, called “Wandering Warriors.” A group of SAS vets walking 1600km from Brisbane to Birdsville to raise money for fellow soldiers. The Wandering Warriors, started out from Brisbane on 3 Aug to do this relay walk, called the Brisbane to Birdsville Megawalk, raising funds for charity to support our veterans and their families. This group of megawalkers arrived at Betoota, whilst we were there, to view the Betoota races and to have a well -earned break, whilst the races were on. 30/31 Aug – 2013. Along the track after the Betoota races, heading towards BIRDSVILLE, we again passed this determined group, steadily walking through dust and flies near 35 degree temperatures.Birdsville - We waited eagerly at the finish line about 3:00pm on Sept 5th at the Birdsville Pub and watched these great group of twelve Vets cross the finishing line. And still smiling and chatting, after walking some 1,602 kilometres. So far the people of western Queensland have donated in excess of $50,000 to outback walkers.

A bit of information about Afghanistan – Battle CasualtiesSince Operation SLIPPER commenced, there have been 40 operational deaths in Afghanistan. As at 31 March 2013, there have been 253 ADF members wounded in action in Afghanistan.Non-Profit OrganizationDonate: http://www.wanderingwarriors.org/donate/Direct Debit: Acc Name: Wandering Warriors BSB: 06 4172 Acct No: 1066 8125

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN5dnOC740g to view the finish of this walkSandie’s tour continued on from Birdsville, via the Flinders Ranges, Broken Hill and return in time for Charlies shoulder operation on 30 October.

*****************************************

REUNIONS

2014 Reunion – RAAF Rathmines 75th birthday of RAAF Rathmines will be held 27-28 September 2014For more information contact Howard CampbellWelfare Officer Radar Branch & State Councillor RAAF Association NSW Division2 Preece Close, Springfield NSW 2250Phone: 02 4322 1505 Email: [email protected]

*****************************************




RECIPES

PINE WALNUT SLICE RECIPE (From Barb Power)

2-Cups Plain or Wholemeal Flour2-Teaspoons Bi-Carb Soda1-Cup Sugar2-Eggs3/4-Cup Chopped Walnuts1-Teaspoon Vanilla1-Tin (440gms) Crushed Undrained Pineapple

Combine all ingredients with wooden spoon (or a fork) and then place in slab (lamington) tinBake in moderate oven for 40-mins. Test with skewer before removing from oven.

********************************************Health and Well-Being Officer

Our Health and Well-being officer Maureen Whitworth-Chalk, sends out birthday greetings and get well cards and regularly keeps in contact with members who are not faring too well. If you know someone who is not well, going or been to hospital or experienced a bereavement let Maureen know - 0412451405 or [email protected]

********************************************Update Your Details

If we haven’t got your correct email or postal address, then you will not be on the list to receive minutes, newsletters etc. If you change your email or postal address PLEASE advise the Secretary ASAP.

*******************************************Paying for functions, trips etc.

Payments for functions, trips, fees, clothing etc. can be made to the Treasurer at our meetings or deposited (electronically or manually) into our Suncorp Account. Please note the details below.Account Name: (WR) WRAAF Branch RAAFA Qld DivBSB No. 484 799 Account No. 04107 1771Cheques are to be made out to WRAAF Branch RAAFA Qld Div. If direct depositing write your name on bottom of the deposit slip and include what it is for, eg, fees, functions etc. Contact Carol McCool – details below – notifying her that you have made a deposit and what it is for.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES DUE

Annual membership fees are payable in advance on 1 January 2014 to our Treasurer as above. Payment will ensure that you are entitled to speak or vote at any meeting, especially the AGM in January 2014.

Full membership fee: $32.00 per year Associate / Social membership fee: $12.00 per year

********************************************WRAAF Branch Newsletter – Oct to Dec 2013 9 of 10Printed with the kind assistance of Councillor Bruce Casos, Division 4, ICC

mailto:[email protected]




YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President: Rosie Forster Phone: 3889 3728 Email: [email protected] Deputy President: Cheryl Souvlis Phone: 3286 2076 Email: [email protected]

1/1 Sunshine Drive, Cleveland Q 4163 Secretary: Pamela Ritter Email: [email protected]: Carol McCool Phone: 3284 3490 Email: stewiencarolmccool @gmail.com

53 Kurumba Street, Kippa-Ring Q 4021Assistant Treasurer: Jill Buckland Email: [email protected]

General Committee Members: Jill Buckland, Sandie Downes, Gillian Shepherd, Judy Morris and Eunice Smith

Please contact an Executive Committee member at any time if you have a question or query

********************************************Please forward any items of interest for publication in the newsletter to Pamela Ritter at

[email protected]

********************************************The WRAAF Website is www.wraaf.org.au

********************************************DUE DATES - Please read your minutes and newsletters when you receive them. They contain due dates for notifying attendance and paying for functions and unfortunately, in future, members ringing after due dates will miss out. Payment for functions should be made to the Treasurer.

AGM 2014

You should all have received the 2013 AGM minutes, 2014 agenda and nomination form by either email or post. If you wish to nominate someone for a position please complete the nomination form and forward to Pamela Ritter (Secretary) - email [email protected] or 89 Brisbane Rd, Bundamba, 4304 - by 30 December 2013. Also, please bring along your minutes and agenda to the AGM meeting on 18 January 2014 as no other copies will be available for you.

********************************************

The Branch received a Christmas card (handwritten) for all the members from Governor-General Quentin Bryce wishing us all a happy Christmas.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMASAND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

AND SEE YOU ALL IN JANUARY 2014



http://www.wraaf.org.au/





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