Meet & Greets - 2008/09

 

MARCH 2009 . . . .

NSW - Granville RSL Club

Now Loosen Up You All            !!!!!!!!!
 
The recent NSW Meet and Greet was a "good'un" !    A couple of new faces , in particular Pat ( Fagan ) Lawford ( my father from the Melbourne and Hobart days ) who was the Greenies first 'inaugurated WO. A warm welcome to a visitor from the Gold Coast, viz, Colin "Gabby" Hayes  -- ex WOETC / WEEO -- doing some rocky time in Sydney.
 
Those present as per the group photo  !!
 
Back Row L/R:    Bob Osborne; Pat Lawford; Col Hayes; John Leate; Bruce Richens; Bill Shaw
 
Centre L/R:        Bob Sell; Waldo Walton; Pete McGurk; Alan ( Buck ) Ryan; Reg Jones;
 
Bottom  L/R:        Pete Maher; Kerry Spencer; Ted Schloithe; Keith ( Pop ) Reilly; Bob Allen
 
Apologies:    Dennis Allnut; Bill Doyle; Alan Ford; Jack Fenton; Mike Kielty.
 
To those not present  .... see what you are missing out on with such illustrious company / good spirit / exaggerated dits  !!
 
    "  BE THERE OR BE SQUARE  !! "

Unofficial M&G - Maroochydore QLD

Pic below is the only evidence that a M&G was held on the due date at Maroochydore Surf Club. Ken Musson esq on the right, Michael Kielty on the left. Missing from shot was Mike Thomas who arrived from the USA too late for the event. His little brother Paul volunteered to take care of Mike’s share of ale and was duly seconded to take the middle place in the pic as the thorn between the roses (I think that’s how the saying goes).

Cheers,   MK

 

SA - Port Adelaide Naval Association Rooms

The March Meet & Greet in Adelaide wasn’t affected by the long weekend after all. We had 36 attendees with 5 of these being first timers.

Those who attended included…..
Lionel Amos, John Bolton, Gene Boron, Trev Brown, Mark Brown, Michael Cain, Roy Collins, Maurie Davey, Kim Daw, Chris Egan, Alan Fletcher, Doug Haskings, Rock Hudson, Bob King, Gary Lang, Mal Magor, Chris McConville,  Trevor McKerlie, David Mortimer, Terry Norman, Ray Odd, Michael Parker, Ian Peterson, John Phillips, David Potterat, Les Radford, Bob Reidy, Chris Rowe, John Saywell, Ian Short, Spotty Spotswood, Gordon Stringer, Bill Swan, Alan Tassel, and Neil Walton

We also had a guest from Jervis Bay – WOETC Michael Grischeff.

Our first timers were….
Lionel Amos, Mark Brown, David Mortimer, Ray Odd and Les Radford. They all had a great time and will be back in September. It was a delight to see them catching up with mates they hadn’t seen since the 70’s. That’s what the Meet & Greets are all about!

Apologies (18) were received from…
John Bannister, John Bushell, Orm Cooper, Ian Eglinton, Gary Gosden, Andrew Harrison, Norm Holden, Jeff Howlett, Gomez Isumski, Bob Kearvell, Ray Kemp, Mal Parrington, Ron Passek, David Plohl, Blue Reidy, Phil Shephard, Mini Shuttleworth and Jack Van Eyck.

The majority of the apologies were because of the long weekend with the guys having family travel commitments. If they had turned up we would have given our record turnout of 44 a real shake.

Notable attendees were Trev McKerlie who made his usual 500km round trip having had all of his top teeth removed on Thursday (not a pretty sight!) and David Mortimer who travelled 400+kms from Millicent in the South East. Well done guys and thanks. We also had our first father and son. Trev Brown (WE) was accompanied by his son Mark who was an ETS.

We were also delighted to have Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore and NOICSA Commander Craig Pritchard spend some time socialising with us as they were on other business at the Port Adelaide Naval Association rooms.

A great day was had by all (as usual) with everyone looking forward to September.

John Bolton  and  Rod Spotswood

.
The South Australian group pictured on Saturday March 7

VIC - Stella Maris Seafarers Centre

Only nineteen attended our last Meet & Greet at the Stella Maris Seafarers Centre than in November 08, the next gathering in September is already booked for the newly opened “Duckboard House”. (Melbourne RSL). Never the less, all enjoyed refreshing their memories of their service to the country in years past and present.

Comments heard during the afternoon were, “We should travel to an interstate M & G and enjoy the company of others that we served with, in particular S Aust”. The impromptu speeches held at the November M & G should be continued and to get larger attendances, the M & G’s should not be held on a long weekends.  Pam IRVING-DUSTING, an Ex “C” rate in the USN, was thanked for spending the entire afternoon with us. The great news that Pete McNAIR is clear of cancer and now in remission was passed on to members.

 There were apologies from Tom ALBRECHT, Stephen BEAL, Jos BIERMAN, David BROOK, Pete BURNETT, Barry CHITTOCK, George COBURN, Owen CULLEY, Steve DUNSTONE, Peter ELTON, Keith EVANS, Bruce FOX, Gavin GUSSLING, Andy HOLMAN, Wayne LEWIS, Trevor LONDON, Geoff LOWE, Kevin McKINNON, John McNICOL, John OWENS, Pete REPSCHLAGER, Geoff RICHARDSON, Jim ROLES, Brian SCOTT, Barry SHRIMPTON, Steve SMITH, David SOUTHWELL and Laurie WILLIAMS

Gary HAYES, Alan THEOBALD, Ray LAWRENCE (in background) and John VAN T HOFF

Kim SAMUEL, Neil IRVING DUSTING, Les BENNETT, Geoff THRELFALL and Pam IRVING DUSTING

Ray DRAKE, Lee ROBINSON (in background) and Mick GEORGE

Tony HAINES, David ROTTINGER and Bernd ROTTINGER

Ian BENIER, Paul PAYNE, Bob FARR and John VAN T HOFF

Front Row: -   John VAN T HOFF, Paul PAYNE, Bernd ROTTINGER, Pam IRVIND DUSTING, Neil IRVING DUSTING, Lee ROBINSON, David ROTTINGER, Ray LAWRENCE and Geoff THRELFALL
Back Row: -   Ray DRAKE, Tony HAINES, Gary HAYES, Mick GEORGE, Alan THEOBALD, Les BENNET, Bob FARR, Kim SAMUEL, Ian BENIER and Herman MUNNINK

WA - Fremantle RSL Club

Attending were - Peter 'Chips' Dales; Allan Hillman; Denis Coombe; Les 'Bull' Lever; Keith Varley; Tony Howell; Lou Hoekzema; Darryl Gough; Harry Hills; Ron Clement; Clark 'Chinga' Pride and Mel Smales.
 
We received appoligies from - Tom 'Dutchy' Van der Togt; Trevor 'Tad' Davies; Clive Plummer; Sid Czabotar; Kev Gleeson; Ron Jackson; Colin Benporath.
 
Our new venue, the Fremantle RSL, while somewhat austere when compared to the Pokie supported gin palaces of the East, was very welcoming.  The Manager provided a complimentry Jug, with a hint of nibblies at the next gathering.  Feedback from those attending indicates a return for subsequent gatherings.

Ends March 2009 . . .

NOVEMBER 2008 . . . .

NSW - Granville RSL Club

Once again ' Daily Orders' decreed Saturday 15th November the NSW the meeting of the finest RAN's electrical minds at the Granville RSL.

See the attached 'group portrait' (bottom picture) of the attendees on the day.



Back row ( standing ) L / R -:
Brad Parker, Pete McGurk, Bruce Richens, Alan (Buck) Ryan, Reg (Spike) Jones, Matt Holzl, Tony (Irish) Ireland.

Front Seated L / R :
Alan (Jock) Macleod, Chris Rotering, Ray Vidler, Brent Williams, Peter Maher, Bill Shaw

Apologies : John Frunks, Rex Pusser, Bob Sell, Tony Every-Miller, Mike Kielty

Was good to see three (4 ) new faces in attendance.  Again notably the absence of "regulars", though the new faces represent those greenies of an era post we "oldies" that paid off on or about the late 60's / early 70's. It will be those greenies who will 'fill in the gaps' in future years we hope and we trust they will spread the word and become active members of the " PussersGreenies Association ".

Thank you all for attending and hope to see MORE of you all in the month of May next year !!

Pete McGurk / Pete Maher
( NSW PussersGreenies representatives )

SA  -  Port Adelaide Naval Association

Thirty seven of the Royal Australian Navy's finest Greenies gathered at the Port Adelaide Naval Association for the November Meet & Greet yesterday.
 
Those who attended were......
 Rod Baker, John Bolton, Gene Boron, Trevor Brown, Mich Cain, Roy Collins, Kim Daw, Chris Egan, Jeff Howlett, Gomez Isumski, Ray Kemp, Bob King, Gary Lang, Mark Loram, Mal Magor, Trevor McKerlie, Terry Merritt, Terry Norman, Mick Parker, Mal Parrington, Ian Peterson, Potsy Potterat, John Phillips, Bob Reidy, Chris Rowe, Geoff Salkeld, John Saywell, Ian Short, Mini Shuttleworth, Spotty Spotswood, John Sutton, Bill Swan, Alan Tassel, John Thackray, Liz Uren, Jack Van Eyck, Neil Walton.
 
Apologies were received from.....
 John Bannister, John Bushell, Bruce Coleman, Orm Cooper, Maurie Davey, Ian Eglinton, Norm Holden, Rock Hudson, Chris McConville, Blue Reidy.
 
John Sutton was a visitor from Queensland as he was in Adelaide on business.
 
New faces were Liz Uren (Wran ETC) and Mal Parrington. Mal only registered last Wednesday and was able to catch up with three oppo's he hadn't seen for twenty or thirty years. That's what Meet & Greets are all about! If anyone reading this hasn't attended a Meet & Greet then set aside some time next March 7th and get along to the Meet & Greet in your State.
 
As always Trev McKerlie made his six-monthly 492 km round trip to join us, so don't tell me that travel is the reason for not attending Meet & Greets!

Queensland - The Irish Club

Brisbane Meet & Greet November 2008 was attended by:
Brian French, Tony Gerding,  Roger Dewar,  John Marsh,  Trevor Rieken,
Lynne McKay,   Bill Pierce,  Col Saxby,   Ian Campbell  &  Bob Laxton

VIC - Stella Maris Seafarers Centre

The Victorian M & G was the most successful so far, especially as we had a big representation of serving members from HMAS ARUNTA, CERBERUS, a member of HMAS PERTH 1 crew and a visiting Qld member.

Those present as in the photo were:- Back row L to R:
Chris (Blue) Lawless, Chris Wright, John Van T Hoff, Brums Bermingham, Frank Ludewig, Paul Payne, Steve Thorbjornsen, Mick George, Lee Robinson, Bob Farr and Ray Drake.
Centre row L to R:
PO Helen Adams, PO Mark Smith, Pete McNair, Gary Hayes, Pete Repschlager, Peter (Rocky) Richard, Basil Hayler (HMAS PERTH 1), Dennis Clem (Qld member), Les Bennett, Herb Sunderland and Ian Benier.
Front row L to R:
LEUT Daniel Smith, LS Ben Gooley, PO James (Rock) Hudson, LS Brad Smith, AB Luke Frazer-James, PO Paul Coates, CPO Brad Taylor, LCDR Steve Wren (WEEO) and LS Sean Thomasson.
Also not in the photo are Bernd Rottinger and his son David (CPO HMAS CERBERUS).

There was also a record number of apologies received from :-

Dennis Campbell, Norm Hindle, Steve Willoughby, Graeme Lawless, Charlie Morris, Tom Albrecht, Ray Fryer, Michael Nixon, Ron Heenan,
David Ball, Peter Barnes, Peter McQueen, Kym Bryant, Barrie Sunderland, Frank Townsend, George Coburn, Steve Dunstone, Jim Roles, Mick Houston, Tim Hamilton, Martin Toy, Peter Burnett, Neil Bird, Ron Jacobson, Trevor London, Chris Hakkenness, Barry Shrimpton, Gordon Knight, Bruce Hedley, Barry Chittock, Bruce Fox, Geoff Threlfall, Alan Theobald, Owen Culley, Dave Cochrane, Mike Lewis, Lou Evans, Herman Munnink and Joe Bauman.

As a novel twist to the gathering, some were asked to identify themselves with a brief history of their time in Pussers.

Thanks again to our “Cuff Rate Chef” Bob Farr and his assistant Ray Drake.
All who attended including our serving members have commented on how they enjoyed the company of all in attendance.
Ian Benier,
Victorian PG coordinator

Ends November 2008