EVENTS ROUNDUP
PERTH—PNGAA WA Catch Up
Friday, 3 May 2024
The PNGAA WA meets quarterly in Perth and sometimes members catch up outside of the larger group. There was a recent get-together at the RAAFA Club, Bull Creek, a suburb of Perth. News and photos to follow in the September issue.
BRISBANE—Ex-Kiap Birthday Celebration
Wednesday, 17 April 2024
Ex-Kiaps Ken Hanrahan (left) and Jim Fenton (2nd right) celebrating
their birthdays
Selby, Christine Leonard, Jan Sinclair
and Sheryn Golledge at the Southbank precinct in Brisbane
The Ex-Kiap Network Forum gathered at the Ship Inn in Brisbane’s Southbank precinct for an informal lunch and get-together. The group celebrated the 90th birthdays of Ken Hanrahan and Jim Fenton—both falling on Anzac Day,
25 April. The Ex-Kiap Network has regular catch-ups not limited to ex-kiaps, chalkies, and didiman. Partners, family, and friends are just as welcome.
SUNSHINE COAST—PNGAA Palmwoods Lunch
Wednesday, 13 March 2024
Beryl Beinssen, Irene & Peter Cordukes, Peter Rogers, Mike Lean, Bradley Campbell, MaryAnn Uechtritz,
Susie Rogers
Lyndall Murphy, John Stanton, Mike Edgar, Graham Tuck, Chris Murphy, Bill Gornall
Otto & Jocelyn Alder, Paul & Margaret Brigg, Marilynn & Dennis Hoek
It was wonderful to have so many people join us for lunch at the Palmwoods Hotel in the Sunshine Coast (QLD) hinterland on 13 March. A total of 38 people enjoyed the company of old and new friends in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere with good food and pleasant staff.
Our starting point for invitations was the PNGAA member listing for the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas—as far north as Gympie, south to the northern outskirts of Brisbane and west to Kilcoy. We were delighted to see the grapevine extended the reach of our email listing, with eight non-members amongst the attendees. A special thanks to Paul Brigg who floated the idea of a Sunshine Coast get-together with me a few months ago, something we had thought about for some time since moving to near Kilcoy in November 2019, but had not got around to doing anything about it, not helped by the COVID lockdowns shortly after we moved north.
The assistance of Paul and his wife Margaret in organising the day, including preparing name tags and bringing along a huge PNG flag to guide people to the right area in the hotel, was also greatly appreciated.
Murrough Benson
EVENTS DIARY
BRISBANE – PNGAA Members & Friends’ Annual Lunch
Sunday, 28 July 2024
Time: 12 noon till 4 pm
Venue: The Ship Inn, Sidon Street, South Brisbane (corner of Stanley Street and Sidon Street, near the southern approach to the Green Bridge) – a relaxed gastropub.
RSVP: No later than Monday, 22 July. Please use the online form on the PNGAA website to let us know you will be there!
Cost: Meals and drinks will be purchased on the day. A donation of $10 (or more) towards PNGAA’s Scholarship fund would be appreciated.
Guest Speaker: Christine Leonard, the new editor of PNG Kundu. You will have met Christine in the March issue of the journal, now come and meet her in person! Christine is also keen to meet members and share her PNG experience.
CAIRNS – Ex-Kiaps Meeting Saturday, 27 July 2024
Ex-Kiaps, families and friends are invited!
Time: Midday to 8 pm
Venue: Restaurant at the Yorkey’s Knob Boating Club, Cairns.
There is a range of accommodation available around Yorkey’s Knob, for more information please contact Peter at the Cairns Beaches Tourist Information Centre—phone (07) 4055 7158 or email info@villamarine.com.au
Bring your favourite PNG photos or item of memorabilia for the display table on the day.
It would be fabulous if say 20 people could provide around five digital images each.
The club has an overhead screen for digital slide shows, so dig out those old photos, get them scanned, and email to us.
Contact: Along with your scans, please RSVP as soon as possible so that numbers can be confirmed—Deryck Thompson dandy51@bigpond.net.au
Anzac Day, Brisbane 2024
PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR Association
The memorial monument after
wreaths laid
Before the Brisbane Anzac Day March, the Association held a short memorial service in Anzac Square, to commemorate those Papua New Guineans who served in the PIB and NGIB Battalions during the Pacific War.
The PNG Consul-General, Mr Reatau Rau, began the service mentioning the service of his father as a ‘Fuzzy-wuzzy Angel’ and his uncle’s service in the PIB.
Speakers representing PIR , 2/14 Battalion and 2/16 Battalion Associations followed before the laying of wreaths, during which Phil Ainsworth, President of NGVR & PNGVR Association, read the ‘Ode of Remembrance’.
The service concluded with the PNG National Anthem led by a school choir. A short but well-attended service, growing in popularity each year.
NGVR & PNGVR Ex-Members Association
Phil Ainsworth with the PNG Consul-General and his wife
NGVR & PNGVR Association members before the march
About 20 members and friends marched in a brilliant, mild, windy autumn Brisbane Anzac Day – another 5 followed in jeeps. The outstanding Brisbane City Salvation Band marched immediately in front and kept us in step – many remarked ‘not once did we have to change step after march-off’—we marched well.
Our Chaplain Ron MacDonald, a trombonist, and his wife, Cheryl, the flag bearer, were in the band. Being more widely spaced between marching entities this year, gave us greater time in front of the TV cameras, and thanks to Ian Thompson and Peter Rogers (the Younger) for banner carrying in the windy conditions.
Following the march all adjourned to our usual watering hole, the Stock Exchange Hotel, for the reunion. This was attended by about 40 members and friends. Our later march off meant the hotel was open to patrons earlier, which resulted in other patrons spilling into our booked space. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable occasion.
Many thanks to Colin Gould and Peter Rogers for the arrangements for another successful reunion.
PHIL AINSWORTH
