Website Events Calendar (22 May 2012)

A reminder that members can forward details of performances, reunions, meetings etc. to be added to the  website calendar. Please forward them to Stu Colhoun.

AABC Association Reunion Cruise - Nov 2014 (22 May 2012)

With Sydney being our next reunion destination in 2014 we've decided to do something a little different so we've organised a three night cruise on the P&O cruise ship 'Pacific Jewel' departing from Sydney on Fri (pm) on 7 Nov 2014 and arriving back in Sydney on Mon (am) 10 Nov 2014. This is a sampler cruise, which on this occasion is themed as a 'Food and Wine' - J445' cruise. Passengers don't require passports as the ship doesn't stop anywhere, just cruises up the NSW coast and back.

We've contacted a local travel agency and they have agreed to handle all the bookings for our members and partners for this particular cruise. Contact details are: Melissa@queanbeyancitytravel.com.au, or if you have any questions phone Melissa on (02) 6299 3111. Please note that the reason for this early announcement is cruises of this type book out many, many months in advance, so bookings are now open.

At this point in time only a deposit of 10% is required to secure your booking of a cabin, of which there are a number of configurations and prices. Deposits are required no later than the end of July 2013.  Details of deck number, cabin types, configuration and approximate price, which could change before the sailing date can be found on the P&O Website, http//www.pocruises.com.au.  If in doubt phone Melissa.

My wife and I just returned from a three night cruise on the Pacific Jewel and we had a great time and we recommend it to you.

Further details and information will appear in the association's next Newsletter.
Secretary

Hobart Reunion (18 - 20 Oct) - Update (21 May 2013)

Those members who are yet to register for the reunion in Hobart in Oct are urged to get their registrations in ASAP and are reminded that a $20,00 deposit is required COB Fri 14 Jun 2013.  Full payment is required by COB Fri 27 Sep 2013.  Details for payment are on the Reunions link.  If you still haven't booked your travel arrangements and are planning to fly to Hobart there are some cheap fares still available, but these specials are reducing daily.

AABK History Exhibition (14 May 2013)

On behalf of the AABC Association I wish to congratulate the Museum of the Riverina, Historical Council Chambers site, Wagga Wagga for their excellent exhibition of 'The History of the AABK, Instrumental in Defence', the display running from Fri 1 Mar and closed on Sun 5 May 2013. Thank you to all those people who helped make this display possible.  I'm advised by the curator Jeni Bradley-Cahalan that the exhibition was well attended during its duration and that lots of interest was shown by the people of Wagga Wagga, school children and visitors to the region. I visited the museum last month and was impressed by the extensive exhibition of memorabilia, historical photographs and stories, which covered the history of the Australian Army Band Kapooka (AABK), formally known as the Kapooka Band, Royal Australian Engineers Band, Royal Australian Signals Band and the 1st Recruit Traning Battalion Band. Congratulations!

Vale - Ron Robinson (13 May 2013)
Corporal Ron Robinson was a long serving member of Northern Command Band and a 2nd AIF soldier. He passed away peacefully on Monday the 6th of May at the ripe old age of 93. His funeral will be held at St Augustines church in Racecourse Road, Hamilton, Queensland at 1000hrs on Friday the 17th of May.
Barry Rodgers

Balcombe Barracks Commemoration (3 - 5 May) Report (7 May 2013)

An extremely sucessful Balcombe Commemoration reunion was held on Fri 3 May - Sun 5 May 2013 with a large attendance of ex apprentices and members who served at Balcombe during the forties up to the early eighties of the last century.  Congratulations must go out to the Australian Army Apprentice School Association (AAAA) working committee, other involved Corps associations, the Mornington Council and the Balcombe Grammar School for their hard work and valuable support over the past 12 months to arrange and conduct such an outstanding historical event.

Nearly five hundred ex-apprentices and thier partners attended the Meet and Greet held at the Mornington Racing Club on the Friday, catching up and renewing friendships with former colleagues from the Apprentice School, School of Signals, School of Survey and the Army School of Music. 

On Saturday the Balcombe Grammar School hosted a ceremony of re-dedication of the old Balcombe Gates and plaques. This also included the dedication of of new Plaques, Plinths and Balcombe History Story Boards (6). The plaques and Story Boards have now been relocated to the old site of the Apprentice School Parade Ground along with plaques and a special Story Board relating to the US 1st Marine Division, who were located at Balcombe on R&R during the mid forties.  A Reunion Dinner was held on Saturday evening where those attending were seated on their respective 'Class' tables.

Early Sunday morning a Commemoration Service was held in the beautifully kept Mornington War Memoral park. Prior to the service approximately 400 plus ex-apprentices marched up through the City of Mornington finishing at the park. Under the direction of Major Glen Rogers the Australian Army Band Melbourne supported the march and the Commemoration Service. Following the service morning tea was served at the Dava Hotel, a favorite afternoon tea and supper venue for the young apprentices under training and for those undergoing courses at Balcombe.

If you are an ex Apprentice or someone who may have served at Balcombe on staff or trained there and are interested in the long and distinquised history of Balcombe Barracks, please take the time to visit the site. I recommend a visit to the Balcombe Gates site to you!

Photographs of the weekend's events will be placed on the site as they come to hand. A great weekend!

Secretary

Sick Parade - Jack Wilson (29 April 13)

Jack's wife Corrie has reported that Jack had a nasty fall in the backyard during February and was hospitalised for two months.  He has since been admitted to the Aged Care Residential Centre as a permanent patient. For those who may wish to contact Corrie by email her address is corrieandjack@hotmail.com 

AABC Association 2013 Reunion - Hobart Tasmania (Fri 18- Sun 20 October 2013) (20 Apr 13)

Details of the AABC Association Hobart Reunion and the Registration Form have been added to the Reunions page.

Balcombe Barracks Commemoration 2013 Update (9 Apr 2013)

The Australian Army Apprentices’ Association (AAAA) is hosting a significant event in Mornington and Balcombe over the weekend of Fri 3 May through to Sun 5 May 2013. The weekend is open to all former members of units and civilian personnel that served at Balcombe Barracks, which includes Army Apprentices, Signals Corps, Survey Corps, Army School of Music, US Marines, WRAAC and any staff. The weekend will feature:

• Friday 3 May - 'Meet and Greet' - Mornington Racing Club (2.00pm - 7.00pm).
• Saturday 4 May - Balcombe Barracks Commemoration - You are requested to be parked and seated by 2.00pm. A formal presentation, including unveiling of Plaques, Plinths and Balcombe history storyboards will be held at the Balcombe Grammar School, which is located where the old AAS Metal Trades Wing once stood.  At the conclusion of the event you are invited to go down to the old AAS Parade Ground and Mace Oval. 
  
• Saturday 4 May - Reunion Dinner - Mornington Racing Club (6.00pm for 7.00pm)
• Sunday 5 May  - Remembrance Service - Mornington War Memorial. Commencing at 0900h with a short street march to the Memorial prior to the service. This will be followed by morning tea at the well known Dava Hotel, Mount Martha.
  
  

Federation Star Award - WO2 Fank Daly (30 Mar 13)

The AABC Association congratulates WO2 Frank Daly on his recent award of the Federation Star for forty years service to the Australian Amy. The Chief of Army presented the award.

Sons of ANZAC's Vietnam Memorial Tour - 2015 (28 Mar 13)

In 2015 the centennial of the landing at Anzac Cove will be commemorated and coincidentally a significant anniversary for Vietnam Veterans, being 50 years since the deployment of the first battle group. That deployment went on to last 10 years.  To commemorate this fact 'Mat McLaughlan Battle Field Tours' and Gary McDonald (Retd) a prolific author and historian on Vietnam will be tour leaders and lecturers at the sites of Australia's major engagements. Further details of this tour will appear in the next issue of 'Noteworthy', the assoiciation's newsletter. The website address for information is: http://battlefields.com.au/index.php/tours/69. The tour can be found there with contact information.

Sick Parade Update - Ken Holcroft (26 Mar 2013)

Stephen Holcroft, Ken's son recently visited his father down in Melbourne and reports that Ken is doing a lot better now , but not great. He says he's now up and walking again, which is a good sign. Ken was recently admitted to hospital with Peripheral Neuritis and Parkinsons, along with a host of other ailments. Stephen says the Parkinsons is responding extremely well to treatment as theree is no sigtn of the shakes.  If you wish to contact Ken he would be only too pleased to catch up and would certainly help him with his rehabilitation. Ph: 0499 892 641. The AABC Association passes on their best wishes to Ken and wish him well with his recovery.

Sick Parade Update - Clive Scragg (30 Dec 2012)

Clive Scragg reports that he has now completed his course of radiation therapy and will have to wait a couple of months to see if his cancer is stable or not. Clive was dignosed with localised secondary cancer and had to undergo radiation therapy treatment after discharge from hospital. Clive says he's feeling OK and he and Maria are going overseas to the UK in early May to visit his daughter. Clive says if you would like to contact him you can call him on the home phone: 02 9605 2033.  The Association wishes Clive a speedy recovery.

Sick Parade Update - John Hughes (21 Dec 2012)

John Hughes had his right leg amputated in early September this year. John received the initial injury to his leg on his depature from Darwin in 1969. He says he recently received another injury to the leg recently, which became infected and resulted in having the limb amputated. John contacted me to update his condition and says he's feeling fine and never experienced any pain. He says he and his wife Barbara are now looking for a larger house with wider doors for wheel chair access. 

Federation Star Presentations (11 Dec 2012)

LTCOL Gordon Lambie, (DMusic-A) reported from Canberra that on Mon 10 Dec 2012 two recipients of the AABC, WO1 Geoff Carter (ex AAB-D) and WO2 Dave Walker (ex AAB-N) were presented their 40 and 50 year Federation Stars respectively by the Chief of Army in his chambers at Russel Offices during the sitting of this month's CASAC meeting. Gordon says both recipients received their awards in a simple, but poignant ceremony in the presence of their wives and most of the Australian Army's Generals. On behalf of the AABC Association we congratulate both Geoff and Dave on this significant achievment and for their dedication to the AABC.

Message from Ralph Daines, Secretary RAN Band Association - Anzac Day 2013 (9 Jul 2012)

On behalf of the RAN Band Association the Secretary Ralph Daines has issued an invitation to the members of our association to join their association members on a cruise in 2013 during the Anzac Day period. See the News & Events link for details. 

Sick Parade Page

The Association website has many 'Sick Parade' posts that are well out of date and depending on the member/s concerned some posts need to be either updated or deleted. If you're one of the members that are listed in the page please advise the Secretary of your updated condition or situation. Thank you.