In this edition of ‘ARMI NIUS’ we bring you up to date with the rather exciting coming events involving the Association. As well, there will be the reports from the various representatives of the Association who attended the ANZAC commemorations across Australia and Papua New Guinea.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Our Association has had a busy year so far and this level of activity looks like continuing for the near future.
Annual General Meeting:
- The date for the AGM has not been set as we intend that it coincide with the naming of the bridge near Caboolture, Qld to honour our past president, Frank Wust. At this stage we are awaiting the setting of the date by the government departments involved. All members will be notified by Email immediately this information becomes available.
- Our AGM will follow the bridge ceremony and will be held at the near by Caboolture RSL Club.
- All members are invited to attend the AGM. Reports will be heard from your office bearers. Any member wishing to raise any issues for the meeting to address should submit these to Secretary Kev.
- The AGM is an important event in the year of the Association as we review our last year and look to the events of the future.
Ceremony for naming of the Frank Wust Bridge:
All members interested are welcome to attend this event as a tribute to our immediate past president, Sgt Frank Wust (PIB & NGIB).
ANZAC DAY 2018
Every year, the presence of representatives of the PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR Association at ANZAC Day commemorations has been growing. We salute the efforts of these members who have taken the time to be involved and who honour the service and sacrifice of those who have gone before us. We are delighted to have a selection of photos from the ceremony at Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby to lead the following pictorial report on ANZAC Day.
Our thanks to Owen Turner for again representing the Association and providing the pictures.
ANZAC Day – Port Moresby
Owen Turner lays a wreath on behalf of the Association at Bomana.
Meeting at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby with (L to R) John Aiede (ret. Naval marine engineer), Ret. Lt Col Jethro Usurup ( ret. army doctor), Owen Turner, Frank Moripi (ret. Army supply officer) and Frank Moihe (ret. Army education officer) – all serving between the 1960s and 1970s
Owen has provided this report on the Bomana Dawn Service:
The ceremony was very emotional, well-organised and well-represented with standing room only. This year there was an extended special mention and stories of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. It would be a recognition indeed if, in a future year, a similar address specifically highlighting the proud history of the PIB could be made to involve local people further. It was also pleasing to see that, for the first time in a number of years, Papuan school children were invited to lay wreaths also.
ANZAC Day – Brisbane
PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR contingent proudly led by President Don Graham.
Association members joined by PNG ladies at the wreath laying ceremony, South Pacific memorial, ANZAC Square, Brisbane.
PNG Highlands ladies leading the singing of the PNG National Anthem at the conclusion of the Wreath-laying ceremony.
ANZAC Day – Townsville
Member, Graham Carnes with the National Servicemen’s Association banner.
Graham Carnes proudly wearing his PIR beret with Chalkies badge.
ANZAC Day – Sydney
W.O Jock Wilkinson (PIB&NGIB) in front of the Association banner before the Sydney march.
One of the marchers reported:
Jock was in fine form again walking the whole distance without really using his stick, ramrod straight and in step. At one stage during a stop in the March, he turned around, ducked under the banner and strode up to the young guy leading a school band behind us and suggested in no uncertain terms that some real march music should be being played, not the dance music that they were playing. So who won???
It was funny …. and Jock got quite a cheer from the bystander audience.
Editors:
Ian Ogston ozoggies2@gmail.com
Greg Ivey iveygj@gmail.com