1. ANZAC Day Marches 2014
Here are a few photos from recent ANZAC Day marches around the country.
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Brisbane:
Frank Wust in the vehicle, with the Association banner held by Frank’s sons, Ian (left) and Noel. |
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Brisbane Members. |
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President Frank Wust and his grandson Alec Longuet photographed by David Kapernick. |
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Brisbane before the March:
L-R: Don Graham, Frank Cordingley, Richard Boddington, Garry Screen, Kevin Smith, Ian Ogston, Terry Edwinsmith and Greg Ivey. |
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Brisbane after the March:
Back row L-R: Kevin Smith, Ian Ogston, Terry Edwinsmith, Frank Wust, Don Graham, Garry Screen. |
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Brisbane:
Garry Screen and Greg Ivey after wreath laying in Brisbane at the Kokoda statue. |
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Sydney:
Servicemen and relatives at the Sydney March. Servicemen in green berets are (L to R) Sgt Wayne Bensley, WO Jock Wilkinson (PIB & 2 NGIB), Sgt Peter Porteous. (Photo taken by another marcher, Russ Wade) |
| The Association acknowledges and thanks WO Jock Wilkinson (aged 94) for his sustained contribution to this Association and its predecessor Associations. When he is able, Jock visits and communicates with other veterans and attends special events such as the official opening of the PIR Exhibit at the School of Infantry Museum in Singleton, NSW, last year. Jock, you are inspiring to the Sydney marchers and to all Members, as much as our Brisbane March leader, Frank Wust. | |
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Sydney:
L-R: Bob Strachan, Peter Porteous, Bob Pryke, Wayne Bensley, John Hain. |
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Townsville:
Graham (Knobby) Carnes, believed to be the first Nasho Education Sergeant to serve at Igam Barracks. |
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Darwin:
Frankie Maclean holding Kobe Tye de la Cruz Maclean who is the great grandson of Fred Lucas (PIB), taken at the Darwin march. |
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PNG:
Aidan Grimes, Kokoda Track Guide, laying a wreath at Bomana War Cemetery to honour World War 2 servicemen. |
2. Townsville Celebrations
In early April 2014, Greg Ivey flew to Townsville for the 90th birthday of LT Jack McIntosh MID (PIB). At Jack’s wish, the party was held in his home and was attended by family and friends from Australia and Papua New Guinea. Among several speeches, Greg passed on the congratulations of the Association. In appreciation, Jack handed over some war memorabilia for the Association archives.
On the same weekend, representatives of local, state and federal governments joined senior Army Officers and local citizens to re-dedicate Jezzine Barracks on The Strand. Jezzine Barracks is now a community asset following lengthy negotiations between the military and indigenous communities supported by the injection of over $40 million to convert the site to public use. Association members Greg Ivey and Graham Carnes were present and were briefed on the project by BRIG Neil Weeks MC AM, one of the project’s key supporters. Neil Weeks was a teacher, conscripted into the Army and selected for Scheyville officer training. Neil served in Vietnam (1968, MC) Malaysia-Singapore (1969-71) and at 2 PIR in 1973-75. (Neil had challenged the Army to provide a career for him after the Army had “interrupted his teaching career” by conscription. He signed on for the regular Army as a result.)
Graham Carnes also drove Greg to see the 2006 National Servicemen’s memorial on the shores of Cleveland Bay. Provision has been made for families to place a plaque, in honour of their Army relative, on adjoining tablets.
 Jack McIntosh briefs Greg on PIB activities while wife Olive prepares dinner in the background |
 National Servicemen’s memorial with Magnetic Island in the background |
 Close view of memorial |
 Jezzine Barracks’ Kissing Point lookout with Castle Hill in background |
 Jezzine Barracks’ stakeholders cut the ribbon on 5 April |
3. Memorial Plaques on Gold Coast
Following the initiative of our Patron, LTCOL Mauri Pears MC, three bronze Plaques will be installed and dedicated on 8 August 2014 at Broadbeach Qld:
- Plaque One honours servicemen from the PIB, the NGIB and other Units
- Plaque Two honours servicemen from the PIR
- Plaque Three honours servicemen from ANGAU and NGVR.
These Plaques will be attached to the existing Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall monument in the grounds of Cascade Gardens.
Your Committee members have participated in the drafting of the text. Please see the text for our two plaques below. Donors have paid for the manufacture, freight and installation of the plaques.
You are invited to be present at the Dedication on 8 August. The time is not yet decided but is likely to start around 10.30. The Dedication Service will be held in conjunction with the annual Kokoda Day Commemoration Service at Cascade Gardens, Broadbeach, Qld. This promises to be a red-letter day for our Association, and our Unit Banner will be displayed during the Service.
Members may wish to mark their diary or calendar and consider being present at this event.
Any questions, feel free to contact Greg Ivey or Secretary/Treasurer Kev Horton.
4. Nominations for all positions of the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Assn for the 2014-2015 year.
The PIB NGIB HQ PIR Association Annual General meeting is to be held on Sunday, 1st of June at 1.00pm at the Geebung-Zillmere RSL in Brisbane. All are welcome.
As we have only one official meeting each year and most business is conducted by e-mail or phone, the demands of most positions are not onerous.
The association would welcome new blood to nominate for committee positions but would also like those who are prepared to continue in their current positions to re-nominate and all let either Kev Horton or current Membership co-ordinator, Greg Ivey, know by e-mail or phone before the end of May 2014.
Committee Positions available for Nomination:
* President
* Vice-President
* Secretary/Treasurer
* Assistant Secretary
* Membership Co-ordinator
* Newsletter Editor
* Brisbane Representative
* Inter-state Representatives
* History Officer
Contact Kev Horton at lindyhorton@hotmail.com, phone (07)5446 1639 or Greg Ivey at iveygj@gmail.com or (07) 5476 6971.
5. If you have any items for publication in future editions of this newsletter, I’d be pleased to hear from you at rrljb@optusnet.com.au
Richard Boddington
Newsletter Editor