WRANS-RAN WOMENS ASSOCIATION WA NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 2015

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1 EVENTS COMING PRESIDENTS REPORT 11 th May General meeting at 12.15pm at Anzac House. Perth Including cake less cake stall and raffle. 8 th June General meeting at 12.15pm at Anzac House, Perth. Followed by Who Am I? 27 th June Welcome to new members. The Navy Club. Fremantle. 3.00pm 5.30pm. (See notice in newsletter) 13 th July Committee meeting at 11am followed by General Meeting at Bring and buy. Anzac House. 20 th July Annual luncheon. Karrakatta Club. Sherwood Court, Perth. (See notice in newsletter) Several of our members attended the 55 th HMAS Perth Memorial Regatta at the Nedland Yacht Club which was a delightful afternoon. There was also a general meeting and jewellery show at the Navy Club in Fremantle. On Thursday 23 rd April Chris and I attended an Anzac Service at the Comet Bay College at Secret Harbour and it certainly was something to behold. It was the most impressive service I have ever been to as the work that had gone into the displays were amazing (of course the Navy and WRAN exhibits shone). Great work by Toni Ralph and Chris. State President Mr Graham Edwards gave a very moving Commemorative address and then Brigadier David Thompson gave the Anzac address. The highlight of the day was when WW2 veteran Mr. John Wade read the Ode. All this was followed by a delicious morning tea and a wonderful Anzac drama by the students. Then of course we had our own Anzac day march which as always was fantastic and even more so being the Centenary and followed by a delicious lunch at Anzac House. Look forward to seeing you all at our meeting in May. JUDITH LOGAN - PRESIDENT

2 55 TH HMAS PERTH MEMORIAL REGATTA. VALE MATSON: Eva Mari (Carroll) WR4017. Wtr. Joined 1951 served at HMAS Cerberus. Passed away 26 th October 2014 aged 85. BRYNE: Joan (Bryan) WR2. SigA/M 45/46. Served at HMAS Lonsdale and Harman. Passed away October 2014 Aged 88. PAGE: Maryann. WR AB Medic. Joined 1979 to Served at HMAS Cerberus, Harman and Balmoral. Passed away 11 th February 2015 Aged 56. HORNER: Rita WR108. Teleprinter Operator. Joined Served at HMAS Harman, Magnetic Island and Kuttabul. Discharged as an LWran. Date of passing unknown. POINTON: Helen Winifred (Pickering) WR2335. Joined Served at HMAS Penguin and Cerberus. Helen was discharged on compassionate Grounds. Passed away 25 th July 2014 aged 89 in New Zealand. Several of our members had the pleasure of being guests of the Nedlands Yacht Club to commemorate the anniversary of the loss of HMAS Perth in the battle of Sunda Strait in Chris s husband Bill, Jan Banks and Olwyn s son Graham also attended. Graham stood in for Avis who was unable to be there. We were entertained by Fremantle Sailing Club Pipes & Drums and the Naval Cadets from TS Perth did themselves proud with the guard of honour. Patron Richard Court made an excellent speech, welcoming guests. Commander Bill Ritchie RAN Rtd, 1 st Executive Officer at HMAS Stirling, followed by Captain Mal Wise RAN FRGGR.CM. gave inspirational addresses. This was followed by a most delicious afternoon tea and catch up with various people. SUBMITTED BY JUDITH LOGAN, NATALIE CULLITY

3 MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HMAS PERTH AND USS HUSTON. The 73 rd anniversary of the sinking of the two ships was held at St. Johns Church in Fremantle on 1 st March. A group of exwrans and 1 husband joined the congregation in a very moving service to those who gave their lives for our freedom and peace. The only WA survivor to attend was Norm Fuller. Fred Skeels was unwell and since passed away. RIP. 4 widows of survivors also attended. During the service a plaque was blessed and dedicated to Claude Choules. He was the last surviving exserviceman to have served in both World Wars. The normal prayer was read by Chaplain Franco Saini who we had the pleasure of meeting at the lovely morning tea provided by the parents of cadets of TS Perth. SUBMITTED BY SUZANNE JAMES MARCH MEETING AND JEWELLERY SHOW AT FREMANTLE Our March meeting was held at the Navy Club in Fremantle and we had a number of members together with friends attended for our catered lunch followed by the jewellery show. As always the lunch was superb and the caterers did a wonderful job with a huge assortment of yummy food to choose from. We then had the ladies back from last year to show us more jewellery. There were many fine pieces to look at and admire and several people made purchases. It was a very enjoyable day. NURSES MEMORIAL SERVICE AND THE 70 TH ANNIVERSARY OF HMAS NIZAM During a recent holiday to Augusta my husband John and I met Helen and Doug Oliver at a Nurses Memorial Service on 7 th February The nurses were from 2/10 th and 2/13 th Australian General Hospital and Sister Mavis Hannah the one survivor from the 4 th Casualty Clearing Station were aboard the Vyner Brooke when it sank. They spent three and a half years as Prisoners of War of the Japanese. It was a moving service with a piper playing the music as the community lay wreaths around the memorial Then on a perfect Sunday morning 8 th February 2015, at Cape Leeuwin Light House where the two oceans meet, we all attended a very moving service of the 70 th Anniversary of the HMAS Nizam tragedy, where 10 young men lost their lives off these shores on 11 th February 1945 when a king wave hit. A commemorative address of Anzac Centenary was given by Hon. Graham Edwards AM. State President of the RSL. Then the 70 th anniversary address end of WW was given by our own Patron, Captain Angela Bond. With the Naval Reserve Band, Naval Prayer, Poem In memory of shipmates, The Last Post, Reveille, Prayer for Families, National Anthem, and Blessing, we felt very proud to be associated with the Navy. SUBMITTED BY ANNE DeVRIES SUBMITTED BY LYN MARTZ

4 ANZAC DAY MARCH AND LUNCHEON Anzac day dawned cool but sunny with a little wind, but by the time we marched it was a little warmer. 25 ladies were ready to strut their stuff and so we started off with heads held high, straight back and did our best. Several of our ladies also attended by way of transportation on route. The crowds were extremely enthusiastic and appreciative and being the Centenary year it was a very important day for us all. The service was as usual very stirring with a heartfelt welcoming address from the State. President of the RSL. Mr. Graham Edwards AM followed by the address from The Honourable Kerry Sanderson AO Governor of WA. The address given by David Singer a 24 year old who served two tours of duty in the Australian Army in Afghanistan was so eloquently spoken and I am sure many people were emotionally affected by what he had to say. I certainly know I was. We then walked up to Anzac House where 34 of us (including guests) enjoyed a really tasty and yummy meal in the company of all our friends. It was just a wonderful day. Convivial company, good food and beautiful weather. What more could you want. SUBMITTED BY LYN MARTZ HMAS NIZAM REMINDER 37 TH COMBINED EX- SERVICEWOMEN S LUNCHEON. To be held on Thursday 27 th August at the RAAFA Bullcreek. Cost will be $35.00 which includes the choice of Roast Lamb or Grilled Fish. Fruit salad and ice cream or Apple Slice and ice cream. Drinks are included but you need go to the bar to order what you would like. There will also be raffles and tickets at $1.00 each. Can you please give your name to Val Tomerini and hand her the money at the latest at the 8 th August meeting.

5 NOTE: ANNUAL LUNCHEON VENUE: KARRAKATTA CLUB, SHEERWOOD COURT, PERTH TIME: 12 NOON to be seated for DATE: MONDAY 20 TH JULY 2015 AT THE TIME OF PRINTING THE MENU HAD NOT BEEN FINALISED. WE HOPE FOR A CHOICE OF 2 MAIN MEALS AND DESSERTS. COST WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $50 - $55. MORE INFORMATION SHALL BE GIVEN AT OUR NEXT GENERAL MEETINGS IN MAY AND JUNE. IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF YOU COULD GIVE NAMES TO OUR TREASURER CHRIS PRINCE AT EITHER OF THOSE MEETINGS.

6 New WRANS Badges I now have the New WRANS Badges They come with the safety chain already attached. They are $6.00 each if you would like one please contact me. Chris Prince Or chrisp52@bigpond.net.au

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