Ex-officio positions: Welfare Officers Judy Lofthouse, Pat McCabe Scrapbooking Dianne Sell History Project Joan Henstock Newsletter Editor Margaret Smith WRANS Reunion From the President Unfortunately this year has not started off too well with the death of two of our members in the first three months of the year. Christine Barbour who died in January did not want a funeral so we paid tribute to her with a minute s silence before the general meeting in February. Along with several other members of our Association, I attended Lee Luke s funeral on 19 March 2013. The committee and I have been very busy since the AGM with the change of name of our association that was agreed at the AGM. For those of you who have not caught up with this news, we have changed our name from WRANS Association (ACT) to WRANS Naval Women s Association (ACT). The change was made to reflect the fact that we now have members who have not served in the WRANS but have served or are still serving in the Navy. Whilst it is not a dramatic change to the name, there are a lot of things that need to be changed and a lot of people who need to be advised. This process is still not finished but the committee are working hard on achieving all the actions needed as soon as possible. Judith Rowe President New Committee At the AGM on 11 February 2013 the following were elected: President Judith Rowe Vice President Diane Lawrence Secretary Beth Roberts Treasurer & Membership Margaret O Beirne Committee Members: Events Co-ordinator: Judy Lofthouse DVA Liaison/Webmaster: Pat McCabe KOC Representative: Margaret O Beirne The next WRANS Reunion is to be held from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 March 2014 in Hobart at the Wrest Point Casino. Applications forms are available from the WRANS Vic website (Reunion Section) www.wransvic.org.au and you can also check this site for regular updates. At this stage, the plan is for a Friday evening cocktail reception and a Saturday evening formal dinner. Many of our members have already indicated that they will be attending. Merchandise If you do not already have a magnetic name badge and would like one, please give your name (that is the name you would like on the badge) and $15 to the Treasurer who will order a badge for you. The white hats that are worn on Anzac Day and other official functions are available from the Treasurer at a cost of $20 and with the tally band are $35. Upcoming functions for 2013 Please note the following functions in your diary. April 25 th Anzac Day march and lunch May 13 th General Meeting and dinner June 22 nd Mid-winter Lunch August 12 th General Meeting and dinner October 19 th Annual WRANS Commemoration Service at HMAS Harman Lunch TBA November 11 th General Meeting and dinner December 11 th Christmas Dinner Anzac Day March and Lunch We will again be marching on Anzac Day - Thursday 25 April 2013 at the Australian War Memorial, Anzac Parade. Please meet at the Naval Memorial around 10.10a.m. The march commences around 1030. Those of you unable to march are welcome to travel in the jeep meet at the top of the central parade ground on the right hand side, adjacent to the Ataturk Memorial.
Tickets are also available for seating if required contact Secretary Beth on 6241 3759. All ex-wrans and women who have or are currently serving in the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Naval Reserve are invited to join in the WRANS marching contingent and to attend the lunch. You do not need to be a member of the Association to march or join us for lunch. Don't forget your hat and medals. Serving members - uniform please. The march is followed by a service and then we will be all going off to lunch at 1230 to the Ainslie Football Club - just along Limestone Avenue from the War Memorial. Our Events Co-ordinator, Judy Lofthouse has been able to get a very good deal again at the Ainslie Football Club. Lunch cost is ONLY $20.00 per person which includes - Choice of Main from Roast (slice of Pork, Lamb and Beef) and roast veg OR Battered Fish and Chips with salad OR Chicken Schnitzel and chips with salad Bowls of Mixed Salad on table for self serve Dessert is either Lime Tart OR Fruit Salad and Ice cream. Could you now please advise Beth (our secretary) 1. If you will be marching/need tickets for seating/will be travelling in the jeep. 2. If you will be coming to the lunch, and if so 3. Your choice of meal for lunch from the above menu. We must have final numbers by Monday 15 April and prepayment is also required please. Payment may be made by cheque made out to the WRANS - Naval Women s Association (ACT) and forwarded to The Treasurer, WRANS Naval Women s Association (ACT), PO Box 402, WODEN ACT 2606 OR on-line by electronic transfer: (note change of name BSB number & Account number remain the same) Account name: WRANS-Naval Women s Assoc ACT. BSB Number: 633000 Account number: 120827027 If paying on-line, please provide YOUR name as the reference. Partners are most welcome to attend the luncheon. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Beth either by return email or tel: 6241 3759. HMAS Harman Sapphire Jubilee Gala A gala will be held to celebrate 70 years of HMAS Harman and to fundraise for Queanbeyan Legacy on Saturday 29 June 2013 at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Woden commencing at 1900 for 1930. The cost will be $80 per ticket and the dress code is Black Tie. For more information email sapphire.gala@defence.gov.au If anyone is interested in joining a table with other members of our association, please contact our Secretary Beth on 6241 3759. Royal Australian Navy Centenary of First Fleet Australia s Chief of Navy has extended an invitation to over 50 of his foreign counterparts to send a ship (including tall ships) to participate in an International Fleet Review to be held in Sydney from 4 11 October 2013. This review is being held to commemorate the centenary of the first fleet entry of the RAN s fleet into Sydney on 4 October 1913. The invited Tall Ships from various countries will be arriving throughout the day of Thursday 3 October. Other ships will commence entering Sydney Harbour in the morning of Friday 4 October and there will also be a flyover of aircraft during the day. The official Fleet Review by the Governor General will take place on Saturday 5 October with fireworks and lightshow that evening. On Sunday 6 October there will be a Sydney/Emden Memorial Service at the HMAS Sydney Naval Memorial. For more information visit the Navy web site at www.navy.gov.au/ifr NSW WRANS Annual Church Service Sunday 19 th May 2013 at 10.00am in the Garden Island Chapel followed by morning tea in the Naval Historical Society Rooms. Members are asked to bring a plate with finger food. We now have a lift at the Chapel, good news for a lot of people and it blends in very well. Names and car regos numbers required as usual by 11 th May please. Walkers please use the main gates at the bottom of the hill and you will probably be given a lift around to the Chapel by Security. Contact Liz Watts NSW WRANS secretary if you would like to attend lizwatts6@bigpond.com
Vale Christine Barbour 16/4/1946 12/1/2013 Christine passed away at her home in Kambah on Saturday 12 January 2013. Christine joined the Navy on 31 March 1964 and served for exactly four years as a Wran Writer ST. Most of her work was as a personal assistant to senior officers, including Admirals. After the Navy she went to work for the Department of Foreign Affairs and had posting overseas to various parts of the world. She was one of the founding members of our WRANS Association (ACT) and put in a huge effort on the committee. In February 2005 she took on the position of Membership Secretary and then in 2006 was elected Secretary, a post that she held for the next three years. After a short break, she was back on the committee again in 2011 as Vice President and Events Coordinator, a position she held until her death. We as an association owe a great deal of debt to her for her considerable efforts over the years. Vale Lee Luke (nee Potter) 20/7/1946 10/3/2013 Eileen Ethel May (Lee) Luke passed away in hospital in Canberra on 10 March 2013. A funeral service was held for Lee on Tuesday 19 March. Lee served in the WRANS as a Sick Berth Attendant (SBA) from 20 January 1964 until 19 January 1968. She served at HMAS Cerberus, Albatross, Melville and Penguin where she met her husband Kevin Luke. While serving on the committee of the WRANS Association (ACT) she started the scrap book which is still being kept up to date with photos of each of our functions throughout the year.
PERSONAL DETAILS - UPDATE Surname Given Names... Address.. Telephone (Home). (Work) (Mobile). (Email address).... Membership Renewals Membership renewals are now due so if you have not already done so could you please pay your annual membership subscription of $12.00 either by cheque or money order made out to the WRANS Naval Women s Association (ACT) and forwarded to The Treasurer, WRANS Naval Women s Association (ACT), PO Box 402, WODEN ACT 2606 or if you prefer you could pay online by direct electronic transfer. The account details are BSB Number: 633000 Account number: 120827027 Account name: WRANS Naval Women s Association (ACT) Payee Reference your Surname/M ship No 2013 NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME JOINING FEE IS $10.00 PLUS THE ANNUAL $12.00 SUBSCRIPTION (Application Form on website) INVITE YOUR NAVY FRIENDS ALONG TO OUR MEETINGS!
WRANS ASSOCIATION (ACT) EVENTS PROGRAM 2013 DATE TIME FUNCTION VENUE RSVP Thu 25 Apr 1000 ANZAC Day March - Please arrive prior to 1000. Navy Memorial ANZAC Parade Thu 25 Apr 1230 ANZAC Day Lunch Ainslie Football Club Mon 13 May 1800 General Meeting and Dinner Southern Cross Club Woden Sat 22 June 1200 Mid-Winter Lunch TBA events@wransact.org Mon 12 Aug 1800 General Meeting and Dinner Southern Cross Club Woden Sat 19 Oct 1100 Annual WRANS Commemoration Service Sat 19 Oct 1230 Lunch following Memorial Ceremony WRANS Memorial at HMAS HARMAN TBA Mon 11 Nov 1800 General Meeting and Dinner Southern Cross Club Woden events@wransact.org events@wransact.org Wed 11 Dec 1830 Christmas Dinner TBA events@wransact.org