Anzac Day Brisbane, 1994.
Once again Anzac Day crept up upon us. Are the months flying or are we just getting older and it takes so much longer to do anything?
Anyway the weather in Brisbane was kind to us once again this year and a few more members seemed to be able to attend this year’s march, we mustered approximately 93 members. Congratulations to all who made the Parade.
It is always pleasing to see and thank our Members who travel from Overseas and interstate to celebrate this occasion. It proves the saying ’Make a friend in Papua New Guinea and you have that friend for life."
Before the commencement of the march, photographs were taken of members behind the Banner. We enjoyed the opportunity to be in the early part of the march
and not almost at the end as usual.
Colonel Harry Green led us in the march followed by original NGVR members, flag Bearers, Australian, Regimental and Papua New Guinea Rags, our 2 members
in Jupiner Green uniforms, and then followed the Banner and the main body of Association Members. Jeeps followed at the rear to cater for the NGVR Members
who felt they would not make the distance. In front of the Banner a wreath to the NGVR Fallen was carried by Allan Bell’s young grandson, it was thought that
involving the youth of today may encourage Anzac Day to live on in the future.
A special thanks goes to the 9 Battalion Pipes and Drums who played for us during the march and were later invited back to the Irish Club for refreshments.
After the march Members moved to Anzac Square to lay our wreath at the Plaque recently dedicated to the NGVR Fallen. This was the first time many of the Members had seen the Plaque and it will be here, each Anzac Day, where we will lay our wreath in the Shrine of Memories.
Tom Lega M.M. and Jack Goad, both original members of NGVR jointly laid the wreath and this was followed by a Minutes Silence and the reciting of the Ode.
Refreshments were taken at the Irish Club but it is strongly thought that another venue be sought for next year’s celebration. The Club was very over-crowded,
noisy and much of our refreshments were purloined by other Associations and the bar service left a lot to be desired. We found it hard to talk between ourselves let
alone hear the Toasts. Investigations into a venue, close to the march dispersal area with reasonable parking are in progress.
I believe NGVR - ANGAU Association made our members welcome in Sydney for the march and refreshments. We hope to have more news from Jess Hansford in
the next issue. We thank their Association for looking after our Members on this occasion.
Bill Bickerton, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates sent a fax which read:- “Joe we will be having an Anzac Day Service and social function here in Dubai on Monday evening arranged by the Australian Consul General, Mr Bob Shepherd. Be assured that PNGVR will be represented and all due respect will be paid to the Regiment and our Comrades by the Middle East Contingent. Please pass on my regards to all the Troops. Had hoped to get down but at the moment it is not practical, maybe next year. Bill".
After the day’s or should I say evening’s events, a busybody told me that on the way home, somebody sitting in the back seat of a vehicle left his side window down. Now in the front passenger side the occupant decided to put his head out the window to have a barf and you can guess what happened to the guy in the back seat. What a Mess; Which Mess? No names! No pack drill! All that can be said is there arc some very understanding wives in our Association.
Our popular President seems to be getting more popular each year! Last year it was a bit of lip service from the World War 2 nurses, this year it was page 2 of the Courier Mail. I believe all his family have asked for a copy of the photograph.
This concludes Anzac Day for another year.
Our President has been on the sick list for quite a few months after a large operation recently. I am glad to say that he is now well on the way to recovery and looking much better after the ordeal. I would like to thank those Members who visited our Senior Member in hospital to give him good cheer and support.
Joe Fisk
Anyway the weather in Brisbane was kind to us once again this year and a few more members seemed to be able to attend this year’s march, we mustered approximately 93 members. Congratulations to all who made the Parade.
It is always pleasing to see and thank our Members who travel from Overseas and interstate to celebrate this occasion. It proves the saying ’Make a friend in Papua New Guinea and you have that friend for life."
Before the commencement of the march, photographs were taken of members behind the Banner. We enjoyed the opportunity to be in the early part of the march
and not almost at the end as usual.
Colonel Harry Green led us in the march followed by original NGVR members, flag Bearers, Australian, Regimental and Papua New Guinea Rags, our 2 members
in Jupiner Green uniforms, and then followed the Banner and the main body of Association Members. Jeeps followed at the rear to cater for the NGVR Members
who felt they would not make the distance. In front of the Banner a wreath to the NGVR Fallen was carried by Allan Bell’s young grandson, it was thought that
involving the youth of today may encourage Anzac Day to live on in the future.
A special thanks goes to the 9 Battalion Pipes and Drums who played for us during the march and were later invited back to the Irish Club for refreshments.
After the march Members moved to Anzac Square to lay our wreath at the Plaque recently dedicated to the NGVR Fallen. This was the first time many of the Members had seen the Plaque and it will be here, each Anzac Day, where we will lay our wreath in the Shrine of Memories.
Tom Lega M.M. and Jack Goad, both original members of NGVR jointly laid the wreath and this was followed by a Minutes Silence and the reciting of the Ode.
Refreshments were taken at the Irish Club but it is strongly thought that another venue be sought for next year’s celebration. The Club was very over-crowded,
noisy and much of our refreshments were purloined by other Associations and the bar service left a lot to be desired. We found it hard to talk between ourselves let
alone hear the Toasts. Investigations into a venue, close to the march dispersal area with reasonable parking are in progress.
I believe NGVR - ANGAU Association made our members welcome in Sydney for the march and refreshments. We hope to have more news from Jess Hansford in
the next issue. We thank their Association for looking after our Members on this occasion.
Bill Bickerton, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates sent a fax which read:- “Joe we will be having an Anzac Day Service and social function here in Dubai on Monday evening arranged by the Australian Consul General, Mr Bob Shepherd. Be assured that PNGVR will be represented and all due respect will be paid to the Regiment and our Comrades by the Middle East Contingent. Please pass on my regards to all the Troops. Had hoped to get down but at the moment it is not practical, maybe next year. Bill".
After the day’s or should I say evening’s events, a busybody told me that on the way home, somebody sitting in the back seat of a vehicle left his side window down. Now in the front passenger side the occupant decided to put his head out the window to have a barf and you can guess what happened to the guy in the back seat. What a Mess; Which Mess? No names! No pack drill! All that can be said is there arc some very understanding wives in our Association.
Our popular President seems to be getting more popular each year! Last year it was a bit of lip service from the World War 2 nurses, this year it was page 2 of the Courier Mail. I believe all his family have asked for a copy of the photograph.
This concludes Anzac Day for another year.
Our President has been on the sick list for quite a few months after a large operation recently. I am glad to say that he is now well on the way to recovery and looking much better after the ordeal. I would like to thank those Members who visited our Senior Member in hospital to give him good cheer and support.
Joe Fisk
Harry Green MBE leading the parade. Tom Lega MM (NGVR/ANGAU) and Sir Denis Buchanan (Patron) following.
Simon Hui with Australian flag. Norm Mundy (partly obscured and Jose Fisk in Juniper greens)
Above. The marchers approach the saluting dais.
NGVR men R. Tom Lega MM. Next row. L-R. ?, Jack Goad. ? , ?., ?
NGVR men R. Tom Lega MM. Next row. L-R. ?, Jack Goad. ? , ?., ?
The 'Eyes Left" at the Town Hall
Phil Ainsworth at the Hall of Memories
Doug Ng and Rudy Buckley
Alistair Martin and Gerry McGrade.
Harry Green MBE, with two of his grandchildren.
Val & Joe Fisk with daughter Cathy
?. Peter and Sue Rogers with daughter ?.
Ken Weare, Don Heap, Stewart Lewis.
