Field Dining Night Jimboomba, Nov 2007
Below is the address Association President, Phil Ainsworth, gave at the dinner.
Good evening Mr Dining President our Patron, ladies and gentlemen.
The AGM at the Long Tan Sergeants Mess was a little over a month ago so 1 have little to say. The next few months is our quieter activities period in our yearly cycle. None the less, we will not be going to sleep.
Our speaker at the AGM, Bruce Petty from New Zealand has been in touch and is seeking information about the CHAMORROS family who originally came for Guam during German times either to Lae or Rabaul. They eventually moved to Australia and one part of the family currently resides in Brisbane Unfortunately the older generations of the family did not speak of their PNG background - particularly place names and dates, and the children are wondering about their past, and a friend of Bruce's is using the family as a theme for a TV event. The Chamorros may have been involved in German missionary work or with Queen Emma’s or others in their south sea trading enterprises at that time Many one can assist, pleases see me after the dinner.
On the 6th October Colin, Bruce and 1 attended a meeting with Colin Bell and his NSAAQ Committee at Wacol to discuss our lease. It turned out to be a friendly affair mainly about sharing expenses on the site. As others have been paying the bills to date and no actual amounts were available little was achieved. However, an updated estimate indicates our original $1,000 per annum has escalated to between two and three thousand dollars per year. We indicated wc always carried our weight and suggested a membership related formula be used e g. we have about 250 members while NSAAQ has 3000.
The fifteen minute video promo which was produced in 2004 for a possible short film about out Regiment now in DVD form which will be used at the Museum when we receive delivery of a donated flat screen and DVD player which has been promised. I also hope to receive all the unused footage filmed at the time on DVD but this may take a little time to retrieve from the company's archives, as the company no longer exists
John Holland attended the PNG and Queensland Pacific Partnership Forum at the Conrad Treasury on 25th October and renewed old friendships and helped in increasing our network of contacts.
Our Patron's afternoon tea was held at our Museum on Saturday 27th October This was a reciprocal matter with the Small Ships Association, which our Patron is also it’s Patron, and who hosted a morning tea at Slaughter Falls earlier this year which was attended by our Committee About 50 attended and enjoyed convivial moments with old and new friends. It also gave us a good opportunity to show off our museum.
Colin and I attended the Yeronga RSL mixed annual luncheon on the following Sunday when we met with its Executive and made a presentation about our Regiment’ and Association's activities. We had previously made a submission to them for a grant to assist us in re-equipping our office and publishing Bob's book on the Gallant Five Hundred. Whilst we have been verbally advised of a generous donation coming our way, no formal reply has been received to date.
Continuing in the same vein, another submission to Sherwood RSL through our member Mike Griffin, who is vice-president of that RSL, netted a grant of $150 for the Museum We have also received another generous donation of $1,000 from the Greenbank RSL for the Museum. Well done John Holland!
The Committee is receiving an increasing number of invitations some at short notice due to the nature of the functions, which Committee members are unable to attend. If anyone is prepared to participate in these and represent the Association, please contact either the Secretary or myself.
John Holland has had several other opening days at the Museum for working bees and showings for various groups and organizations. On behalf of the members, thank you John and your other helpers for this work. If anyone is able to assist John is this regard, please contact him or the Secretary.
Last Thursday, Colin, Bruce and I met with Doug Formby the President of the Queensland RSL and John Burgess it's International Affairs Officer to brief them on our Regiment's and Association activities as will as discuss how they may get involved in PNG, either by assisting us or re-gigging the PNG RSL with our assistance. Doug Formby, an ex-Armoured Corps Brigadier, is very much "outcomes" oriented and a straight shooter. We are expectant of an early and positive response.
Paul Nerau helped considerably in initiating this meeting. Paul's interest is to get the RSL's backing to arrange PNG Memorial Day ceremonies in Brisbane and at Bomana and Lae War Cemeteries, starting 2008 as well as promote historic tourism such as the Kokoda Track and the Black Cat Track from Wau to Salamaua. You will hear more of this in due course. Incidentally, the Brigadier suggested we might wish to become a sub-branch of the RSL.
An update on our website is in order. I have completed the text and graphics and it is now ready for our man to put it on the web on his return from overseas next week. I am hopeful that our website www.pngvr.com is up and operating by the end of November. There are over 160 images, 111 photographs and about 5.5 megabytes of information on this comprehensive site. I will be pleased to hear your comments when it is in situ.
On Friday 16th November at 9.30am, we arc hosting the Beenleigh TPI Association of about 30 people and also the Pine Rivers RSL Tuesday 18th December from noon to 1.30pm at the Museum. John will need assistance at these openings.
Our Christmas function will be held at 1 lam, Saturday 24th November at the Museum immediately following our next committee meeting. This is an informal BBQ with attendees bringing their food and drink All are welcome to attend.
Once again, and on behalf of members, thank you Barry and Pam and your usual helpers for hosting and organizing this wonderful bush dining night.
On behalf of the Committee, 1 wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Phil Ainsworth 10th November 2007
Good evening Mr Dining President our Patron, ladies and gentlemen.
The AGM at the Long Tan Sergeants Mess was a little over a month ago so 1 have little to say. The next few months is our quieter activities period in our yearly cycle. None the less, we will not be going to sleep.
Our speaker at the AGM, Bruce Petty from New Zealand has been in touch and is seeking information about the CHAMORROS family who originally came for Guam during German times either to Lae or Rabaul. They eventually moved to Australia and one part of the family currently resides in Brisbane Unfortunately the older generations of the family did not speak of their PNG background - particularly place names and dates, and the children are wondering about their past, and a friend of Bruce's is using the family as a theme for a TV event. The Chamorros may have been involved in German missionary work or with Queen Emma’s or others in their south sea trading enterprises at that time Many one can assist, pleases see me after the dinner.
On the 6th October Colin, Bruce and 1 attended a meeting with Colin Bell and his NSAAQ Committee at Wacol to discuss our lease. It turned out to be a friendly affair mainly about sharing expenses on the site. As others have been paying the bills to date and no actual amounts were available little was achieved. However, an updated estimate indicates our original $1,000 per annum has escalated to between two and three thousand dollars per year. We indicated wc always carried our weight and suggested a membership related formula be used e g. we have about 250 members while NSAAQ has 3000.
The fifteen minute video promo which was produced in 2004 for a possible short film about out Regiment now in DVD form which will be used at the Museum when we receive delivery of a donated flat screen and DVD player which has been promised. I also hope to receive all the unused footage filmed at the time on DVD but this may take a little time to retrieve from the company's archives, as the company no longer exists
John Holland attended the PNG and Queensland Pacific Partnership Forum at the Conrad Treasury on 25th October and renewed old friendships and helped in increasing our network of contacts.
Our Patron's afternoon tea was held at our Museum on Saturday 27th October This was a reciprocal matter with the Small Ships Association, which our Patron is also it’s Patron, and who hosted a morning tea at Slaughter Falls earlier this year which was attended by our Committee About 50 attended and enjoyed convivial moments with old and new friends. It also gave us a good opportunity to show off our museum.
Colin and I attended the Yeronga RSL mixed annual luncheon on the following Sunday when we met with its Executive and made a presentation about our Regiment’ and Association's activities. We had previously made a submission to them for a grant to assist us in re-equipping our office and publishing Bob's book on the Gallant Five Hundred. Whilst we have been verbally advised of a generous donation coming our way, no formal reply has been received to date.
Continuing in the same vein, another submission to Sherwood RSL through our member Mike Griffin, who is vice-president of that RSL, netted a grant of $150 for the Museum We have also received another generous donation of $1,000 from the Greenbank RSL for the Museum. Well done John Holland!
The Committee is receiving an increasing number of invitations some at short notice due to the nature of the functions, which Committee members are unable to attend. If anyone is prepared to participate in these and represent the Association, please contact either the Secretary or myself.
John Holland has had several other opening days at the Museum for working bees and showings for various groups and organizations. On behalf of the members, thank you John and your other helpers for this work. If anyone is able to assist John is this regard, please contact him or the Secretary.
Last Thursday, Colin, Bruce and I met with Doug Formby the President of the Queensland RSL and John Burgess it's International Affairs Officer to brief them on our Regiment's and Association activities as will as discuss how they may get involved in PNG, either by assisting us or re-gigging the PNG RSL with our assistance. Doug Formby, an ex-Armoured Corps Brigadier, is very much "outcomes" oriented and a straight shooter. We are expectant of an early and positive response.
Paul Nerau helped considerably in initiating this meeting. Paul's interest is to get the RSL's backing to arrange PNG Memorial Day ceremonies in Brisbane and at Bomana and Lae War Cemeteries, starting 2008 as well as promote historic tourism such as the Kokoda Track and the Black Cat Track from Wau to Salamaua. You will hear more of this in due course. Incidentally, the Brigadier suggested we might wish to become a sub-branch of the RSL.
An update on our website is in order. I have completed the text and graphics and it is now ready for our man to put it on the web on his return from overseas next week. I am hopeful that our website www.pngvr.com is up and operating by the end of November. There are over 160 images, 111 photographs and about 5.5 megabytes of information on this comprehensive site. I will be pleased to hear your comments when it is in situ.
On Friday 16th November at 9.30am, we arc hosting the Beenleigh TPI Association of about 30 people and also the Pine Rivers RSL Tuesday 18th December from noon to 1.30pm at the Museum. John will need assistance at these openings.
Our Christmas function will be held at 1 lam, Saturday 24th November at the Museum immediately following our next committee meeting. This is an informal BBQ with attendees bringing their food and drink All are welcome to attend.
Once again, and on behalf of members, thank you Barry and Pam and your usual helpers for hosting and organizing this wonderful bush dining night.
On behalf of the Committee, 1 wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Phil Ainsworth 10th November 2007
Left and Below.
Leigh Eastwood, Ralph Seeto and Paul Brown march in the flags.
Above and below. Association Patron Maj Gen John Pearn AO. RFD. presents Barry Wright with his "Mayor of Jimboomba Dining Nights" regalia during the dinner. Barry had to wear it to all future Jimboomba Dinners.
Ken MacGowan.
Jesse Chee
John Holland
Ron Strand
Fran and Doug Ng
Leigh Eastwood and Helen Nixon
Bob Davies
Pam Wright, Ben Scheelings
Barry and Pam Wright, Ralph and Lilly Seeto.
Pam and Barry Wright.
Seated. Michael and Maria, neighbours.
Seated. Michael and Maria, neighbours.
