Navy Women (WRANS-RAN) Qld February 2019 Volume XX 1St Edition OPENING of MEMORIAL GARDEN at HMAS MORETON VP, DIANA BURNS UNVEILS OUR PLAQUE
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Navy Women (WRANS-RAN) Qld February 2019 Volume XX 1st Edition OPENING OF MEMORIAL GARDEN AT HMAS MORETON VP, DIANA BURNS UNVEILS OUR PLAQUE In August 2018, President Jenny Rathbone, alongside the representatives of other exNavy organisations, planted a tree in a hedge which formed the backdrop for a native gar- den which was to be dedicated to the former Commanding Officer Navy Headquarters South Queensland. Close to one hundred people gathered at an opening and dedication of the CMDR Lachlan King Memorial garden at HMAS Moreton on 30 January. CMDR King died after a brave fight against cancer in 2013. His mother, Mrs Pamela King, was present to unveil, with Commanding Officer HMAS Cap- tain Mark McConnell, the Memorial Stone. Representatives of several or- ganisations associated with Navy simultaneously unveiled their organisa- tion’s plaques which were set onto stones retrieved from the old submarine wharf which abutted the riverside at the Bulimba where HMAS Moreton now stands. Navy Women Vice President, Diana Burns, unveiled the plaque commemorating Navy Women’s part in the provision of the garden. Links from the old wharf cables have been incorporated into scattered bench seats topped with wharf tim- bers. An artwork sym- bolising a propeller was also created from the huge chain links. Aluminium pillars display the Sailor’s Ode and the Submariner’s Prayer. The garden serves to screen the not very aesthetically pleasing sheds but also creates a space where staff can relax away from their work environment. The theme of the garden is ‘Reflection and Protection’, ac- knowledging those that lead, care for and support those that have served, are serving or may serve under the Aus- tralian White Ensign. The ceremony was graced by the presence of His Excel- lency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland. His Excellency also presented the Commanding Officer with the Governor’s Cup for the most excellent Naval establishment in Australia for 2018 and Australia Day Medallions to three of the ship’s company. 1 Naval Association REUNIONS State Conference 2019 On WRANS REUNION 15 and 16 March 2019 2020 at The Hyatt Hotel in Adelaide Tce., Kedron Wavell Services Club Perth, WA Delegates for Navy Women (WRANS- 27-30 August 2020 RAN) Qld will be Jennie Rathbone, Kaye Morgan and Wendy Griggs. Pat Nuss will attend in her role Registration officially opens to all on as Assistant State Secretary and Helen Yench as 1 February 2019. State Vice President. The hotel has started receiving paid Members are welcome and indeed encouraged to be a part of the Meet and Greet on Friday the 15th bookings already. They offer the special and to be registered Observers at the Conference reunion rates extended for 3 days prior on Saturday the 16th. There is a cost: Meet and and 3 days following the reunion dates. Greet ($25), Conference ($28). Those wanting to attend should advise Secretary Wendy with pay- Contact: [email protected] ment asap. Web site: www.wrans-ranreunion2020.com The RAN band will provide the music for dinner and dancing at the Conference dinner. The Conference dinner is open to everyone and all members of Navy Women (WRANS-RAN) Qld are Top End Navy encouraged to attend as we are hosting the event 23-27 April 2019 and would like to have a good number of members Darwin in attendance. Navy Women (WRANS-RAN) Qld is the largest Subsection in Queensland and will For all who served on HMAS Melville and hopefully show that in our dinner numbers. Hus- HMAS Coonawarra, the associated outsta- bands/partners/boyfriends/gigolos are welcome as tions and Darwin-based patrol boats. dancing partners are sparse. See Page 3 for de- tails. Contact; Allan Conway Ph: 0417 597 557 Email: [email protected] Thanks to Navy Health and the All Navy Reunion Department of Defence Direc- 2019 torate of Honours and Awards for their donation of promotional material for the State Conference. 25-27 October 2019 Maroochydore, Queensland RESERVE FORCES DAY, WONDAI Contacts: Reserve Forces Day is a bit of a mis-direction as at Mark Reading: [email protected] Wondai they do it over two days. 0438 800 799 The weekend of 6-7 July will be the annual commem- Bill Hayward : [email protected] oration of Reserve Forces Day at Wondai. This year’s 0411 024 985 focus will be on the 90th Anniversary of the Outbreak of the Second World War. As in past years there will be social bowls at the Won- dai Bowls Club followed by a Meet and Greet at the Hotel Cecil on Saturday, followed by the Parade and Service on the Sunday in Coronation Park. All veterans are invited and encouraged to attend, re- member those who served and experience country hospitality. 2 KITTYHAWK ROOM KEDRON-WAVELL SERVICES CLUB 21 KITTYHAWK DRIVE, CHERMSIDE Saturday 16 March 1830 - 2300 ALL EX AND CURRENTLY SERVING NAVY PERSONNEL AND PARTNERS WELCOME 2 course dinner (Special dietary requirements can be catered for if advised when RSVPing) 18 piece RAN BIG BAND and Guest Speaker CAPT Dr Paul Luckin RANR Medical Advisor to the Maritime Safety Authority and Medical Director, Medical Service Branch, St. John Ambulance Qld $55 For bank transfers: Bank of Qld RSVP with payment to Secretary Acc. Name: Navy Women Navy Women (WRANS-RAN) Qld (WRANS-RAN) Qld NO LATER THAN 4 FEBRUARY 2019 BSB No.: 124 085 Acc. No.: 22446885 3284 0049 [email protected] Ref: [Surname] NAA Dinner (Please email receipt) 3 OUR NEW PRESIDENT here that I was promoted to Petty Officer. I took up golf and again played any sport that was going. I was sad to HELEN YENCH leave in mid 1973 for the cold of Canberra and the Rus- Hello all. After a short career as a Science sell Offices, namely JIO (Joint Intelligence Organisation). Lab technician at a High school, I joined I moved out of Harman Senior Ranks accommodation the Navy from Brisbane at age 18 and a because I was the only one living there. I made many half. I had to wait for a year before my par- friends with Army and Navy personnel during the next ents would sign the paperwork because my three and a half years there. Golf became a weekend father, an ex Sgt in Army intelligence, was sport as well as representing the Navy in Softball and determined that no daughter of his was Hockey. going to join the armed forces. Well, I did. In 1976, I posted to HMAS Coonawarra again and this I travelled to Cerberus with 4 others and began my basic st rd time worked in the new Shoal Bay Receiving Station as a training under the guidance of 1 Officer BD McLeod, 3 O 2IC and later, Chief of the watch when I was promoted to Coral Ashby and PO Liz Beecroft. I then went on to my CPOWRRSS in 1977. Golf, softball and hockey were Radio Operator course where I was trained by CPO Joan again played as representative sports with people like Liz Reynolds (Henstock). Learning Morse Code was some- Grimes, Robyn Stopford, Helen Louer, Di Muller, Lois thing to which I was unaccustomed – but I persevered until Redpath and Sue Bandy to name a few. it was mastered. I married in 1977 to an ex-sailor and we had two daugh- I was posted to HMAS Harman to begin 1969 as a Recruit ters in 1979 and 1982. I took my discharge from the Navy Wran Radio Operator (M). There was more theory from a in 1979 and joined the Reserves for another 5 years. male civie about aerial use and layers in the atmosphere Kangaroo ’82 was my only activity as a Reservist. I and more technical stuff that I still occasionally use in I my moved to Brisbane in 1983 as a single mother of a 3yr general knowledge trivia. Then I commenced watchkeep- old and an 11month old and spent the next 6 years bring- ing in Bonshaw. ing up my two daughters. As I honed my skills and became more proficient, I was In time, not having an equivalent job role in civie street, I posted to HMAS Coonawarra. There, on a watch led by went to Griffith University and gained Bachelor of Teach- Gerry Bandy, I spent a year working and living in the trop- ing and Bachelor of Education degrees. As a Primary ics. I immersed myself in sport – softball, squash and School teacher from 1991, I loved spending my time with hockey mostly. Another short stint in HMAS Harman fol- young people, our Leaders of tomorrow, for 21 years. lowed in mid 1970 then it was back to HMAS Coonawarra From 2001 to 2013, I was employed as a Principal or again, this time as a leading hand, being 2IC to Sue Halpin Deputy Principal in a number of schools. This time in ad- (Hackett). ministration will be the experience I will call on over the In mid 1972, I was privileged to be posted to HMAS Terror next twelve months. in Singapore, living in Sembawang and working at Kranji I am also currently a Vice President of the Naval Associ- with Tri-Service (Navy, Army, Air Force) and Tri Nation ation of Australia Qld Section, where I volunteer two half ( Australia, New Zealand and British) personnel. It was days a week in the Woolloongabba Office in Welfare and Strategic Direction. This involves attending functions and forums in an Official capacity, contributing to presenta- tions and meeting people in all walks of life from Politi- VALE cians to members.