Newsletter 0716
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July 2016 Australian American Association in South Australia Inc. POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 6714 Halifax Street 5000. TEL 0400 295 853 Newsletter EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE www.aaasa.org.au “ThePRESIDENT Blue and’S REPORT Gold Alumni Association” a new name, a continuing organisation Hello to all of you, It is that time again for our newsletter and we have been very busy these last few months. We had a fantastic visit to the clipper ship “The City of Adelaide” with a very enjoyable lunch overlooking the water in Port Adelaide. If you missed it, you missed a great afternoon. Check out the pictures in this newsletter. We had a lovely party at Marty’s house for Australia Day. Ray Winterfield brought his guitar and we had a sing -a-long. We shared good food and fun. Another “no cost” function to members. We, again, had a really memorable Coral Sea celebration. This is so important to our association and the other associations which help us remember the connection with Australia and America. My only wish is that more of our members would take part and share this auspicious occasion with us. Check the newsletter pictures. We have said “Good-bye” to Nancy and Bill Schaff as they have moved to Hawaii. They always came to functions, gave good support for ideas and helped when needed. We will miss them but wish them all the best. Dr. Lage is still on her travels back and forth across the US. From the reports I have heard, she is enjoying herself very much. Looking forward to hearing all about it when she returns. Maybe we can get her to give a talk at the Meet & Greet one of these months. All of the people who were at the Meet & Greet where the game “Cornhole” was discussed and played are invited to let us know if they would like us to schedule a trip to Stirling to check out the facilities with a view to maybe forming a team to play. It was a fun evening and everyone seemed to have a great time. Plus, we had some very talented folk in Mel and Cam Dow. Mel made two 10 point scores - Impressive. Maybe we have a captain for the team? How about it, Mel? Those of you who have not been coming to the Meet & Greet, you should try it. We do have a really good time, besides good food and fellowship. Come along and invite a friend as well. The 4th of July was super special with our host Charles Figallo’s great efforts. Again, check the pictures in this newsletter. It was a fantastic day. We made a contribution of A$900 to the Make a Wish Foundation as well as having costumed characters and the Statute of Liberty front and centre. It was a really good and a great big “Thank you” goes to Charles for all of his efforts. (Read: Brooke) Looking forward to the AGM at the Stoba’s house in September. Watch for the flyer to inform you of details. We will have a BBQ, free to members as it is by law that we must hold the AGM. If you have any special wishes, ideas or just want to be a bigger part of your AAA, please plan on attending. See you there. Contd... Inside this Issue: President’s Report 1 Coral Sea Service 4 Vale—Ed Clymer 6 Pearl Harbour 75th Anniversary Tour 2 Coral Sea Dinner 5 Consular Visits to Adelaide 6 Australia Day 2 Open Dates 5 Huckleberry Sour Cream Pie 7 Clipper Ship Visit—9 April 2016 3 Independence Day 6 Federal AGM. Coming Activities 8 Page 2 Australian American Association in South Australia Inc. PRESIDENT’S REPORT Contd. We are searching for a Thanksgiving venue as the Feathers is being remodelled and is not available. If anyone has a suggestion, please call and tell us so we can check it out. Cheers. Dana (DeDe) Stoba, President AAASA PEARL HARBOR 75TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the AAA Brisbane Division in conjunction with Jillian Twigg of Travel Masters have arranged an eight-day tour to Hawaii departing on 3 December 2016. This fully escorted tour will take you back to that “Day of Infamy” which launched America into World War II and Australia into the battle for the Pacific Inclusions Return flights with Hawaiian Airlines • 8 nights’ accommodation • Attendance at the 75th Anniversary Ceremony • Welcome cocktail party • US Navy Pearl Harbor Cruise • Private Tour of USS Arizona Memorial • USS Missouri • Pacific Aviation Museum – Ford Island • Punchbowl War Cemetery • Private Circle Island Tour • Sunset Dinner Cruise • All transfers and transportation. COST $3,299*pp To find out more call: Jillian Twigg - your personal travel manager 0412 170 004 E: [email protected] travelmanagers.com.au/JillianTwigg AUSTRALIA DAY 26 JANUARY 2016 Australia Day was celebrated on 26 January with a luncheon at the home of Dr. Marty Lage. As mentioned in the President’s report, Ray Winterfield brought his guitar and played a variety of well known songs to encourage everyone to sing along. The weather was very pleasant and guests enjoyed sitting on the patio. Thanks to Marty for her hospitality. Australian American Association in South Australia Inc. Page 3 CLIPPER SHIP VISIT 9 APRIL 2016 On 9 April, twelve members and friends were given a conducted tour of the clipper ship “City of Adelaide” by volunteer guide Lionel Elmore. The Clipper Ship City of Adelaide is the world's oldest clipper ship. Built in Sunderland, England, and launched on 7 May 1864 Brief History City of Adelaide was built by William Pile, Hay and Co. for transporting passengers and goods between Britain and Australia. Between 1864 and 1887 the ship made 23 annual return voyages from London and Plymouth to Adelaide, South Australia. During this period she played an important part in the immigration of Australia. On the return voyages she carried passengers, wool, and copper from Adelaide and Port Augusta to London. The final return voyage took place in 1887. With the arrival of steamships, the City of Adelaide was sold into the north American timber trade, where it worked for six years as a cargo ship. She saw her next 30 years as an isolation hospital near Southampton, before being taken over by the Royal Navy and used as a drill ship, and as Naval Volunteer Reserve Club rooms on the River Clyde in Scotland. In 1989 it was moved onto a private slip in Irvine, where it remained until rescued by Australian volunteers and brought to Port Adelaide in 2014. See website for more photos Page 4 Australian American Association in South Australia Inc. BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA COMMEMORATION SERVICE 1 MAY 2016 The 74th Anniversary Coral Sea Commemoration Service was held on Sunday 1 May 2016 at the Remembrance Columns in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. AAASA President DeDe Stoba was the MC and the service was conducted by Navy Chaplain Wayne Philp. Vice Consul Todd McGee, US Consulate General, Melbourne read the US President’s message and Dr Duncan McFetridge MP read the Prime Minister’s message. The Commemoration Address was given by Commander Patrick O’Brien, CO Navy HQ SA. A total of 20 floral tributes or books were laid by representatives of the Australian Federal and State Governments, the US Government, senior Navy, Army, Air Force and Police Commanders, Veterans Affairs and the Presidents of the RSL and various service organisations. The Navy Band provided the buglers and the musical accompaniment. Morning tea was served after the service Australian American Association in South Australia Inc. Page 5 CORAL SEA DINNER 30 APRIL 2016 The 74th Anniversary Coral Sea Dinner was held in the main dining room at the Naval, Military & Air Force Club on Saturday 30 April 2016. The dinner was well attended with a total of 55 VIPs, members and guests. Mrs DeDe Stoba was the dining president and Colonel David Stoba the MC. Ms Frances Bedford MP represented the Premier, Senator David Fawcett represented the Prime Minister, Vice Consul Todd McGee represented the US Ambassador and Dr Duncan McFetridge represented the Leader of the Opposition and State Liberals. During the evening, Senator Fawcett read the Prime Minister’s message and proposed the toast to “The President and the People of the United States of America”. Vice Consul Todd McGee read the US President’s message and proposed the toast to “The Queen and the People of Australia”. After dinner, the guest speaker Commander Patrick O’Brien gave a very interesting presentation on Rear Admiral Jack Crace, the Australian born Royal Navy flag officer who commanded the Australian Squadron (comprising HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart, USS Chicago and three destroyers) during the battle of the Coral Sea. The evening concluded with coffee and chocolates in the Imperial Room. OPEN DATES I would like to purpose a new concept at least for us. The Brisbane division have been using this for the past year. It is called open dates. The activities of the year are put forth with their prospective dates. Members of the association then chose the ones they would like to plan and sponsor. Our 4th of July is a good example of this in action. Charles Figallo agreed to host the event, how much to charge and to where the money was to be allocated. It worked beautifully. It is your association and if you don’t like to do what has been happening then take the responsibility of one yourself.