A HISTORY OF

HEY – G’DAY , and WELCOME.

6TH DECEMBER,1946.

This was the date on which seven modellers met together, and decided to form a Club. The following pages contain an account of that Club.

The information was obtained over many years, from various sources, including: Memories, photographs, and newspaper cuttings, from members, and former members. FACTS & Club minutes books, and cash books, dating from 1954. FIGURES and Club Newsletter, “PROPWASH”, from it’s first issue in January, 1975.

MEMORIES & Special mention must be made of the overwhelming co- PHOTOGRAPHS operation, support, and willingness to share that I have received from our members, particularly of the 1940’s and early 1950’s, without whose help this account would not have been as WHICH PORTRAY complete, especially for the era before 1954.

I have given credit where due for contributions, but there are numerous people who have assisted, in various ways, to THE OF make this record both detailed and factual. These include past and present members, and non-members. My grateful thanks to you all, for without your help, I’d still be struggling. OUR CLUB

Hubert de Chastel.

CONTENTS PAGE EARLY YEARS” by Don. J. Millroy.

Editorial Inside Front Cover IN THE BEGINNING - No Club!

by Don Millroy Early Years – 2 (A) GETTING HOOKED. Aeromodellers form Club – Morning Bulletin 9 Around winter, 1936, my parents took we kids on an overland Memories – of our Club, by Ken Maclean 11 Odyssey, in Dad’s faithful canvas top 1934 Chev. Tourer, from Rockhampton Aeromodeller’s Club Rockhampton to Home Hill, (on the Burdekin River), whereat my - Editorial of December, 1947 12 maternal Grandparents owned a long established sugar cane Control Line Years – by Neale Oswald 13 plantation, with intent to temporarily deposit we kids with the Terry Phillipson’s “Thumbnail Autobiography” 14 “Grandies” whilst my parents travelled further North to enjoy, Past “Fields of endeavour”, by Terry Phillipson 15 unhindered, all the delights that tropical Townsville had to offer Memories – of Club and Members, by Barry Frederickson 17 during the placid mid 30’s. To which intent we kids did not object in the least, especially after enduring a three day motoring ordeal from My Club Involvement – by Jim Schafer 19 Rockhampton over dusty, corrugated dirt tracks, (now the Bruce Ralph Phillipson Tribute 20 Highway), camping by the roadside, fording flooded creeks, and Propwash Editors 21 bogging countless times in bottomless ooze. Trivial Fact 21 Upon return from Townsville, my parents presented to we kids Some Club Photos 22 their “Peace Offerrings”, which, to my seven year old self, was a Important Dates and Events 26 ready to fly model aeroplane of silk covered, soldered wire RMAC Club Trophies 36 construction, rubber band powered, boasting undercarriage with main RMAC Executive Members – 1946 to 1999 40 wheels, plus a small label to testify “Made in Japan.” – WOW! Club Membership List – from 1940’s 42 In the absence of ceremony or delay, the model was readied for flight, fully wound and hand-launched from the dizzying height of Grandpa’s back stairs, only to turn inside out in mid-flight, before burying itself in the topmost branches of Grandpa’s favourite Custard Apple Tree, which then had to be most carefully scaled for purpose of

retreival. With the embarrassing result of that initial attempt embedded in my conscious, I embarked on a primitive ritual of “TestFlying”, involving glide and low powered flights of short duration, experimenting with wing/elevator settings and angles, until I could actually make the blessed thing do a “Three Point” landing, (just like in the “Tailspin Tommy” matinee movies!), and, wait for it; actually take off by itself, complete with a wake of propwash created dust, (just like real aeroplanes did in those days). Once suitably armed with all the knowledge of child-hood, the “Made in Japan” silk covered model aeroplane was again hand launched, fully wound, from Grandpa’s back stairs, and, to the

2 delight of myself, and amazement of those present, it flew right Ryan, Fairchild, Luscombe, Waco, Travelair, and even early Radial around the homestead, and actually landed all by itself alongside engined Cessna’s and Lockheeds. Our favourite flying fields of the Grandpa’s chook house. Although I didn’t realise it at the time, I was day were the wide flat hilltop of Jardine Street, next to the corner of “hooked” on flying. Rundle Street, and the then open paddocks downhill to the west, <<<<<>>>>> towards Connor Park Aerodrome, where we also spent a lot of our (B) GETTING OTHERS HOOKED – Still No Club. time in inspecting newly arrived aeroplanes, and in listening in awe to Upon return to Rockhampton, I was enthused to the point where I the leather-clad pilots – our Heroes! bought a Postal Note which I despatched to the “Scientific Model <<<<<<>>>>>> Aeroplane Company” for a mail order kit of their fearsome looking DURING WARTIME – and yet still no club. “Curtis Fighter”, which Dad and I (mainly poor old dad) burnt lots of Initially, there was little impact on our modelling; Jas. Gillan’s midnight oil in trying to figure out the intricacy of the plan, all the store was kept well stocked, Australian and American kits were Dams and Haw to assemble the wretched thing. readily available, and improving in quality, therefore all of us kept on About this time, I found that I had soul mates in brothers Jim and building and flying everything that we could lay hands on. By the Bruce Gillan, who lived just around the corner in Jardine Street, and time of the American occupation of Rockhampton, modelling supplies who also had just commenced to make models – in no time flat, we were becoming quite scarce, and of dubious quality, therefore we had joined forces to build and fly model aircraft for the sheer were obliged to taper off our activities, and to concentrate on our enjoyment and satisfaction of it all. The father of the Gillan brothers, school work instead, which became increasingly difficult because of (Jas. Gillan), owned a radio sales and repair shop in East Street, the veritable smorgasbord of allied warplanes flying in and out of (about opposite where Mark Bunt Menswear is today), and doutless Connor Park. encouraged by the enthusiasm of we model aviators, began to stock Our favourite observation post (apart from the aerodrome model aircraft kits, balsa wood, cement, tissue, dope, banana oil, fence), was sitting on the roof of Mr. Gillan’s chook house, from rubber, piano wire, etc., as a sideline. where all the action could be seen – and there was stacks of it. In Accordingly, word spread, and before long, quite a nucleus of those days, the runways were not sealed, therefore a great cloud of modellers developed in the Wandal area. Other names that come to dust inveriably meant a landing mishap, of which there were plenty, to mind are Alec Hiskens, Harold and Alan Richardson, and Stewart a point of becoming something of a spectator sport to us; for example, Pennycuick, to name a few. The 1930’s were a magic period for scale wagering on how many of a flight of P40 “Kittyhawks” about to land modelling, since aviation was still in it’s infancy, and therefore a would bite the dust in a spectacular ground loop, due mainly to pilot source of wonderment to many; the aerial dogfights and flying Aces inexperience on the type. of the Great War were still fresh in memory, and subject of many an Strangely enough, it was during this period that I first witnessed enthralling movie and magazine story, but, at the same time, that pre- a model actually flying O.O.S.(out of sight), and one of my own at World War 2 decade produced significant advances in design of that! I had just built a 12” span chuck glider out of some valuable military, commercial, and private aircraft. balsa scrap, and it being so small, I decided to test fly it in the middle During those years, diesel motors were unheard of, (likewise radio of Rundle Street, right outside the house. All was going nicely, when I control and control line), and petrol engines were big, heavy, was joined by Mary, an American nurse from the U.S.Army Medical expensive, and scarce. Therefore, our modelling was focussed on Corps., which had rented Kingel’s big house directly across the road. chuck gliders, sailplanes, rubber powered “Duration” models, (both Mary wanted to give the chuck glider a go or two, and it soon solid and flying), mainly WW1 fighters, and then current light aircraft developed into a contest of who could make it fly the highest and from Bi-Plane trainers, pylon racers, and the latest in private aircraft longest, which event Mary won hands down when, in result of her 6th of the day, viz: Bellanca, Stinson, Monocoupe, Aeronca, “chuck”, the little“12incher”just kept on circling,

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getting higher and higher, from a fluke thermal, until it simply to his large workshop and cutting tables one night per week for disappeared – I retired in disgust; a modeller beaten by a mere nurse! purpose of meetings, modelling, tuition, and discussions. Towards the final year of the war, our modelling activities had Another great allay appeared in the form of Mr. Andrew Dunn, a almost ground to a halt, due to lack of supplies, and to the fact that member of the family that owned and operated The Morning Bulletin Jas. Gillan had shut up shop, and moved the family to Canberra. In at that time. Andrew was responsible for providing our fledgeling consequence, we local modellers were obliged to obtain all scant Club with lots of greatly appreciated free Publicity, Photographs, and supplies by mail order to whatever Hobby Stores we happened to hear Editorial in his daily newspaper, and accepted the position of Patron or read about. of our Club. <<<<<<>>>>>> At the outset, our models were comprised mainly of Chuck EARLY POST WAR - the Club is formed. Gliders, Sailplanes, Rubber powered Duration models, plus a Modelling life, as we knew it, began again when I sighted a smattering of flying Scale models; with a choice of flying sites small advert inserted in the Morning Bulletin by Noel and Tony available, Viz: Huff’s Paddock, at the bottom of Hunter Street, Shennan, who, with their most supportive parents, had just settled in opposite the airport, the large paddock in Western Street, near Army Rockhampton, and were wishing to establish contact with interested D.S.U., a paddock previously next to the reservoir in Agnes Street, local modellers. and Kettle Park Cricket Ground, from where we quite often flew on Our initial meeting was held at the Shennan’s house in Lower still, moonlit nights! Dawson Road – a meeting that proved to be most fruitful, and the start As our skills improved, so did the frequqncy of O.O.S. flights, of a life long friendship. In quite a short time, we had a merry little with cyclists, motorcyclists, and motorists in mad pursuit – this band of keen modellers, mostly experienced, plus a handful of expensive problem was swiftly overcome by the design and beginners from a weekly instructional session I had previously been installation of “Dethermalisers”, being an ingenious time activated hosting in my modelling room under my parent’s house in Rundle deployment of any manner of devices, (parachutes, swinging weights, Street. hinged tailplanes, etc.), to destroy lift in order to return the model Thus were the beginnings of the “Rockhampton Aero- swiftly but safely to the field. modellers’ Club”, which was founded at a meeting held Friday night, When the first of the small, lightweight, and relatively 6/12/1946, with founding members being (from memory) the two inexpensive Diesel motors became available, we madly built all Shennan brothers (Noel and Tony), three of the Phillipson brothers, manner of high performing power models, plus sedate Scale models – (Terry, Pat and Ken – Ralph not being a member at that stage), the being all free flight, “Dethermalisers” were still an essential, but our two Donellan brothers, (John and Rex), Gordon Shields, David Shera, existing flying sites were by then too small for powered free flight, and myself. From memory, the founding office holders were Colin therefore a much larger site was required. Head, (President), and myself, (Secretary – Treasurer). To this end, we were most fortunate in securing the approval of The names of several of the new members who joined our Club Mr. Kelly to utilize a portion of his grazing property at Langley, just soon after were John Kerr, Ken Maclean, Hal Pearce, Alan Dale, Ted west of Gracemere – on a good weekend quite an impressive array of Glover, Fred Hopkins, Wally Abercrombie, and Ben Murray. models, modellers, (with camp followers!), and vehicles of all types Following this, local supplies soon became available from Swain’s were to be seen on the field. Then it had to happen! – the increasing Canvas Shop in William Street, (now occupied by Earl’s Paints),with choice of high performance Diesel motors heralded the advent of Mr. Colin Head, the Principal of Swain’s Canvas, and President of our Control Line flying, much to the detriment of powered free flight, newly formed Club, giving our members free access rubber powered duration models, and sailplanes, which almost went the way of the “Dodo”, until the advent of Radio Control some years later.

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First choice of aircraft for Control Line were Aerobatic and Scale Models – was difficult to judge which were the most spectacular; the models, the prangs, or the distress and antics of the modellers concerned! Control Line flying called for yet another site, for which purpose we secured the weekend use of the Allenstown State School sportsground for the serious stuff, whereas the site for the fun stuff was invariably the Shennan’s back yard, where the big trick was to get one’s expensive, 100mph Pride and Joy safely through the gap between the clothes hoist and the mango tree – if you don’t believe me, just ask Ken Maclean! By then, most of the members had become a little cocky, therefore decision was taken to represent the Club at Mackay for a competition to be staged by the Mackay Club. The appointed members (the names of whom I can no longer recall), travelled by train, complete with models, and despite gaining no accolades, requitted themselves most nobly, none the less; whilst I disgraced our Club through my powered free flight going O.O.S., only to be found some hours later on the bank of the Pioneer River, by the crew of a Tiger Moth from the local Aero Club ABOVE – This photo, taken about 1948, shows some happy Returning down but not out, our Club decided to stage it’s own modellers celebrating Wally Abercrombie’s Birthday. contest on home ground at Kelly’s paddock, and to this end invited a L to R – Tony Shennan, Don Millroy, Mrs. Abercrombie, and Wally. goodly number of Clubs and personages to attend, and at the same The other youngsters, though obviously modelling enthusiasts, were not named. time, canvassed the majority of local businesses for Sponsorship, BELOW – Don Millroy, David Shera, and Tony Shennan at Kelly’s, in 1947 Trophies, and Donations – not an easy task, but we got there; only just! Our contest turned out to be quite a success, and attracted such notables as Ed. Oribin, from Cairns, who amazed all with a dazzling display of Control Line Aerobatics, Don Adams, from Childers, and Bruce Abel from Maryborough – plus many others whose names I cannot recall. This contest was to prove to be my final involvement with our Club, for reason of most reluctant transfer to Faraway Places by my employer of that time – way back in the late 1940’s – Because of this, I eventually lost track of our Club, it’s activities, and the majority of it’s members.

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This photograph was taken from The Morning Bulletin of 11th December, 1946, showed foundation Club members D.Millroy, A. Shennan, G. Shields, D. Shera and N. Shennan, and was accompanied by the following:- Also from the same Morning Bulletin - A.Shennan holding his 5ft wingspan Sailplane on the towline ready to take-off, and N. Shennan launching an elementary stick model, i.e., one in AEROMODELLERS FORM CLUB which the fuselage is not built up. Making and flying model aircraft is a recreation that can claim thousands of disciples all over the world. Youth and adult alike find it soars away, to come down at some spot that defies location by the proud, but fascinating and instructive to discover by the skill of their own hands the anxious, owner. So the aeromodellers have to write it off: “One of our “how” and “why” of flying, and since the end of the war, interest in the aircraft is missing!)” subject has grown enormously. But the models that crash, the models that won’t take off, the ones Scores of clubs are active in overseas countries, and many are that fly off to secret landing grounds – all of these ups and downs are part of springing up in Australia. Queensland, which already had something like a the game, part of its fascination, and the areomodeller accepts them in that dozen of them, adds another by the formation of the Rockhampton spirit, vowing to come again with something better. He may select another Aeromodellers’ Club, at a meeting held on Friday night last. design, or rebuild to the old, hoping to eliminate faults as he goes; and within This club realises the hopes of a number of enthusiastic youths and the next outing or so, he is in the field again. young men who, for some time now, have been devoting most of their spare These models are not toys. They are built from plans which have to time and money to making and testing models. Their hobby calls for careful be accurate to small measurements, and special materials, light, strong, yet workmanship with delicate materials, and with that, unbounded patience. easily ruined by clumsy fingers, go into their construction. It is by such work For disappointments often come. A model which represents many that the aeromodeller gathers more than a nodding acquaintance with hours of painstaking construction, may “crack up” on it’s first trial flight, or aerodynamics. Flying them also calls for its own special skill. may (perish the thought) refuse even to become airborne. If the damage is The Rockhampton Aeromodellers’ Club is open to membership to not too great, or the error in design not fundamental, the necessary repairs all aeromodellers and to persons aged 13 and over. Special consideration will and alterations are often done on the spot, and before the day is over, the be given to applicants under that age. Regular instructional and flying aeromodeller may have his ship doing everything expected of it. meetings will be held, with the object of fostering interest in model aviation Sometimes, too, it happens that the model does too well. It takes off and in Rockhampton. Mr. C. L. Head, 31 William Street, phone 2862, is president of the club, and Mr. D. J. Millroy, 86 Rundle Street, phone 3933, is 9 secretary-treasurer. Intending members should get in touch with either of these officers. 10 MEMORIES of our Club.-from Ken Maclean. I well remember the Gliders the Phillipson boys made. The workmanship was extremely good! The models were very “true.” The models were, by I was a member of the Rockhampton Model Aero Club from modern standards, small and very light. about the latter part of 1947 to about 1950. The winching system in those days was a mate who ran like crazy Hubert has come into the possession of an old photograph of me at into the wind, pulling a length of cotton or light string. that time, standing looking very pleased with myself beside the wreckage of I recall one time, I think it was in Jimmy Garland’s paddock, either a model Focker monoplane, (the parasol wing type), owned by one Tony Ken or Pat Phillipson, I can’t remember which, launched a glider by the Shennan, which I had just crashed in Shennan’s back yard, having been above method. It had a “diamond” fuselage, with polyhedral wing mounted pressured into my first attempt at “Control Line.” I also have a copy of this on a pylon. It gracefully flew off into the wide blue yonder, defying the best photo, and have no reasonable explanation efforts of the “hue and cry” that set off in persuit! As I recall it, that was not for the smug look on my youthful the only glider the Phillipson’s lost, one of which some kind person fished countenance! I do recall that at the time I out of the river some days later. was on the receiving end of rather heavy When Ken and Pat moved into “power” models, they tuned them by handed humour, one example, I recall, feeling the vibrations of the model. Their tuning was as good as any. someone remarked that my first attempt was When I went “back to the bush” and had to sever my connection a “Crashing great success!” Tony made me with the Club, we went to Swains for anything we wanted in their line. Terry a paper “medal” for my achievement, there would bring me up to date in modelling and the Club. was a cross (tombstone style) with R.I.P. on What a contribution the Phillipson family has made to the sport in it. Under this a drawing of the crashed Rocky! Good people all, and good mates to have had. Fokker. Below that, in small print, “Rest in I recall a “Flying Wing” that Don Millroy designed and built in the Pieces!” I kept this for many years, but after days before I went to town to work, around 1946 I would say. It was rubber a lot of moves, and half a century, it is lost. powered, futuristic, innovative, and, dare I say it? Only moderately I believe the Shennan’s were the successful. first to fly control line, flying first of all in their back yard, and then out at the various <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>> fields we used. Like most back yards, This Editorial from ROCKHAMPTON AEROMODELLERS’ CLUB Shennan’s was not all that big, and with short control lines things happened “NEWS BULLETIN” of December, 1947. fast! Too fast for me, obviously. It is twelve months since the inauguration of the R.A.C., and we can In spite of my disastrous introduction to control line flying, I look back with pleasure on our achievements since it’s inception. Having decided to “scratch” build a “Spad,” (World War One) for the purpose, started with a mere five members, the club has now expanded to a roll of which Noel Shennan designed for me. I had been used to building free flight, twenty-four, and some foundation members, who, through business so I built it light, man! When I attempted to fly it from a cricket pitch down circumstances, have left Rockhampton, still take an interest in the near the railway somewhere east of Gladstone Road, the Spad just took off proceedings. For example, David Shera, who is in Mackay, entered his and flew with a mind of it’s own! The control lines went slack and disaster plane by proxy into the recent competitions, and is also acting as Ambassador followed soon after! for us, with the Mackay Model Flying Club. It was sad really, as crashes always are, it looked as though it might Flying records to date have been excellent, and much has been done have managed very well on it’s own, sans the control lines. It was a natty where research is concerned. Several “Flying Wings”, “Tailless”, and Heli- little model. The Spad had twin exhausts that came back past the cockpit. I copters have been built, with varying degrees of success. Throughout our first fashioned these out of very thin shim brass, with cowls that fitted against the year, we have received nothing but encouragement and assistance, (both exhaust ports on each side of the little mills diesel that powered it. The moral and financial), from interested parties. Just how much support may be exhausts were fully functional. judged from the fact that three cups were donated for the annual competitions, The little Mills was fuelled by a mixture of Castor Oil and Ether, and we have the assurance of more next year. which stunk like all powers, as did your hands and anything else it got on to, In conclusion, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year which was just about everything in sight! 11. 12

“CONTROL LINE YEARS” by Neale Oswald TERRY PHILLIPSON This was featured in PROPWASH in April,’79, written by Terry, The decade spanning the mid 1950`s to the mid 1960`s could best be titled “THUMBNAIL AUTOBIOGRAPHY”. described as “the Control Line Years” in the History of the RMAC. While there was some interest in Free Flight, and Radio was in it`s Boy, what headaches we must have given Mum, over the infancy with proportional gear appearing in early 60`s, the majority of years – four boys and all bitten by “the bug”. Ralph, Ken, Pat and me. flying, and interest, was in Control Line. In the mid 50`s, most Control I have never been able to find out where Ralph “got it from”, but I Line was flown at Kettle Park and the Gymnasium grounds, until a sure know he gave it to the rest of us. Out of the four, the oldies are regular field was obtained at Maloney`s paddock in Lion Creek Road, still active in the hobby, one has retired through marriage, (which, in near it`s intersection with Canoona Road. my opinion, is rather a poor excuse), and the other brother is flying his Free flight in the early days was at Kelly`s paddock, and later the mo d el s o n t h at g r eat , b i g , o p en p ad d o ck “u p t h er e” , where tree is a Bajool salt pans as radio became more popular. Most free flight and n au g h t y w o rd , an d d o g s ar e r efu s ed m emb e rs h i p . radio was flown on Sunday mornings, with control line on Sunday I s erv ed my “ap p ren t i ces h i p ” w i t h Ral ph’s guidance; I was afternoons. allowed to hold his rubber models whilst he piled on the turns. He The Lion Creek Road area had a main circle, with a secondary used to fly on the Main Drain flat, at the back of the house, so we circle which could be used if necessary. Care was needed when both didn’t have far to go to the field. I can still remember the first two circles were in use,as pilots tended to wander off centre without notic- models I made – a 1/72 scale Spitfire solid model, and a 24” built-up ing, then one circle would overlap the other, with the inevitable result. glider, the plans for which came out of “Radio & Hobbies”. I never A typical Sunday afternoon would be to arrive at the field about d i d g et t h e g l i d er t o fl y , as t h e b o o k d i d n ’t t el l t h at i t took two persons 2pm. Most members did not have cars or driver`s licences in those to tow it up. Dum dum spent all one afternoon running up and down days, so transport was on the push bike. Some keen modellers even the flat, towing it along the ground – it broke. I didn’t know a spitfire pedalled from North Rockhampton, as far out as Frenchville. It was had a thing called a wing section; I rounded the front and back edges, quite an experience to carry a control line stunt model of 1.25m and stuck the wing to the fuse. Ralph didn’t like it, and made me wingspan, plus a flying box, on a pushbike, especially in a strong wind. unstick it to do it “the way the man drew it”. Handle bar holes in tissue covered wings were not uncommon. W el l , I g u es s I p ro g res s ed t h ro u g h al l f acet s of rubber-power Once at the field, flying one at a time took place – new models an d fr ee fl i g h t . O f t h e t w o , I mu s t ad mi t t o l i k i n g the rubber models – were test flown, or aerobatics practiced. As the afternoon progressed, mo re o f a ch al l en g e, I g u es s . A l t h o u g h n o t h av i n g a strong arm, chuck the pace quickened, until at about 5pm, streamers were attached to g l i d ers are an o t h er fav o u ri t e. E arl y i n t h e p i ec e, I was interested in suitable models, and all-in combat continued until dusk. There was co n t es t s , o n e o f t h e fi rs t b ei n g F/ F h el d i n M ack ay ; we travelled up on usually not less than two models in the air at any time, with sometimes the “Midnight Horror”, the night express (?) leaving at around 10pm, four models in the same circle at the same time. This combat had arriving for brekky at 7.30am. Several big inter-city contests were held in Rocky, too, both free flight and control line. spectator appeal, and it was usual to have vehicles parked on both sides th of Lion Creek Road, with the occupants watching the flying. Some My first Nationals was the 7 at Toowoomba, a really great do, families were regular visitors most Sundays for several hours. where I met quite a lot of well-known modellers for the first time, and During this period, the RMAC was represented at most NATS. was shown how to make an indoor model by a very wonderful bloke Whilst we did not produce any aerobatic pilots of National standard, by the name of Bert Halmstrom. Bert was paralized from the waist our members did well in team-racing, placing in several finals over the down, but made light of it. At the time,he was a top Australian indoor modeller. Other Nationals I attended were the 14th at Rosewood, the years. th th <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> 15 at Echuca, and the 16 at Camden – a beaut way to spend a week, especially when bedded down in a pavillion, for it’s the atmosphere 13 that gets to you. 14 I did my share of Control Line flying, but didn’t really take to Maryborough, Bundaberg, Mackay and Rockhampton, for freeflight aerobatics and I guess this is the reason I couldn’t give “a fig” for R/C models. pattern. My first motor was a Frog 100 diesel, which I ran upstairs in Progress could not be halted, and with the birth of the control- the model room – oil all over Mum’s linen cupboard! One of my line model, those “things with strings”, the yo-yo’s, we shifted camp. favourite motors was the Frog 500, doyen of the control line engines One of the first C/L planes in Rocky was made by Tony Shennan; it of it’s day (I still have one). Another vintage motor I have is the had a Mills .75 for power. When Shennan ran out of castor oil, he Dooling 29, which did “the ton” for me in a speed model. used Queen Macassar hair oil for lube! Eventually, flying was done at And so to R/C…from single channel escapements, super regen gear, Maloney’s paddock, just in front of the turnoff to Ridgelands, on Lion multi channel reeds, to today’s propo. From 4 blips to get up-elevator, Creek Road; this was the site that drew crowds every Sunday arvo, to pressing a button, and away she rolls. It’s been worth it, and I’ve cars being two deep along the fence to see the fun. The club flew there had a lot of satisfaction from my sport…sincerely hope that I can do for years, until, after all the hard work by a half dozen members in so for many years to come. practicing for three Australian Nationals in a row, they finally got <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> “browned off” and gave it away. With no one in the senior ranks to keep the club going, it went into a forced recession. PAST “FIELDS OF ENDEAVOUR”. The club was reformed again during the sixty’s, mainly --- previous flying fields of RMAC. through the efforts of Laurie Georgeson, and so it was back to (this account was written by Terry Phillipson, in April’79 Propwash) Kelly’s, but not before various other venues were tried – the Bajool saltpans (fabulous, but the wind!), Emu Park saltpan, opposite the With the opening of the Club’s flying site, “Gavial Field”, by Golf club, the big paddock along the road between Yeppen railway Laurie Georgeson, at the 1979 Easter Fly-In on April 14th, members crossing and the Balmoral hotel. Radio control had replaced freeflight, will be interested to learn of the other sites used in years gone by. one gallon cans of fuel took over from plastic bottles, and a field box Although Kelly’s property at Gracemere had been used on and off full of tools and spare parts that would put a garage to shame, over a period of thirty years, one of the first paddocks to be used was replaced the cardboard shoebox that held a Gem razor blade, some owned by Jimmy Garland, one of Rockhampton’s celebrated bits of scrap balsa, a tube of Tarzan’s grip, and pins. About the only fruiterers, who owned the city’s first rubber-tyred fruit cart. His item still savoured from the old days was the occasional flyaway. paddock was at the end of North Street extended, past Hunter Street, Although a little out of sequence, mention must be made of a and is now part of the Connor Park air terminal. Many the club few other sites: Christensen’s property at the back of Depot Hill, was contest was held there, when rubber-power and gliders held sway; used for freeflight, as was the area around the old railway bridge at the timekeepers included, at times, three well known mothers – Mrs. Viv bottom of West Street. Control line was also flown in Kettle Park Millroy, Mrs. Donnellan and Mrs. Rose Phillipson. cricket grounds; this spot also saw some moonlight flits by Millroy, It is hard to recall exactly when members started flying at Shennan, Phillipson & Co, mainly sailplane, with a few skyrocket Kelly’s; it was through the approach by two brothers, Noel and Tony powered wonders thrown in…and in case you slopies thought you had Shennan, both foundation members, that Mark Kelly gave his a first in flying off Reservoir hill, some years ago, again it was permission to fly off his property, and what a terrific flying site it has Millroy, etc., who beat you to it with, yup, sailplanes. been. Acres of open country, with tall, soft grass, ideally suited to cushion the maltreated, out-of-trim model aircraft, caused by ham- fisted junior modellers who had yet to learn a smattering of the theory <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> of flight. It has seen the whole gamut of free-flight models, from sailplane to power, from the whirr of rubberpower, the solid note of a diesel, the frenzied scream of the gloplug, the whoosh of a jetex. It has been the site of the early inter-city contests, between 16 15

MEMORIES of 0ur Club, and the Members. lessons at various Aero Clubs. I obtained a private licence ….a few thoughts from Barry Frederickson. within 12 months while in Canberra, and after some time in Darwin, I returned to Rocky in 1967, and in August that year, I was just 7 years of age, in 1950, when I obtained my obtained my commercial licence. My first job as a pilot was first rubber powered model, the first of many, most of which cropdusting. never flew. At just 12 years of age, I flew some Control Line, By the late 1960’s, Radio Control was becoming but I became very involved with Free Flight. I remember not popular. As the multi-channel sets were fairly expensive, having a lot of funds, as most of us were young, so there was a compared to single channel sets, I flew single channel. I lot of bartering going on. To the extent of not having enough to remember John McCutcheon and myself were enjoying our own two motors, so when you wanted a different motor, the one flying one day, and fairly late in the afternoon, the decision was you had was either sold, so you had the funds for the one you made to have one more flight before dark. I was only in the air a required, or you exchanged it for the other one. few minutes, however, when darkness arrived, suddenly. We I remember borrowing an EDB motor from Terry could hear the motor, but couldn’t see the plane, or tell which Phillipson, and returned it some time later, a bit the worse for control it needed to return. We listened intently, and heard the wear. Nevertheless, Terry took me under his wing, and I became noise when it landed, so we headed in that direction, and his Team Race Pilot. retrieved it. In the winter school holidays of 1957, a group of us Another time, flying a glider with Terry Phillipson’s travelled to Longreach for an inter-city contest. Five Rocky guidance, it disappeared into the base of a storm cloud. “What members, Jimmy Gibson, Trevor Larsen, Roy Brown, John Gill should I do,” I asked. Terry looked at me and said, “Better hold and myself were involved, and our transport was a cattle train, the rudder over, boy”. This I did, and we could hear a high which took 3 days each way, and we were in a carriage attached pitched noise for several seconds, and then the glider appeared to the rear of the train. To relieve the boredom, one of the boys out of the cloud. I was able to recover it safely. decided to “walk” the length of the train by climbing along the I moved to Mackay in 1976, but my memories of the sides of the wagons. He made it, and on his return, told us about Rocky Club of the 50’s and 60’s are of friendships that lasted a sleeping car which had no occupants. Us resourceful lads soon through the years, to the present time. This feeling probably took up residence. developed partly because of the age of most of us, who were On our arrival at Longreach, we were billeted with early to late teenagers. I can still remember thinking how old we fellow modellers. One of the highlights of our visit was to be a thought Terry was when he told us he was 26. night event, under floodlights, but the weather was so cold that We were more than a group of modellers, we were no one could get a motor started. The day events went off OK companions journeying through life. though, and during our 3 days at Longreach, I won a free flight kit, and a motor. <<<<<<<>>>>>>> I applied to join the Air Force in 1961, for a 6 year term, as a Telegraghist. Out of 43 applications, only 7 passed the entrance exam. Fortunately, yours truly was one of those 7. During my time in the Air Force, I learned to fly by paying for

17 18 MY CLUB INVOLVEMENT RALPH PHILLIPSON: A Profile of our longest serving regular member. …….A few thoughts , from Jim Schafer Ralph started flying models, both rubber powered and Sailplanes, as a teenager in the late 1930’s. In those days, any open I started in Radio Control Modelling about 1966. The first paddock close to home was used. He was assisted by his brothers, R/C Aeroplane was a single channel Hustler, which was a joint effort Ken, Terry, and Pat, who also “got the urge”, and modelled for between myself and Len Turner. Len built the aircraft, and I made the themselves. The Boys were joined by others, and they obtained their single channel transmitter and receiver from a circuit published in an supplies from Attwell’s Store in Archer Streeet. R/C magazine. The transmitter had a six foot aerial, and stood on the Ralph completed his Engineering Apprenticeship with ground, as it was too awkward to hold and use. Single pulses were Rockhampton City Council in the early 1940’s, and before that achieved by the use of a pushbutton switch on the end of a lead applied for entry to the RAAF, but because of his occupation, was not connected to the transmitter. One servo for rudder control, and the accepted. Later, he was called up for the Army in 1942. First unit was second servo was a three position servo which provided motor control Army Workshops in Brisbane, where he applied for transfer to the to achieve climb, level flight, and descend. RAAF, for Aircrew Duties. He was at Army Workshops in Charters Flights were normally made wherever a suitable area could be Towers in late 1942 when he was able to join the RAAF. He served in found away from houses, etc. Flying was usually done when a group Canada, England, Italy and Egypt, before returning to Australia in of enthusiasts could get together at weekends. Aircraft and radios 1946. were primitive by today’s standards. Only one aircraft being flown at On his return to “Civvies”, Ralph resumed his old work. a time to prevent radio interference, and the ultimate hard landing. Later, he flew as a Business Pilot, Charter Pilot, and Instructor, until Due to work transfer, I was away from modelling for becoming an Aerial Ambulance Pilot in 1965, with which he approximately 9 years. On my return to Rockhampton in 1977, I again continued until being grounded for medical reasons in 1980. He became involved in R/C aircraft modelling. During the time I had continued in the Ambulance Service until his retirement. been away, a Club had been formed, and a flying area was in use, Ralph’s interest in modelling took a break during his time in Kelly’s paddock at Gracemere. Soon after this, the owner of the land the RAAF, after which he returned with enthusiasm. Over the years, advised the Club that he was selling the land, and the Club would Ralph attended many inter-club and national competitions, both as have to make alternative arrangements. Various areas were inspected, competitor and spectator, and he flew all types of model aircraft. A and the model field of today was the area selected. couple of highlights for Ralph were taking out 1st place in Jetex Various schemes to raise money for the purchase of the land Duration at the Nationals held at Toowoomba in the late 1940’s, he were discussed. The money was raised, and the current land was a member of the winning team in the Class B Team Race at the purchased. Many working bees were conducted, and together with 1951 Adelaide Nats., and he attended the Bendigo Nats., and the 15th individual efforts, the land was made useable. During the time that I Nationals at Echuca, Victoria, over the New Year period in 1962, with remained a member, improvements were made to the take-off and several local members. landing area, and amenities buildings were constructed. So Ralph has been involved in modelling for over 60 years, Regular competitions were run, to encourage visits by other and he has retained his association with RMAC throughout. Although Clubs, and also members of the public, to help raise finances to ensure his work commitments meant that he was not able to be regularly the upkeep of the area. present either at Club meetings, or on the field, his interest and involvement have remained strong. Today, Ralph flies larger Radio <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> Controlled Models, and is a member of the International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA). Ralph was given Life Membership of our Club, and presented with a Plaque, at our club meeting in February, 2000. 19 20

PROPWASH

Our Club Newsletter, “PROPWASH”, was first published with Terry Phillipson as Founding Editor in January, 1975, and continued as a monthly publication until Terry died in 1984. Since then, the Editing job was taken by Hubert de Chastel, with assistance from Ross Sollitt, and Graham Barclay, from1984 to 1986. Editors since then were Hubert de Chastel, 1986 to 1996, Rory Birch, 1996 to 1999, and Kevin Dore is our present Editor.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>

TRIVIAL FACT.

Over the years, our Club has hosted many State and Inter Club competitions, apart from our own Annual Scale event, but, in later years, visiting modellers attending have become fewer. To give some idea of how it used to be, the following is the catering list used in 1982, for our Easter Scale. 15 Cartons Beer 20 Cartons Soft Drinks 5 Cartons Footy Franks 2 Cartons Hamburgers 4 Cartons Potato Chips 20 Dozen Long Buns 12 Dozen Burger Buns 2 Litre Bottle Tomato Sauce 1kg Sugar Tea Bags, Coffee, Cooking Oil Margarine 8 Moulds Ice Also, member’s wives were asked to make sandwitches for sale.

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Brian Harris, Les Neiht, and Neale Oswald at the 15th Nationals at Echuca, Victoria, December 28, 1961 to January 4, 1962.

A group of happy Club members, who all received either their Gold or Bronze Wings, Easter, 1994, at our Field. The Course was conducted by MAAQ Chief Flying Instructor, Ron de Chastel. Pictured are Wally Hawtin, Anne-Maree Hunt, Garry de Chastel, Graham Barclay, Joanne Batey, Dave Batey, Hubert de Chastel, John Stevens, Rory Birch, and Kerry Neil.

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IMPORTANT DATES and EVENTS. -- - in the life of our Club. 6.12.1946 – Club formed, and named “Rockhampton Aeromodellers’ Club”, with activities mainly free Flight Sailplanes and Rubber Powered models. Not long after this, small Diesel Motors became available, and Control Line and powered free flight began appearing. Most members were young, either school boys, or working lads in their late teens. Plenty of field activity, but by the early 1950’s, meetings became infrequent. 23/7/1954 – A meeting was held to reform the Club, at which 20 members were present. Fees were struck at 20c to join, 5c weekly for schoolboys, and 40c to join, and 10c weekly if working. These fees to cover (1) Members’ affiliation to State and National Associations, (2) Third Party Insurance, (3) Purchase of Club Tools, Balsa, Cement, Etc., and (4) Subs to YMCA.for meeting room. 19/1/1956 – Annual General Meeting held. Club renamed “Rockhampton Our three Club Trustees, Don Williams, Dave Batey, and Skyhawks”,and fee structure changed to one Guinea ($2.10) Hubert de Chastel, with the Deed to our new Field, which we per year for working members, and 12/6($1.25) per year if not purchased in 1978. employed. The Club to use the field behind J.Greenwood’s place (Maloney’s Paddock). 7/2/1957 – Townsville, Mackay, Bundaberg and Brisbane Modellers invited to our Easter Control Line Competition, to include Stunt, Team Race, Combat, C/L Scale, and Novelty Events. The Colax take-off strips on the Control Line circles failed, because cattle walked on them before they were dry. They are to be covered with soil, and planted with couch. 5/10/1957 – Club affiliated with MAAQ to obtain Insurance Cover. 14/2/1958 – Club name changed to “Rockhampton Model Aero Club”. 3/2/1959 -- Resolved that Schoolboys are Juniors, and working members are Seniors. Free flight to be fostered so as to obtain a greater variety of interest in our Club, with a meeting set for March 8th, at Kelly’ field. 3/3/1959 -- Swain’s Hobby Dept. to handle Club Dodgers advertising the advantages of Club membership. 7/4/1959 -- Financial year, and AGM, to date from first Tuesday in April, following MAAQ’s request that all country Clubs end their financial year on or about March 31st, as this would assist to speed up the issuing of FAI licences. Hal Pierce, Don Millroy and Tony Shennan at Kelly’s Paddock Field days to be – first Sunday each month – Free Flight in 1948 - second Sunday each month – Control line

25 26 7/4/1959 – New members to apply for membership on approved Application Sept.’71.—16 members to attend Maryborough weekend. Form, which will be submitted for approval at a General Meeting Working Bee to install new gate and mow radio field. 2/1/1960—Mackay to host Central Queensland Zone Championships for – Mar.’72 – Club afternoon at Mulambin Beach – 40 attended – enjoyed by all. Control Line – A & B Class Team Race, Open & Junior Stunt, Working Bee at Radio field – 8th April, 2pm – hand mowers only. Combat, Rat Race, and Speed, and Free Flight – Scramble, Open Working Bee at Control Line field on 15th April, & use of ride-on FF. Power Ratio, and Chuck Gliders. Two Cars to be available mower be sought from David Batey. Also gate to be erected. for transport, possibly seven members. Another social afternoon to be organised at Mulambin Beach, 5/4/1960 – Letter to be sent to MAAQ expressing the Club’s complete slope soaring at Wreck Point, followed by BBQ at Beach. dissatisfaction over the recent handling by MAAQ of Oct.’72 – Social slope soaring at Wreck Point, and BBQ in Daniel Park. correspondence and rulings pertaining to Mackay Contest (Easter May ’73 – $5.00 allocated for Ride-On mower hire to mow Radio Strips. Champs). Float to be in Capricana Procession. 3/5/1960 – 14th Nationals to be held at Rosewood – 35 miles from Brisbane. Sept.’73 – Lack of interest in Control Line – C/L members to fly at Radio 4/10/1960- Prizes presented for members who displayed at Rocky Show. Field so senior members can assist. Secretary of Agricultural Society interested in expanding model July ’74 – Club to decide on affiliation with MAAQ, or not. section, and Club to offer suggestions. Sept.’74 – Moved to affiliate with MAAQ, allowing members wishing to 5/9/1961 – Radio Contest put off till February, 1962. join MAAQ to do so, and those not wishing to join to still 10/1/1962- RMAC to handle MAAQ affairs until new MAAQ formation, as remain members of RMAC, without paying extra fees. MAAQ was abolished at Nationals Conference in 1961. The The cost of a Ride-On mower be obtained for field maintenance, committee of three appointed to handle it were B.Harris, instead of a BBQ. N.Oswald, and T.Phillipson. Oct. ’74 – Future meetings to be held last Friday of each month. 1/5/1962 – A Club Constitution to be drawn up by an elected committee, and Nov.’74 – Ride-On mower prices were considered too expensive, and the the proposed Constitution to be submitted in two month’s time. idea was put aside. 1/8/1962 – Club Constitution adopted. Motion passed that members wishing to join MAAQ pay $5.00 6/9/1962 – L.Neiht gained a place as a member of the Australian Team in Club Fee plus MAAQ membership, and members not wishing to FAI Team Race at the 16th Nationals at Camden. join MAAQ pay $5.00 Club Fee plus cost of keeping Club 4/7/1963 – Free Flight day to be held at Alton Downs, and Club to be Insurance. involved with Labour Day Procession, Capricana Procession, and Jan. ’75 – Club Newsletter, “PROPWASH”, introduced by Terry Mt. Larcom Show Society Display(Open Combat). Phillipson. 16/7/1964-Flying display to be held at Bajool, for all types of models, in Mar.’75 – May Day weekend programme is - conjunction with visit of Mr.B.Healey, NSW. RTQ7 will be Sat. Arvo – Power and Gliding at Kelly’s. present. Sat. Night – Social at Terry Phillipson’s. Letter of thanks to Mr. E. Goltz, re proposed erection of Club Sunday – Slope soaring at Wreck Point – 10am start to Pylon Hut on his property on Lion Creek Road. Race – BBQ lunch. Contest for single channel Radio Controlled models to be held on Monday – either at Kelly’s or wreck point 11th or 18th October. Kerrisk’s to be asked for prize donation. 26/9/1969-Meeting held to reform the Club, attended by 16 members. Lucky number to be given to visitors – prize to be a full tank of Club Constitution to be revisited. fuel, donated be A&G Batey & Sons. 31/10/1969Club Bank balance $200.15. Sept.’75 – Gladstone forms own club – now separate from RMAC. Club Constitution adopted. Mark Kelly accepted as Club Patron – he has no problem with 28/1/1971- New gate required for Control Line field.(Goltz property on Lion increased club activity, although his health is not good. Creek Road). Plans to renovate gate at RC field (Kelly’s at Club rejoins MAAQ after many month’s discussion. Gracemere), and load of ash to improve entrance track. June,’76 – Members will be attending Thangool Air Pageant on 5/9/76, with Move be made to instal signs on both flying fields. both a Flying and Static Display.

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Aug. ’76 – 1st Central Queensland Sailplane Champs. held at Eidsvold, July ’78 – Our treasurer reported an opening balance of $1142, plus Bank hosted by Maryborough, Bundaberg, and Rockhampton, in turn, Loan, Members’ loans, and field levies, $2683, less Expenditure for two years each. 10 RMAC members attended. of $3205, Balance of $620. Oct.’76 – Decision taken to introduce Stand-Off Scale on our 1977 May Aug ’78 – Members were asked for donations towards cost of materials for Day Fly-In Weekend, with Static at the BBQ on Saturday shelter at creek end of field, and from promises of 19 @ $10, 2 @ evening, and Flying on Sunday morning. And— $50, and some materials donated by George Olive, West Rocky As Townsville will be conducting the Power Sections of the Hardware, and Price Constructions, the shed was erected, with State Champs. on May weekend in ’77, we are to transfer our power, welding, and some materials supplied by Kel Barnes. May weekend to Easter. - Field named “Gavial Field”. Feb.’77 – Length of railway line procured by Ian McCamley at no cost, - Second hand backyard toilet acquired for $20. and used by Ray Stanley to level new strip at Kelly’s. Sept.’78 – Terry Phillipson given Life membership of our Club. May,’77 – Club Flight Proficiency Programme introduced, and only -Tractor purchased for $100. members who pass in this Programme will be allowed to fly in -Base laid for large BBQ. displays. -Paw Paw, Lemon and Custard Apple planted on back fence. Feb.’78 – Offer from the Quarter Horse Association for Club to use their Dec.’78 – Working Bees now fortnightly. field was rejected, because it was too close to Rocky Airport. -Christmas BBQ to be held at our field, 5pm start, after any Rocky Aero Club Air Pageant on 23/4/78. Members to attend afternoon flying. with both Static and Flying Models. Jan.’79 – Cross strip now completed. Apr.’78 – Letter sent to MAAQ to convey how much we appreciated the -Our tractor now operational, thanks to Dave Batey and his training from Des Robinson, who was with us for a week. brother for repairs. May ’78 – Lost the use of Kelly’s field – letter of thanks sent to Mr. Mark Mar.’79 – “PROPWASH” now 4 years old. Kelly for use of the field for last 30 years. -Request that a Ladies committee be formed. -Use of temporary field at Alton Downs,thanks to Ricky Phillips. -Space cleared for second toilet. -After investigating possible flying fields, trees were cleared, -We are to conduct a display at Duaringa State School. and a strip graded on 22 acres on River Road, Gavial, for -A $40 donation was received for PVC for irrigation system, for assessment. which over $200 has been pledged. -Change to Club Constitution to allow for loans. -A third temporary strip has been mowed, in case wind June ’78 – Three Club Trustees appointed – Don Williams, Dave Batey, direction necessitates change. and Hubert de Chastel. -More seating to be provided at pits. Club had 38 members, 11 of whom were members at June, ’99. Apr. ’79 – Field Official Opening by Laurie Georgeson on 14th April, in -Land on River Road to be purchased for $2200.00, subject to conjunction with Easter Fly-In and Scale Comp. the Club being able to arrange finance. May ’79 – Fortnightly working bees proceeding. -Interest free loans were raised at the meeting – 13 @ $50, 2 @ -Watering system being installed. $100, and one advanced fee of @50. As well. Meeting decided June’79 – Guest Editors, Caddy, Don, Phil, & Dave, with office staff to strike a one-off flying field levy of $12 per senior member, Merilyn & Tracey, produce “ROPWASH” while Terry has a and $6 per junior. Holiday at Narromine flying 1:1 Scale Gliders. -Trustees empowered to secure a Bank Personal Loan for -Vote taken to stay with MAAQ. $864.00, to assist with field purchase. Oct.’79 – Lighting plant alternator mounted on a trailer by Dave Batey. -5 loads of Granite spread to improve strip. -Poly pipe laid ready for pump. July ’78 – Donation for field included cost of BBQ Rockblocks from Model -Mimosa cleared west of cross strip, on neighbour’s land. Sports & Hobbies,Brisbane, $20 from Tom Hopwood, Sydney, Dec.’79 – Christmas BBQ held at field on 15th December, preceded by and the gates, windsock pole, and field sign posts from Kel Barnes Sport Aerobatic Comp. at 3pm, with entry fee of $1.00. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd.

30 29 Feb.’80 – Fluros to be erected in top shed. presents supplied by parents (to a maximum value of $10.00). June’80 – Final payment made on Field. Jan.’84 – Fire burned out our lock-up area on end of our shed. Tents, July ’80 – Pump and motor installed, and water piped to Pit area. alternator, trailer, and supplies all destroyed, as well as damage Aug.’80 – Shed to be extended on tank end to provide lockup area to store to our shed.. Club’s gear, and use as servery for functions. Donation of $100 towards cost of repairs from G.Schabe,Brisbane -A marked drum is to be left at field for fuel donations, as our Feb.’84 – New shelter erected near pits. pump and tractor are using a lot of fuel. May’84 – A letter of appreciation for his years of effort on “PROPWASH” Sept.’80 – Jim Schafer and Len Turner obtained a bag of Bowling Green sent to Terry Phillipson. clippings, and spread them in our pits. -Members were asked to consider a replacement as Editor of our Dec.’80 – A length of concrete pipe, 6ft x 21inch, purchased to construct newsletter, so that it will continue. Club roller. Aug.’84 – New clutch being made for tractor, and painting of Banner well June’ 81 – Allen Roto Scythe purchased. in hand. Aug.’81 – Recently acquired slasher is in Kel Barnes’ business being -New frequency control boards are on order, with 2 week’s modified to fit tractor. delivery Sep.’81 – New slasher proving to be a handful for our tractor, and -Our pump motor is need of repairs, and Roto Scythe needs Committee authorised to purchase another tractor, keeping within tyres before it can be sold. budget. Sept.’84 – Rusted welsh plugs in pump motor replaced by J.Garvey,and it Dec.’81 – Another tractor is available. should be O.K. Jan.’82 – Club to dispose of Roto Scythe. -R.Phillips has purchased new tyre for the Roto Scythe, and the Feb.’82 – Notification of foundation of Australian Chapter No.1 of clutch parts have been made, and only require minor alteration International Miniature Aircraft Association,(IMAA), by Terry for tractor to be operational. Phillipson. Nov.’84 – Limbo event permanently postponed. May’82 – Motion passed to proceed with Shower and Toilet Block, subject -J.Schafer to dispose of fire damaged alternator – it’s beyond to finance being available. Estimated cost is $2,000, and repair. Committee allowed 3 months to raise money. -Fitzroy Shire Council to gravel and grade road by gateway for Oct.’82 – Toilet Block to proceed, with Mick Lapthorn, builder, with $114 members’ help. -Jim Smith, Brisbane, invited to Rocky at our expense, to Band Feb.’83 – Levy of $50 for Senior members and $20 for Juniors was struck Width Test our Radios. Gladstone and Biloela invited to to complete the Toilet Block. participate on 19/20 January. Members to pay $10 per set for May’83 – In May, ’82, when we moved to proceed with our Toilet Block, testing. an amount of $1,000 was allocated for foundations, and -Kitchiner family presented a Trophy for the “Most Improved” cementing rest of floor in our shed. Our balance at the time was competition entrant, to foster the inexperienced flyers in our Club $1,417, and balance now is $927. So, $500 was spent from funds, Dec.’84 –RMAC has been granted approval by MAAQ to hold all powered and balance of cost of Toilet Block of $3,900 was from donations, sections (except Seaplanes) of the State Champs at Easter, 1986. both from businesses, and members. Jan.’85 – Roto Scythe sold for $240.00. July’83 – Five Teams were organised to be responsible for field mainten- -46 Radio Sets (or part sets), were tested during Jim Smith’s visit, ance. Each team to be on duty for one month, in turn. including sets from Biloela and Gladstone. Aug.’83 – J.Schafer & L.Turner raised $450 from Lotto Raffles for Club Apr.’85 –Shed and Toilet to be wired for lights by Christmas by Kerry Neil Funds. May’85 – Committee to act on upgrading of strips on quote from Fitzroy -The motion re members’ levies to be rescinded, and monies Shire Council. offered back to members who have paid. -A decision was taken that Club funds not be allowed to go below Nov.’83 – Christmas Breakup to be held at our Field on 11th December $1,000, at least until Easter , 1986. with Soft Drinks supplied for children, and Santa to deliver June’85 – Charity Day organised with Endeavour Foundation for 20/10/85.

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-Tri-City Competitions between Rocky, Gladstone and Biloela Aug’89 – Tractor again operational, thanks to Dave Batey and Noel continuing. Kitchiner, for a cost of less than $500. Aug.’85 – Strips were granited, but were rough, at a cost of $906.00. Jan.’90 – Working bee at field, main purpose to fit another pump. It Sept.’85 – D.Williams to investigate cost of extending both ends of Pits worked well, but takes a long time to prime. shed Feb.’90 – Committee to check on cost of erecting a safety fence at Pits. Sep.’85 – Club Competitions to be separate in future, with Glider and Apr.’90 – Start a slasher account with proceeds of raffles, and investment Power having their own trophies. account interest, as present one is getting sad. Jan.’86 – Working Bee on 15th February to extend shed at pits. Sep.’90 – Rec. Hall demolished, Club moved to another hall closer to Mar.’86 – Good response to working bee – extensions all but finished. Campbell Street. -Rules for David Georgeson Glider Competition to be prepared. Nov.’90 – Working Bee to replace western fence. Large number of helpers. May’86 – Club to move to become Incorporated. Thanks to Dave Batey for boring post holes. Sept.’86 – Members attended Leisurefest, with a Static and flying display. Jan. ’91 – Working bee to clean up after flood over New Year, ’91. New -Proposed Constitution sent to Justice Dept. re Incorporation. fence required on creek end of field. Oct.’86 – Club to provide a Trophy in memory of our late member Terry -Three man team coming from New Zealand for the Trans Phillipson, and to name it the “Terry Phillipson Memorial Tasman Scale, which is to be held at our field at Easter, ’91, in Trophy”, to be presented to the highest scoring competitor in our conjunction with our Terry Phillipson Memorial event. Easter Scale competition. May,’91 – Steel table constructed and fitted by Graham Barclay, for our -Neale Oswald donated $500.00 for Memorial Trophy, actual cost transmitter pound. of which was $134.00, and balance to be used for future costs. -New water tank fitted up at Pits Shed. Nov.’86 – Working bee to concrete floor of shed at Pits at a cost of $445.00 Jun. ’91 – Keith Walters, our neighbour across the creek, replaced the -Granite spread to level strips and fill hollows at a cost of $190. fence on the creek side. Our cost was $130 only, for wire. Mar.’87 – 1st Terry Phillipson Memorial Competition held at Easter, 1987. July ’91 – State Champs Multi Task Gliders are to be held at our field on Jun.’87 – Working bee to widen top shed by 6ft along creek side, including August 3 & 4. cememt floor, and to complete cement work along front of shed. -$400 to be spent on repairs to our road in the field. Nov.’87 – Notification of Club Incorporation on Certificate dated 12/11/87. Sept.’91 – Members were asked to design a Club Flag, and, from those July’88 – RMAC held a Static and Flying display at Rockhampton Airport, presented, the one by Dave Batey was accepted. This was made as part of Rocky Aero Club’s Bi-Centenary Air Show, and then and presented to the Club by Hubert de Chastel, who also fitted had an open day at our field the following weekend. up our flagpole, from pipe supplied by Wally Hawtin. Aug.’88 – Club to purchase a Tractor to replace our present one. Mar.’92 –New slasher bought for maintaining our field, and present slasher Sept.’88 – Committee bought a Massey Ferguson 35 Tractor for $500, saved for Strips and Pits. requiring repairs to motor, wiring, hydraulics, panel and paint June’92 – Eastern fence to be repaired, to keep cattle out. . Dave Batey and Noel Kitchiner were on the job, with help from July’92 -Letter received from R.C.Nixon, owner of the property at Yeppoon some members,and Garry de Chastel painted it. Final cost to our giving us permission to use “Springfield” as a model flying site. Club was $1677.46, part of which was recouped from the sale of Sept.’92 – Letter sent to MAAQ , with appropriate enclosures, asking for our old tractor for $100, members’ donations, $472, and other their sanction of “Springfield” as a recognised flying site. donations, $200. Oct.’92 – Working bee held to replace eastern fence. Nov.’88 – Our Tri-City Competition was shelved because Biloela was not Jan. ’93 – After an altercation at our field between A.Hawtin and J.Bonnell, able to continue. members agreed, after several meetings, to take no further action, Mar.’89 – Meetings held at Railway Rec. Hall for first time. provided A.Hawtin apologised. July,’89 – Tractor has broken crankshaft, and cost of a new one was Mar.’93 – Letter of apology received from A.Hawtin. $1,700. Noel Kitchiner located a second hand one in July ’93 – Indicated cost of installing the hot water shower system supplied Toowoomba for $150, plus freight. by Paul Douglas, was between $400 and $500 – left until a greater need arises.

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Oct. ’93 – A filter is to be installed on water inlet to toilets. R.M.A.C. CLUB TROPHIES. -Slasher runners are to be repaired. -Playground equipment is to be repaired, or removed. Nov.’93- - A bequest of $2,000 was made to our Club from the Estate of TERRY PHILLIPSON MEMORIAL TROPHY – Awarded to the highest Mr. Tom Hopwood, Sydney. scoring Scale Model at our annual competition in honor of Terry Phillipson, Apr. ’94 – MAAQ were asked for official verification of sanctioning of who was a foundation member of our Club, and remained an active and very Yeppoon field. involved member until he died in 1986. July ’94 – Club held an open Display Day, which was well supported by - Trophy provided by R.M.A.C. from a donation for the purpose by members, and the public. Neale Oswald. Jan.’95 – For conducting himself in a manner considered unsatisfactory to the Club, A.Hawtin was suspended for 4 months. Mar.’95 – An assembly table, steel frame and legs, with a timber top, was RMAC POWER COMPETITION TROPHY – Awarded annually to the made by K.Neil, and placed in the pits. highest scorer in our Club Power competitions for the year. - A display was held at the field for some local school children. - Trophy supplied by RMAC. Apr. ’95 –Drought was considered the best answer to why the trees near the top shed were dying. May ’95 – First Aid Kit procured, and placed in our transmitter pound. June ’95 – Working bee held to erect Safety Fence at our pits. RAILWAY HOTEL/MOTEL GLIDER TROPHY – Awarded annually to July ’95 – Committee to revisit our Bandwidth Testing Rules. the highest scorer in our Club Glider competitions for the year. -Length and direction of our main strip altered, on a trial basis. - Trophy donated by Railway Hotel/Motel, Mount Morgan. Sep. ’95 – Field layout to remain as trialled, but perhaps shorten main strip to clear glider strip. -Working bee to remove dead trees at creek end of field. STUART THOMASSON TROPHY – OVERALL WINNER – Awarded Jan. ’96 – Members asked for suggestions to improve around our BBQ’s annually to the highest scorer for the year in both our Glider and Power Feb. ’96 – Pylon Judges and Timekeepers cage was built to MAAQ competitions combined. specifications, cost of which was paid for by MAAQ. - Trophy donated by Stuart Thomasson. Mar.’96 – Cut down railway sleepers to be used as table tops and seats in the BBQ area. -Pylon course surveyed and marked out by Gil Hole. KITCHINER FAMILY TROPHY – Awarded annually, as an June’96 – Toilet block to be painted inside and out. encouragement award, to the most improved flyer for the year. July’96 – New windsock procured and installed. - Trophy donated by Noel and Margot Kitchiner family. -Main strip narrowed by 2m on pits side, and cross strip moved 10m towards front fence. DAVID GEORGESON MEMORIAL TROPHY – Competed for annually Feb.’97 – Toilet block painting completed. nd Mar.’97 – Table tops have been fitted in BBQ area, and seats almost on a suitable flying day closest to February 22 , the anniversary of David’s complete, with post holes still to be dug. death in a plane crash. This is a special Glider competition, with it’s own May’97 –Stumps of trees removed from creek end of field ground to below rules, held in memory of a popular and enthusiastic former member of our ground level to remove obstacles to slashing. Club. Nov.’97 – Tractor repairs done, including new bearings in front hubs, by - Trophy donated by Terry Phillipson and Don McKenzie. our machinery maintenance officer, Alan Robinson. -New tank set up on high stand. The following pages shows the particular Trophy, with a list of the June’98 – Hot showers now fitted to toilet block. years it was presented, and the winner for each year. Our Terry Phillipson -Display held at our field on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary Memorial Trophy is the only one that is open to members of other Clubs of when we moved to our own field.

36 35

DAVID GEORGESON KITCHINER FAMILY MEMORIAL TROPHY. TROPHY In memory of one of our Donated by Kitchiner Family R.M.A.C. POWER TERRY PHILLIPSON members tragically killed as an encouragement award COMPETITION TROPHY MEMORIAL TROPHY in a plane crash in 1983. for most improved flyer. 1984 – Jim Schafer 1984 – Jeff Hartley 1986 – Garry de Chastel 1987 – Dave Helmrich, Mackay. 1985 – Bob Phillips 1985 – Paul Allen 1987 – Peter Dennis 1988 – Kerry Neil, RMAC 1986 – Kerry Neil 1986 – Mick Thompson 1988 – Kerry Neil 1989 – Paddy Martin, Mackay. 1989 – Garry de Chastel 1990 – Tom Christiansen, Childers 1987 – Hubert de Chastel 1987 – Mal Barker 1990 – Dave Batey 1991 – Paddy Martin, Mackay 1988 – Hubert de Chastel 1988 – Wally Hawtin 1991 – Garry de Chastel 1992 – Garry de Chastel, RMAC. 1989 – Dave Batey 1989 – Rory Birch 1992 – Wally Hawtin 1993 – Not held 1990 – Garry de Chastel 1990 – Brian Herold 1993 – Garry de Chastel 1994 – Garry de Chastel, RMAC 1991 – Garry de Chastel 1991 – John Stevens Phil Whiteley 1995 – Ray Thompson, Mackay. Kerry Neil 1996 – Garry de Chastel, RMAC. 1992 – Ken Maclean 1992 – Ken Maclean

1994 – Anne-Maree Hunt 1997 – Abandoned, (2 entries only.) 1993 – Peter Dennis 1993 – Joanne Batey

1995 – Hubert de Chastel 1998 – Ray Thompson, Mackay. 1994 – Don McKenzie 1994 – Brad Ballard 1996 – Garry de Chastel 1999 – Garry de Chastel, RMAC 1995 – John Kearney 1995 – Paul Massingham 1997 – Garry de Chastel 1996 – Hubert de Chastel 1996 – Matthew James 1998 – Tim Todd 1999 – Tim Todd 1997 – John Stevens 1997 – Carmela Birch 1998 – John Stevems 1998 – Tim Todd 1999 – John Stevens 1999 – Michael Fisher 37 38 R.M.A.C. EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER P.R.O. C.D. 1946 C. L Head D J Millroy D J Millroy 1948 C L.Head D J.Millroy T.Phillipson 1954 F.Craigie T.Phillipson C.Brown 1955 F.Craigie T.Phillipson C.Brown 1956 T.Phillipson N.Oswald C.Bowman D.Craigie T.Phillipson 1957 N.Oswald R.Brown T.Phillipson T.Phillipson C.Green 1958 T.Phillipson R.Brown N.Oswald T.Phillipson C.Green 1959 Mr. Searle T.Phillipson N.Oswald T.Phillipson C.Green 1960 L.Georgeson T.Phillipson B.Harris T.Phillipson B.Harris 1961 T.Phillipson J.Tysoe N.New B.Harris H.Price 1962 N.Oswald T.Phillipson L.Neiht P.Hartley H.Price 1963 T.Hartley T.Phillipson L.Neiht P.Hartley H.Price 1964 J.Dunkerton T.Phillipson H.Price P.Hartley T.Phillipson

No Club meetings were held between 1964 and 1969. ______

As well as the above, our Club had Senior and Junior representatives to Liaise with our Executive. These were: 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 Senior J.Gibson B.Dent T.Fenning T.Hartley Not T.Hartley RAILWAY HOTEL/MOTEL STUART THOMASSON TROPHY Junior R.Sollitt B.Frederickson T.Tysoe B.Acheson Recorded P.Goltz MT. MORGAN – GLIDER TROPHY OVERALL WINNER 1979 – Phil Whiteley PRESIDENT SEC/TREASURER COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1982 – Don McKenzie 1980 – Don Williams 1969 L.Georgeson T.Phillipson L.Turner C.Acheson G.Crane 1983 – Garry de Chastel 1981 – Trevor Fenning 1970 G.Crane T.Phillipson L.Georgeson C.Acheson T.Fenning 1984 – Garry de Chastel 1982 – Don McKenzie 1971 G.Crane K.Barnes T.Phillipson T,Fenning D.Williams 1985 – Bob Phillips 1983 – Garry de Chastel 1972 T.Phillipson J.Bonnell J.Garvey K.Barnes P.Whiteley 1986 – Hubert de Chastel 1984 – Garry de Chastel 1973 T.Phillipson J.Garvey K.Barnes P.Whiteley D.Williams 1987 – Noel Kitchiner / Don McKenzie 1985 – Garry de Chastel 1974 T.Phillipson J.Garvey T.Fenning D.Batey D.Williams 1988 – Hubert de Chastel 1986 – Garry de Chastel President Secretary Treasurer Committee Members 1989 – Wally Hawtin 1987 –Don McKenzie / Bob Phillips 1975 K.Barnes D.Williams R.Fennelly B.Dent T.Phillipson J.Garvey 1990 – Dave Batey / Garry de Chastel 1988 – Hubert de Chastel 1976 T.Phillipson D.Williams R.Fennelly D.McKenzie D.Batey T.Fenning 1991 – Rory Birch 1989 – Wally Hawtin 1977 D.Batey T.Phillipson J.Cave D.WilliamsD.GeorgesonT.Fenning 1992 – Joe Bonnell 1990 – Dave Batey 1978 J.Schafer T.Rickerts J.Cave L.Turner R.Phillips T.Phillipson 1993 – Rory Birch 1991 – Rory Birch 1979 D.Batey D.Williams J.Garvey R.Phillips L.Turner P.Whiteley 1994 – Rory Birch 1992 – Jeff Hartley 1980 R.Phillips J.Schafer J.Garvey L.Turner G.de Chastel T.Fenning 1995 – John Stevens 1993 – Rory Birch 1981 R.Phillips J.Schafer J.Garvey K.Barnes D.Williams L.Turner 1996 – John Stevens 1994 – Hubert de Chastel 1982 J.Schafer T.Phillipson J.Garvey L.Turner G.de Chastel T.Fenning 1997 – John Stevens 1995 – Hubert de Chastel 1983 R.Phillips T.Rickerts N.Kitchiner D.Hales J.Schafer G.de Chastel 1998 – Rory Birch 1996 – John Stevens 1999 – Rory Birch 1997 – Rory Birch 1998 – Rory Birch 1999 – Rory Birch

40

39

President Secretary Treasurer Committee Members CLUB MEMBERSHIP LIST. 1984 H.de Chastel A.Howard-Taylor P.Dennis D.Williams T.Fenning R.Phillips Previous to 1954. 1954 to 1964. 1985 H.de Chastel G.Barclay P.Dennis L.Turner G. de Chastel M.Thompson (Including the names Acheson, Col. Kerr, John. 1986 R.Phillips D.Williams H.de Chastel P.Dennis L.Turner T.Fenning of modellers who, al- Kitchiner, John. 1987 M.Barker P.Allen H.de Chastel R.Phillips G.de Chastel D.Batey though not becoming Beck, B. 1988 M.Barker G.Barclay G.de Chastel P.Dennis D.Batey H.de Chastel Club members on the Beck, J. Larsen, Trevor. 1989 D.Batey R.Donaghey R.Birch N.Kitchiner G.de Chastel P.Dennis Club’s formation in 1946, Benson, Keith. Lenning, C. 1990 H.de Chastel R.Donaghey D.Williams G.Barclay J.Stevens R.Birch had modelling involve- Bowman, Colin. Liddell, Les. 1991 H.de Chastel R.Donaghey D.Williams D.Batey G.de Chastel R.Birch ment from the late 1930’s) Brown, C. 1992 J.Bonnell J.Stevens D.Williams J.Hartley K.Neil R.Birch Brown, Roy. McCutcheon,John. 1993 D.Batey M.Erskine A.Hunt G.de Chastel J.Batey J.Stevens Abercrombie, Wally. Moens, A. 1994 K.Neil R.Birch H.de Chastel D.Hoff J.Garvey T.Fenning Derrington, Jack. Craigie, Doug. Moens, F. 1995 R.Birch G.Barclay J.Stevens T.Fenning B.Ballard J.Massingham Donnellan, John. Craigie, Frank. Moffat, E. 1996 R.Birch A.Robinson J.Stevens J.Massingham 1997 G.Barclay G.Beal K.James J.Massingham T.Davenport R.Birch Donnellan, Rex. Moffat, R. 1998 K.James H.de Chastel J.Stevens T.Todd M.James C.Birch Donnellan, Steve. Davis, John. Murr, N. 1999 J.Stevens R.Birch C.Fisher P.Massingham K.Dodd C.Shuker Farquhar, Nat. Dent, Barry. Gillan, Bruce. Dunkerton, Jack. New, Neville. Gillan, Jim. Glover, Ted Ede, Chris. Oswald, Neale. Green, M. VICE-PRESIDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTEST DIRECTOR Greenwood, Chris. Fenning, Trevor. Perfect, Kevin. 1983 G.de Chastel Harris, Brian Ferguson, John. Price, Lorraine. 1984 H.de Chastel 1985 G.Barclay G.de Chastel Hiskens, Alec. Fox, Jimmy. Price, Henry. 1986 G.Barclay G.Barclay Hopkins, Fred. Frederickson, Barry. 1987 H.de Chastel N.Kitchiner Maclean, Ken. Savage, Frank 1988 P.Allen N.Kitchiner Millroy, Don Georgeson, Laurie. Searle, Alan. 1989 M.Barker W.Hawtin Murray, Bobby. Gibson, Jim. Searle, F. 1990 G.Barclay M.Thompson Neiht, Les. Goltz, Peter. Smith, J. 1991 R.Birch Oribin, Eddie. Green, Colin. Sollitt, Ross. 1992 L.Murphy Pennycuick, Gerald. Greenwood, Jimmy. Stewart, John 1993 W.Hawtin Pennycuick, Stuart. Sue, Gordon. 1994 R.Birch 1995 G.Barclay P.Massingham Phillipson, Ken. Hamilton, J. 1996 K.Neil Phillipson, Pat. Harris, Brian. Teale, John. 1997 A.Robinson H.de Chastel Phillipson, Ralph. Harrison, B.. Tysoe, John. 1998 A.Robinson T.Robinson P.Todd Phillipson, Terry Hartley, Peter. Tysoe, Terry. 1999 A.Robinson T.Robinson A.Robinson Pierce, Hal. Hartley, Trevor. Richardson, Alan. Hodge, Graham. Weaver, Blair Richardson, Harold. Hopkins, George. Whitehead, Robert. Shennan, Noel. Hubbert, Graham. Williams, Don.

Shennan, Tony. Hutton, Robert. Wilson, L.

Shera, David. Shields, Gordon. Jamieson, John. Young, Ritchie. Jeffries, D. Jeffries, Royce.

41 42 1969 to 1979. 1979 to 1989 Cont. Brooks, Jim. Massingham, Paul Baker, C. Gillespie, R. Rollinson, G. Howard, D. Brooks, Steve Matthews, Chris. Barnes, Garth. Goodall, C. Salmon, K. Howard-Taylor, Alan. Carnell, Shane.. Matthews, Jeff. Barnes, Kelvin. Goodwin, W. Schafer, Jim. Howlett, A. Collins, David. Muckert, Robert Batey, Dave. Gott, J. Shellard, J. Johnson, Reg. Collins, Liam.. Musker, Ted. Batey, Merilyn. Gunston, Andrew. Short, I. Josefski, Glen. Cook, Chris. Macdonald, Ross. Bayliss, L. Harrison, R. Sorrensen, K. Josefski, Troy. Cox, Brendan McKendry, Steven. Bennetts, N. Headon, T. Speight, Les. Kearney, John. Cox, Ron. McKenzie, David. Bonnell, Joe. Heisler, Debbie. Stanley, R. Loose, Fred. Dagenhardt, Scott. New, Glen. Boswood, P. Heisler, W. Sullivan, J. Mustey, Graham. Dansie, Brandon.. Norton, Patrick.. Boswood, W. Herold, Brian. Sullivan, Kent. Pailthorpe, Robert. Dansie, Ken. O’Connor, Liam. Boyce, A. Hirning, R. Sutherland, K. Paton, L. Davenport, Troy. Oswald, Lance. Boyce, K. Hopley, P. Swan, R. Payne, Harry. de Groot, Adrian. Pannell, Glen Burgraff, W. Hopwood, D. Symons, Dolph. Peacock, T. de Groot, Steven. Payne, John. Carney, Andrew. Hopwood, R. Tabone, Alana. Pedersen, H. Doak, Sandra. Pont, Jay. Cassubin, P. Horne, G. Thirkelson, F. Pukalus, Heath. Dore, Kevin. Robinson, A lan. Cave, G. Jenkins, G. Thirkettle, John. Real, Wayne. Fisher, Clark. Robinson, Trevor. Cave, Jim. Jensen, D. Thompson, C. Rice, J. Fisher, Michael Quigg, Keith. Chappel, G. Johnson, G. Thompson, Mick. Roosen, Alex. Fraser, Ron Quinton, Bruce. Cleary, Ron. Kitchiner, Noel. Truscott, J. Sayers, J. Freeman, Leo Shanahan, Robert. Coupland, R. Lacey, D. Turner, Len. Scantlebury, Derek. Glasson, Ben. Sikora, K.. Crane, G. Lacey, M. Whiteley, Phil. Schmidt, Noel. Harman, Andrew. Smith, Brad. Cruickshank, R. Lagenfeld, G. Woods, Mark. Serenc, Adrian. Harman, Lyle. Smith, L. Cutler, Peter. Lawrence, B. Wright, G. Shuker, Craig. Hill, Doug. Spilsbury, Graham. Dargel, J. Love, J. Wyatt, Lex. Smith, B. Hill, Tony Spratley, Steven.. de Chastel, Garry. Lowe, Peter. Wyatt, G. Stackpole, Wayne. Hodda, Janine.. Stevens, John. de Chastel, Hubert. McBryde, K. Tronc, Peter. Hoff, Don. Stow, John. Delalande, B. McCamley, Ian. 1979 to 1989 Turner, B. Hunt, Anne-Maree.. Thomas, Peter. Delalande, Glevin. McCamley, G. Allen, Paul. Turner, G. Hutchins, Brad. Thompson, Charles. Denham, W. McCutcheon, John. Badgery, Peter. Waterton, T. James, Ken. Thompson, G. Downs, F. McKenzie, Don. Ballard, Brad. Young, G. James, Matthew. Titmarsh, Stewart. Draheim, B. Mills, P. Barclay, Graham. James, Nicholas. Todd, Michel. Drake, W. Morgan, M. Barker, Mal. 1989 to 1999. Juds, L. Todd, Phil. Drebner, J. Morgan, M.R. Barnes, Alan. Bagnall, Trevor. Kroll, Eric. Todd, Tim. Eggins, E. Murphy, Lex. Bean, Dan. Batey, Joanne. Large, Jason. Ward, Dale. Eggins, L. Neil, Jeffrey. Birch, Rory. Beal, Geoff. Lee, Richard. Welburn, Nick. Eggins, M. Neil, Michelle. Blair, Doug. Birch, Aaron. Lipscombe, David. Whyte, Andrew. Faint, C. Neil, Kerry. Born, Brett. Birch, Carmela. Martin, Trevor. Whyte, Iain. Faulkner, M. Parsons, David. Chomley, Jack. Boschen, Stuart. Martin, Scott. Woodford, Don. Fenelley, Ray. Phillips, Bob. Dagg, Henry. Bradshaw, Alan. Massingham, John. Zimmerman, Michael. Fisher, Robert. Phillips, Ricky. Dennis, Peter. Fry, G. Phillipson, Len. Donaghey, Russel. This membership list is an account of when the member joined our Fry, J. Pickering, B. Douglas, Paul. Club, and does not indicate length of membership. There are members who Gabriel, N. Pickering, M. Georgeson, Peter. have been such for many years, but the majority of members listed, 280 in Garvey, Esther. Reichett, G. Hartley, Jeff. fact, were members for less than 5 years. Of the rest, 28 were members for Garvey, John. Rendle, Cathy. Hales, David. between 5 and 10 years, 12 from 10 to 15 years, 2 from 15 to 20 years, 8 Georgeson, A. Rickerts, Trevor. Hawtin, Wally. from 20 to 25 years, and 4 have had more than 30 years membership. Of our Georgeson, David. Rogers, J. Hole, Gil. current members, we have 3 with over 30 years membership, 8 from 20 to 25

years, 1 from 15 to 20 years, and 9 from 10 to 15 years. 43 44

I wish to acknowledge the assistance given to me to enable this account of RMAC to be so concise, complete, and accurate. For the sake of brevity, there was much that could not be included, especially photos, and this is regretted. Some of those used are old, and the reproduced quality poor, but the content is recognisable. However, this “History” is presented as a reflection of the life of our Club, and as a “Thank You” to our Club for the years of enjoyment I have had from my membership.

As well as contributors to the various articles, I mention the following as being helpful to me to achieve this final result.

Noel Shennan Tony Shennan Ralph Phillipson Pat Phillipson Rory Birch John Garvey CompuSound Computer Centre University Publishing, and My wife Hazel, and son Garry.

A very sincere “Thank You” to all for your encouragement and assistance along the way.

Hubert.