SENIORS NEWS Calling all ex-members of 1 WRAAC Coy
The 60th birthday of 1 WRAAC Coy will bring back memories for, from left, Merle Hovey, Jan Polglase, Trish Graham, Hazel King, and Brenda Jones.
HAVE you been a member of 1 WRAAC Coy of Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, in the past 60 years? If so, you are cordially invited to attend the company’s 60th birthday celebrations. A long time 1 WRAAC Coy member, Jan Thorne, nee Polglase, said the celebration, in the form of a luncheon, will be held on Saturday, 6 July 2013, at the Ship Inn, South Bank Parklands, Brisbane. “Please join us and see lots of smiling faces to reconnect with and chat
about those great days in the Army,” Jan said. “The cost is $55 per guest, and must be paid by the RSVP date, 24 June, 2013. Dress is smart casual and if there are any dietary needs please let us know with the RSVP”. Please spread the word, Jan said. The venue is reached by bus, train, City Cat or ferry and private transport to the parking stations at South Bank. For further details or help getting there, please contact Jan 07 5444 5248 or Dell 0423 172 407.
A.H.S. Centaur – Seventy years on 1943-2103 SANDGATE & District Historical Society & Museum Inc researcher, Geoff Drew, has produced this small publication in order to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the loss of the hospital ship CENTAUR. On that May pre-dawn in 1943, somewhere off the coast of Moreton Island, the ship was torpedoed and sank within the space of few minutes. Many lives were lost, and by dawn only a few dozen survivors were adrift, clinging to any piece of debris that would support them. Here, we celebrate the bravery and endurance of the survivors and remember once more those who were lost forever. This book serves as a tribute to the efforts of Grace Beecher, who, for many years, was a stalwart of the his-
torical Society and whose research laid the foundations for its extensive collection of historical matter. The book is presented in two parts. The first part comprises the talk given By Grace Beecher to the Royal Brisbane Hospital Graduate Nurses in 1999. The second part fills out the story with additional information and accounts of the search for and the discovery of the wreck in more recent times. Copies are available from the Sandgate & District Historical Society & Museum Inc. at 150 Rainbow Street, SANDGATE. Ordering this book can be made via the Museum’s email address sandgatemusm@bigpond.com or through the website www.sandgatemuseum@bigpond.com.
RSL National Servicemen’s Sub Branch (Inc) FOLLOWING on from the Care Parcels to the troops last year, we despatched some Care Parcels to male and female sailors serving on HMAS Toowoomba in the Gulf. Toowoomba is a sister ship to HMAS Anzac who we supported. She is now home at her base at HMAS Stirling. Our first ‘Meet and Greet’ morning was held in early April and this was well attended. Topics were Beyond Blue and Medicines and You, followed by lunch supplied by our two hard working lady supporters. Our Anzac Day Service at our Memorial Gardens saw the largest attendance. It is pleasing to us to see this getting bigger each and every year. As usual Norman Park State Primary School was well represented by a large number of www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au
children who marched and laid their wreaths. Two of the students also read ‘The Ode’. Churchie Cadets turnout was first class in the way they performed their duties. Our thanks also to the National Servicemen’s Memorial Pipes and Drums and Sing Australia Carina for their help and assistance with this service. A large crowd attended the free breakfast at the Norman Park Sports & Community Club next door. Our meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month at Sports and Community Club, Norman Avenue, Norman Park starting at 9am. For more information please phone Brian on 3349 2468 or Roy on 3396 7880. You are assured of a warm welcome from all our members.
June 2013 - Brisbane Seniors - Page 11