The next Classmates lunch in Canberra is on Mon 30 March at 12 noon at the Hellenic Club, Matilda Street, Woden. Pat Cullinan has made a booking for 20 persons under his surname.
This lunch is of course open to all classmates, partners and friends. Out of towners very welcome.
Please let Pat know if you intend to attend at patrick.cullinan@yahoo.com.au
Pat will send out a reminder email about a week before.
A large gathering of family, friends and former Army colleagues met at the Belconnen Soccer Club to farewell Mike Izzard and his wife Trish, who died within weeks of each other. Four of the Class of 1972 were there to represent the class, along with a couple from his Class of 1973 and quite a few from his Scheyville cohort.
Their son Chris is a Warrant Officer in RASIGS.
Mike’s Record of Service has been added to his section on the In Memoriam page.
Fifteen classmates met at the Arboretum on Thursday 29 January to celebrate the life of Nev White. A summary of that gathering is now on our In Memoriam page at https://duntroonclassof1972.com/in-memorium/
Congratulations to Bob Cramp (1973) in being awarded an OAM in this year’s Australia Day Honours List. Bob has been recognised for his service to the sport of shooting and to the community.
Sixteen classmates and partners from the Central Coast and the Sydney area celebrated the start of 2026 with a delightful lunch at the Little Snail I Pyrmont
L to R
Peter Lawrence, Steve Despoges, John Price, David Goggin, Bob Blue, Jeff Brock, Duncan McInnes, Carmel McInnes, Peter McCann, Gail McCann, John Croxson (sporting a new hairstyle that would have had Norm ranting – must have had his finger in a GPO) and Anneliese Lawrence. Behind the scenes are Paddy and Judy, plus the photographer who had not had one drink! Apologies for the lousy photo but you get the idea, as we went on to have a great 4 hour lunch.
All Classmates who are available are invited to a gathering to celebrate the life of Nev White, who passed on 15 December 2025. We will meet at the Arboretum at 10 am on Thursday 29 January 2026. The Engineers will say a few words and then reflect with coffee etc. These will be purchased individually from the Cafe. No members of the White family will be present.
We hope that you are able to join us.
Trish, Mick’s widow, passed away on the 5th of January. Chris, their son, has advised that she had achieved her goals for the year having seen Christmas come and go, being around for her and Mick’s Wedding Anniversary on 30 Dec (53 years) and seeing the New Year in. As previously mentioned, Trish had been bravely battling pancreatic cancer for the past 12 months.
As with Mick, there was no funeral, but details of a celebration of (now) both their lives can be seen at the link below. It will be held at the Belconnen Soccer Club from 1200hrs on 31 Jan 26.
Peter and Sue Martyn celebrated Xmas in Deniliquin which provided the opportunity to briefly link up with Lee Pattinson.
Peter noted that Lee is doing well but like all of us he is starting to show that time does catch up with you. He surely remembers the good times we all had in 69/70.
Some more information on Mike Izzard, with thanks to Eric Rigter, Bill Blair (Class of 1974), the RASigs network and the OCS Alumni. Mike was in Kapyong Company and was in our class for 1969 and 1970.
Major Michael G. Izzard, RA Sigs (Retd), OCS Class of December 1972 (Scheyville Wing) died on 16 December 2025, after some years of poor health.
His family has advised that he didn’t wish to have a funeral service. The family is intending to hold a celebration of his life early in the new year.
Mick died from respiratory arrest second to aspiration and had suffered from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for some time. COPD is largely caused from smoking and Mick, by his own admission, having taken up the habit on joining Army, had smoked too heavily for too long. He had lost his left leg above the knee some years ago due to vascular disease, also caused by smoking. He had only recently made a claim through DVA for his smoking habit and was allocated a Gold Card just three weeks ago.
His wife, Trish, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer December last year and has just finished her chemo treatment. She is at home and had a visit from a palliative care nurse recently but is apparently “getting by”.
Wishing you all a joyful Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. May you enjoy the company and comfort of family, loved ones and friends. At this time, we keep in our hearts and minds the memory of those who have left us, and their loved ones still with us.
Mates forever.
RMC Class of 1972 