Rev. Brian Chalmers prepared and delivered a moving Memorial Service for our 15 deceased classmates this morning. A huge thank you.
The Service was zoomed, but there was a technical glitch that didn’t allow viewers to connect – sincere and heartfelt apologies. The good news is that the recording did work, albeit the quality is not so good! Being open air there was the occasional aircraft passing overhead and a little bird (a real one) twittered right next to the camera throughout. This did cause some interference with the capture of the music and Last Post/Rouse. We’ll try to edit this to improve the sound.
The test runs at home of the (mobile) zoom has worked, so we’ll have a zoom broadcast of tomorrow morning’s Memorial Service for our deceased classmates.
we can’t guarantee the quality as it will be by using iPhone and iPad but we’ll do our best.
Plans are underway to zoom the dinner on Monday night – all or in part, depending on the ability and sobriety of the operator.
The zoom link will be posted on the website and FB page if we can get all the ducks in a row.
The quality might be ‘ordinary’ as it will be done using an iPhone and iPad, but I hope it allows those unable to attend to at least join in from home. Please note that if you are watching from home that the Dress Standard does not apply but we do request that you are dressed.
Tom, John and Pat’s Araluen mission took place yesterday. A great catch-up and a very relaxing day in good weather.
Left to right. Vivienne and John Price, Pat and Sharon Cullinan, Tom and Margo Cobley.Tom raised a toast to the 1969 – 1972 Class astutely noting as he looked around that some classmates seemed to have missed the 8 December 2022 Araluen catch-up.
On Saturday, the 3rd December, Rod Allan and Peter Jenke attended the celebration of Kevin Hindle’s life, held at his house in Kew, Melbourne and hosted by Kevin’s two children. They extended the sympathy of the Class and made a particular point of mentioning those who had shared and enjoyed an especially close relationship with a unique and charismatic character. Ever the pictures man (motion or otherwise), Rod took some photos of Kevin’s daughter Georgia and son Joshua, and a couple of the photos are attached,.
There was a large group of people – of considerably varied backgrounds – in attendance. Peter met one of Kevin’s newer trout fishing mates, as well as former business client (who was coincidentally also a client of Peter’s old firm) and assorted others from many walks of life, all reflecting Kevin’s own wide-ranging interests. His children did Kevin proud.
Name tags will be provided for all attendees and partners. Apologies in advance for any typos etc – please let one of the planning team know as soon as possible and it will be replaced. They’ll be handed out on Saturday night – not sure that Friday night would be sensible!
The Book
The online version of our class book has been posted. The book has mostly (i.e pretty much solely!) been gathered, collated and presented by Tony McKenna. An earlier version has gone to the printer already in order that the hard copy is available in December. Tony has very generously arranged this at no cost to his classmates. On behalf of the class, a huge thank you to Tony.
The online version will be progressively updated and revised, particularly as we access more and better quality photographs.
The Planning Team would like to propose that, in light of Tony funding of the print version that we set up a voluntary, anonymous donation arrangement for those who’d like to put something in, with the proceeds to go to a selected charity linked to our service, such as Legacy or Soldier On.
Saturday Drinks
The Saturday night drinks, from 1830 to 2230, will be held in the Restaurant on the 5th Floor. There will be signposting.
There will be grazing platters on arrival, and other platters will be distributed later. GF and vegetarian options have been included.
Drinks are available at own cost at the adjacent bar, and the bar area is also available for spillover.
Memorial Service
The Memorial Service will start at 0930 at Gen Bridges Grave. There is parking for about a dozen vehicles at the grave and more parking off road above and below. There is hard standing parking on the ADFA side but that is likely to be full.
Wet weather plan. If the weather is inclement or uncertain, we will conduct the memorial service in the Duntroon Memorial Chapel, at the same time.
Sunday Service at RMC Chapel
We have been advised that the Service will start at 1100.
Sunday Lunch at the Yacht Club
Meals/drinks own means with no formal program. As it is a Sunday, it is likely to be very busy. There is overflow space towards the lake, so suggest locals bring chairs in case. The Yacht Club has a bar and offers a menu of fish, burgers, pizza and salads which can be eaten on their outdoors lawned area with seating.
College Tour and Records
We have provided a list of those who have requested access to their RMC file to the Duntroon Museum staff. They have advised that the process is that the Digitisation Team will source the relevant files and have a list next to the cadet records and those that wish to have a copy simply put their name and address down and the Museum will send a copy. This process has been adopted because they have unfortunately found that they spend a lot of time printing cadet records for classes and then when they leave half of the copies the team makes have been left behind. Print on demand has proven to be a better time and cost-saving option.
The list we have provided is below.
There has been a suggestion that we may be holding memorabilia or documents from our time at RMC that will probably go to the tip once we shuffle off. This has been mentioned this to the Museum manager who would welcome any offerings – their approach is that they’ll take anything that’s offered, even if it cannot be later used, rather than taking the chance on missing out on some gems by being selective. Memorabilia includes documents of any sort.
Golf
Anyone who wishes to play golf on Monday after the Tour please advise Steve Jones at steve.jones@iinet.net.au or 0438 671 900 by call or text. Partners/Spouses are very welcome.
Monday Night Dinner
The dinner will be in the ground floor ball room to the right of the reception area as you enter the hotel. There will be signposting. We gather at 1830 in the foyer adjacent to the dining area.
There is a seating plan, set in concrete, that will be displayed on the night.
Please do not move to your table until asked to by the MC.
The drinks component of the package runs until 2230 – there is a bar upstairs that will be open for carry-on drinkers after 2230
Wait staff will have trays of drinks ready to go, and drinks are also available at the bar. Note that the drinks package includes beer, wine, sparkling wine and soft drinks: other choices are at own expense from the bar.
Please also confirm any dietary requirements if you haven’t already done so.
Parade
The Graduation Parade starts at 0930. Parking is down in the playing fields area and there is a shuttle to the parade ground, so allow time for that to occur before the start of the parade.
Further information will be provided once received from RMC Protocol.
A Note of Caution
Like the rest of Australia, Canberra has experienced some weird weather lately. The heavy rain has resulted in a marked deterioration in many roads – so beware. Work is underway to patch these potholes but caution is recommended.
Request to Access Personal Records
CSC Number
SURNAME
GIVEN NAMES
2744
Allan
Rod
2653
Black
John
2661
Chalmers
Brian
2664
Cobley
Phillip
2665
Coghlan
Peter
2666
Cran
David
2669
Cullinan
Patrick
2680
Gibson
Chris
2604
Hay
Geoff
2693
Jenke
Peter
2695
Johnston
Michael
620
Johnston*
Robert Ewen
2699
Kelly
Garry
2703
MacMillan
Kym
2714
McNaughton
Ian
2705
Martyn
Peter
2706
Meecham
Maurie
2708
Muirhead
Don
2719
Price
John S.W.
2640
Ross
William
2727
Smith
Graham
620 Robert Ewen Johnston is the father of 2695 Michael Johnston
The online version of our class book has been posted. The book has mostly (i.e pretty much solely!) been gathered, collated and presented by Tony McKenna. An earlier version has gone to the printer already in order that the hard copy is available in December. Tony has very generously arranged this at no cost to his classmates. On behalf of the class, a huge thank you to Tony.
The online version will be progressively updated and revised, particularly as we access more and better quality photographs.
I’m about to pass the list of those wishing to access their RMC records to the museum for preparation. If you’re not on the list and would like access please let me know ASAP.
I understand that records are being digitised so there is likely to be opportunity later to get copies.
Now, despite its title, it is not yet totally set: as you can see there is still some minor detail to be sorted. We’ll follow up with updates as that information is available.
A few points:
The Friday night drinks will be at Olims – this is within stagger distance of the Rex for those staying there. The planning team thinks it gives better options for casual meals and chats than the Kingo for a biggish group.
The memorial service for our deceased classmates will be held at General Bridges grave, at this stage planned for 1100. We are looking at a wet weather option.
The response to the Sunday lunch at the Arboretum was overwhelming – unexpectedly so. This meant that the venue became unsuitable for our purposes. We are therefore planning to locate the activity at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club on Lake Burley Griffin. This will likely be crowded on a Sunday if the weather is fine, but there is lots of public space between the club and the lake for us (and no doubt others!) to spread. This is an informal opportunity for relaxed catch ups, with meals and drinks available. If it’s wet – a possibility – there is room inside.
So far 20 have indicated attendance at the tour of RMC, and 12 wish to view their records. If you are not on either list and want to take part, please let us know. The museum has indicated that they will put on a comprehensive display of memorabilia and documents specific to our time there.
A final attendance list is below: please check it out. If you are not on the list, and haven’t been contacted, we are not expecting you! If you are on the list and not attending (even if some events) – please let us know. And if you’d like to join the RMC tour, and/or see your records, and that is not on the list, again let us know. The museum in particular go out of their way to provide exhibits, including scrap books and other memorabilia which may not be usually on display.
RMC Class of 1972 