I have copied this information from Jim Molan’s FB page:
“The Molan Family have been greatly touched by the expressions of love and respect for Jim that have been shared in the past week, from near and far.
We are aware that many who knew and were impacted by Jim may not be able to travel or attend his celebration of life tomorrow. If you wish to view the service, you may do so at the link below, commencing at 10am.”
Kerry and Peter Jenke are actively involved in Legacy, an organisation well known to all of us. This year marks the Centenary of Melbourne Legacy, the original Legacy Club and by association, of Legacy itself. It’s going to be a big year, and an extremely important one for the future of the organisation. Apart from the Jenkes, Steve Jones and Rick Davies are actively involved in Legacy and there could well be others. Peter previously sat on the National Board. Kerry is the first female President of Melbourne Legacy and the success or otherwise of the Centenary falls in no small way on her.
Legacy is also an organisation about to undergo massive organisational change. For most current Legatees, the only Legacy Beneficiaries they’ve known are largely the WW2 widows. Because our generation of ex-servicemen and women in the main didn’t have overseas operational service, until only about 15 years or so ago, we weren’t entitled to join Legacy. This has resulted in a generational gap which saw later generations of servicemen and women reluctant to join the organisation, thereby creating the situation we have whereby the average age of Melbourne Legacy Club members (Legatees) is around 75. Of around the 45 clubs Australia-wide, I’d be surprised if the average age was much different. This situation is further exacerbated by increasing government requirements which restricts the support which can be provided by volunteers (amateurs, if you like) and requires greater reliance on professional, paid staff – albeit, still under Legatee control and direction exercised through our Board. On Melbourne’s Board, chaired by Kerry, they are fortunate enough to have a current serving Maj Gen, the second such appointment they’ve been lucky enough to have.
Of course, shrinking Legatee numbers mirror the decline in likely beneficiaries because more recent conflicts have resulted in far less casualties and in families in need of Legacy assistance. But, of course, because of the need for professional assistance rather than that provided by volunteers, that support comes at a high price. This year’s Centenary provides an excellent opportunity to raise Legacy’s profile in an Australia which looks very different to that after the two World Wars and even after Vietnam. To that end, a Legacy Centenary Relay will be run, starting in Pozieres (in less than 100 days) and ends in Melbourne, leading into the Legacy Australia AGM and biennial Conference in October. The run is neither continuous nor demanding, but more of a photo opportunity to raise Legacy’s profile. There is already committed media and significant ADF support.
Peter will be participating in the Relay (and possibly the other Legacy classmates will be as well) and would like to seek sponsorship from any class members who might wish to do so. The mechanics have not yet been sorted, and while it might called a “sponsorship” in essence it will be a donation – Peter reckons that someone might like to sponsor him by the cm because the total distance of any participant is apparently about a km, and for most, considerably less. With two tin knees, he’ll only be walking!
“From The Weed. Jim’s funeral service will be at 10 am next Wednesday 25 January at the RMC Chapel. It is to be a Military Funeral service. Anne has asked Roger Powell to deliver a “military” eulogy, following a family eulogy and to be followed by a political eulogy by Hon Peter Dutton, MP.”
Received news via the Class of 1973 that Dr Jim Burgess died last Wednesday 4 Jan. Jim was a lecturer in Geography at RMC and was also a member of the Rugby 1st XV in 1973 and possibly beyond. He was apparently also well known amongst the Canberra Rugby community.
He had been ill for some time but steadfastly decided not to prolong his life and had elected not to have a funeral. A Memorial Service is on Friday 10 Feb at Duntroon Chapel followed by a reception at Duntroon House conducted by Tom Frame, former Anglican Bishop to the ADF.
Have received some good advice from Peter Jenke about the Commonwealth Seniors Health card. He noted ‘that in November just gone, the eligibility earnings limits for the Comm Seniors Health Card were raised significantly. For a couple, the limit is now $144,000 pa. Because deeming rates are used in any calculation, a lot of self-funded retirees may now be eligible and thus able to save quite a bit, particularly in relation to their pharmacy bills. Other benefits vary state by state.’
He further noted that the application can be ‘a bit of a bugger’ to complete – depending on individual circumstances and that if you have a SMSF that does complicate the process some.
And in thanking those quietly working behind the scenes, how could we forget Rod Allan and Peter Jenke who compiled our music playlist for the dinner? Thanks to you both.
The 50th anniversary of the graduation year of the Class of 1969 – 1972 is over. And what a celebration it was over six days! Needless to say, the success of the event was a team effort, not just in the planning but in the execution.
The planning team – all volunteers despite the benefit of sound advice and experience to the contrary – could not have put together and delivered the program without significant help from many. We have been more than adequately thanked for our efforts: we would like to record our heartfelt thanks to:
Tony McKenna for ‘The Book’;
Paddy Cullinan, for picking up and organizing the ‘Return to Araluen’;
Brian Chalmers for preparing the Memorial Service and then delivering it. Thanks also to Rowan Tracey for his contribution to the Service;
John McNamara for his detailed planning and then smooth conducting of our Monday night dinner, and for his segment of ‘This is your life’;
John’s interviewees: Jon Mander-Jones, Tony McLeod, Geoff Hay and Brenda Elliott;
Paddy Ryan for his perspicacious and humorous interviews of some of our Class characters;
Paddy’s interlocutors Tom Cobley, Pat Cullinan, Don Muirhead and Jan Loughrey; and
The presenters of the toasts: Brian Chalmers, Rowan Tracey, Peter Teys and Maurie Meecham.
A ‘Thank you’ has been sent to RMC Protocol, Bob Crawshaw, representing the RMC Tour guides, the RMC Museum Manager, and the events manager at The Rex.
And lastly, a sincere Thank You to all who attended the anniversary celebrations – classmates and partners. Without doubt it was the manner in which all participated that made the program enjoyable for all and therefore special. Indeed a ‘Class with class.’
RMC Class of 1972 