The zoom link for the Reunion Dinner is
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86172547567?pwd=QlZUVHZMUGlwelhhdU1neDhpdGZpZz09
Meeting ID: 861 7254 7567
Passcode: 579342
There is NOT a Waiting Room for this meeting, so you should be able to join directly. Please make sure you are muted!
Hope you can join us – and hope it all works.
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.
The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89151321965?pwd=THN1eFZjbHEvVWx6UEIxaHJkSUw5QT09
Meeting ID: 891 5132 1965
Passcode: 218679
Hopefully we’ll also be able to zoom the Monday night dinner.
The Order of Service is attached.
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.
More to follow,
Tom, John and Pat’s Araluen mission took place yesterday. A great catch-up and a very relaxing day in good weather.
Hereunder briefs for the tour on Monday and the Graduation Parade. It’s all happening!
So day 1 of Grad Week, 50 years ago – by now we’d had a few briefings and the first banner parade rehearsal for 2 hours on the parade ground.
Just in case you don’t have a crystal clear memory of what was going on, you can go to the Doco and Memorabilia menu item using this link . . .
https://duntroonclassof1972.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rmc-grad-week-72-programme.pdf
Program
The current program is attached to this post.
Name Tags
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 book is at this link: https://duntroonclassof1972.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/duntroon-class-of-1972-50-years-since-graduation-1.pdf
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.
| 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 |
A reminder for you to please advise by Friday 7 October to rmcclassof1972@gmail.com whether you are Definitely coming to each of these four events: Saturday Night Drinks, Sunday lunch at the Arboretum, Monday Night Dinner and Graduation Parade? It is important that you include whether you will be accompanied by a partner.
Payment. The update called for final payments to cover the Drinks and/or Dinner to be made by 28 October. The total cost is $130 per head for the dinner, and $30 per head for the drinks – a total of $160 per head if you are attending both.
Please note that many of you have made an earlier deposit, so we are only asking for whatever is outstanding to cover the cost of the events you wish to attend.
Dietary Requirements. We have not previously asked for dietary requirements for you or your partner. The menu may change but currently the offering is as follows:
Entrée
Prawn and Avacado Salad or
Pork Belly with Pumpkin Puree, Cous Cous & jus
Main course
Chicken Stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach, Celeriac Mash, Dutch Carrots and Mushroom Sauce or
Grilled Angus Steak, Field Mushrooms, Lentils, Baby Carrot and Red Wine jus
Dessert
Crème Brulee, Caramel Popcorn, Cookie Dust and Cream or
Pavlova, Berry Compote and Passionfruit Coulis
Please advise if there are any gluten free, vegan, vegetarian or other requirements so that we can advise the hotel and arrange alternatives.
Glassware. A batch of the stemless wine glasses have arrived – intact – in Canberra and will be distributed from there for Canberra-based classmates. The glassware for Sydney and Brisbane classmates should be there soon if not already arrived.
I will hold glasses for out of town or overseas classmates.
RMC Museum. At my earlier meeting with a museum staff member I understood that a copy of your personal file could be made available to you. I am unable, as I understand it, to collect on your behalf. I will check back and confirm this.
I obtained a copy of mine several years ago by writing to the College.
RMC Class of 1972 