From duntroon1973class on July 10, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we have learned that Ed “Tac” Antoniak has lost his short but intense battle with MND. Ed’s family have advised via Chris Wallace that Ed died earlier this afternoon (Friday10 July 2026). Further info, including funeral arrangements will be notified in due course. Wal’s advice was as follows:“It is with much sadness we have to advise our dear classmate, Ed Antoniak, passed away today after his brave struggle with MND. Ed passed peacefully in the loving presence of his family. Ed kept his infectious sense of humour throughout this difficult time with courage and dignity.Our thoughts are with Wendy, Ben, Adam, and their families.Details of the Canberra based celebration of Ed’s life are to be advised.Rest in peace dear friend.”

Classmates gathered in Sydney with guests from earlier classes.

L to R
John Price, Duncan McInnes, Steve Despoges, Al McMurran, Paul Stratton (70), Paddy Ryan, Dave Wilkins (63) (OC Ala Coy 72), Peter McCann, Peter Lawrence, Jock Murray (70), Simon Willis (70), Bert Flynn (71), Gerry Jones, Peter Martyn.

And a thank you comment after the lunch: ‘Another great lunch today all the better for including invitees from earlier classes.’

Peter Jenke writes . .

My best friend from school days was a member of the local  family that had produced Gawler’s newspaper, “The Bunyip”, since the 1860s. Craig and another Gawler mate attended our grad. For many years after grad I had the weekly copy posted to me.

A short time after doing my LARC ANARE selection course i received my weekly Bunyip – and nearly had a heart attack when I saw this on the front page.

Thanks for the contribution Peter.

I just realised that this photo has somehow slipped through the cracks (I think). But it is now posted to the website under Gallery/4th Class/General – click here to see it.

The photo was in Al McMurran’s possession and we had it professionally scanned and took the original to Coffs Harbour in 2025.

Thanks for making it available Al. The more I write this, the more it comes back to me that maybe I have uploaded it some time ago . . but I can’t find it. If this is all old news to you, just quietly delete it.

Cheers

Elph

We had a good, relaxed catch up last week. A catch up with a few significances.

It was a chance to sad goodbye to Jon Mannder-Jones who is returning to South Australia to live. Jon has been a solid supporter of the Class and we’ll miss his company at future events. Best of luck with the move Jon.

It was good to see Denis Brennan in town for a few nights from Thailand. Denis doesn’t come this way often but itis good to see him and hear some real-world stories of life in other countries.

And, for a change, we invited the class of ’73 and it was great to welcome Gary Stone, Mike Hyde, Ian McNaughton and John Hands.

A good effort too from the out of towners Jan and Kevin, Don Muirhead, Ian McNaughton and Lindsay Rowlands; it’s not necessarily easy battling the highway from the Sunshine and Gold Coasts to Brisbane.

It was really enjoyable – some photos attached.

Thanks for organising it Mac.

According to custom, it is proposed that our 55^th Reunion (2027) be held in New Zealand. Our Kiwi classmates have suggested the weekend of 3-5 December (Fri-Sun) in Wellington which is central for the Kiwis and easy to fly into from Australia. 

Concept at this stage is for the usual format: Friday drinks and renew acquaintances; Saturday evening dinner; Sunday casual closing lunch.   There will be scope for other activities before and after – no doubt golf will get a mention.

More to follow. Please put this in your diaries. No need to ack at this stage.

There’s a few changes and quite a few new photos in the various Galleries. Thanks to Rod for the new material – quite often there are better quality images of the same photo which improves the ‘viewing experience’.

There are 2 new Galleries – Rugby and Rogues.

The Fourth Class Gallery has been simplified.

Take a look – but also please see if you have any old photos lying in albums or shoeboxes. Remember, your children will put them in the skip bin, particularly if they don’t know what the context is, the date, who the people are in the photo. To preserve it for posterity, send it in and it can go on the website.

We could still use a better photo of 4-2 if anyone has one.

Cheers

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/