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 55th 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/
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.
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.
RMC Class of 1972 
