Thanks to John Black for these beautifully shot photos of an event that was very much part of our lives. From 1970, we believe – not sure who the photographer was.

Had a go at identifying those graduates in the picture – apologies for any mis-identification! Please let me know.

Right file (back row), from the front:

Tony Borchardt, Dave Urquhart, Frank Edwards, Pat Cullinan, Tony McKenna, Rick Davies, John Black

Centre file: Unknown (partly obscured), Bob Cronin, Bill Ross, Phil Newman, Chris Gibson, Chris Jones

Left file:  Roger Elston, Bill Kearney, Rick MacIntyre, Geoff McPherson, Tony Mcleod

Thanks to Bill Ross for these gems (that’s my way of deflecting responsibility!). I’m not even going to attempt to put captions to them.

        

Thanks to John Black for this photo. Not sure of the date, but obviously a repeat of that earlier photo they are holding, which is posted at  https://duntroonclassof1972.com/gallery/1969-fourth-class/

Thanks to Rick Davies for passing on this snippet, via Colin Green, but I’m not sure where it originated:

A few of us (Les Bienk, Bill Spencer, Tim McKenna, Pete Leahy and me) had coffee with Norm this morning. He’s 93 and a little bowed but otherwise in fine form and clarity of memory.  Lois is not good and is immobile due to recent injuries.  Norm seemed to appreciate our conversation ranging far and wide not just 1971.  I showed him the before and after video from the 45^th anniversary and an abbreviated Grad74 movie concentrating on 71-74 and the 25^th anniversary that he attended.

Can you pass this news onto the class with best wishes from Norm.

Cheers
Bill

Thanks to Frank Edwards for this little gem from The West Australian. Brings back (not fond) memories, and perhaps a thought that a claim might be worthwhile, given the return! But I guess we were never ordered to do push ups as a punishment: it was for our physical development.

16663 Kevin Stanley (Lofty) WENDT OAM,BEM served 28 years in the Army in various units and ended his career in July 1990 as the WO1 RSM of the Army. He served in both Malaysia and Vietnam with 8RAR and was wounded on 10 July 1970 in Vietnam.

Lofty’s Funeral will be a MIlitary Funeral Service be conducted by 8/9 RAR Padre.

Funeral Notice in the Courier Mail:

WENDT, Kevin Stanley

Known as “Lofty”.

Late of Degilbo. Passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Monday, 27 January 2020.

Aged 76 years.

Cherished Husband of Wynsome and always remembered by Kay.

Much loved Father and Father-in-law of Troy and Sara, Leisa and Scott, Karen. Adored Pop of Calum and Julia, Tom and Chelsea, Kodey, Jed and Charlotte, Beth, Eli. Loving Brother and Brother-in-law of Shirley (dec’d) and Graham (dec’d), Darryl (dec’d) and Toni, Narelle and Bruce.

Beloved Uncle.

Special Friend to his many many mates.

Loved Always.

Forever in our hearts.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of Lofty’s Life to be held at the Biggenden Show Hall on Friday, 7th February 2020, commencing at 11 am, followed by Interment at the Degilbo Lawn Cemetery.

“Gone Fishing”

Lofty Wendt continued to serve after retirement from the Army, as a North Burnett Regional councillor. He also managed to be a champion fisherman, having won the Biggenden Fishing Club award three times in its six year inception.

 

And an advance eulogy from George Mansford:

Regimental Sergeant Major Lofty Wendt, OAM, BEM

There will be a large gathering in a country town called Biggenden to farewell one of Australia’s best, a professional soldier by the name of Lofty Wendt. Many mourners will be veterans who served with him and in varying circumstances testing courage and endurance.

Also present will be a guard of today’s young warriors from his old regiment which will farewell him with a final salute of three volleys of rifle fire.  How the memories will fly for those present at the burial service and others grieving from distant places. There will be so many proud and fond visions from the very first screaming order he received as a raw recruit to the last command he gave as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Australian Army. Between the beginning and end of a remarkable career will be countless memories of soldiers who recall his leadership, guidance and the Wisdom of Solomon in his reprimands and punishment to erring soldiers.

The number of soldiers he trained is not known, nor was how many rebels he converted from aimless indifference and potential failure to a religion where purpose, pride, drive and battle discipline was the order of each and every day. However, be rest assured it would be a seemingly endless column with heads held high, shoulders squared and all in step, marching through the decades of his soldiering days.

He has left a strong legacy of soldiering for all who wear the proud nation thread which includes devotion to duty, leadership, immense respect and love of country.

In the stillness of the night when ghosts of RSMs prowl, listen carefully and you will hear his faint echoing call reminding all; “Duty First”

George Mansford FEBRUARY 2020

 

         Be Careful, He is Still Watching You 

In a country town not far from here

Our old comrade sleeps mid peaceful surrounds so dear

His bed etched with words, of who he was and when in mortal times

A soldier who was part of us and shared our lives, yours and mine

 

Hear again his voice commanding columns of marching booted feet

Be it on the dreaded field of Mars or along a cheery friendly street

A mentor of countless youth, sparking fire of discipline, purpose and pride

Always his powerful symbol of polished wood and brass by his side

 

When necessary, sternness or wit with a message for all, so very clear

As our master, he guided column after column through doubt and fear

Be it danger, thirst, hunger and a growing question of “Why?”

There was often his comforting smile and cheery voice that lifted spirits high

 

As he sleeps, a new generation wearing national cloth passes by

He stirs in his bed of earth and utters a muffled cry

I swear if the recruits were listening, would be heard a message from afar

“Heads up, march in step, you idle lot, and never forget who you are”

 

George Mansford © February 2020

 

 

Archival Snippets have been added to the website at the Snippets page.

A plan is being developed to restart Snippets – thanks to Ian Callan (who has again put up his hand to collate and edit), Graham Smith (for looking after the Class Contact List), and John Elphinston and John McNamara, plus other Queensland Class members, for the initiative.

Initially, an email account has been created for contributions at 1972snippets@gmail.com. It will be added to the website for easy access. We are looking to improve options, but more on that later.

Previously Snippets was distributed via email: the optimum way of spreading them in this reincarnation is being discussed: options include by email, or by posting on this website.  We might try a variety of means to test what works, so apologies in advance if you get more than one notice.

I would like to stress the purpose of Snippets, repeating what Ian Callan wrote in Snippets in 2015:

Thanks to John Elphinston for this reminder from 1969.

  

As 2019 draws to a close, time to reflect on that year 50 years ago. One snippet – the #1 hit Single that year was Sugar, Sugar by The Archies – you can enjoy it once again on Youtube.

How did it become #1 amongst classics like Aquarius/Let the Sunshine in or Hot Fun in the Summertime or Proud Mary or In the Year 2525 or Spinning Wheel or …..the list goes on on? Who can tell – lots of amazing and inexplicable things happened that year!

Have a great 2020.