The latest edition of the Society’s newsletter is at http://www.dunsoc.com/viewnewsletter?issue=2-2018-web. Our thanks to our Mike Ryan our Editor and contributors for another terrific edition comprising 27 pages.

Highlights include:

Anzac Day in Baghdad 2009. Marcus Fielding (1986) p. 1.

Bogging 1979-1982 by Allan Murray (1982) p. 6.

Reflections on a Fortunate Career by Clive Badelow (OTU 4/69, and possibly to last serving OTU graduate) p. 9.

A View of Duntroon 1929. Chris Appleton (1978) p. 14.

Some Sentiments are Timeless. Mark O’Neill (June 1988), p. 13.

Reflections of a Recent Graduate. Duane Russell (June 2018).

Rugby Legends. Murray Harley (June 1988) p. 15.

From the DMA. Colonel Len Oei (1995) p. 18.

Updates from the Society’s President, OTU Association and the Branches of the Society from p.19.

A request for information about the RSMs of OCS and OUT from the RMC Sergeants Mess: p.25

Annual General Meeting. The AGM of the Duntroon Society will be held at Duntroon House on Wednesday 24 October 2018 at 2.00 pm. If you wish to nominate for election to the Council of the Society as President, Vice-President, Treasurer; Secretary or one of the two other member’s positions, please advise the Secretary, Tony Maple E: anthony.h.maple@gmail.com NLT 17 October, along with the names and contact details of two members of the Society that support your nomination.

Please continue to reach out to mates past and present to invite them to join us in the Society at www.dunsoc.com/join. If you wish to make a suggestion or discuss any matter concerning the Society, please contact me at dunsoc@central.com.

 

In sending out recent notifications by email, quite a few bounced. If you have any contact with the following (or if you’re reading this and your name is on the list!), could you please prompt them to make contact through the website to either confirm or update their contact details, should they wish to continue to have contact?

• Kevin Loughrey (the address that bounced was kevinl@aperfect.copm);
• Roger Simmons;
• John Croxson;
• Chris Bishop;
• Ian Cleaver;
• Kevin Moody;
• Lee Pattinson;
• Wayne Jameson;
• Kevin Hindle.

 

John and Jacqui Black are currently on a long grey nomad journey around Australia (all in accordance with John’s detailed spreadsheet). The adventures have been shared on Facebook, including this lovely photograph taken in Perth with Peter Coghlan. Looking good, both of them.

The second photo was sent over by Frank Edwards, who also caught up with the Blacks. We know who is in it, but does anyone know where and when? Judging by the relaxed looks, the hair styles (NOT short back and sides), plus a pre-accident John Barwick, probably early 1970? And is that a beer in Frank’s hand?

The Requiem Mass for Greg, in the Duntroon Chapel, was a moving and sad event, but also uplifting in giving thanks for his contribution to so many – indicated by pretty much a full house. His four children – Melissa, Ainslie, Simon and James – all spoke of different aspects of their dad. There was no doubt that he was an influential and formative influence on their lives.

 

The Class of 1972 was well represented, along with members of RMC classes below and above us. There were also members of his courses at RMCS and ACDSS. A wake in the RMC Golf Club afterwards provided an opportunity to catch up on friends and colleagues, in many cases after a gap of quite a few years, as well as Greg’s father and siblings.

Steve Jones has passed on that Greg’s son James has indicated that there will be a wake after the service at the golf club at Duntroon. And as Greg is to be cremated (hence the Requiem Mass in the chapel) there will not be a follow on burial. There may be a ceremony to inter or distribute his ashes in the future but there is no plan as yet and it may well be a family-only event.

A number of members of the Class of 1972 have indicated that they are unable to attend Greg’s Requiem Mass on Friday, but asked that their condolences be passed on. I plan to place a list of these with the Condolences Book (the usual practice). If you are unable to attend and would like to be included on that list (irrespective of other sympathy you might send) please let me know.

Published in The Canberra Times today – see http://tributes.canberratimes.com.au/obituaries/canberratimes-au/obituary.aspx?n=greg-thomas&pid=189363721&fhid=14094

No news to report yet, but thought I’d share a couple of photos from our early days together.

 

Although visits to Trish and the family are not recommended at the moment, unless of course you have a close relationship with them, written condolences are appropriate.

My understanding is that the four children’s names are Melissa, Ainslie, James and Simon. If I’ve got that wrong, please let me and everyone know immediately! (It might be worthwhile holding off for a day or so just in case).

The address is 11 Vasey Crescent, Campbell, ACT, 2612.

Steve Jones has passed on the following message:

“Today I visited Trish Thomas in her home in Campbell. Trish is in shock from the passing of Greg on Friday afternoon and is finding that she is not up to taking calls at the present time. She has her four children (all adults of course) at home with her at the moment with her eldest daughter having come home from Germany and two from interstate. She also has her siblings coming from Adelaide, so she is well cared for and supported.

The family is yet to set a day for the funeral. As you know it takes some time to complete formalities, especially when the death is unexpected. It would seem that the funeral, when it takes place, will be here in Canberra, probably at RMC. I am in contact with Greg’s son James, so as soon as there is more information I will pass it on. I appreciate that some people may wish to attend from interstate and require as much planning time as possible.

I have passed on the sympathy of the group to Trish and told her that there have been a number of direct expressions of sympathy. She is thankful for the thoughts.

We will keep you informed through this means.”

Please pass this message on to any classmates who may be out of the loop, and let them know that further information will be posted as it is received..