Latest email from Pete Jenke re the Legacy Torch Relay:

“Just an update on my earlier emails.

By now I’m hoping that many of you, if not most, would have seen some of the quite incredible publicity which the Relay has generated since it began its journey in Pozieres, France, then onto England and then to Australia, landing in Albany from where our diggers departed for Egypt and Europe in WW1.

Many, many dignitaries have been involved with the Relay, not the least being HRH, King Charles, in London.  Again, hopefully you’ve managed to see or read about some of this coverage, both from France and England, as well as here in Australia.  Not surprisingly, although there’s been a constant national overview, most of the media focus has been locally based so that for those in Victoria, and particularly in Melbourne, we should see the media attention ramp up as the Relay approaches Victoria in the next month or so.  The Relay culminates here, in Melbourne, on Friday the 13^th October (perhaps a little unfortunate in the date).  Have a look at the Facebook link below to get a flavour of what’s been involved.

For those that have already contributed, I thank you and Legacy thanks you.  Thanks to your efforts, I’m currently sitting on a figure raised of $4,325, which sees me 11^th on the list in terms of total collections, an effort of which I’m very pleased and proud.  For those others amongst you, if you would like to contribute to me or any other Torch Bearer whom you may wish to support, you can do so via the link below.  You may also have friends and families, some of whom may even have been touched by Legacy, so by all means feel free to pass on this email.  It really is for a good cause.

Regards and Thankyou

Peter Jenke

Legs for Legacy – Peter Jenke

(2) Facebook“

Dave Forster has provided an analysis of the photo John Elph posted recently. He’s pretty sure it’s 4-2 in 1970. Noons (Paul Noonan) and he have both had a close look and tried to put names to faces. His assessment is attached and Dave agrees with most of his conclusions – although not convinced that he’s identified Dave as he notes.(I’ve paraphrased his email)

As he writes “Anyway, it does trigger memories for anyone so blessed to have have undergone their basic training at that delightful resort.”

A keen follower of our site from the class of 1973 has brought it to my attention that some of their class think that this photo is not 1972 but actually 1973!

My first response was surprise because to me I’d always thought it was WO Foster out the front . But now I’m not so sure – there was another Drill Sgt who stood with a slight bend.

What do you think?

Canberra classmates are to meet again on Tuesday 30 May at 1230 at The Duxton – see https://theduxton.com.au

As always, partners and any other mates in town are most welcome. 

Could you let Kym know your attendance by Thursday evening so he can get a table booked –kymmac@ozemail.com.au

The following email has been received from Peter Jenke, asking for our support for a very worthy cause which is close to our hearts:

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, greetings.  For those of you who may be shocked to hear from me after – in many cases – a significant time, I apologise, but I hope you will agree, it’s for a good cause.  If you’re not all that familiar with Legacy, look it up, there’s any number or links and references.

As I previously mentioned to many of you, this year, 2023, Legacy commemorates its Centenary and as part of that commemoration, we are conducting a “Relay” (albeit not continuous – thank goodness) – which commences in Pozieres, France, in April and ends in Melbourne, the home of the original Legacy Club, in October this year.   

Many of you, probably most – we’re of that age group – will be familiar with Legacy and the work that it does.  Some of you will be Legatees yourselves and will also be engaged in fund-raising for the Relay.  If this is the case, it’s not my intention to intrude on your territory, so please feel free to ignore me.  In the end it doesn’t matter anyway because it’s all for the same cause.

For those unaware, my other half, Kerry, is currently the President of Melbourne Legacy, the first female to hold that position and herself, a former Junior Legatee in Townsville.  I too, am on the Board of Melbourne Legacy and previously sat on the National Board.  I’m also Secretary For Melbourne Club matters.

Although I’m a ‘runner’ in the Relay in Melbourne, be aware that as many of the participants are my age or older, “running” is hardly an appropriate description for the 200 metres or so I will be walking so, unless anyone’s inclined to sponsor me by the metre (cm?), I would suggest a straight donation is all that’s required – but only if you feels so inclined.

I have no collection goal and no expectations.  The name “Legacy” conveys all the message I have, so if you would like to donate, please follow the link shown below:

Legs for Legacy – Peter Jenke       If you have difficulties accessing the link, please let me know – I will have done something wrong and probably quite stupid.   Sorry.

Thanking you all in advance

Peter Jenke

Legatee

Back in the day, many people of our parent’s vintage were very comfortable in their view of the world.

The war was over, the country seemed to prospering and there was plenty of technological changes coming out of the USA. Everyone seemed to be getting on with living and raising families.

What was very clear in people’s minds was what their roles in society were – to work and earn a living, to make a home and to raise children. Included in this was the clear understanding of what a housewife was . . . . . as best illustrated below.

But little did our families know that within the Army there was a quiet revolution going on. The Army knew best; the Army would decide who did what and more importantly what they were to be referred to as. Roles were redefined, and old norms were no longer the case.

The most telling of all was to be told

. . . .

The latest video from the reunion dinner is now available on the website.

It shows Paddy Ryan, himself a noted class character, interviewing some of his fellow class characters Tom Cobley, Jan Loughrey, Pat Cullinan and Don Muirhead,

You can find it under Reunions / Reunion 2022 – Canberra and scroll down to Videos – Anniversary Dinner

Enjoy!

Kerry and Peter Jenke are actively involved in Legacy, an organisation well known to all of us.  This year marks the Centenary of Melbourne Legacy, the original Legacy Club and by association, of Legacy itself.  It’s going to be a big year, and an extremely important one for the future of the organisation.  Apart from the Jenkes, Steve Jones and Rick Davies are actively involved in Legacy and there could well be others.  Peter previously sat on the National Board. Kerry is the first female President of Melbourne Legacy and the success or otherwise of the Centenary falls in no small way on her.  

Legacy is also an organisation about to undergo massive organisational change.  For most current Legatees, the only Legacy Beneficiaries they’ve known are largely the WW2 widows.  Because our generation of ex-servicemen and women in the main didn’t have overseas operational service, until only about 15 years or so ago, we weren’t entitled to join Legacy.  This has resulted in a generational gap which saw later generations of servicemen and women reluctant to join the organisation, thereby creating the situation we have whereby the average age of Melbourne Legacy Club members (Legatees) is around 75.  Of around the 45 clubs Australia-wide, I’d be surprised if the average age was much different. This situation is further exacerbated by increasing government requirements which restricts the support which can be provided by volunteers (amateurs, if you like) and requires greater reliance on professional, paid staff – albeit, still under Legatee control and direction exercised through our Board.  On Melbourne’s Board, chaired by Kerry, they are fortunate enough to have a current serving Maj Gen, the second such appointment they’ve been lucky enough to have. 

Of course, shrinking Legatee numbers mirror the decline in likely beneficiaries because more recent conflicts have resulted in far less casualties and in families in need of Legacy assistance.  But, of course, because of the need for professional assistance rather than that provided by volunteers, that support comes at a high price.   This year’s Centenary provides an excellent opportunity to raise Legacy’s profile in an Australia which looks very different to that after the two World Wars and even after Vietnam.  To that end, a Legacy Centenary Relay will be run, starting in Pozieres (in less than 100 days) and ends in Melbourne, leading into the Legacy Australia AGM and biennial Conference in October.  The run is neither continuous nor demanding, but more of a photo opportunity to raise Legacy’s profile.  There is already committed media and significant ADF support.

Peter will be participating in the Relay (and possibly the other Legacy classmates will be as well) and would like to seek sponsorship from any class members who might wish to do so.  The mechanics have not yet been sorted, and while it might called a “sponsorship” in essence it will be a donation – Peter reckons that someone might like to sponsor him by the cm because the total distance of any participant is apparently about a km, and for most, considerably less.  With two tin knees, he’ll only be walking!

We’ll post more information as it comes to hand.

Advice from Tobin Brothers is that the Service is not being live streamed.

On Saturday, the 3^rd December, Rod Allan and Peter Jenke attended the celebration of Kevin Hindle’s life, held at his house in Kew, Melbourne and hosted by Kevin’s two children. They extended the sympathy of the Class and made a particular point of mentioning those who had shared and enjoyed an especially close relationship with a unique and charismatic character. Ever the pictures man (motion or otherwise), Rod took some photos of Kevin’s daughter Georgia and son Joshua, and a couple of the photos are attached,.

There was a large group of people – of considerably varied backgrounds – in attendance.  Peter met one of Kevin’s newer trout fishing mates, as well as former business client (who was coincidentally also a client of Peter’s old firm) and assorted others from many walks of life, all reflecting Kevin’s own wide-ranging interests.  His children did Kevin proud.