The online version of our class book has been posted. The book has mostly (i.e pretty much solely!) been gathered, collated and presented by Tony McKenna. An earlier version has gone to the printer already in order that the hard copy is available in December. Tony has very generously arranged this at no cost to his classmates. On behalf of the class, a huge thank you to Tony.

The online version will be progressively updated and revised, particularly as we access more and better quality photographs.

The book is at this link: https://duntroonclassof1972.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/duntroon-class-of-1972-50-years-since-graduation-1.pdf

Enjoy.

I’m about to pass the list of those wishing to access their RMC records to the museum for preparation. If you’re not on the list and would like access please let me know ASAP.

I understand that records are being digitised so there is likely to be opportunity later to get copies.

The program for our 50^th Anniversary is pretty much now in place.

Now, despite its title, it is not yet totally set: as you can see there is still some minor detail to be sorted. We’ll follow up with updates as that information is available.

A few points:

The Friday night drinks will be at Olims – this is within stagger distance of the Rex for those staying there. The planning team thinks it gives better options for casual meals and chats than the Kingo for a biggish group.

The memorial service for our deceased classmates will be held at General Bridges grave, at this stage planned for 1100. We are looking at a wet weather option.

The response to the Sunday lunch at the Arboretum was overwhelming – unexpectedly so. This meant that the venue became unsuitable for our purposes. We are therefore planning to locate the activity at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Yacht Club on Lake Burley Griffin. This will likely be crowded on a Sunday if the weather is fine, but there is lots of public space between the club and the lake for us (and no doubt others!) to spread. This is an informal opportunity for relaxed catch ups, with meals and drinks available. If it’s wet – a possibility – there is room inside.

So far 20 have indicated attendance at the tour of RMC, and 12 wish to view their records. If you are not on either list and want to take part, please let us know. The museum has indicated that they will put on a comprehensive display of memorabilia and documents specific to our time there.

A final attendance list is below: please check it out. If you are not on the list, and haven’t been contacted, we are not expecting you! If you are on the list and not attending (even if some events) – please let us know. And if you’d like to join the RMC tour, and/or see your records, and that is not on the list, again let us know. The museum in particular go out of their way to provide exhibits, including scrap books and other memorabilia which may not be usually on display.

Just when you thought things were going quiet, here’s something to really get your teeth into!

No, it’s not compulsory, far from it; but some classmates have been wondering if someone else can tell them who their fellow 4th class section mates were. I realise it’s been 53 years and most of us have found more interesting things to fill our heads with, but if you can remember the details, could I’d ask you to put them in the comments box and hit RETURN – and I’ll update the table.

Follow this link to the Classmates table https://duntroonclassof1972.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/website-classmates-list-2-2.pdf

Sorry, but there’s no multi million dollar Nigerian bank account for this one.

The Brisbane and Northern NSW group got together at The Ship Inn at Southbank on Wednesday for a long and enjoyable lunch. Eighteen attended, including Murray Smith and Rod Wallace for the first time (and they didn’t look a bit different from 53 years ago). We look forward to another lunch before our reunion in Canberra in December.

If you are intending or even just thinking of lodging a claim under the Defence Reparations Scheme, please be aware that payments under this scheme will end for newly reported cases at midnight 30 June 2022. To remain eligible for a reparation payment, you must contact the Ombudsman’s Office by 30 June 2022 and either:

• submit a report of the abuse you experienced in Defence
• provide written notification that you intend to submit a report of abuse, which you must then submit by 30 June 2023.

For more information see https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/How-we-can-help/australian-defence-force/reporting-abuse-in-defence

Pete McCann has repeated his offer from January 2019 to provide assistance to anyone who is considering making an application. However, due to the sensitive and confidential nature of his submission, that understandably won’t be made publicly available.

The booklet produced by the Class of ’69 is available under the Links section of Bibliography/Links on the main menu.

Alternatively you can go directly to it from here. Note that it could take a while to load: