With the veteran’s dinner another outstanding success, the old warriors seem to be getting greyer and looking older, but their wives including Sooi Merrigan and Pam Wallbridge (above) are looking younger and more beautiful.

scuttlebuttBox Hill R.S.L. Sub- Branch Inc.

Box Hill RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated - trading as Box Hill RSL, 26 Nelson Rd, Box Hill 3128. Ph: 9898 5992, Fax: 9899 1740 Manager: Denis Fernando, Sub-Branch Secretary: Ray Wall, Association Registered No: A0057903U

April 2016ISSUE: #200

EDITOR: Trevor Symes

GENERAL MANAGER: Denis Fernando

SUB-BRANCH SECRETARY: Ray Wall

ASSOCIATION REGISTERED NO: A0057903U

Contributions to each issue of Scuttlebutt must be with the editor by the 20th day of each month. Editor's e-mail: heraldry@sub.net.au

HOPING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCEOne of the major reasons for our existence as part the Australian RSL, is to provide care and support to serving and non-serving members of the Australian Defence Forces and their families.

As an illustration of this support, we have recently provided financial support to a serving soldier. This veteran of the war in Afghanistan had an unfortunate mishap whilst on leave in Adelaide where he fell down a flight of stairs resulting in the

collapse of two vertebra and permanent confinement to a wheelchair.

In October last year a new radical procedure to hopefully get this wheelchair-bound veteran and other veterans back on their feet commenced in the USA. The cost of flying him to the USA including accommodation, transport etc. was in excess of $35k. Box Hill, along with six other Sub-Branches, provided $5k each to ensure he could make the trip and hopefully regain his feet.

VIETNAM VETERANS' NIGHT OF NIGHTSOn Saturday the 12th March, the Vietnam Veterans held their annual Black Tie Dinner and I believe it was the best of the many dinners held over the past 11 years with the guest speaker being Dr Brendan Nelson BMBS FRACP (Hon) SAMA and the current Director of the Australian War Memorial.

As usual, the evening was fully booked many months in advance and some of the distinguished guests were Anna Burke MP, Robert Doyle MP, the State President of the Vietnam Veterans Bob Elworthy and Keith Payne VC, a member of the Vietnam Veterans Box Hill Sub-Branch.

The dinner commenced with all the official guests being ‘Piped’ to their table where John Haward recited the Ode and welcomed the guests. After the main meal, the formalities commenced where I, as MC, asked Bob Elworthy to speak on the 50th Anniversary this year of the “Battle of Long Tan”. After his speech, I presented a short film called “Stand-To” which is conducted every day at the AWM and honours a past Veteran. Terry Nolan then spoke about our Guest speaker and introduced Brendan Nelson to those present.

CONTINUES PAGE 3

ANNUAL ELECTION5 candidates nominated for the 3 Committee positions so a ballot was necessary. Closing date for Ballot Papers was 4.00pm on 17 March. 2,197 ballot papers were posted the Service and Affiliate Members and 1170 were returned, a 53.25% return. There were 6 informal ballot papers received. The count was carried out on 18 March and the results were that Brian Tateson, John Sheehan & Judy Coates were reappointed to Committee for a 2 year period.

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MEMBERS IN AGED CARE

Welfare Report For all welfare matters - telephone Faye Clark on 9898 2044

Our best wishes are with those members who are, or have been in hospital since the last issue.

Stuart Forbes, Frank Considine, Peter Davison, Phil Kinnear, Allan Morris, Connie Perry and Ray Rees

Jack George 418097 RAAFRae Shelton AffiliateRoseline Rosenfeldt AffiliateAngus Low 1923588 RAFJack Gidley VX 113029 58/59 AIB

Elsa Bate AffiliateMargaret Ryan AffiliateJohn Brownridge 450540 - RAAFGerard O'Dea 3/127616 Melb. U. Reg.

Vale lest we forget

BEULAH ANDERSON, Alawarra, Inala, 220 Middleborough Rd, Blackburn SthJOHN BANKS-HUGHES, BUPA Donvale, 296-304 Springvale Rd, DonvaleFRANK BOLTON, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburyMAUREEN BRAYNE, Alawarra, Inala, 220 Middleborough Rd, Blackburn SthKEN BUDGE, AdventCare, 163-165 Central Rd, Nunawading EARLE BUTTERFIELD, Alexandra Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Rd, DonvaleHILARY BUTTERFIELD, The Heights, 39 Doncaster Rd, DonvaleALAN BYRON, Milpara, 220 Middleborough Rd, Blackburn SthWILLIAM CAHILL, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillDON CAIRNS, Nazareth Care, 16 Cornell St, CamberwellMYRA CAMPBELL, Dorothy Henderson Lodge, 157 Balaclava Rd, Marsfield.FAY CLARK, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillROBERT CLARK, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburyMOLLIE CLOUGH, Kew Gardens, 22-24 Gellibrand St, KewNOEL & LOIS DUNN, BUPA, 296-304 Springvale Rd, DonvaleROY EDWARDS, BUPA, 18-22 McGlynn Ave., South MorangMERLE EVANS, Victoria Grange, 502-514 Burwood Hwy, Vermont SthJEAN FINEBERG, Alexander Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Rd, DonvaleMADGE GILBERT, Broughton Lea, 9 -17 Broughton Rd, Surrey HillsGEORGE GIRLING, McGarvie Hostel, Strathdon, 17 Jolimont Rd, Forest HillGORDON HANG GONG, Alexandra Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Rd, DonvaleMARJ HASLER, Charlesbrook, 1 Innisfallen Crt. Templestowe

MARY HODGETTS, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburyLORNA HOUSE, Wattle Glen ACF, 45 Silvan Rd, Wattle GlenBILL HOWE, Ascot House, 468 Middleborough Rd, BlackburnLORNA HUNTER, Cameron Close, Warrigal Rd, BurwoodLOLA INGLEFINGER, Banksia Lodge, 2 Jones St, FosterRAY JACOBS, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillMYRA KELLEHER, Clovelly Cottage, 16 Stewart St, BoroniaJEAN KING, Opal by the Bay, 185 Racecourse Rd, Mt MarthaALBERT KNOP, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillCLARE KNYVETT, Alexandra Gardens, 42 Old Warrandyte Rd, DonvaleSYLVIA LANG, Donwood Aged Care, 17 Diana St, CroydonDOROTHY LEITH, Alawarra, Inala, 220 Middleborough Rd, Blackburn SthDON & MARGE LIVESEY, BUPA, 222 Serpells Rd, TemplestoweROBERT LONG, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburyBETTY MADDOCK, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave, CanterburySIDNEY MANN, Roseville, Apt.10, 130 King St, Doncaster EastDAWN MAY, Jack Faichney Hostel, Strathdon, Jolimont Rd, Forest HillHARRY & JOYCE MCEWAN, Gregory Lodge, 2-58 Newmarket St, FlemingtonBRUCE MCLEAN, Templestowe Pioneer Village, 16 Herlihys Rd, Lower TemplestoweHAMISH MACLEOD, Dowell Court, 159 Lwr Heidelberg Rd, East IvanhoeLEIGH & BETTY McQUALTER, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames St, Box HillBETTY MONK, Livingstone Gardens, 39 Livingstone Rd Vermont SouthGEORGE MOXHAM, Regis Lake Park, 40 Central Rd, Blackburn

PHYLLIS O’REILLY, Richard McGarvie Hostel, Strathdon, Jolimont Rd, Forest HillNOEL OUTHRED, BUPA Donvale, 296-304 Springvale Rd, DonvaleROMA OWEN, Highwood Court, 359 Warrigal Rd, BurwoodSHIRLEY PASCOE, BUPA, Heidelberg Park, 222 Serpells Rd, TemplestoweTED PHILLIPS, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Avenue, CanterburyGERALD PULLAN, BUPA, 222 Serpells Rd, TemplestoweMILLIE RAYNOR, Faversham House, 27 Shierlaw Ave CanterburyDOROTHY REID, Baradine, Baradine Rd, MooroolbarkDOREEN ROCK, Camberwell Gardens, 15 Cornell St, CamberwellDICK ROSE, Clovelly Cottage, 16 Stewart St, Boronia.IRENE ROSEVEAR, Vincent de Paul Hostel, 13 Strabane Avenue, Mont Albert NorthMAUREEN SAVAGE, Covenant House, 181 Canterbury Rd, BlackburnELIZABETH SAYERS, Jasmine Lodge, 56 Mt. Dandenong Rd, Ringwood EastBETTY SMITH, Arcare, Cnr Plenty and Gremel Rds, LatrobeERN TRELOAR, Broughtonlea, 9 -17 Broughton Rd, Surrey HillsEDNA TREWIN, Regis Lake Park, 40 Central Rd, BlackburnSHIRLEY TULLOH, Kew Gardens, 22-24 Gellibrand St, KewRALPH VAN DER HOEVEN, Rucker’s Hill, 14-24 Pearl St, NorthcoteNORMA VENDY, Dorset Lodge, 362 Dorset Rd, CroydonEILEEN WADDELL, BUPA Donvale, 296-304 Springvale Rd, DonvalePHIL WALTER, Regis Lake Park, 40 Central Rd, BlackburnHELEN WILLIAMS, Glen Waverley PNH, 982 High St, Glen Waverley

LEGACY LADIESWe were saddened to hear of the "passing" of Rae Shelton. She hadn't been well for some time but continued to come to our meetings as often as she could. Ten Legacy Ladies attended her funeral. We will miss Rae at the "Entry Table", making sure we "sign in".

In April our Speaker will be Shane McSweeny who I'm hoping will be able to give us gentle exercises to help us keep mobile.

On May 11th the outer eastern Legatees have organised an outing to a Yarra Valley winery so we hope Legacy Ladies will come along and enjoy themselves.

To those members not well enough to attend our meetings, we hope your health will soon improve.

Pat Douglas, Box Hill Legacy

NO MORE FOXTELFox Sports is not available at Box Hill RSL effective Monday 21 March.

Fox Sports approached our Club four weeks ago stating that they will be increasing the monthly charge by 60.2% without any further negotiation. We weighed up the use of the product against the $13,000 annual increase and it just didn’t stack up.

We are going to allocate the current fees to our primary objective of Welfare Services. We believe that our large membership base will benefit from the money rather than a few members that may watch Friday night football in the main lounge. Nevertheless, we are protesting against this increase as we believe Fox Sports has a monopoly on the product allowing them to dictate any fee structure they choose for Clubs and Pubs in Victoria.

Trevor Symes, Vice President

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Vietnam Veterans' Night of Nights (CONTINUED)

On the running sheet for this night, I had allowed Dr Nelson thirty minutes to speak, but he spoke without once referring to a note of any description, for just on one hour. You could have heard a pin drop in the room whilst he spoke on the anniversaries of WW1, Gallipoli and the 50th anniversary of Long Tan. He commented that all Vietnam Vets belonged to a special club for what they had achieved in the War in Vietnam. He also spoke about BHRSL, acknowledging the 98 past Veterans that were named on our Cenotaph and those 27 who had given the supreme sacrifice at Gallipoli.

Brendan was presented with a gift at the end of his talk, along with Anna Burke MP, who has supported this dinner, the Vietnam Veterans and Box Hill RSL since day one and who is leaving her position as our Federal MP this year.

The amount of emails and messages I have received over the past few days congratulating the Vietnam Vets on this special night has been incredible. Congratulations must also be given to our staff; to Nicole Bryant-Smith who organised the front of house staff and Kevin Wightman and his kitchen staff for a most outstanding meal.

And so the Vietnam Vets move onto next year’s dinner and, as many people who attended have commented, it will have to be pretty good to beat this one! As normal I start work on the dinner 12 months in advance, and we will just have to wait and see who our next special guest speaker is!

Brian Tateson

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WOMEN'S AUXILIARYHello Ladies

It was nice to see all the ladies at our 1st meeting where we held our AGM . Gwen summarized the previous year’s functions and activities and it always comes as a surprise to me how much we fit into a year. A big thankyou to all our members who support us so strongly.

Our President Tony Bowden presented the Committee with their badges. We are so fortunate that all our current committee members have re-stood so thank you ladies.

Gwen, Eileen, Faye and myself went to Croydon RSL for an area meeting. It was a good day with eight ladies from Ringwood, four from Box Hill and sixteen from Croydon. The Ringwood RSL have a mini bus to transport them to other areas, however we have Bob Clarke (my husband). As the ladies always say “thank goodness for Bobby”.

We were served a very nice lunch of cold meat, salad and fresh fruit salad, made by the ladies of the Auxiliary and served by some of their husbands – aprons and all.

We had our first in house function on Wednesday 9th March with Tillow Clothing. It was a little bit up market but still our ladies bought up (they never let us down) and we were given a nice cheque from the sales.

Best wishes to Myra Spencer who has had a hip replacement. We all hope she will soon be back with us.

Well ladies, take care, enjoy the cooler weather and keep well.

“Remember – Today is a gift – that’s why it is called “The Present”.

Joan Clarke Honorary President

Meeting Dates - Mondays

April 4th

May 2nd

May 23rd - Birthday Lunch

June 27th

Function Dates - Wednesdays

April 13th Bus Trip – (Geelong)

May 11th Hilma Sew - 1.30 (bring a small plate)

MEDITATION SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE - AN INVITATION TO VETERANS AND OTHERS Meditation is a simple practice based on the simple use of the breath, which once learnt and practised regularly can help reduce stress and tension and so help to improve one’s general physical and mental health. It is can be practised anytime, anywhere, and is not a practice only for the specially initiated… so why not join our little group that has been meeting monthly for three years now at Box Hill RSL?

The next meeting is scheduled to be held at the Pompey Elliot Memorial Hall, Camberwell City RSL, 403 Camberwell Road Camberwell, at 2.30pm on Tuesday 5th April 2016.

If required Box Hill RSL Welfare can provide transport from Box Hill to Camberwell City RSL and back.

For further information, please contact Faye or Kathy on 9898 2044

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TREVS COLUMNMEMBERS PREMIUM REWARDS CARD – “WIN A BALLOON FLIGHT OVER THE YARRA VALLEY

Don’t forget to swipe your Premium Rewards Card at the kiosk when you enter the Club and you could win a Bonus ticket to enter the April promotion and be in the draw on 30 April.

The prize includes a 1 hour Sunrise Balloon flight over the Yarra Valley, overnight accommodation in a luxury cottage and a sparkling breakfast. Also present your card over the Bar or Bistro with each purchase and you can obtain additional tickets when you spend $20.00 or more. Each purchase accumulates until you reach $20.00 so present your card even if you are only buying one drink.

BUILDING WORKS PROGRAM

In 2016 there is going to be very little building work done at the Club. A minor alteration to the Bistro will occur to ease congestion at the counter. The drama of this is that my table #19 will be sacrificed.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The AGM was held on 20 March. I chaired the meeting due to the absence of A Bowden (President), R Wall (Secretary) & D Fernando (General Manager) but luckily nothing controversial was raised.

BAREFOOT BOWLS

I have been advised by the Bowlers that the Barefoot Bowls program is to be abandoned and therefore the sausage sizzle ceased as of Friday 18 March.

MEMBERSHIP

Did you know that you can upgrade your Membership from Social to Affiliate with evidence of a relative’s Military Service. Assistance to get details of the relative’s Service can be obtained from the Welfare Department.

Trevor Symes, Vice President

Whitehorse Day Club Trip

McClelland Sculpture Park / Gallery and Sand Sculptures at Frankston

Dull weather did not dampen our spirits as we left Box Hill. Just like magic, as we exited the Tunnel, the sun peeped out of the clouds and the wet road seemed to dry up before our eyes. After morning tea, we were given a guided tour of some of the sculptures. It would have been impossible to see all 112 permanent sculptures in the time available, but it was very interesting hearing about those we did see and hear – some pipes respond to movement and play “music.”

Miss A.M. McClelland bequeathed the land and holdings of her estate in memory of her brother Harry who had a painting studio there. The Gallery opened in 1971 and due mainly to the generosity of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, it has become Australia’s leading Sculpture Park and Gallery. Amongst art works displayed in the Gallery, there is a magnificent tapestry depicting her.

Modern Art in the 1800’s portrayed life before photography and abstract art and sculptures are full of symbolism. There is a man-made lake in the middle of which is an island where a bronze statue of Zarathustra can be seen. This 5 metre tall statue is sited here mainly because of its value ($2m.) A fibreglass bust of a monkey pays homage to the Chinese New Year.

The familiar Tree Of Life – a wind-powered sculpture which used to be sited on the Peninsula Freeway, is now in the grounds here. It is the first changeover in a program of biennial commissions which alternate between 2 sites adjacent to the Freeway. These sculptures are commissioned and owned by McClelland, with funds donated by Southern Way. The commissions will continue until 2037, resulting in 14 sculptures displayed over 25 years. The current ones are an upsized gnome who acts as guardian of suburbia (Reflective Lullaby) and a gigantic ram’s head.

After lunch at Frankston R.S.L. it was off to sculptures of a different kind - sand

sculptures at Frankston. The theme this year is “A Day at the Zoo.” Over 3,500 tonnes of sand is kept wet for 2 weeks and compressed in the shape of cubes and pyramids in situ. Some 20 sculptors then produce these fantastic dioramas/scenarios over the next 21-25 days. Some of the finer details are set by spraying with PVA spray. The workmanship and imagination is definitely something to be admired. The sculptures are demolished at the end of the “season” (Anzac Day) and the sand is stored till next year. I wonder what the theme will be then!

John and Mary Simpson

MEETINGS

8th March.

Our special guest speaker this month was none other than our very own Faye Clarke, the Welfare Officer for the Box Hill RSL. We were all fascinated to hear of the programs that are available for club members to access. Not only were we overwhelmed by the sheer number of programs but were astounded by the tireless effort that Faye puts in to her work every day to make the programs available to those in need. Faye pointed out that her office only functions so efficiently because to the number of volunteers who help out and that a large number of those volunteers are members of the Day Club. We can understand the workload that Faye has been carrying when we know that she now has an assistant Kathy who works three days a week. Although the sheer number of programs is too long to list in this article, I will mention a few including a gardening program, the Library, Movies, Meditation Group, Computer classes, Cab charges and birthday vouchers.

It is very comforting to know that in our time of need we will be supported by our Club and the many friendly people who run those programs.

Carmen Ward Day Club Reporter

Box Hill R.S.L. Sub-Branch Inc. trading as Box Hill RSL 26 Nelson Rd, Box Hill 3128 Victoria.

T 9898 5992 F 9899 1740 E secretary@boxhillrsl.com.au

General Manager: Denis Fernando Sub-Branch Secretary: Ray Wall Association Registered No: A0057903U

scuttlebutt

MY JOURNEY TO MY ANCESTORS.I have been a Genealogist/Family Historian for 40yrs. When my mother passed away, being an only child, it was left up to me to sort her house. In a very old Norwegian butter tin, I found a wealth of information on my father, Thorleif Thoresen, a Norwegian, who had passed away when I was 18. He had been collecting memories throughout his life.

There were photographs of Norway and his relatives, his Norwegian passport, his birth certificate, photographs of ships he had worked on and an Entry Certificate to every port he had visited while he was a merchant seaman. He had been to Havana, Cuba, New York, New Orleans, Baltimore, USA, Vancouver, Canada, Rio de Janeiro, London, Liverpool, Capetown, South Africa, Brazil and it seems all places in between. What a life.

Having this information in hand, I set off to the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) Family History Centre at Kangaroo Point, in Brisbane, Queensland to find my ancestors. Remember this was the late 1970’s, no computers and the only way to do research was to catch a bus/train, by car or walk. You literally had to find the paper trail. When I arrived at the LDS Library they told me that no one had ever asked about Norwegian records before. They searched and found nothing.

Not wanting to waste the visit, I jotted down any information that I could remember off hand about my mother’s family to see if I would have better luck there. Bingo. I found my grandparents and great-grandparents and lots of relevant information on their families. I was on my way. My mother’s family turned out to be Australian royalty with so many convicts I’m sure my mother is rolling over in her grave. Sorry Mum.

I have been lucky enough, in a former life, to have worked for the Queensland State Archives, State Library of Queensland and the John Oxley Library. I have also filmed the Parish Registers of the Catholic Archdioceses of Southern Queensland. All of which fuelled my addiction to Family History immensely.

In my classes I try to enthuse members to have the same excitement that I experienced on that day 40yrs. ago. Family history is a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces are people. I enjoy the chase, the harder to solve the better. I can “do” your family tree fairly quickly. You are the ones that can put the flesh on the bones so to speak, with your family knowledge and stories. I never judge what happened in the past, you can’t change it. Who are we to say why our ancestors did the things that they did. Our ancestors are out there waiting for us to put the pieces together.

So as a well-known advertisement on TV states – “Come Find Me”.

Ingrid Nelson (nee Thoresen) Ph: (03) 9713 0244 Em: findmyfamilytree@hotmail.com

Genealogy Classes:Beginners: Box Hill RSL Upton Room 2, 1st Tuesday of each month 1 – 3 p.m. Ingrid Nelson

Advanced: Upton Room 2, 1st Monday of each month 2 – 4 p.m. Beth Davis & Sue Archbold

FREE MOVIE FOR MEMBERS

"French Kiss"THURSDAY, APRIL 28TH 2016 AT 10.30Presented by Ray Wall

This is a fun-loving completely romantic movie. Meg Ryan plays a woman who's on the verge of marrying a Canadian, so she's denounced her American citizenship. She's also afraid of flying so she stays home while her fiancé goes to Paris on business. Things take a turn for the worse when he calls, saying he's met the woman of his dreams and he's staying in France. Frantic to get back her man, she boards a plane. Next to her sits a French thief, beautifully played by Kevin Kline, who has problems of his own, most notably how to smuggle a diamond necklace out of the country.

Volunteers Wanted for Cub NightsWelfare are looking for volunteers with an interest in Military history to facilitate our Cub nights which happen several times a year in the evening.