H.M.A.S. ARUNTA ASSOCIATION
Number 2 Arunta Buzz June 2009
Inside this Issue:
2. Annual Tribals Lunch
3. Launch of Website
4. ANZAC Day
5. ARUNTA Shield
6. Members’ News
7. Further Events
You will notice the new look at the top of our letterhead. This form was approved at the last meeting of the committee. It gives effect to the earlier decision announced at our Annual Luncheon in April to widen eligibility for membership of the Association to members of the Association to members and former members of the second HMAS ARUNTA. We want to encourage membership of the association. As explained at our luncheon, we have adapted the purpose of the association as follows:
HMAS ARUNTA ASSSOCIATION Dedicated to honouring the memory, spirit and endeavours of all who have served in ARUNTA. We embrace the family not just the individual. If you served in HMAS ARUNTA1942 – 19541998 – present We invite you and your family and friends to join the Association
The photograph of ATUNTA I was taken in October 1944 as she was coming alongside HMAS SHROPSHIRE for receipt of messages. The two ships were part of the USA 7th Fleet sailing from Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea towards the Philippines to support the USA land forces landing at Leyte to fulfil the promise of General Mcarthur to return to the Philippines after that country had been occupied by the Japanese. That landing took place on October 20, 1944.
The photograph of ARUNTA II was taken, we believe in 2008, in the Persian Gulf while she was on duty protecting oil outlets from Iraq. During that term of duty the Commanding Officer was Captain Timothy Brown who the committee met at their meeting on ARUNTA II in November 2008. In the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, Capt Brown received the Commendation for Distinguished Performance of Duties in warlike operations as the Commander of Task Group 633.1 and commanding officer of HMAS ARUNTA during operations Slipper and Catalyst in 2008.
2. Annual Tribals Lunch
This year ARUNTA is hosting the luncheon. With the assistance of John Laughton, the secretary/treasurer of HMAS BATAAN Association and treasurer of the Dandenong RSL, we have arranged for the annual Tribals luncheon to be held at the Dandenong RSL Sub Branch which backs onto Glow Street near its intersection with Stud Road (Melways 90 F7). Enter through Dandenong Plaza Shopping Centre car park from either Walker Street or Foster Street.
The lunch is on Tuesday 11th August at 12.00 noon for 12.30 and the cost is $20.00 per person. The menu is thick beef and vegetable soup, alternating Chinese sliced fillet steak with mushroom sauce and grilled Atlantic salmon, followed by peaches and ice cream with tea or coffee served at the tables.
Two years ago we held the Tribals lunch at Dandenong and it was a great success. The price was very competitive and the meal was outstanding. The extra mile to get there was well worth the effort.
It is important that the three Tribal Associations continue to support each other. The numbers at the lunch last year were very disappointing but we decided to have the lunch again this year and would encourage you to support this function.
Mr Bob Curwen, the former President of HMAS WARRAMUNGA Association, unexpectedly died on 24 April this year after a short illness. Bob was a strong and effective leader of the Warramunga association and the Waverley RSL sub Branch. He was a strong supporter of the three Tribal Associations. He initiated and was the moving force behind the long drawn out battle to convince the Borough of Queenscliffe and the department of sustainability and Environment finally to grant the permits to erect the Cairn which was unveiled and dedicated in November 2007. He was active in a number of other Navy groups and following his lead, the ARUNTA Association is playing a more active part in these groups. He strongly supported the Annual Tribals luncheon. It is appropriate that at the 2009 Tribals luncheon, tribute be paid to Bob Curwen by a large number attending. Please attend.
The cost of the lunch is $20.00 per person. Acceptances are to be made on the form enclosed and forwarded to John Ricardo by Thursday 6th August.
3. Launch of the Website
Since we launched the website at our Reunion Lunch in April we have been updating and hopefully improving the site for the benefit of all. We will continue to update the site with both new and old information as well as photos and reports about both upcoming and completed events.
If you have items/articles which may be of interest for inclusion on the website please let us know and we will put them before the committee for approval to include on the site.
Please take a look and let us know what you think about our website, which can be found at www.arunta-assoc.com
4. ANZAC Day March
Even with a bad weather forecast a good number of veterans of ARUNTA I and ARUNTA II along with a growing number of family and friends of other ARUNTA I veterans turned out for the annual March. A new assembly point was set this year to avoid the new tram stops in Flinders Street. With much confusion and little to no direction, the various naval units managed to get themselves in to order and step off almost exactly on time. As each year arrives the numbers get thinner, the march seems longer but more and more come to support and thank the veterans.
As the band played and the sailors marched to the beat of war time songs, they looked strong and justly proud of their achievements. While some made the journey by car, they were perhaps the smart ones as the rain was looming.
The numbers gathering at the ARUNTA tree were again greater than last year and it is worth mentioning how special it must be for the veterans to have their families there.
Shauna and Russell Phillips had prepared a banquet fit for the admiralty. What must be acknowledged is that this year with parking restrictions it was going to be very difficult /impossible to drive in with the refreshments like previous years. Thanks to Russell and his ingenuity, he was able to use his contacts to obtain a special permit and thus gain access to the ARUNTA tree area.
A special thanks to Shauna and Russell for their efforts, your work is greatly appreciated.
5. ARUNTA II Shield: “Sailor of the Year”
As has been mentioned in previous editions of the Buzz the final steps in establishing this award are being completed. The award will recognise the outstanding sail of the years from ARUNTA II and be decided upon by the Chief Petty Officers.
The recipient will receive a certificate from the Association, a ship’s plaque and have their name inscribed on a perpetual trophy which would be on permanent display on board ship.
6. Members’ News
We regret the passing of Dave Brewer on 4 March 2009 after a long illness.
Dave was in 9 mess in ARUNTA for many years. He and his wife Joyce (Joy) were regular attendants at ARUNTA functions until he became too ill to continue to March.
During 1996, Dave was the Commodore of the Royal Victorian Yacht Club at Williamstown and arranged for the ARUNTA Association to hold a special lunch at the yacht club following the launch of ARUNTA II on 28 June, 1996.
We note the death of Bob Mohr. Bob was a stoker member of the crew of ARUNTA during the war. He lived in Adelaide and was a member of the SA Branch of the Association. He attended the celebrations held in Melbourne to mark the 50th anniversary of the Commissioning of ARUNTA in March 1942. Bob became a judge of the supreme court of South Australia but deserted the Navy and joined the Reserve of the Army.
Eventually he became a Major General as Judge Advocate General of the Australian Defence Forces. He died earlier this year.
Former President Graham Bell and his wife Beth are in assisted living.
Joan Elkington, the sister of former President, Allan Elkington is now in assisted living at Regis Milpera, Middleborough Road, South Blackburn.
7. Further Events
Annual Tribals Lunch – Dandenong Sub Branch RSL, Tuesday 11 August, 2009.
Navy Week – Events should have commenced on Monday 18 October 2009, but the annual Seafarer’s Service at St Pauls Cathedral was fixed for Sunday 17 October while the Shrine of Remembrance Celebration and Remembrance of the Navy was fixed for the afternoon of Sunday 25 October being the Sunday in Navy Week. Logistical difficulties arise in having the Shrine Service on a separate Sunday from the St Paul’s service. Accordingly the Shrine Service has been cancelled but will be held next year.
Sunday 17 October 2009
Seafarer’s Service, St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne at 10.00am
Sunday 22 November 2009
The Commemorative Ceremony at Ocean View Lookout, Queenscliffe.
Fall in 10.25. Step off 10.45. Service 11.00
Lunch will be provided at the Queenscliffe RSL following the conclusion of the service. To encourage family participation we are attempting to organise a tour of the Fort at Queenscliffe during the afternoon. Details will be given in the next newsletter.
