HMAS ARUNTA ASSOCIATION
ARUNTA BUZZ May 2010
ANNUAL REUNION LUNCH
Whilst April has been a busy month, the months ahead will be full of activities for the association, its
members and friends.
The association’s annual reunion lunch held on Friday 23rd April was well attended with a number of
Arunta I veterans in attendance including Wal Wishart, Ray Northrop, David Scott, Wal Bennett, George
Joubert, Jack Morris, Bert Wells, all the way from the Perth Jim Maloney, Graham Bell and Ray Martin.
Three special guests from Arunta II also attended.
Our three guests LEUT Adam Simeoni – Assistant
Principal Warfare Officer, CPO Greg Crannage – Chief Coxswain and LS Michael Disney – Aircraft
Controller, had travelled to Melbourne specifically to represent Arunta II at our reunion lunch and to
march with veterans in the ANZAC march.
In all some 42 members and friends attended a fabulous lunch where they heard details of the celebrations
planned to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the launching of Arunta 1 in Sydney in 1940.
During lunch all attending listened intently as Lieutenant Adam Simeoni
recanted recent activities of the ship, explained the awards Arunta II has
achieved in recent times as well as highlighting the recognition the ship has
given to the Association’s “Sailor of the Year” award.
Lieutenant Simeoni explained that in the junior sailors’ mess the “Sailor of the
Year” perpetual trophy, which highlights each year’s recipient, hangs proudly
from one of the bulk heads. Directly beneath the trophy is a table with a chair
that is permanently reserved for the year’s winner! A further highlight which is
always great fun is our reunion raffle. Our other Arunta II guests Greg and
Michael conducted proceedings and drew the lucky tickets.
Thank you to the many who donated raffle prizes.
ANZAC DAY MARCH
Once again, and much to our delight, ANZAC day greeted us with fair weather. As we made our way to
the marshalling point, this year’s march seemed to hold something special. I think it was the carryover of
the atmosphere from our reunion lunch an atmosphere that was very much the by product of our three
guests from Arunta II.
Whilst marshalling in Flinders Street there was that ever present banter between those veterans of Arunta,
Warramunga and Bataan. Whilst it is good natured, it still shows the rivalry between the three groups of
veterans as they uphold the proud positions of their respective ships. Whilst this rivalry might be there, it
is all forgotten each year when the 3 tribals join together for their annual lunch.
The association was again well represented. Amongst our numbers were a number of Arunta II crew,
Arunta II veterans and most proudly, the veterans of Arunta I, as well as of course what seems to be an
increasing number of veterans’ families and friends.
Once at the Arunta tree there was the fabulous morning tea which provided the backdrop for much chatter
by all who were there.
The Arunta tree, the morning tea and the group photos truly struck a chord with our Arunta II guests for I
believe they were perhaps a little overwhelmed by the association and the work it is doing. It appears that
the Arunta tree is not a known fact outside our association and it is fair to say that our guests will take
back a lot to share with their shipmates.
It was great to have them and for that we thank Brendan Woodsell. The challenge is now for us to get
them and perhaps the ship to visit Melbourne for the 70th celebrations in November!
HMAS ARUNTA ASSOCIATION REUNION AT HMAS CERBERUS WESTERNPORT
In November 2010 the HMAS Arunta Association will host a celebration for all former and current crew
members, their families and friends to mark the 70th anniversary of the launching of HMAS Arunta. The
launch was conducted in 1940 by Lady Zara Gowrie, wife of the then Governor-General of Australia.
Following successful sea trials, the ship was subsequently commissioned in March 1942. Often referred
to as a greyhound, due to its speed, the ship saw active service between the years 1942–1956 and was
then in operational reserve from 1957 to 1968.
In 1998 a second Arunta, carrying on the tradition, was commissioned into the fleet as an Anzac class
frigate.
To celebrate the occasion and to pay tribute to those that have and are serving on HMAS Arunta, the
Association is planning to host a lunch function at HMAS Cerberus Westernport on Sunday 28th
November 2010. This special day will include a tour of the base which I’m sure will bring back many,
many memories.
Transport (most likely bus) will be provided for those needing assistance and will leave and return to a
central point in Melbourne.
For further information and to have your name added to the invitation list, please contact Bruce Roberton,
Secretary HMAS Arunta Association at Secretary@arunta-assoc.com or by phone 03 9764 0336. We
would love to hear from you to include you and your guests in this celebration.
Please also visit the Arunta Association website http://arunta-assoc.com for history and information as
well as the Navy website for Arunta II which can be found at http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Arunta
Both websites are loaded with information, history, newsletters and photographs. If you or your family
have any pieces of history of Arunta I and would like to have them considered for inclusion on the
Associations’ website please make contact with us.
ANNUAL TRIBALS LUNCH
This year, Bataan is hosting the luncheon at the Dandenong RSL Sub branch which is located at 44-50
Clow St Dandenong. The RSL is situated very close to the intersection of Clow Street with Stud Road
(Melways 90 F 7). Enter through Dandenong Shopping Centre car park from either Wallace Street or
Foster Street.
The lunch is on Tuesday 6th July 2010 at 12.00 noon for 12.30 and the cost is $28.00 for a three course
meal. The extra mile to go there is well worth the effort and it is important that the close association that
has been developed between the three associations be continued. We urge as many of our members to
attend.
The cost of the lunch is $28.00 per person. Acceptances and payments are to be made on the form
attached and be forwarded to John Ricardo, 45 Bindy Street, Forest Hill Vic 3131. (03 9878 4408) by
Tuesday 29th June 2010.
VALE
Veteran Harold Fethney passed away on 17th April 2010. He was an AB Signaller.
Harold grew up and lived most of his life in East Malvern near the RSL. He regularly
attended the lunches and the march until health forced him to move to Horsham to be
near relatives.
FUTURE EVENTS
Annual Tribals Lunch – Tuesday 6th July 2010 at Dandenong RSL Sub Branch
Navy Week – Sunday 17th October 2010
Annual Seafarers Service St Pauls Cathedral Melbourne at 11.00 AM – Sunday 17th October 2010
Navy Remembrance Service Shrine of Remembrance at 2.00 PM – Sunday 21st November 2010
HMAS Gorrangai Memorial Service Queenscliff at 11.00 AM
70th Anniversary of Launch of Arunta I – Sunday 28th November 2010 at HMAS Cerberus
HMAS ARUNTA ASSOCIATION
Annual Tribals Luncheon
Tuesday, 6th July, 2010
Member’s Name: _____________________________________________________________________
I will be attending Yes / No
I wish to book for ____________ persons (including self) @ $28 per head
Name: _____________________________________ $28.00
Name: _____________________________________ $28.00
Name: _____________________________________ $28.00
Any special dietary requirements – please specify
RSVP by 29th June, 2010.
Please return this form, with payment to:
Mr. John Ricardo
Treasurer, HMAS Arunta Association
45 Bindy Street
Forest Hill Vic 3131
Payment may also be made via the internet using the following details:
BSB: 033000 Account Number: 360074 Account Name: HMAS Arunta Association
Please include in the Reference: Your name
If paying by the internet, please email treasurer@arunta-assoc.com with the details of your payment
