Patron: Commanding Officer HMAS Cerberus - Captain Stephen Bowater

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1 N E W S L E T T E R O F R A N C B A V I C T O R I A BASEGRAM Patron: Commanding Officer HMAS Cerberus - Captain Stephen Bowater BASEGRAM AUTUMN 2015 Website Inside this issue: AGM 2015 Meeting 2 3 Regional Reunion No Qld Governors Flag 6 Book Review 6 World War 2 Intelligence 7 AIS Navy Ball Oct Something New 10 Comments, queries or if you have a story you would like included contact I A N H O G A R T H Phone: ianwhogarth@optusnet.com.au RANCBA Vic members, associates and family are invited to attend the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance, the central meeting point will be at the statue depicting Simpson and his Donkey (located near the Visitors Entrance at the Shrine from at 5.15am. Due to massive numbers this year you may want to make an earlier start than usual (look for a signal light flashing occasionally for direction) Following the Dawn Service RANCBA (Vic) some members might like to hook up for breakfast (own cost) at 23 Dorcas Street South Melbourne (The Original Café) After which members are invited to fall in for the Anzac Day March at 0900 in Flinders Street on the West side of Swanston Street outside Flinders Street Railway Station. Our position this year is between the Clearance Divers and the Far East Strategic Reserve towards the rear of the Naval Group participating in the March. Leading the march this year will be Robin Joicey who is a Veteran of the Indonesian Confrontation and was the Squadron s Senior Communicator. Note The Eyes right is given at the flame not the VIP seats and for non uniformed members if you are wearing a Hat/Cap, remove hat/cap at eyes right and place it over your medals, replacing it on your head at eyes front. This will immediately be followed by a left wheel After the march this year and in conjunction with the HMAS Sydney Association and Submariners, there will be a 53 seat shuttle bus available (Berwick Bus Company) in Birwood Avenue towards the Domain Road end which has been organised to take members across to the Maori Chief Hotel. This service will incur a $5 fee which will be collected by either Ron Bowkett & Slim Whitfield both members of the HMAS Sydney VLSVA Association The Maori Chief s Hotel is located at 117 Moray Street (corner of Moray and York Street South Melbourne 3025 Ph ) from 10.30am where a free sausage sizzle is available courtesy of the establishment and lunch can be ordered Note a free sausage sizzle is available after the march however lunch and drinks at own cost. Maori Chief Hotel 117 Moray Street Corner of Moray and York Street

2 P a g e 2 B A S E G R A M A U T U M N RANCBA Annual General Meeting Friday the 7th November 2014 Hammocks! In 1498 in the Bahamas Christopher Columbus found the locals used beds called hamacs The Spanish changed the word to Hamaco and this was later anglicized in the Elizabethan era when the term found common usage in the English nautical vocabulary. The 2014 AGM meeting was conducted at the The Pumphouse Hotel, located at the Corner of King William and Nicholson Steets Fitzroy - The business of the AGM commenced at 1100 hours sharp after members suitably charging their glasses and lunch orders being taken. Attendance: Bob Shugg, CAPT Steve Bowater OAM RAN, Peter and Kath Bonser, Cass Cairney, Alan and Val Sullivan, Doug Elliott, Rod and Jan Withers, Peter Brimacombe, Jan and Andrew Gallagher, Barry Hildebrand, Les Thurgood, Graham and Ewa Bence, Ian Hogarth, John White, Mal Keenan, Eleanor Sumner, Clare Genn, S Duffey Apologies: Reg Robins, Richard Burton, Gary Swanton, Ian Broadsmith INTRODUCTION: The President declared the AGM open and thanked all those present for attending. He also advised those assembled that the Patron, CAPT Steve Bowater OAM RAN would be attending the meeting a bit later. CAPT Bowater subsequently arrived at approximately 1045 and was introduced to the membership. The President introduced our Patron to the members present and thanked CAPT Bowater for taking the time out of his busy programme to attend our AGM today. PREVIOUS MINUTES: The minutes of the previous AGM were reviewed and found to be an accurate reflection of last year s AGM. CORRESPONDENCE: RSL notices of order of march for ANZAC Day 2015 received and made available for members at the AGM PRESIDENT S REPORT Once again we have had a very busy year and the pace does not look like letting up as we get into the groove of trying to offer a wider variety of events to our members. This year we have organised and conducted a number of activities, which are outlined below. We organised and conducted a south pacific cruise for all RANCBA members 145 attended from all states and the cruise proved to be so popular that we have been asked to organise another cruise in 2016 or Registrations of interest are out on the street and if you are interested then I would encourage you to speak to Nokka White or myself for details.we had our traditional ANZAC Day range of events starting at the Dawn Service, followed by a breakfast that a few attended, then the main march followed by drinks at the Maori Chief. The Comms School strongly supported us again this year with banner bearers and a number of Senior and Junior Sailors also joining in to march. The School s Officer Commanding also marched with us. To my great delight my daughter (LCDR Alisha Withers CO Assail 2) flew down from Sydney to lead us through Melbourne. Mid year we experimented by holding a joint function with the WRANS to ascertain interest in a different type of event. We held a cocktail party at the Melbourne Naval Centre in South Yarra, which was attended by about 40 people from both organisations, as well as the President of the Naval Commemorative Committee Victoria, Mr Terry Makings (ret d CMDR). The evening was self catered and proved to be very enjoyable for those that attended. Keep your eye out for other adhoc events of a joint nature with other ex Navy Associations. I attended HMAS CERBERUS for the CIS coin presentation to the passing out parade at the Comms School. It is always a pleasure to attend these events and talk to those who are just starting out on their communications careers. I also attend a Welcome to Country ceremony conducted by the traditional owners of the land on which HMAS CERBERUS is located. This ceremony was followed by divisions. In September we had the pleasure of presenting the Mercury Trophy to CPOCIS Alesha Rollinson. Following the presentation we were joined by the students and staff at the Greensborough RSL for lunch. A good afternoon was had by all. Throughout the year I have been attending NCCV meetings to ensure that we at RANCBA Victoria remain engaged with the wider naval community and that we are made aware of upcoming events that may be of interest to us. You will be receiving a variety of newsletters and other information about these events. Let me know if there is anything else you would like us to keep our eye on. I would also like to promote the ANZAC Naval Commemorative Ball to be held at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 17 th October I would encourage you to register (registration details are on our new website rancbavic.info). I have also extended the invitation to our members in other states. If we get sufficient numbers we will organise a separate

3 P a g e 3 AGM Cont If we get sufficient numbers we will organise a separate RANCBA activity, probably on Friday 16 th or Sunday 18 th October after the Shire of Remembrance service. Once again our Regional Reunion was a great success. This year we held it at Lakes Entrance and we joined by RANCBA members from all other States. Some of the interstaters also joined RANCBA Victoria as a result. About fifty attended the event and many of us stayed over for Vietnam Veteran s day, which was held at the Lakes Entrance RSL. Members of the local Naval Association joined us both for the reunion and the Vietnam Veteran s day service. For those who are not aware this year marks the commencement of the celebrations of the 100 th anniversary of events leading up to and including the Gallipoli Campaign. A celebration of the sailing of the first convoy carrying Australian and New Zealand troops to Gallipoli was conducted over the weekend 31 October to 2 November There are a few of us travelling from Victoria to join in on the celebrations. We will be joining up with our WA colleagues for a lunch in Perth and the various events in Albany itself. The new website is holding up well and is starting to get much more use. I would encourage you to now use it as the main source of your information and the mechanism for registering for our events and activities. Pretty soon you will see some changes to our Basegram, which will involve the website more. Watch this space. Whilst not able to attend any of our events just yet because of his busy programme, our Patron, CAPT Steve Bowater remains keenly interested in the Association and provides support where required to facilitate our activities. Lastly I would like to address an issue that for too long has not been adequately addressed by our Association. While we have always had provision in our Constitution we have, to the best of my knowledge, never recognised anyone for Life Membership Our Constitution says that the executive may award life membership to any person who has rendered distinguished service over a prolonged period or has made a significant contribution to the association. This year your Committee has decided to award inaugural life membership posthumously to a number of our past members plus one other. I am deeply honoured to be able to able to recognise these past members and their valuable contributions to the Association In conclusion, I would like to thank each of the committee members for their hard work again this year. For those committee members who may be retiring I thank you for the long service you have provided. For those coming onto the committee I welcome you and look forward to your contributions. I am happy to once again put my name forward for re-election as President, or alternatively I am happy to stand aside should anyone else wish to have a go. Thankyou. Rod Withers President RANCBA Victoria Captain Bowater presenting a posthumous Life membership to Jack Duffy which was accepted by his son at this years AGM. All boats going alongside or approaching a ship are to be hailed after dark The Hail A loud call of Boat Ahoy originates from the days when all ships had to be particularly careful to ensure that the approaching boat did not contain hostile personnel, IF the boat was not going alongside the Hail was answered with the reply Passing however if going alongside the reply from the Coxn was Flag if a Flag Officer was being conveyed or Aye Aye for a CO, and the name of his ship, and if only saiilors were onboard then Rafferty s Rules applied

4 P a g e 4 LIFE MEMBERSHIP PRESENTATIONS: The President provided a brief overview of each of the Life Members being presented today, particularly the outstanding service provided by each to RANCBA Victoria. Presentations were made by the Patron, CAPT Bowater. Posthumous Presentations were made to the following deceased members: Mick Cairney (accepted by Cass Cairney) Jack Duffey (accepted by Jack s son) Garry Raymond Rickwood R95027 (ex LSROS) Donald James Searle R62696 (ex LSROS) Norman Graham Hutchings R93380 (ex LTO) MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ELECTIONS: The President vacated the chair and asked the Patron to conduct the election of the executive positions for the Management Committee. All positions were declared vacant. The Patron called for nominations and seconders for the following positions. The successful candidate is named against each executive position. Ships commanded by the Senior Officer of a Squadron traditionally paint a black band around her funnel as a special distinguishing mark. Flagships are identified by the distinguishing flag of an Admiral whose flag is illuminated at night unless the ship is darkened. It is mandatory to follow the movements of the Senior Ship in all matters pertaining to ceremonies and appearance including the ceremony of Colours and Sunset. Graham (Bear) Linton (not presented at the AGM) Ernie Sumner (accepted by Eleanor Sumner) Life Membership Presentation to one our existing members: and accepted by Peter Bonser FINANCIAL REPORT: The Association s financial statement was made available at the AGM for anyone to peruse. The current amount in the bank is $3, The Association also has $10,000 invested in a term deposit. VALE NOTICES: The list of those communicators who have crossed the bar in the previous 12 months was read out to the assembled members. Ray Elseback R66839 (ex LSRO) Raymond John Pennell R94289 (ex CPORS) Reginald G Withers R25989 (ex Coder, Senator & Lord Mayor of Perth) Dawn Annette Clemson (nee Warman) W84541 (ex WRAN RO(S)) Beth Joyce (ex WRRO) Earl Thomas 'Tom' Lane R53524 (ex LRO) Peter William Dobson R27470 (ex CPO TEL) Rodney James Clover R65208 (ex POSY) David John McCann R63997 (ex LRO(S)) LCDR David Barnes RAN Rtd Ronald Charles Tuckwell R30279 (ex CRS) Wayne Bernard Hill R65303 (ex ROS) Peter John Donald R51200 (ex LRO). LCDR Frank Densten RAN Rtd Graham Hedley Twist R96298 (ex TO) Robert Graham 'Nifty' Nevell R46527 (ex WOSY) LCDR Bev Murphy (ex CPOEWL) William Walter 'Bill' Joyce R34722 (ex CRS) Wilfred Robert Kennealy R36139 (ex CCY) Douglas Tyrone Manners R54566 (ex CPORSSM) Leslie Church R52375 (ex LTO) John Stephen Saywell OAM R31203 (ex TEL) Garry Raymond Rickwood R95027 (ex LSROS) Donald James Searle R62696 (ex LSROS) President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Rod Withers John White Ian Hogarth Barry Hilderbrand The President resumed the chair and thanked each of those for being successfully elected for another year. The President also thanked those who were vacating Committee positions for their time and effort over the previous year. This brought official proceedings to a close and lunch was then taken. Regional Reunion #3 (15-18 Aug14) & Vietnam Veterans Day Service This was held in Eastern Victoria at Lakes Entrance at Whiters Holiday Village in the now 3rd of our regional reunions, the 1st being held in Echuca last year followed by Anglesea. Friday evening saw members and their partners meet at the Rotunda where both old and new shipmates were found and forged. Rod Withers provided a description of the weekend s planned events and the $5 a head cocktail party proved a real hit, the raffle draw included some terrific prizes including accommodation and tours offered,

5 Page 5 Regional Reunion #3 (15-18 Aug14) & Vietnam Veterans Day Service Members also appreciated the giveaways that were provided to those attending which was but one of the many pleasant surprises provided during the weekend! A special note of thanks must go to Jan Withers, Rachel and others who assisted in organising the food for the evening including the excellent cocktails on offer as provisioned by Karen Nagle and others whose skills are now legendary in this field! The next highlight of the weekend was Saturday morning onboard MV Thunderbird which set sail down to Metung where in addition to having a wedding onboard, officiated by Rod Withers (organised to allow Knocka White to iron out a few bugs prior marrying Rachel back in Melbourne) which provided much mirth and merriment to all concerned, there was also a terrific lunch ashore at the Metung Hotel and another expedition ashore before returning to home port. Saturday evening saw members attending dinner in the town, with more than a few tall tales and true being told of previous runs ashore in ports various, characters that are legend within the branch, etc and all in the language of that familiar mess deck banter. The following morning a Brunch was organised again at the Rotunda with Reg Robbins provisioning the train smash with another sterling effort worthy of Master Chef status and the day then left relatively free for shipmates and friends Yet another cocktail party organised for Sunday evening which was again well attended and which went well into the night and enjoyed by all! As part of the weekends activities, the RANCBA (Vic) committee had contacted Lakes Entrance RSL and informed them we would like to participate in their plans to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day, this was scheduled to be held outside however due to inclement weather it was moved inside to the RSL itself. A moving service was held in which a commemorative wreath provided by us, followed by a terrific catered lunch and a special note of thanks to the person/s responsible for keeping a tab running at the bar throughout the afternoon for members. And once again, the reunion came to a close with the evening spent saying farewells, preparing to return back once again to the big smoke! and in a funny way. drafting off the good Ship, RANCBA Regional Reunion until of course next year. A decision as to where the 2015 Regional meeting will be discussed at the November AGM and members updated with further details as they are put in train. See Longcast on the RANCBAVic webpage. All-in-all it was a fantastic weekend with many friends catching up over a few drinks. Another Regional reunion is planned for next year so stay tuned (pun intended for the RO s of course) for details. Note :- for pictures of the Reunion, see the following link which provides but a part of the what was yet again a wonderful weekend for all concerned! Naval signals are hoisted close up "at the run" and kept flying until they are answered by the ship to whom the message is addressed. The latter is always "named" by two pennants known as her number. When one ship wants to "call up" another she makes her two numbered Pennants - from which, of course, comes the expression "to make one's number on somebody," meaning to call on them. As soon as the ship addressed sees her number go up she hoists her answering flag - a pendant at the dip, i.e. half-way upuntil the actual signal is understood, when this answer flag is hoisted close-up to the yard-arm in acknowledgment. The actual signal is obeyed at the instant it is hauled down.