programe

1st national rancba reunion brisbane 24-2 april, 1996

The idea had originated at the October 1994 get together, held at the ‘Bookies Club”, where about 114 former Communicators attended, when someone remarked, “this is great, what a pity we couldn’t get the whole country together and have a National Reunion”. That remark got people thinking and President Tony ‘Tackers’ Miles was immediately placed under pressure, to do something about organizing a National. Canberra was suggested as it was considered pretty Central for interstate people to attend, particularly from the south-east corner. John Scarlett was contacted by Tackers and he rejected the idea immediately. A quick meeting of keen Communicators at the Bookies Club in January 1995, resulted in a National Committee being formed and the hard work got underway.

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President: Tony ‘Tackers’ Miles

Secretary: Bill Gadd

Treasurer: Kev ‘Ruwie’ Ruwoldt

Computer: John ‘Trog’ Keenan

Committee: Jim Carey, Gayle Brady, Janey Keenan, Kerrie Bingham, Anne Ruwoldt.

Back L to R:- Kev Ruwoldt, Jim Carey, Bill Gadd, ‘Trog’ Keenan, ‘Tackers’ Miles

Front L to R:- Gayle Brady, Janey Keenan, Kerrie Bingham, Anne Ruwoldt

DAY 1 -Wednesday 24th,

The reunion commenced with Registrations, held from 1400 at McCarthurs Bar, Lennons Hotel until late. A lord Mayoral Reception was held in the Brisbane Room, 1st Floor, City Hall for 250 former Communicators, from 1730.

DAY 2 – Thursday 25th,

Anzac Day commenced with a Dawn Service at the Anne Street Shrine of Rememberance, City. Naval Service held at the Corvette Memmorial at Newstead Park at 0830. Some 400 plus Communicators participated in the Anzac Day March commencing at 1030 led by our Patron, Admiral Tony Horton. Pre luncheon drinks at McCarthurs Bar, followed by the Anzac Day Luncheon held in the Function Room upstairs at 1300. On completion, members were asked to adjourn to the Bookmakers Club in Wharf Street, City, from 1630 till late for a social gathering.

DAY 3 – Friday 26th,

The Maritime Museum was a perfect venue for a BBQ, Drinks gathering, where tours of the old HMAS Diamantina including use of the Wireless Office, were available for those ex sailors wanting to remember the past. The steam tug “SS Forceful”, did two short voyages to view the river heritage of Brisbane. The TS Moreton Cadets volunteers manned the BBQ. Dinner/Show at the “Wooolshed” in Ferny Grove at 1900, turned into a great night’s entertainment for those that attended.

DAY 4 – Saturday 26th,

Three events to accommodate our inter-state visitors, a bus trip to Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast for the gamblers, races at the Eagle Farm Racecourse for the die hard punters and golf at the Virginia Golf Course for the golfers. A Dinner/Dance was held at the Lennons Hotel that night from 1930 hours with the RAN Fleet Reserve Band supplying the music. President Tony, thanked everyone for their attendance and hoped that they had all enjoyed this momentuous occasion. The Baton was passed to Ron Tuckwell for the Perth Communicators to organsie the next National to be held in1999.

Washup

Reports received in the following weeks, from members that had attended the First National, indicated that the hard working Brisbane Committer had started a “Winner”.