Taroona Ex-Services Club Inc.

The Taroona Ex-Services Club welcomes all regular, reserve and ex-service men and women, also allied forces and merchant seamen who supported our forces. We also welcome those who deployed with UN or Peacekeeping forces.

Enjoy the comradeship of fellow ex-service men and women in the relaxed surroundings of our club rooms in the Taroona Community Hall. Special events include a winter luncheon, summer dinner and bus excursions.

To join the Club and experience the spirit of service comradeship, come along to our clubroooms at the Community Hall on meeting days:

From 2.30pm on the third Friday in the month, excluding December

or phone president Ron Martin on 6227 8988, Mobile: 0428 278 988

 The Taroona War Memorial with Anzac Day Wreaths

Ex-Services Newsletter May 2014

Anzac Day Report

ANZAC Day, on Friday 25^th of April, was commemorated by our Dawn Service, conducted by Chaplain David Lewis and Vice President Christopher Harris.  The march of over 100 persons, including all of Emma Riseleys' scouts and cubs, was led by Parade Marshal Martin Potter, with Stephen Willey as flag bearer, Tony Bester with music and lantern bearer Lance Burns at the rear.  On their arrival at the war memorial they joined with those that were already present to create an audience of well over 250.  The Service then commenced at 5.55 am.  Inside the hall Lil and Peter Lidster were preparing hot drinks, a large band of Apex and other volunteers were preparing to serve the hot breakfast of ham on the bone, scrambled eggs and sausages; whilst outside, Rob Winterbottom and the Taroona Apex contingent were able to partially escape the cold as they cooked over their BBQ.

The Service commenced with prayers by Chaplain Lewis, Life Member John McMahon, Life Member John Kerr and a representative of the Taroona Scouts.  The important ANZAC Requiem by Lieutenant Commander Gavin Dawe (see a short resume of Gavin's recent career at the end of this newsletter) was followed by a beautiful rendition of two verses of the Recessional Hymn by Rob Mallett - who was joined for the third verse by the audience.  Later, Rob again took the microphone to lead the singing of the National Anthem.  Bugler William Maher presented the Last Post and Rouse that were perfect and deeply moving. 

Wreaths and Floral Tributes were laid by:

• President of the Taroona Ex Services' Club Ron Martin accompanied by John Phipps,
• Senator the Honorable Eric Abetz,
• MP Andrew Wilkie,
• Mayor of Kingborough Graham Bury,
• Lt Cdr Gavin Dawe,
• Taroona Community Association Chairperson Jill Hickie,
• Ex President of the Taroona Ex Services' Club Denis Suckling,
• Ex Life Member Eric Canning's daughter Mrs. Jill O'Reilly,
• Ex Life Member Reg Edwards' daughter Mrs. Helen Bell,
• Taroona High School representatives: Ms. Mara Lees and Ms. Lily Dyer,
• Taroona Volunteer Fire Brigade representative: Ms. Emily Cripps

According to chef Paul Martin, over 180 meals were served and an unknown large number of sausages were served outside the Hall.  Then on stage and accompanied by Eric Abetz, Andrew Wilkie and Graham Bury, Ron introduced the audience to the new annually awarded Jackson Memorial Spirit of ANZAC Trophy.  This perpetual trophy and an accompanying personal trophy are awarded to a scout, cub or venturer of the Taroona Scout Group - and the inaugural winner was Joshua Stagg.  To everyone's delight, Stephen Willey was then brought on stage to receive the announcement that he was to become a life member of the Taroona Ex Services' Club.  Did you see Stephen's photo on the front page of the Kingborough Chronicle?

Notice of AGM

On Friday 16 May the AGM will be held.  Apart from electing the next committee, considering the annual financial statement and a minor motion regarding committee self auditing - the meeting should be quite short.  Immediately after the AGM, social drinks and nibbles will be available.  The normal monthly audit and committee meetings will precede the AGM at 1.15 pm and 1.30 pm respectively. Ron has asked that you seriously consider joining the committee - discuss with Ron the areas in which you could help - for you are sure to have special skills and knowledge that would be useful within the committee. 

A lunchtime BBQ at the hall was planned for Sunday 25 May, but because that date is so close to the AGM and the weather is not necessarily conducive to a BBQ, it has been decided to delay the BBQ to late September or early October.

Mid-Year Luncheon

The main winter activity for your Club is the mid year luncheon at the Taroona Bowls Club on Sunday 29 June.  Please mark this important date in your calendar, and start organizing a table for you and your guests. Bookings through Max Banks (62278615), Ron Martin (62278988) or David Thomson (62244394).

Membership Fees

As you are aware, Club membership fees for 2014 were due for Full and Associate Members on ANZAC Day.   The fees are currently $15 for one year, or $25 for two years, or $30 for three years (although these fees are to be reviewed by the incoming committee).  If you haven't paid yet, here are some different methods of payment:

cheque through the mail (to Bob Ellis at 40 Seaview Ave, Taroona 7053) or

deposit into the Club Account (My State Financial 807009 - 60118837 ensure your name accompanies the deposit slip). 

David Thomson, Secretary        (62244394)

Ex-Services Newsletter March 2014 

February Bus Trip

The bus trip through Oatlands, Ross, Campbell Town and other towns on Thursday 13 February was very popular and the 28 who enjoyed the excursion speak highly of the camaraderie, the informed tours through the towns, and particularly the drive through the Cole River Valley.  We appear to have sufficient funds for another trip later in the year, and a bus excursion to Bruny Island has been suggested (even though we did this trip 4 or 5 years ago), but if you have a bright idea of a bus/boat trip to a nice location please talk with bus organizer Steve Willey (62278217) or president Ron Martin (62278988).

Presentation by Bob Ellis

At the Club's General Informal Meeting on Friday 21 February our treasurer Bob Ellis presented a very interesting brief on the history, technical and political shenanigans around the Tasmanian Forestry industry leading up to the Tamar River Pulp Mill.  The 21 members and guests present are now much better able to make informed comment and voting decisions.  Prospective new members Geoff O'Meara (via Tony Cope) and Colin Martindill (via Steve Willey) had the opportunity to meet and be welcomed into the Club.

Vale Fred Lakin

Life Member Fred Lakin quietly passed away on 18 February after a relatively short high intensity nursing home stay.  His passing will be an extremely big loss to Shirley and daughters Alison, Heather and Fiona - and we will miss this gentleman and Club member of 54 years.  Over 16 of our members at his funeral service - which was attended by at least 200 persons - heard the unfolding of the life history of this unpretentious great man.  I was amazed at the breadth and depth of his life's activities.  With the Public Works Department for over 40 years, a JP, an OA for his contributions to an enormous range of community organizations, Legacy for 59 years, Masons for 70 years, Hobart Bush Walking Club for 60 plus years (he discovered a sandstone cave on Mt Wellington which has the official name of ‘Lakin Lair') and extensive hobbies from travel in the UK, Russia, South America and India to major stamp collections and model railways.

AGM approaching

With the AGM fast approaching, Ron has asked that you seriously consider joining the committee - more members on the committee means that the workload can be spread a little.  The work is not overly time consuming and help would be very much appreciated.  Discuss with Ron the areas you could help out in - for you are sure to have special skills and knowledge that would be useful within the committee.  A nomination from has to be completed prior to the AGM, and these are available from the secretary.

Club Room tidy-up

In order to update the appearance of the Club room, the committee has decided to clear it of some of the old, ugly or superseded items.  Included is: the large Analog TV set, PA systems, refrigerator (so as to replace the unsightly refrigerator with a smaller one, or if anyone knows of a possible refrigerator donation, please let Ron know) and sundry other items.

Next meeting

The next monthly meeting of your Club is on Friday 21 March when Life Member John Kerr will present a brief entitled "The Lost ANZACs'.  John's family background and historical knowledge suggests this will be extremely interesting and not a presentation to miss.

Support for Browns River History Group

Your Club is supporting the Browns River History Group in their preparation for the 2015 ANZAC Day Centenary activities in the Huon and Kingborough area.  If you have photos and memorabilia relating to the WW1 period please let us know.

Assistance requested

Note from Mrs. P.M. Sharman (62278703) requesting assistance from our members regarding:

Mr. Peter Henning published in 2013 the book "Veils and Tin Hats" which is on the subject of Tasmanian nurses in WW2 - and is available in book stores in the city.  He is currently working on another book "Doomed Battalion" and is seeking our help to urgently obtain, for inclusion, any information and/or photos of the servicemen of the 2/40^th battalion.  If you can help out, please contact Mrs. Sharman.

David Thomson, Secretary        (62244394)

To read past newsletters see our archives here...