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To publish your own message on this website, see Publishing Messages. There is also an index of names for current messages.
Date: 23 October 2008
Name: Rex Nunn
Email Address:
Sorry I cannot make the 'party'. I am having an operation but I hope you all have a good time. Thank you for all your help with information - regards, Rex Nunn.
Date: 17 October 2008
Name: John Benson
Email Address:
I served at NAS Nowra or on HMAS Melbourne between 1971 and 1977. I now live in the Hunter Valley (NSW), married for the last 33 years, have 3 boys and 2 grandaughters as well as a commercial pilot. Would love to contact any former shipmates that served with me or knew me - regards, John Benson, R109952, ABAVN.
Date: 13 October 2008
Name: Bruce (Woody) Wodetzki
Email Address:
My name is 'Woody' Wodetzki, ex-REM(A). I'm trying to resurrect my FAA memorabilia (including photos) that were destroyed in fires some years ago. Does anyone have, or can tell where I can obtain, the Aircrew List of 816 at HMS Seahawk from 1955 to 1957? It would help me to put names to faces. By the way, if anyone from that era is interested, have a 'butchers' here:
http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/woodieau/. Cheers, Woodie R49331.
Date: 9 October 2008
Name: John Miller
Email Address:
I will not be attending the 2008 60th anniversary/reunion October 22 to 26th. At the time I should have been making our flight reservations, I was waiting for approval to have a knee operation, and could not have withstood the 18 hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney.
I can see the headlines: Passenger goes missing from trans-Pacific jet. He went out to straighten his legs and was blown off the wing!
So to all, I trust that the reunion will be a great sucess and that many old friendships are renewed and new ones made.
I was onboard the real HMAS Melbourne with VS816 in 1977, AED in 1970, 817 Wessex in 1965/1966. I started aircraft work with 724 in the 60s - Daks, Venoms and Gannets then went to 817. Later served with VC851 HS748 flight, then Trackers 'till joining VS816 for the 1977 UK deployment. And good old ASU for most of the time in between deployments.
I retired mid-1983 and left Australia for a short time in Northern Ireland and in 1988 was hired by McDonnell-Douglas for the C17 program and I still live in Southern California. I was back in Nowra for the 50th anniversary, and again in 2004 and 2007 - John Miller, Lakewood, California, USA.
Date: 20 September 2008
Name: Michael Sandberg
Email Address:
Various 7-10 minute videos of fixed wing S2 and A4 ops on HMAS Melbourne in the 1970s can be seen at www.youtube.com/user/bengello?gl=NZ&hl=en-GB. Cheers, Michael Sandberg.
Date: 20 September 2008
Name: Ian Granland
Email Address:
My name is Ian Granland. I am ex-army (Nasho) and a friend of mine is chasing up a Michael John Power. He was in the NSW police cadets with us in the 1960s and my friend is keen to make contact with him. Mick served on the Vendetta and Hobart during the late sixties (I only know that because I looked up the DVA website). An ex-police cadet association has been formed and we now meet annually. We would be keen to invite Mick along if we can contact him - Ian Granland, 0412 798 521.
Date: 8 September 2008
Name: Theo Kuiters
Email Address:
It is my sad duty to convey the news of the passing of Edward (Ted) Corby, who joined in 1959. Ted survived the Melbourne/Voyager disaster only to be sent into Vietnam as a photographer for the government of the day to observe and photograph the proceedings before we joined in the war. Ted had a chequered naval career being a just man - always just in and out of trouble. Ted was always fun to be with and there was never a dull moment. He was always quick to lend a hand and never judgemental.
Since leaving the Navy, Ted had a more than 30-year career driving the Boorowa school bus. He is survived by his two sons and two daughters as well as six grandchildren. He will be sorely missed by his new community at Dora Creek (NSW). The funeral service will be at Lake Macquarie Memorial Park Ryhope (near Toronto, Newcastle) at 1pm on Tuesday, September 9 - Theo Kuiters R94676
Date: 2 September 2008
Name: Jim Petitt
Email Address:
I have in my possession an ash tray which I have had for a number of years. I can only describe it as brass mounted on a wooden base, and inscribed with HMAS Sydney. If anyone is interested, I would be very pleased to hear from them. I am ex-RN - Jim Petitt.
Date: 31 August 2008
Name: Laurie Neale
Email Address:
I am seeking old shipmates of the 21st Carrier Air Group 1950/52. Any shipmates on Skype who wish to swing the lamp or send an email, please contact me - Laurie Neale.
Date: 19 August 2008
Name: Keith Taylor
Email Address:
I received very sad news today via Bill Sonsee and Nick Roberts of the passing of former LEM(AW) Jim King from a heart attack. This comes as a great shock to all his friends as he always appeared very fit and active. Jim was well known here in WA as a former senior police officer, attaining the rank of inspector and being awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for services to policing, crime prevention, child safety and security. Often interviewed on TV, Jim always found a way to mention his Naval service. Funeral details to follow. Yours in sympathy, Keith Taylor, Hon Secretary, WA Div FAAAA.
Date: 18 August 2008
Name: Mark (Tyres) Dunlop
Email Address:
Hi from KI, hope you all recovering from the Anzac Day re-unions/celebrations. Adelaide's roll-up was healthy to say the least. Caught up with the old and new crew, Ian Lockett, Dave Smillie and a few ring-in ex-birdies at the after party at the Union Hotel in Adelaide. Picture is of me relaxing at Eastern Cove, Kangaroo Island, just a few snapper/King George and the elusive pale ale or two... Looking forward to October at the 'Tross and hope to catch up with some troops at the get-together ... Murry Sundberg and Patrick Kildea pass their best to all. Gotta go fishing! "Up the Birdies" - Tyres Dunlop.
Date: 12 August 2008
Name: Garry Arthur Sticker
Email Address:
My name is Garry Arthur Sticker and I am looking for an old Navy friend - we were in the safety equipment branch together. His name is Doug Francis Watson and he was from Penhurst, Victoria. We went to HMAS Albatross in 1970. Doug's birth year would be around 1952. If anyone could tell me how to find him, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you - Garry Sticker.
Date: 28 July 2008
Name: Phil Thompson
Email Address:
There are now several variations of the major PDF file on RAN aircraft, covering topics such as HMAS Melbourne (the carrier), aircrew training from the mid-1960s onwards, RAN FAA helicopters, anti-submarine warfare, Trackers, jets, etc. All these files (under 1GB) can
be found at www.filefront.com/user/SpazSinbad.
My main 4GB PDF file is about the A4G Skyhawks (and other RAN aircraft, including
helicopters) and this can be found at http://www.history.tjdwyer.com/. More information about this file is on this website.
Please pass on this message to anyone interested. Thanks - Phil Thompson.
Date: 27 July 2008
Name: Dennis Charlton
Email Address:
I am looking to contact Robert Hill, Mulga Tuck, Tommo Bill Baxter and others who arrived as recruits in Cerberus in August 1949. Regards - Dennis Charlton.
Date: 19 July 2008
Name: John Godwin
Email Address:
I am seeking information or recollections of harbour patrol craft activities in Vietnam at Vung Tau harbour on 21 April and 30 April 1967. During service operations on Australian warship (carrier) HMAS Sydney, a small non-military craft (Sampan type?) was recalled as having exploded after being on fire, also a small military type patrol craft (nationality unknown) was recalled as being active in the same vicinity.
Australian and American military records of that time indicate no such type of incident with any such craft occurred, as no information was recorded or considered important enough to record during and around the time of Operation Market Time. Declassified intelligence from that date record "... heightened alerts in place against Viet Cong underwater swimmers ... some ships were content to rely on local US Navy patrols for their defence ... and use of stun grenade activity ..."
Recollections, comments or records of those times and events will help establish credibility of recall and research for a Vietnam veteran. Please contact Sampan Incident at jgodwinall@nor.com.au - John Godwin.
Date: 8 July 2008
Name: Ann Denis
Email Address:
I would like to know if anybody out there could help me find a Kevin Jordan, serving on HMAS Melbourne in 1955-56. He was on the ship while doing trials just outside Plymouth, Great Britain, 1955. Living in hope - Ann Denis.
Date: 5 July 2008
Name: Trevor Percival
Email Address:
I am doing my life story for my children and grand children. This photo was taken either in 1960 or 1961 when I was a communicator on HMAS Melbourne up top. I wonder if any of your members at that time know the story behind the caveman mascot? I would appreciate very much if anyone can assist. Best wishes - Trevor Percival
Date: 5 July 2008
Name: Julie Coker-Godson
Email Address:
I have received a message from Ron and Rose Higgins to "find out about anyone who was on HMAS Sydney when Ron was at Monte Bello. I know many moons have passed but Ron will be 84 in August and I just think it would be good for him to be able to contact anyone, even anyone who was at Nowra or 816 Squadron. If anyone could help out, that would be great - see Ron's message below. Many thanks - Julie Coker-Godson
Date: 5 July 2008
Name: Ron Higgins
Email Address:
I am ex-CAA Ron Higgins. I joined the FAA in 1947. From ERA went to Arbroath with first 20 in the class of C4 conversion course. Served at Culross, Cornwall, Yeovil, Anthorne, Abbotsinch, Leon Solent. Then back to Australia December 1949. Joined HMAS Albatross 1950 ARS.
Went to 816 Squadron 1952, Monte Bello on HMAS Sydney. July 1953 transferred to Point Cook in charge of Wirraway maintenance. April 1954 sailed for UK and stood by HMAS Melbourne. Left the service the day Melbourne sailed for Australia. Lived in Scotland for 8 years before returning to Australia in 1964. Now live in Nambour, Queensland.
Would like to hear from anyone in that era. It's been a long time ........ Regards - Ron Higgins.
Date: 5 July 2008
Name: Ian Wakeling
Email Address:
I am trying to locate former enlisted and civilian personnel from NSC Zetland, Sydney. There are health checks and a study currently taking place about the possibility of exposure to asbestos. As I am a former civilian driver based at Zetland, I have been placed on the register for possible exposure to hazardous materials or substances. If anyone wishes to contact me it would be appreciated - fax/telephone (07) 4124 1961, or email me. Ian Wakeling, 132 Torquary Road, Hervey Bay QLD 4655.
Date: 22 June 2008
Name: Ray (Dutchy) Brauer
Email Address:
A timely reminder for all ex-Skyhawk personnel - 54 years ago this Sunday, the 22nd of June, the second prototype Skyhawk designated XA4D-1 took to the air on its maiden flight, and 50 years on examples are still in operation, including some carrier-borne.
Delivery of the first of 2,960 examples began in October '56 and production continued until '79 and included 555 two-seat trainers. Its designer Ed Heinemann is credited with having a large 'K.I.S.S' sign in the drawing room and the A4 is a shining example of that philosophy, notably in that it weighed just half of the specified requirement and it did not require folding wings. The A4 also pioneered the 'Buddy' in-flight re-fuelling system
See also: Later messages and earlier messages (to publish your own message on this website, see details at top of this page).