NEWSLETTER  December 2009     No 9    

From the President....

 

My first duty is to wish all our members and their families a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year

 

Please check the letter from Vice President Dean Gedling about the planning for the Re-union planned at Albatross and Bomaderry in October next year.

 

One of the important parts that make a successful event is communication. A large number of you have joined the e-mail brigade and it is a wonderfull medium for quick and cheap communication. However a lot of members are changing e-mail addresses as better deals are offered so we are getting a lot of bounces.

If you are receiving this by snail mail and you wish to receive mail from the Association by e-mail would you kindly send your addresses to Secretary Mitch Miller at mitchklmiller@optusnet.co    It is important that we keep our lists correct. The same with your mail addresses.

 

I received word that Commander Alison Norris is soon to pass Command of MELBOURNE 3 to her successor. We wish her well for the future and thank her for her friendship with the Association.

 

Most people seem to be happy with our web site and it is getting a fair number of hits. This is a good medium for general information to our members.

 

The end of the year is approaching so also does our financial year and of course membership renewals. Our subscription are remaining the same this year and I cannot see reason to change for a while yet. The Association doesn’t need a huge bank balance to operate as any function is self funded. It will help though if you would send your subscription to the Secretary as early as possible.

 

A lot of our members are doing things for the community. Why not give us a short letter, say a half page, of your activities. Some of you have been rewarded for your effort. Why not give that a mention as well. I have included a note of the history and activities of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and the future of Marine Rescue in N.S.W. in this edition.

 

Now that brings me to a Position Vacant. I get from time to time the newsletters of other Associations. Most are better that we have been putting out and we would like to change that so the Committee are looking for an EDITOR. Anyone wants to take one step forward, MARCH?

 

Bob Burchill

 

 

 

A Short History of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol

 

The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol was established  in 1937 as the Volunteer Coastal Patrol with a view to be a civil rescue unit but particularly be available to the Authorities for sterner duties. To this end the Navy provided instructors in seamanship, signaling etc.

 

The members provided their own vessels for the purpose. After Hitler pulled the lanyard those who had large vessels were absorbed into the Naval Auxiliary Patrol and were armed with light guns and depth charges. It was one of our members who dropped a charge on the midget sub that got into Sydney Harbour. They were known (not with affection) as the Hollywood Navy.

 

Others stayed in the VCP and were assigned duties such as guarding the Hawkesbury Road and Rail Bridges and patrols up river from the Harbour Bridge and reported to the N.S.W. Police.

An early and little known work performed during those years was charting bits of the coast that were inadequate.

 

This was an important part which enabled the training of Z Force leading to Krait attacking Singapore, as well as landing exercises for the Army.

After the war the Maritime and the Police encouraged them to re-form as a civil maritime rescue organisation as boating became more widespread and regularly needed assistance.

 

The Patrol also expanded into a Marine Radio network and public teaching role. Particularly teaching Safe Boating leading to the recreational Boat Licence together with Navigation, Radio Certificate, and of course Seamanship. The Patrol was given the title of Royal by the Queen in 1978.

 

Over the years the Patrol expanded into divisions covering the whole N.S.W. coast. Recently the Patrol acquired 6 Waveney Class and 2 Arun Class lifeboats from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute in the UK. This has supplemented our fleet enabling rescues in much more severe conditions.

 

Waveney Class Lifeboat

 

Starting in 1962 with the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and the VRA Marine units and others the volunteer marine rescue scene in N.S.W. has become fragmented.

The N.S.W Government the Police and Maritime, volunteer organizations, and the State Rescue Board have worked towards amalgamating all marine units into the Marine Rescue N.S.W.  This process is now almost ready to begin. The teaching role will continue or even expand. The teaching role plays an important part of Safety at Sea. If they don’t get into trouble they don’t need rescuing. 

The N.S.W. Government is putting some money towards the operating budget but we will still have to run chook raffles and sausage sizzles. I am often told I am mad when I say that it is best if we raise a large part of our budget as if the government gives us the lot we can easily become lazy and not use our funds wisely.

Bob Burchill

 

 

 

SECRETARY’S REPORT

 

Our Sec has done 2 trips to Tasmania this year, one to a Memorial Dinner at Orford & a second trip to check on an injured relative. From there he and George flew to Flinders Is for a 3 and a half day trip around the island before flying back to Tassie then on to Melbourne before taking a railway trip to Ballarat, this was followed by a sightseeing tour of the place which was very interesting and then back to Melbourne where he caught a plane back to Sydney.

Then a trip was about to start for the Battle Class Destroyers Reunion when the Sec's neighbour Tony slipped off the last step and fell heavily onto the cement and injured himself, he tried very hard to get to the Subaru but after many tries the Ambulance was called and took him to the Campbelltown Hospital where it was found he had broken his hip bone! Trip cancelled

Then along comes the Northern Naval Association reunion at Ballina, the Sec contacted George, Vic, and Rus from SA to join him and Tony, to drive to Ballina, this was cut back to 2 as George had Therapy to be carried out on him and Tony was still to suffering from the fall.

So Rus and the Sec set out for Ballina at 2359 only to find as they approached the M7, the Sec had left his E tag on his motor cycle! Rather than going back to pick it up they decided to use the old Ring road 7route, along the Cumberland Highway, and for some reason the Navman wasn't working but they continued anyway.

After missing the turn off from James Ruse Dr. to Pennant Hill Road, they realised they were heading back towards Parramatta! so being clever they did a U turn and followed the signs to get back onto Pennant Hill Road, and this brought them onto the M3 and things were looking good until they reached the roundabouts where one goes up the New England Highway  and the other up the Pacific Highway, being quite a bit of traffic, mainly trucks, confusion set in again until the Sec mentioned that one of our members lived in Beresfield, which we were in and shouldn't have been, so once again street signs were followed and some how they were back onto the Pacific Hwy, continued on stopping regularly for rest breaks and then breakfast at Coffs Harbour.

After some books were delivered, friends visited, it was time to head for Ballina which was reached at approx 1400. Their usual accommodation was not available as the workmen from the new bypass were using up most of the rooms so a motel about 2 klms from the RSL was prearranged for them, this was not too bad as the Sec was still drinking lots of water instead of beer, result of his recent operation

A Harry De Wheels get together night took place on the Friday night at the Ballina RSL, great to see old faces once again, but not many had Large name tags on, particularly the ladies, it makes life so much easier, the Sec and Rus had theirs on and everyone seem to know them!

Saturday involved a tour of the Maritime Museum which is splendid, they have carried out a wonderful up grade since the last visit and to make things even finer, it wasn't raining for once, this was followed by the evening meal with the ladies in their finery, they looked splendid but very few name tags and the food was great as always

Sunday was the Service, no march this year, something to do with the Council or something like that, and as our travellers were not prepared for the Service, clothing wise, they departed and drove back to Coffs where they spent the night then left heading for Bradbury. They again had difficulty with road signs etc and ended up going through Parramatta, along Woodville Rd, back onto the Hume Hwy and home.

It was decided next trip to cut down on the talking and concentrate on the navigation.

Due to his operation, the Sec was unable to attend the Vengeance Reunion at the Redfern RSL this year but will try harder next year

 

Merry Christmas to all our members, families and friends          Mitch Miller

 

 

 

 

H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE REUNION 2010

 

December 2009 Update

 

The Reunion planning continues. The evening of Saturday 16/10/10 will be our main event in the way of a seated Dinner with Guest Speaker. Other optional activities are being organised for that weekend, which precedes Navy Week in the Shoalhaven Region.

 

Provisional Program

 

Friday Evening 15/10/10

            1600: Registration, Meet & Greet. Venue to be decided

 

Saturday 16/10/10

0930: Registration, Escorted Bus Tours of H.M.A.S. Albatross and also visit the

            F.A.A. Museum.

           

1700: Registration and Reunion Dinner at the Bomaderry R.S.L. Club

 

            Sunday 17/10/10

1000: The F.A.A. Museum is organising a Public Day to co-inside with the reunion. It is

            envisaged to present a static display of aircraft including the Historical Flight as

            well as a collection of Vintage, Veteran and Classic Cars.

 

1200: BBQ Lunch at the White Ensign Club, next to the Museum, only accessible for

            Reunion participants.

 

This provisional program is only an indication of the Associations intentions and subject to change. We are seeking the assistance of those residing in the Shoalhaven region that would be prepared to organise, on our behalf, Golf and Bowls days on either the Friday or Monday.

 

Early in 2010, with a confirmed program, we will be asking for “intentions of attending” the various activities. Once we have these numbers, a costing can be prepared before, asking you for a definite commitment.

 

Regards,

Dean Gedling   Vice President

         P: (02)46261041   H.M.A.S. Melbourne Association

        M: 0411015551                                                                              P.O. Box 4011

        E: sicambre@optusnet.com.au                                           Bradbury. N.S.W. 256

 

 

 

 

 

The origin of "Taps"           

 

We have all heard the haunting song, 'Taps.' It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.   But, do you know the story behind the song?  If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings. 

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the American Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia.  The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.  Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. 

 

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. 

 

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock.  In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.  Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. 

 

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. 

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. 

 

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.

 

The Captain chose a bugler.  He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. 

 

This wish was granted. 

 

The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps' used at military funerals was born. 

 

The words are: 

Day is done. 
Gone the sun. 
From the lakes  
From the hills.   
From the sky. 
All is well.   
Safely rest.   
God is nigh. 

Fading light. 
Dims the sight.
 
And a star. 

Gems the sky.
 
Gleaming bright.   

From afar.   
Drawing nigh.   
Falls the night. 

Thanks and praise.   
For our days.   
Neath the sun   
Neath the stars.   
Neath the sky
As we go. 
This we know.   
God is nigh

 

I too have felt the chills while listening to 'Taps' but I have never seen all the words to the song until now.  I didn't even know there was more than one verse.  I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. 

 

Mitch Miller