THE TJI CLUB

The Tji Club was formed in 1961 by Australian passengers, mainly Defence Force personnel, who, over the years, had travelled aboard TJIWANGI and TJILUWAH. With the demise of the TJIWANGI and TJILUWAH from the Australia run in 1973 the tradition carried on with the NIEUW HOLLAND.

Dinners on board the ships were held regularly or in turn at the H.Q. Eastern Command Sergeant’s Mess in the Victoria Barracks in Sydney.

Over the years captains and officers have been presented with gifts as a token of the Tji Club’s appreciation. Captain Kuiken and Captain List were given traditional diggers hats, Captain Helleman a silver tray and Purser Broese van Groenou an Eastern Command plaque.

In return the Tji friends scored the emergency steering wheel of the TJIWANGI as a trophy on their last visit to the ship in Sydney. The wheel was then proudly displayed above the bar in the Sergeant’s Mess where it still hangs today.

The driving force behind the Tji Club, Warrant Officer Bert White is, as is his beloved Tji Club, no longer with us.

This little story and pictures must bring back some happy memories to some of you “old timers”.

John Papenhuyzen

May 2009

Sydney