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The Naval Association

of Australia

Member of the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations

STANTHORPE SUB SECTION AIDS FORMATION OF NEW ANC UNIT - TS KOOKABURRA - HOSTS DINNER IN THE EVENING AND

WELCOMES THE NATIONAL COMMANDER OF THE ANC - CAPTAIN JOHN GILL, ANC

Many guests travelled from near and far to be in Stanthorpe over the weekend of 7 - 8 July, 2012.

Captain John GILL, ANC the National Commander of the Australian Naval Cadets came from Canberra to meet for the first time the embryonic group of youths who will form TS KOOKABURRA

"which will hopefully officially form by 1st October, 2012," he said.

Parents and visitors with the support of the CO TS TOOWOOMBA mustered at the Stanthorpe Army Depot early on a sunny but cold Stanthorpe Saturday morning to hear plans for the start - up. Everybody was excited

and the youths who were present voiced the view that they were anxious to receive their uniforms which they have been measured for, and get on with it.

There was a sparkle in the eyes of Norm Gale and his wife Helen who initiated the Stanthorpe Sub Section and championed the idea of the starting a Naval Cadet Unit in Stanthorpe. The new Parents committee has

taken up the cudgels and the work needed to get the Unit going. CO designate, Jason and his wife Shirley are also keen as mustard to get on with it.

In the evening, the CO Naval HQs South Queensland, CMDR Lachlan King, ADC, RAN, The Mayor of Southern Down Regional Council together with local MP -

Mr Lawrence Springborg, MP - Minister for Health and a host of other dignitaries and guests gathered at the Felsberg Winery for a great night to celebrate the 101st Anniversary of the RAN and hear

Captain John Gill, ANC speak about planning for the new Cadet Unit.

Jose Da Silva and his wife represented the QLD Section President and Les Dwyer gave a thought provoking response to the Toast to the Royal Australian Navy.

Under are a few of the photographs taken on the day and in the evening. A spectacular back-burning operation close to the Felsberg Winery where the dinner was held posed no threat - Owner and Member of Stanthorpe

Sub Section Peter and Karen Orr put on a remarkable evening with great food and their own wines were magnificent.

Thank you to all who put in such a great effort - and Yvonne Batterham (whose grandson is in the Navy, while she is a Club Member of Stanthorpe Sub Section ) for her raffle ticket selling ability and bon homme.

© The Naval Association of Australia