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LATEST CIRCULARS

FINAL RANEL ASSOCIATION CIRCULAR

September, 2011

Since 1998 the Association has achieved much and seen many members come, retire, resign and pass away. It began after the 1996 Re-union at Rushcutter after meetings with Alan Thompson, Ces Williams the then head of the NSW Chapter of the Naval Association and Egon and myself.

We have had many happy times and achieved much, including writing of the Ranel book.

Our Presidents have been:

Alan Thompson, Ron Wyber, Greg Searle and, for some years now, John Holm.

I, as Honorary Secretary for most of the time, am sad to see the Association wind down, but all good things must come to an end.

I would personally like to thank our Patrons (Commodre ‘Red’ Merson and Dr Paul Scully-Power) and all who have served on our committees over the years. Also our Affiliates, the Naval Historical Society and the NSW Chapter of the Naval Association.

I must also include Commodre Bryan Cleary, who has been Naval Vice-President throughout and drew up our Constitution.

Last, but not least our webmasters have been helpful in keeping our Naval Association website up to date, the latest being Les Dwyer.

I would like to thank everyone involved including all the Naval personnel involved. I have always insisted on trying to balance the scientific side of things with all those Naval ones who worked so well with RANEL, both at sea, at RANEL/RANRL and at various bases.I wish you and yours every good thing now and for the rest of your lives and thank you for your co-operation.

The final get-together of anyone, both Civilian and Naval who had any connection with RANEL/RANRL will be held 29th October at DSTO, Eveleigh Technology Park.

Please contact Julie on: 02 4751 2521 or e-mail at:

jmt@pnc.com.au

God bless,

Julie and Egon Tõnurist

Circular No. 17 (Click to view in pdf format)

NEWS CIRCULAR 18

(Secretary’s Message)

(October, 2007)

First of all, I’d like to thank all those who actually acknowledged with some appreciation the previous circular. It’s not an easy task, and a little encouragement goes a long way!! I also appreciate the news sent to me since then, most of which will go into next year’s (hopefully early) newsletter, simply because much RANEL Association and other business means that this one will be necessarily brief – mostly for pre-AGM purposes. The AGM will still be held at Pyrmont, 24^th November – please mark those Calendars!! This date was chosen long before that for the Federal Elections. Please don’t let this to dissuade you from attending. It is very easy to make pre-poll or postal votes – or even to wake up early enough to vote in your own electorate! As usual, gather from Mid-day onwards for a 1300 sharp start. Food and drinks will be available.

Most of you have been helpful to this Acting Treasurer by sending this financial year’s fees promptly, as requested. Thank-you. However, there are still several who haven’t yet paid and I really need those cheques ASAP for the AGM report. Also, a few of you seem to think that there is no point belonging if you can’t often, or even at all, attend activities. However, we still have much to do and your membership and donations help us to accomplish that.

The Committee had an ordinary meeting in August at DSTO after an important discussion between us, Matthew Verdich from DSTO and Cmdr Shane Moore and Mr Ian Steele from the Naval Heritage Centre. It was good to also have our foundation President, Aiden (Allan) Thompson there to assist. This get-together was prompted by the fact that DSTO still holds memorabilia going back to early RANEL days and the then imminent move to the Redfern Technology Park, which has since been delayed until next year. During the Committee Meeting, there was a unanimous vote to give $1,000 to the Rushcutter Memorial fund. Thanks to members who have given individually. There is still a considerable amount required to complete this project. Please contact me or Cdre Bryan Cleary to donate.

Attached is the list of items discussed then and later. DSTO has chosen to retain a significant number of these items for display in the new premises, according to them, as a tribute to their RANEL/RANRL heritage. The Naval Heritage Centre at Garden Island and their repository at Spectacle Island are full to overflowing with memorabilia from all facets of Navy covering more than a century. Therefore, while they understood our sentiments, the Curator could offer to claim less than we had hoped, but we are extremely grateful for what he has designated for posterity. Other good to come out of it all was an admitted better understanding by DSTO of the significance of the latter items as well as the fact that the Navy will muster and watch over these at DSTO until, at some time in the perhaps distant future, they will go to Spectacle Island permanently.

That has left a number of items sentimental to many RANELlians, but not wanted by Navy or DSTO. The Committee has decided to offer these to former staff, whether members of the Association or not, for a small donation. Those not having found homes by the AGM, will be there for the bidding – another reason to turn up on 24^th November!! The Golf Trophy has already gone to Bill Hunter, the O’Brien Eyrie to Shamus O’Brien and a picture of the Queen to Julie Tõnurist. The list of all items, both available and claimed, is attached for you to peruse. Please keep in mind that the ‘value’ estimate in column C was made solely by DSTO. I also need assistance annotating the DSTO and Navy claimed memorabilia and thank those who have helped me thus far.

I referred to the fact that the move to Redfern has been yet again delayed, the following written by our President, John Holm:

The DSTO move to ATP Redfern.

Due to delays in the final construction process of the DSTO facility in the Australian Technology Park (ATP) at Redfern, the date of the move to ATP has been deferred to the New Year. It is planned that staff will move into the new facility in early February 2008.

Regards,

John Holm

There will be a minor change to the objects and rules at the AGM, concerning the number of committee members. Proxy forms are attached if you wish to vote on this or anything else which might come up at the meeting via an attendee member of your choice.

The proposed change is as follows, worded by Cdre Bryan Cleary:

SPECIAL RESOLUTION

To consider and if thought fit to specially resolve that the Rules of the Association be altered in the following manner: -

RULE 11 (1) (b) – amend to read “up to two ordinary members”.

The reason for this is that, with the book out of the way as well as interaction being made easier with more members on e-mail, it is desirable, but not essential to have two on the committee who don’t bear office.

While referring to the Committee make-up, now is the time to suggest yourself or others as committee members, if you so desire. The fact that all those presently ‘on board’ are again willing to stand, does not preclude this. However, you must let us know ASAP so that the attached nomination forms can be properly completed. Although your membership is the most important, there has been a tendency to leave all the work to a dedicated few.

I am personally making another appeal for a Treasurer. As Acting Treasurer and Secretary, I am stretched to the limit for time, especially since the RANEL Association, while dear to my heart forever, is far from my only ‘iron in the fire’. Also, my health is deteriorating and getting through each day is not especially easy.

As mentioned above, there will not be an extensive NEWS and NOTES in this Circular, for lack of time. However, I should mention that Bill Hunter had a successful, but ‘dicey’ hip replacement, still fighting the Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Both Brian Wild and Jack Lonergan recently had major surgery. Jack has been helpful re the memorabilia. On a good note, Fay Russell’s foot ulcer is much improved after nearly 2 years of difficulty. The Stewarts and Lovegroves are ‘soldiering on’. Our condolences go to Margaret Barnes, who lost her Mother mid-year. Peter Clynick and Christine Chittock send greetings. The rest of you have not been casually omitted, but I want to do you justice next time after the news items you have sent me since the last Circular. More news from others is always welcome.

You should all have copies of the Constitution and last year’s minutes from the previous News Circular 17. If you want anything sent again, please let me know.

Apart from form attachments, there is also a S/M joke to bring a little levity to this straight forward Circular. Enjoy, if you haven’t seen it before!

With the year racing by and Christmas (according to the shops!) just around the corner, may you and yours have a Happy and Blessed Christmas and healthy as possible 2008.

Julie Tõnurist

(Hon. Sec.)

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