After a break as the public relations officer for the Club, I was conned into volunteering to fill this position once again, so will start on the report.

In August, a plaque was presented by our president, Darryl Pobje, to Ray Evans, co-owner of the Evans Head Taxi in appreciation for the excellent work they do in getting veterans to their doctors’ appointments or the hospital around the area.

Long Tan Day - On Monday, August 18 a small ceremony was conducted at the Evans Head
War Cenotaph to commemorate the Battle of Long Tan all those years ago. The service was
conducted as usual by the very capable suave gentleman about town, an ex navy chief bosun, Kevin (Sambo) Saville. It was attended by about 40 sub-branch members and a small crowd of people. Thanks to those who took the time out to remember the fallen. The wreaths were laid by representatives of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Women’s Air Force, Women’s Auxilliary and the Laurel Club. After the service, all returned to the bottom function room for light refreshments, supplied by the Bistro staff (thanks) and liquid to wash it down, ably served up by our bar steward for the day, Nina Chapman. Sorry, Andy, but Nina is better looking than you.

Club News

In September our president, Darryl Pobje, was back in the chair after his brief hospital stay. He welcomed to the Air Weapons Detachment, Sgt Paul Pascoe whose last deployment was
at Darwin, as the base armament manager. It would be a big responsibility making sure that
our fighter pilots get their right weapons for their fun and games (we wouldn’t want one of
our pilots to accidentally knock a Yank plane out of the air). So, we say welcome to Paul and
hope that he enjoys his time here at Evans Head as much as the rest of the RAAF boys do.
Also we had a visitor, Paul Adrian, who is a trainer for the Guide Dogs Association He
accompanied Harry McDonald and his new black guide dog, which the members unanimously
named Matthew, after one of our wellknown members, Matthew Mealing, who was only too happy to have the dog named after him. As with all guide dogs, we aren’t allowed to pat
it. We hope that Harry enjoys the dog’s company and it makes life easier for him.

Our President quoted $20,000 to train a dog, but Paul said it was much more than that,
so no wonder the association is always after donations. President Darryl Pobje presented our elder statesman, Matthew Mealing, with a life membership card. Our sub-branch member
and councillor Ray Jeffery was re-elected back on to the Richmond Valley Council, so congratulations to Ray – keep up the good work.

Legacy

On Thursday, September 18, more than 20 members went to the Evans Head Bowling Club
to join forces with the members and women included, to have a friendly game of bowls (I
was conned into playing and most ended in the gutter). All money raised from the green fees
and raffles were donated to Legacy, so the CEO of the Bowls Club handed over a cheque for
more than $1000 to Boydie Collyer, the district president of Legacy. So thanks go to the Evans Head Bowling Club president, John Forshaw, the CEO, Roger Hong, and sub-branch member Jimbo Verral for arranging the day.

Sad losses

Sadly in early August we lost one of our oldest members, Laurie Drew, who was 94, so he
wasn’t a bad age, and then on Sunday night we lost Barry (Barrz) Toms very suddenly. Barry
wrote an article in the Rivertown Times as Bazza’s Hook, Line Sinker. Barry was a very
keen fisherman and was only 76. So condolences from the sub-branch to both those families
on their loss.

Long Tan Day wreath layers, from left, are Wayne Richardson, Mollie Schriebel, Mary Scully,
Betty Atkins, Jim Muller, Joe Rose and Darryl Pobje, president of the sub-branch, at the
Woodburn-Evans Head RSL Club.

Cheers to all, John Lenon