07 September 2005

SATURDAY

Saturday morning was bright and sunny as we prepared for the 'freedom of the City' march, Akubras at the ready. The gathering at Bolton Park was like a cattle market; milling beasts, some with red eyes, searching for familiar faces and safe haven. William Wordsworth must have had a premonition when he wrote the opening verse to 'The Daffodils':

"I wandered lonely as a cloud

  That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

  When all at once I saw a crowd,

  A host, of golden daffodils;..."

They may not have been golden but they were glowing! The Corporal DI was having all sorts of trouble getting this lot under control, after all, some hadn't seen each other for nearly forty years and the adrenaline was running high, what could he expect? Finally he decided to 'explain' a left-dress to us, "Hold the left arm out parallel to the ground" he says. Imagine the reaction from a bunch of highly trained ex-apprentices, left arms went out in all directions - fortunately for the Corporal, John Gannell was just more than an arms length away!

Eventually the R.A.A.F Central Band struck up and, with a Lep, lep, lep-riot-lair, we were away, trying to be serious about all this as 'Choppy', 'Bodgie', 'Sago' and a few other sharp wits kept breaking our concentration. For the second time in my experience the 'Magnificent 7th' seemed to get the greatest acclamation. The large crowd of spectators gave us their best. Terry McGee was elected 'on-the-move' to give the command for 'eyes-left' to the Mayor taking the salute at the cenotaph. For those of you who couldn't be there, we did you proud. Something did go wrong however, the steering on this mighty marching machine failed as we approached the end of the route, and we somehow made a deviation and marched straight through a corner door into 'The Lotus Garden' hotel.

After the march one of ours said he'd had some trepidation about coming to the re-union because of health problems (which had included an aneurysm) and after forty years separation from so many he wasn't sure if he could handle it. He was also soon to have an angioplasty on a leg artery and thought he might not get far in the march. By the end of the (long) march - which he finished in style - he'd dismissed his concerns and was now thinking twice about having that operation because he hadn't walked so far in years!

Once the dust was washed down we decided, by popular vote, to check out some other well known watering holes; first on the list was the back room at the 'Duke of Kent'. After a vain search the barman informed us that quite a few things had changed since the '50s, the old back room is now a cool room, and you can't get a beer for two-bob any more - so we had to put some more money on the bar!

By the time we got to Romano's we began to meet friends from other intakes and got side-tracked. Before long some wives began to claim back their menfolk, and the rest of us dispersed to catch our breath, find the bottle of Californian Poppy and the Old Spice, and get ready for the evening.

Saturday evening's dinner dance at the showground pavilion was anything but a success, especially for the ladies (most of whom had dressed for a 'semi-formal' occasion). The organisers were obviously taken by surprise when too many people were admitted. Early formalities included an address and farewell to the attending members of the graduating squadron (so young, so young), and a few speeches which fell largely upon deaf ears due to the noise and chaos in the hall. The MC tried everything from abuse to outright rage to get some control. Quite a few stayed on but it was all too much for some, and after a quick "hello" many decided to opt out for a meal in peace and quiet elsewhere, like the RSL.

SUNDAY

I'm unable to give a first-hand report on the church service at the Base, my body needed to catch up with me so I had the morning off. Someone was heard to say that he had spent three years trying to get out of church parades, and couldn't bring himself to voluntarily go now; anyway, they had filled in the storm drain! Apparently, those of us who didn't go to the service missed one of the highlights of the weekend. Many people said that the church service was both entertaining and moving - rarely would you expect to have applause and a standing ovation at such occasions, but that was the case.

Our local (Wagga) members, Arthur Priest, Trevor Polsen and Pat Peter responded to a request to organise an afternoon venue for a private '7th Intake' get-together and arranged for us to have a BBQ lunch at the Oura Winery. The setting was perfect, about 15km from Wagga on the river amongst the grape vines, with our own area to play in. Many old photographs were shown around, new photographs taken, steaks cooked, and stories told. The MT guys won the door prize for having the majority attendance. The meal, the company, and the wine were all memorable, and a great afternoon was had by all.

While at the Winery Laurie Clewer took the opportunity to canvas our attitude toward future re-unions, and toward himself continuing as co-ordinater/rollkeeper. AIRCARE had done a splendid job in initiating re-unions at Wagga but we would now have to do our own thing. Many voiced views about future re-unions, ranging from proposals for one each year, to one each three years, and at locations everywhere, from Rowville to Wagga to Alice Springs. The general attitude was that Laurie should continue his good work, with everyone's blessing, and some assistance from yours-truly, and that re-unions MUST continue. Terry McGee made a pertinent comment that we were but only a small representation of all those who have an interest. Therefore, while we certainly had set the tenor on this day, we should seek opinions from all of the 7th we can reach (see FUTURE RE-UNIONS for some objective facts to ponder).

Many of you will not be aware that Laurie has been arranging production of the bulletins and financing mail costs at his expense in recent times. We could once rely on serving R.A.A.F member's to 'circulate' letters, but contacts have been lost over time. Therefore, while Laurie had the floor, I prompted him to approach the gathering for suggestions about financial assistance toward costs of preparing and mailing bulletins. The response was immediate; before you could blink, a hat had passed among the thirty members and the wives who were there, and returned with over $360 in it! Incidentally, and in deference to the other unknown people who may have given more than their fair share, I mention no names, but many thanks to you all, especially one (known) member and his wife who together gave a generous donation of $100. This gesture was also a typical vote of confidence, as I believe he had once been a doubtful starter for these re-unions!

The day did not end there for everyone. The RSL was attended by a good representation of our Intake in the Chinese restaurant section that evening. Two buffet tables were going strong, with tales being swapped, and uncontrollable laughter became the predominant theme. Everyone became a successful story-teller in this environment. Terry O'Keeffe gets my vote for the most enthusiastic attendee. He had been living for this event for years, and was convinced that if he walked outside the R.S.L that evening, and dropped dead, he would die a happy man.

MONDAY

Graduation parade day - an early start to a short day. The ex-apprentices were given the honour of marching past the assembled graduating squadron and being reviewed by the OC R.A.A.F Base Wagga, himself an ex-appy. This was an emotional time for many, and the chatter was somewhat less this time as we marched onto the old bull-ring (now nicely asphalted). We all became an inch or so taller as shoulders strained back and heads went up - with fingers bent at the second joint and arms swinging freely we were soon into a swagger, staying in step and wheeling in style. The spectators gave us the now expected applause - I guess the other intakes thought they were pretty good as well! I hope the wives who took the videos will bring them along to the next re-union so we can have an interesting film evening. Then it was our turn to admire the graduating apprentices as they went through their routine. They did everything as one would expect - first class. Many of us must have cast our mind back with pride as we watched. This was certainly 'the first day of the rest of their lives' - a thought that maybe we should dwell upon as well.

Bob Blyth rescued/acquired our march-past banner and we gathered for a final group photo, this time taken by the official photographer. Then, after some smoko, we said farewell all around or, more precisely, Au revoir.

Does Bill Wordsworth's last verse extol our like?

"For oft, when on my couch I lie

  In vacant or in pensive mood,

  They flash upon that inward eye

  Which is the bliss of solitude;

  And then my heart with pleasure fills,

  And dances with the daffodils."