Veterans Wives Group |
Newsletter on the Net - No. 3 - 13 November 2002We had a great night with thirteen ladies, including Sue S who has not been before. Just prior to leaving home before our get together on Wednesday, I received an e mail from Pat Cleggett, who is the secretary of 'The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia NSW Branch Inc' explaining that she had read our newletter on the web, and to let us know that their group has been in existance since 1999 and is happy to go on our list of contacts for wives groups around Australia. On discussion, after having read the printout of the email, many of our group decided that they would like to become members of this group as well, as their aims and ideals are the same as ours, and a united group is always stronger to pursue any of our aims. It would also be great to be able to meet any of the members on our travels as well. I will reply to Pat to discuss and arrange our decision. It is sad to think that although many of us have asked about ladies groups, no one has been able to point us in the right direction. I have discovered that there are a number of our type of groups under different names all around Australia, it would be wonderful if we are all able to help each other and share. The young ones who sent off applications to the Sons & Daughters group have received notice that there will be a meeting on 3rd December (see Sons & Daughters page). We hope that it is successful & sets off a chain of these meetings. Lorraine had ordered some books for individuals from America (Vietnam Wives), I collected one & have not been able to put it down. It is compelling reading. It will be available for the others to read if they like. Books are for sharing. The weekend at Glen Cromie in Gippsland, was wonderful. Among tall gum tress & ferns and lots of space and birds singing. There is also a river where some yabbies were caught. Lots of fun (gum boot throwing etc) shared BarBQs and company. There were a few new vets and a couple of our widows went along for the first time this year. They are now converts, they will return and encourage everyone else to come too. The date for next year has not been set yet, but we'll tell you when it is. One of our widows Kay 1 (because there are two Kays) has gone on the committee to organise the weekend. She will be a great asset to them, as she is a great mixer and full of energy, good ideas and knows lots of Veterans from many groups, and has already started encouraging them to come along. It was a great family weekend. There was a vet from SA and also from NSW, so the word is spreading. There were a large number of caravans, tents & on site vans. Some vets came for the day to catch up and play the games. ( I guess some came to drink as well!) A local vet has been back to Vietnam and would be happy to show slides to us (& partners too, if they like) We discussed whether to have this on a meeting night, but the general decision was, that it would be better on another night, in the New Year. With luck we might be able to have it in the new RSL rooms below the club. We need to check this out with the fellas. New lists for our meeting dates for 2003 will be available at the next meeting. There was discussion about our trip next year. Some brochures of Jumbunna Lodge in Launching Place were looked at. It will probably be decided early next year. We did like Daylesford, & we will want to book massages wherever we go. A birthday was celebrated with a mudcake, candle, champange and orange juice. We decided we needed a record of the month of birthdays so wee could all celebrate with each other. As I will be away in WA visiting a friend who is very ill. Agnes has agreed to do our next newsletter for the December meeting. She also suggested Kris Kringle (under $5) everyone has agreed that it will be a good idea. There will be extra for those who don't know & we need to spread the word to those we see in the next month. It is hard to think we fit all these things into our night. The best part of the night is that we had a new person, who I hope enjoyed herself & felt part of our group, & that we were able to comfort each other as some of the girls are going through difficult times. Come along, we'd love to see you. Keep well & Smile Sylvia |
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