4 Field Regiment (SVN) 'Old Boys' Newsletter - January 2010

Jed and Brenda Taheny came across from SA to look after our house for us and to have a bit of a holiday themselves and catch up with one of their boys (Joe) who now works and lives in Perth. While in Exmouth we caught up with Rob and Cheryl Van Wanganeen, Ron and Cheryl Fritchley and Colin Montfort who is still in Exmouth. Colin doesn't tell anyone but he has won The Veteran Poet of the year (National Award) for the past 3 years which is a great achievement. (I always knew there was something wrong with Monty). Drabs Response from Ron Hall: Hey David, Looks like you and Theresa had a great break away from the pressures back at home! I can only urge caution with this gym business....nothin but trouble. Hope you didn't miss hey hey I just noticed when you sent the email. Nice fish. Catching up with Ric in Albury next weekend, be the first chance to get into trouble again since we left SVN. So we will have a drink or two then a couple more and have a bit of a giggle over life in general. Hope Fritch's ticker is OK. Monty left me one of his pieces when he called in, really clever stuff. Take care everyone... Hally Ah nearly forgot to mention, talk to Chris Trimble every so often these days, he sounds great. For those who may not have know, John Bird passed away at home with his family at 0930hrs on the morning 25 Aug 09. John went down hill pretty fast. Bluey Bellis drove across from the East to spend some time with him and the family. From Kerry Boyce in Sydney: Hi, I thought you might like to hear that Andrew (Murray) and I spoke to Don Donkin on Anzac Day, before the march. He was sitting on a step in Pitt Street. He said he is 80 years, he looks good for it, but perhaps not as spritely. He did chip Andrew for dirty shoes (he said mine were perfect. Made my day! hehe). All the best, Kerry Way back in March 09, Lance Grimstone sent me a link to an article in the Gold Coast Bulletin which was very interesting. Lance and I spent most of our early years on the Gold Coast although never really met until we were both in the Army. The article is about surfing at Vung Tau. This is the link for those interested: http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/03/07/56371_more-gossip-news.html Lance and Mick Long have been ringing me up each New Years Eve to say g’day. I think this year they rang just about everyone in the white pages. It is always great to hear from them and I am looking forward to catching up in person perhaps this year. Some of you will know Chris Jobson (ex WO1 and once RSM 4 th Field Regiment and BSM of 10date Bty) who now lives and works in Canberra. Jobbo has put out a book called “Looking Forward Looking Back – Customs and Traditions of the Australian Army”. A very good book and is an essential reference for anything to do with the Australian Army. The book is available via Big Sky Publishing Pty Ltd : www.bigskypublishing.com.au . Al Foley called in to see us late last year. He and his canine friend are heading off around Aus so don’t be surprised if you get a call or he drops in to see you. Al is pretty well set up with his 4WD and off road caravan. Ken Morrison sent in this poem a while back. He tells me he picked up a prize for it from the DVA Art and Writing Comp back in ’05.