4 Field Regiment (SVN) 'Old Boys' Newsletter - December 2022 Edition

Regiment. Only days before that, I was heading for Holsworthy and 12 th Field Regiment, but a late change happened and then BSM Steve Rawlins informed me I was now going to 4 th Field Regiment. Another story of doors opening/doors closing and how fortunate for me. Jack Lunney (106 Bty Second Tour) has been in touch recently. He has had his share of medical issues of late and tells me he is not playing regular golf anymore. To top things off, Jack ended up with a dose of Covid as well. Our best wishes to Jack. From Paddy Durnford (Outgoing Curator of the 4 th Regiment Museum in Townsville) Hello to you all. Having just returned from the 2022 Regimental Awards congratulations to all those that received the acknowledged that they rightly deserved. Thank you for your service. After 22 years at the Regimental Museum today it all ended. Didn't expect a fanfare nor a gala dinner, however a simple thank you for your service would have been appreciated. That was not to be. I enlisted in the ARA in 1956 discharged in 1976 from 4 Field Regiment RAA, joined the Defence Intelligence Organisation DIO for 5 years 1990 to 1995 as a civilian watch keeper, what a great real-life experience that was. In 2000 I as invited to replace Darryl Kelly as the Regiment’s curator a task I enjoyed for the last 22 years. By my count that’s 47 years of Service to the ADF. Not a bad innings by any standards. I guess all that remains for me to do is return my base pass, gather up a stack of Regimental Shirts for the Salvo’s. The tough call will be hitting the delete button on my computer erasing all those memories. Then learn how to survive as a grumpy old 84 Veteran sitting in the window of a retirement village waving to the passing wallabies. Thank you all for your friendship during all those years. Paddy DURNFORD OAM. 02 December 2022 The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company (RAAHC) ENewsletter ‘Airburst’ Edition 68 of December 2022 has been published. It includes news of the “West Australian Gunners Day” held at Guilford on 6 November. Another article from Warrnambool Garrison Artillery tells of a visit by the Werribee Half Battery in October 2022. To subscribe to the RAAHC and their newsletter, follow the links in www.artilleryhistory.org ANZAC Day 2023 There has been subdued interest in having an ‘Old Boys’ Gathering at Laurieton for next ANZAC Day. Several have already booked their accommodation. The Laurieton Sub-branch conduct a Dawn Service and main Service and the Laurieton United Services Club (LUSC) cater for a wonderful lunch. I will need names for those who wish to attend the lunch no later than mid April. Cost for visitors is $25.00 per person. Families more than welcome. We will look at some other activities before and after the day. Syd Farrow has already indicated a function at his place, and we will look at other options once we get an indication of numbers attending. Any questions, give me a call. For those involved with Legacy in any way, you would be aware that next year marks the centenary of the establishment of Legacy way back in 1923. Lots of celebrations happening including the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay presented by Defence Health which arrives in Port Macquarie on 6 July 2023. Our Legacy Club is holding an afternoon tea event after the relay and a gala ball that night. Susie and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy and healthy 2023. Stay well Peter Bruce