4th Field Regiment (SVN) Association Newsletter No 59 - 2025

4 TH FIELD REGIMENT (SVN) ASSOCIATION AKA 4TH FIELD REGT OLD BOYS Patron: David Anderson. President: Peter Bruce, OAM Treasurer: Gabby Hayes. NEWSLETTER No 59 – Autumn (March) 2025 All Correspondence to Peter Bruce, 33 Cathie Circuit, Lake Cathie NSW 2445 or pjbruce8@bigpond.net.au Mobile is 0419 349 317 G’day Old Boys Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter in this latest format. Once again, I would like to acknowledge the Australian Artillery Association and in particular their Webmaster, Graham Hampton , who has spent a great deal of time and effort in setting up our own Old Boys page on the AAA website. Our sincere thanks. Just a reminder about the links on our page where you can update your details, send in any articles for the next edition, or comment on previous editions. You can always email me directly, however, by using the website, it will keep all correspondence in the one folder so to speak. All link activities come directly to me and no one else. If anyone would like to comment but rather it not be published, just let me know at the time. An explanation of the symbols on our page are reprinted below for your information. Enjoy this new stage in our newsletters and I welcome any feedback, positive or negative. While you are on the AAA website, take a few minutes to have a look around at what they offer. Perhaps consider becoming a member of the AAA. Membership details are on one of the drop-down tags. Another request for everyone is to reach out to other Old Boys who may not have an email address but may be able to access our newsletter in the new format. Our treasurer, Gabby Hayes, advises that he rolled over our term deposit back in December. The balance then was $4804.03. Our everyday account stands at $970.44. We have been in touch with the current 4 th Regiment in Townsville regarding reinstating our annual award for the Regiment. Below is an email from Major Tony Kennedy, OAM, the current 2IC/XO of the Regiment regarding our connection with 4 th Regiment. I have responded to his email and asked them to go ahead with planning of such an award. I propose that we name the award after our initial Patron and RSM second tour, Don Donkin, MBE. I am sure everyone on the Regiments’ second tour, and many from the first tour, would have had dealings with Don Donkin in some way. To my mind, he was a real ‘Soldiers’ Soldier’ and I believe naming our award after him would be a great tribute to a wonderful soldier. Please let me know your thoughts on the matter. After discussions with several of our senior Old Boys, we believe an annual expenditure of up to $200.00 would be appropriate. Again, I ask for your comments for or against or any alternatives. The Virtual War Memorial Australia is worth looking at. You can search your own details or the details of a relative and add your own photos or stories. https://vwma.org.au or just search Virtual War Memorial Australia. Give me a call if you need some help.