Djinnang Reunion – 2022.

The Djinnang Association, which is a group based in Queensland, represents the men and women who handled all the RAAF’s inwards and outwards Communications.

Each year they hold their joint Annual General Meeting/Reunion at a venue in Brisbane, this year, as was also the case last year, their get together was held at the “Paddo” Tavern on Given Terrace, Paddington

The official “doors open” time was 2.00pm but several got there quite a bit earlier. This year about 90 people made the trip to Brisbane, some from afar and most stayed on well after the official “doors close” time.

As is the norm at these annual get togethers, the whole committee stood down and was immediately re-elected. Office holders are:

Those that attended the AGM/Reunion include:  (All names left to right.)

The Gate-keepers. No-one got past this intrepid duo without first paying their dues.

Kerry “Kero” Harrington,  Gail McDermott

Colleen Higginson,  Trev Benneworth,  Lisa Williams.

Marie Anderson,  Diane Webb,  Shirley Watson.

Vera Robinson,  Margaret and Jack Khan.

Wendy Dembowski,  Ross Billiau,  Candy Hardy.

Trev Benneworth,  Candy Hardy.

Alison Cridland,  Marie Anderson,  Vicki Burgess

Di Chattington,  Lisa Williams,  Gary Francis,  Colleen Higginson,  Kev "Hinchy" Hinch.

Glen Walton,  Barb Watson,  Alison Cridland.

Glen Walton,  Wayne Dalmeida,  Roslyn and Gavin Smith.

Graeme Brownrigg,  Mike Roberts.

Jill McAndrew,  Adele Murray.

Lalee Jagiello,  Jenny Bell.

Lisa Williams,  Steve Ellis,  Wendy Matherson.

Marie Henson,  Ros Curran.

Neil Hunter,  Bob May.

Nev and Denise Paten,  Neville and Adele Murray.

Pat Bannon,  Steve Ellis,  “Swampy” Marsh.

Ray “RG” Thompson,  Ron Bellert.

Ros Curran,  Candy Hardy.

Ros Curran,  Marie Anderson.

Ross Billiau,  Barb Watson,  Alison Cridland,  Marie Anderson.

Shelley Mathers,  Wendy and Sandy Matheson,  Sue Cully.

Standing:  Beth Golden,  Lalee Jagiello,  Seated:  Shirley Watson,  Yvonne Trickey.

Standing:  Marie Price,  Colin Price.  Seated:  Jill McAndrew,  Rob Scott,  “Pygmy” McAndrew…

Wendy Matherson,  Linda Conyard.

Football.

50^th Anniversary of RAAF Penrith RLFC Premiership.

Back in 1972, the small RAAF Base at Glenbrook (near Penrith NSW), plus members from RAAF Kingswood (also near Penrith) provided an outstanding Rugby League team, which played under the Penrith Junior District umbrella and which was coached by one of its members, “Bull" Donald.

In 1972 this team beat a side from the powerful Windsor Club to win the premiership. In 1973, playing correctly as an A grade side, they were beaten by Blacktown Brothers in the Grand final.

It’s unusual for a service team to do well in a domestic competition as the demands of Service Life do not allow for a stable team, this club was wracked when more than half of the team received postings and if not for the intervention of a Wing Commander who had been following their progress, who managed to have the postings stayed until after the Grand final, all would have been lost.

Some of that team.

On behalf of the team, “Jug” presented “Bull” with a memento of the occasion.

The Belles of the ball.

Then it was time for the mustering pics:

Ciscons

CommsOps

Radtechs.

Telegs.

Telsops/Trinops

The Townsvillians

And that was it. The Paddo excelled in the provision of food, the lovely ladies, like the delightful Phoebe below, made sure nobody went hungry. The bar service met expectations and from all appearances, everyone had a great old time, a lot of friendships were rekindled and a lot of lies were told.

The Committee has booked the venue again for 2023 - the next event will be held on the 27 May 2023.

Is this how we took selfies?