If you know someone or at least have contact with someone who is not on the current
 list of attendees(see previous post) and that you think may intend to be coming 
along, now is the time to remind them to put their names forward.

The reunion is drawing closer and as it does so too does the necessity to finalise
the data to pass on to the caterers.
With only about 6 weeks before our reunion Ken is already organising the final numbers 
attending and any special dietary requirements needed at the Sat night dinner.
If there are any amendments to those attending or you or any of your party are
 on a special diet please contact Ken or I via email or phone.

Many thanks, looking forward to seeing you all - Jenny

BRISBANE GET TOGETHER.

All welcome

I have decided that we need another get together ASP as we are not getting any younger so I would like to suggest that on Sunday 22^nd of May time 1200 hrs. we all gather like the old days for a few beers and a yarn or two, At this point in time I suggest the Woody point hotel, its central and easy to get to and from for most.

I am sure I can find an old brick or two to raffle.

Cliff. Hodgson   ( Dongers)

We are inviting anyone who is in Melbourne for Anzac Day to join us.
For those wanting to march they take off at 9.17am and 87 will march after 86 and 85
respectively behind the RAASC banner and I think they line up in Flinders Street but
not certain at this point.
Following the march we will make our way down to Bells Hotel Cnr Coventry and Moray 
Streets South Melbourne for lunch. 
Those marching will be quite early at the hotel where you will be able to get coffee
but no alcohol to be served until 12 noon.
Please give your number attending or any queries to Yvonne Englund on 8768 778 
or email bye87@optusnet.com.au 
Look forward to seeing everyone on the day.

Harley Trip 2015

Hurtling around Australia by Harley

It is great having an understanding wife to let her husband take off at the start of every winter to ride a motorbike 12,000.00 around Australia for 3 to 4 months.

I have been doing this for quite a number of years, heading up through Queensland calling in on a number of veterans including Peter Conway at Lennox Head, an ex RAFFY mate (Airfield Defence Guard) and Keith Fisher. Keith did two trips to Ubon and two tours of Vietnam where he was shot by an American machine gunner when returning from a patrol. The shot hit his shine bone and messed it up big time. The order to open fire was given by a very junior officer in the radio room after he was informed there was movement out the front, even after being told by radio that the patrol was returning to base. (shoot first, ask questions later). That officer was immediately sent back to the States and spent quite a few years in Lebonworth jail.

Next stop was Anakie, where I spent a few days with Chicko and Sue Delaney. Sue of course has her hands full looking after Chicko as he had a leg amputated during last year. (Chicko and I are a great couple, one eye and one leg). He didn’t lose his sense of humour.

Onward to Camooweal, across to Barkley Homestead (where I paid $8.00 for a Bundy and coke), then up to Darwin. I spent a couple of weeks with John Atkinson, his brother Kevin and Dean Larkin putting a heavy demand on the local brewery, that’s for sure.

While still in the Territory I decided to ride out to Dundee Beach, avoiding riding via Dundee Lodge. Big mistake, the road I took was probably the most corrugated with soft sand in the Territory. Four kilometres to the beach and then four kilometres back. If I’d have gone via the Lodge it would have taken me to the beach on a good road. The rough road shook the crap out of the exhaust system, the gear selectors and I lost the fuel filter requiring a slow ride to the motorbike shop in Darwin. The repairs were ‘half baked’ resulting in lots of problems on the return trip. I had intended to ride via Humpty Doo, Jabiru, Kakadu and join the Stuart Highway at Pine Creek, but as the gears were still causing major problems I headed straight down the track to Alice Springs. I missed Uluru which I had intended to visit. I spent a couple of hours at the RSL at Alice Springs where I caught up with some friendly Vietnam vets and good cold beer. Headed to Coober Pedy for the night.

Next morning had breakfast at a local restaurant, set off on the highway, and fifty ks down the track started to get stomach cramps, so the next 250ks to Glendambo were the most painful I have every suffered. All I wanted was a doctor or hospital, but none in the area. Booked into a Glendambo pub cabin to rest while the publican rang the Royal Flying Doctor Service. After the doctor assessed me I was flown to Port Augusta Hospital, where I stayed the night. He diagnosed food poisoning. I had lots of gentle care by the doctor (who is the spitting image of John Denver) and wonderful nurses. I was discharged next day and the hospital staff directed me to the local bus depot, which is the only transport.

I had to hang around at the bus depot/service station until 10.00p.m. and arrived at Glendambo at 2.00a.m. Thank goodness the bus driver had a torch as it was the blackest night and no visability, so he had to direct me to my cabin.

After a good nights’ sleep I went up to the pub next day to pay my bill for the two nights, but the publican would only accept payment for one night. He had contacted the Royal Flying Doctor, driven me the four ks out to the airstrip and waited until the doctor assessed me. Good country folk.

The rest of the trip was more or less uneventful except for the gear lever which was just hanging in there. I got within 50ks of home, just 6ks outside of Raymond Terrace, and the bike stopped completely. I phoned my local bike shop (Port Performance) and they came out with their van and loaded the bike on and took it back for major repairs.

In the meantime a local guy driving past recognised me, he’s a Ulysses member, so he took me to his place where I waited for my wife.

My mechanic found the fault – the grub screw hidden behind the gear box needed tightening – pitty the guy in Darwin hadn’t had a good look. Would have saved a lot of stress.

I found camping spots ranged from $7.00 at Dunmarra while some were up to $25.00. Cheapest fuel was at Pine Creek.

That was the last of my long distance riding on my own, having clocked up around 250,000 ks over the years – not bad for a one-eyed young bloke.
Paul Mulvay OEB
30 01 2016

Only just became aware of site, what a surprise to see pictures of Ray. I remember when he was interviewed for that book. Maree Rowe came to the house and spent quite a bit of time with him.
All the very best for 2016 everyone. Gaye

Gaye commented on the post from Stu Golland re the book with Brownie in it. Just in case no one saw the comment I have reproduced it here as a post. Ed.