ANNUAL REPORT 2010 sub-Branch - Blacktown RSL

War Widows Guild ReportThe members of the Blacktown City War Widows’Guild Club had a very sad start to the year with thepassing of our President, Mrs Lola Coulter. Mrs Coulterhad been a member of the War Widows’ Guild formany years, and will be sadly missed by themembers and all who knew her.We haven’t had a very busy year. This is mainly due toillness of members. Some members are not asmobile as they were years ago, and are forced to usecanes and walkers.During the year, the President, Mrs Jean Keelan, and Iattended a concert at the Sydney Town Hall, and ahealthy eating programme organised by theDepartment of Veteran’s Affairs, Parramatta. This wasvery informative.When the weather is warmer, several of the membersand I will visit the Art Gallery, Museums, and just havea look around the city, using buses, trains and ferries.Members have attended the Fashion Parades and aHoy Day at the Country Women’s Association andattended the War Widows’ walk at Concord. They alsoattended Fashion Parades and lunches put on by theBlacktown Hospital Women’s Auxiliary.Members also attended the ANZAC andRemembrance Services which were held at the City ofBlacktown RSL Club Ltd. Mrs Kaye Yaupaung laid thesheath on our behalf at these ceremonies. We wish tothank Mr Johnston for organising the sheaths for us.On the 15th August, 2010 I will attend the VietnamVeteran’s Memorial Service at Springwood, where Iwill present them with the War Widow’s Book, “NoPeacetime Cinderellas”.We would like thank the City of Blacktown RSL Club Ltdfor all their help during the year, Jacqueline Granthamand the catering staff for making our Christmas Partysuch a happy event. They always decorate the tablesso beautifully, and the food is the best.New members are always welcome to join our clubby phoning Mrs Jan Hackett on 9624 3501.Committee for 2010-2011Mrs Jean Keelan: President4 Kingsford St Blacktown 2148 9622 8119Mrs Jan Hackett: Hon Secretary3 Wonga Road Seven Hills 2147 9624 3501Mrs Jan Hackett: TreasurerList of Dates for Meetings and Christmas Party27 July 2010 Meeting 10.30am24 Aug 2010 Meeting 10.30am28 Sep 2010 Meeting 10.30am26 Oct 2010 Meeting 10.30am23 Nov 2010 Meeting 10.30am3 Dec 2010 Christmas Party in Arnoma Room 12.00 noon22 Feb 2011 Meeting 10.30am22 Mar 2011 Meeting10.30am26 Apr 2011 Meeting10.30am24 May 2011 Meeting 10.30am28 Jun 2011 Annual General Meeting 10.30amOrana RoomThank you for all your help. Yours faithfully,Mrs J Hackett Hon SecNirimba NavalAssociation ReportWe are a small but dedicated group of 20 formerNaval Personnel who meet on the SecondSaturday each month except January in the VIProoms of the RSL Club.Being small in number our social activities arerestricted but include a bus trip now and then tolocal points of general interest.The major event this year was “End of an Era”Memorial Service at the former Navy Training ShipHMAS NIRIMBA at Quakers Hill, in conjunctionwith the UWS College and Wyndham SeniorCollege. The event is staged every 2 years.The phrase ‘End of an Era’ represents thedecommissioning of NIRIMBA and the end of themost successful technical training school in thenation. We hear so much about the need for‘skilled’ workers and the closure was a sadindictment of lack of foresight for which we arenow paying the price.This year, 19th June, we had the pleasure to inviteformer CO, Capt B SWAN RAN Retd to deliver theMemorial Service Address in which he outlinedthe long history of NIRIMBA and the closerelations that Ship had with Blacktown over theyears from 1st July 1956. He was joined by ourPatron CDRE N F HELYER MBE RANR whoinspected a splendid turnout of TS NEPEAN, thelocal Australian Naval Cadet Unit under thecommand of SBLT B CROCKETT. Music was by aquintet from the Sydney Detachment RAN Band,Service conducted by our Chaplain Ted Walker.After the Service we all retired to the OldWardroom for a light luncheon. Was said to be agood day by the 150 or so who attended.The considerable financial assistance from TheRSL Club is greatly appreciated and without theircontinuing support we could not mount the“Dedication Service” and maintain the MemorialWalls and Plaques. This year we had to replacemissing letters, probably vandalism.The Annual Naval Association Church Serviceheld at Garden Island Naval Chapel was wellattended and afterwards we enjoyed a tour of theNaval Heritage Museum and light lunch. The useof the RSL bus on this trip was greatly appreciatedby those of us who are ‘sore of limb’.The Committee is:President Frank Eastwell 9626 9763Vice President Les Gibson 9677 0619Secretary Geoffrey Steer 9624 8837Treasurer John Camburn 9834 1637Our AGM will be in November 2010.At our July meeting a motion was passed‘expressing our appreciation of support for oursub section’.Each for All - All for Each.28 BLACKTOWN RSL CLUB LIMITED - where friends love to meet