Commando News Edition 13, 2022

Final Results
Presidents’ Shield
ASASAV 86.71; ACAVIC 86.28
Individual shooting
ACAVIC top shooter: Cameron Burnet 91
ASASAV top shooter: Dwayne Cananzi 95
Non-Association Men’s top shooter: Kevin Downing 85
Non-Association Women’s top shooter: Summer James
82
Side Note – the shooting gaff of the day saw a shooter
(non-Association – reported family member of Com -
mittee man Ozzie Osborne?) put a round into the table in
front of him as he bought his pistol down to reset for the
next shot – it did not count in his final score.
A huge thank you to the Yarra Pistol Club and the staff
who turned out on the day. Their hospitality, venue and
support for our families is first class and I would be happy
to endorse any of our family who might be thinking of
joining the Club. They have growing junior and female
contingents as well as a very reasonable subscription
package. Please call Treasurer Paul Thomas on 0419 368
455 if interested
Photo 3: Members of ACA Vic with Barb Beckwith.
Source Kevin Beasley
Guffa was one of a contingent of 50 who enlisted in 2
Commando Company in June 1966 and a few months
later he was one of the few who qualified 1 st Class at the
Annual Range Practice at Williamstown Range in
February 1967 and was entitled to wear the Skills at Arms
Badge for the Sub Machine gun. Soon after, in March that
year, he qualified as a Swimmer Canoeist (Class 3) and in
the same month he qualified at the Basic Divers Course.
He qualified at the 34/67 Basic Parachute Course at
Williamtown, NSW a few weeks later, in June 1967.
Following his initial courses saw him qualifying in many
other demanding disciplines including roping and
climbing, unarmed combat, Stick Commander Swimmer
Canoeist 3,2 and 1 and as a Diving Supervising Officer
(Demolitions). He was promoted Substantive Corporal 21
Nov 1969 and Temporary Sergeant on the same day.
Guffa discharged at his own request in April 1974 to focus
on his family and business activities.
He was also a very strong supporter of the various
iterations of the Commando Association and produced
many high-quality presentations plaques for use by the
Association.
Proudly displayed at the commemoration
Photo 4:The 2 Commando Company pennant carried by Guffa
during his first Kokoda Track Walk in 2001.
Photo 2: Still dangerous. Don Bergman at 94 years of age is our
oldest member from 2 Commando Coy and Geoff Lander at 87
from Wonthaggi is the earliest living member of 2 Commando Coy
joining in 1955.
16 October 2022
Sergeant Terry ‘Guffa’ Beckwith’s Farewell
It was a not so sunny Melbourne afternoon when
several hundred friends, and relatives of Guffa gathered
at his new foundry facilities in Coburg North to celebrate
his life and bid farewell. There were more than 15
members of ACA Vic in attendance and unfortunately the
annual pistol shoot conflicted with this event. These new
facilities in Coburg North were his dream for many years
to greatly improve his business and secure its future for
his family.
Photo 5: Guffas’ 2 Commando
Company plaque.
Photo 6: Guffas’ Australian
Defence medal
COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 13 I 2022 7