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HMS Ganges Crest

HMS GANGES
ASSOCIATION
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March 2007

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Cap Ribbons

I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has a spare HMS Ganges Hat Band, also any spare ones from the following ships: HMS Jewell, HMS Scarborough, Royal Yacht Britannia and HMS Ark Royal. About ten years ago I gave all my hat tallies to a local museum (both those of ships I served on, as above, and others I had collected) We are now doing a family history project and I am sorry I gave them away because it would be nice to include the hat bands of the ships I served in along side the photographs and journals. Hopefully someone out there can help, it would be very much appreciated.
Alan Coles, PK 965765 <Colebunker@btinternet.com>
Blake Division
1956/57

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Crossed The Bar

Fred ROSS: Lieut Commander (RAN). 1946-2007.
An article in the Sydney Morning Herald reports on the death of Fred Ross.
The report says Fred joined HMS Ganges on his 13th birthday. (This probably a typo as the minimum age to my knowledge was 15.) Fred came to Australia on exchange in 1979 and served at HMAS Watson and on HMAS Perth. In the RN he served in submarines and later became a PWO. In 1983 he came to Australia and joined the RAN. During his time in the RAN he impressed his seniors with his imposing figure and impeccable grooming (What else for a Ganges Boy!). He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2004 for his excellent service to the RAN. He left the RAN in February 2007 after nearly 50 years combined RN/RAN service. The following week he died. Senior Officers from all three services attended his funeral at Garden Island chapel, Sydney to pay tribute to a man who had made a tri-service impression.
He is survived by his fiancé Jane, and his three children.
Richard Broniman <malabar2@aapt.net.au>

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Crossed The Bar

It is with sadness that on Monday 19th March that I attended the funeral of Colin Darling Ganges Sept 66 - 85/86 rec. Drake 273 who crossed the bar 6/3/07 having died suddenly aged 56. Although not a member of the association He was a Ganges boy.
Hoping he has found a safe anchorage.
Wally Workman <bob@workman575.fsnet.co.uk>

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Guzz Weekend

Hi All from the West Wales Div. & of our lot who went to the Guzz Weekend. I would like to thank all the Guzz Div for their hard work and dedication in laying on such a splendid weekend.
See you all soon
Dennis <dennis_k_morgan@hotmail.com>
Div Sec

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www.hmsplymouth.co.uk/

HMS Plymouth Petition
< http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/plymouth/ >

Hi,
I am a member of the HMS Plymouth association. As you are probably aware HMS Plymouth is a museum ship, one of the last surviving vessels of the Falklands conflict and which currently has no berth.
The Association has raised a lot of money to pay for her to be moved to a new home but alas it is proving rather difficult to find her one.
There is currently a petition on the Government's petition website asking as many ex mariners to sign as possible, to get the government involved in saving this heroic vessel, especially as it is the 25th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict.
Could you please pass this link on to as many people as possible and ask them to sign the petition, it would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Yours,
John Fearon. <John.Fearon@innovene.com>

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HMS "Ganges" Association
Reunion 2007 in Melbourne
Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September
Newsletter

All is well, we are moving on and pleased to announce that the attendance will be well over 100 and we confidently expect to have about 120 guests to share the weekend. There aren't many spots left at the "Jasper" and if you want a berth you should book early, like yesterday!
Accommodation
The "Jasper" is about full now an some of you have asked for alternative accommodation near to the "Jasper"; we would suggest that the "Ibis" is reasonable and quite close - the "Radisson" is about 5 minutes away and very comfortable, a little up market. Melbourne is full of alternatives and it's worth having a look at the Melbourne Hotels website. If you are not on internet let us know and we will send some information. Opposite the "Jasper" is the Backpackers which has a range of accommodation from dormitory to double rooms at quite low rates, and even the "Stork" Hotel has basic accommodation, perhaps suitable if you are on your own - but you will have to share a toilets and bathrooms!
The Programme
If you intend to arrive on Thursday, the day before registration, please let us know. We have asked for a separate room in the "Stork" hotel where we can enjoy each other's company with a few glasses of the amber stuff and some supper. The "Stork" is the second oldest pub in Melbourne and little has changed since it was refurbished about 40 years ago. The floorboards are a bit 'bouncy' but the food is good, and it is on the other side of Elizabeth Street from the "Jasper", could hardly be closer. We want numbers so we can make the appropriate booking.
On Friday evening we are planning a 'host' team at Registration to ensure that you will feel comfortable with your surroundings, they will be able to introduce you to others if you don't know them already. A few of you will have attended these reunions since the first one in Mildura, hosted by Dick an Isabel Brooks (Isabel Brooks, widow of Dick will be at the Reunion), so you will know a score of people. We feel it is important that newcomers are made welcome, and considering we shall have visitors and partners coming from all parts of OZ and New Zealand, Canada and the UK, this is important. The Registration on Friday will be the first introduction for many so please be sure you meet as many people as you can. A 'finger food' supper will be served in the "Jasper's" restaurant and bar, and the "Stork" will also be available if you want something more substantial.
We have purposely left Saturday clear for you to explore some of Melbourne's shops and places of interest. The famous Victoria Market is just around the corner; perhaps you could start the day with breakfast in one of the cafes on the outskirts of the market, and then find some of the bargains there before heading off to Melbourne Central, just down Elizabeth Street, to the shops, or the underground if you want to go further afield.
There is so much to see and do - we will provide as much information as we are able to get, at Registration. If you particularly want to do or see something during your stay, let us know beforehand and we'll organize the info for you.
The Uckers Challenge has always been included in the weekend's programme. Dick and Isabel presented a trophy many years ago and the triumphant team engraves its state's (or country's) name on the face. We play on Saturday morning and the final is usually at about 1500. The trophy will be presented to the winning team by Isabel at the Dinner Dance. We hope you will enjoy the inter-divisional challenge, we Victorians are looking forward to recovering the trophy this year. (Dog watch training is a must).
At 1600 at the "Jasper" there will be a meeting of Chairmen and Secretaries, and anyone else who wishes to have a say will be welcome. The agenda will undoubtedly be where to hold the next Australasian the next Reunion (NZ is putting in a bid) and whether the decision to hold our Reunions every other year, discussed at the 2005 Reunion in Rockingham, has been successful. Other business may be considered too, of course, like the survival of our "Ganges" Mast and the large fund for its maintenance (but it seems to be rotting away gradually), and anything else of importance.
The Dinner Dance will be held in the conference room at the "Jasper" A 3 course dinner will be served and beer and wines will be available from the bar. Soft drinks only will be placed on the tables. We have engaged a first class entertainer who is very versatile and will surely move you to 'shake a wicked hoof', and keep us amused with a few jokes and ditties. If you would like to contribute to the evening with a bit of entertainment, please let us know well in advance what you want to do, to give us a chance to vet what you have in mind as we need to ensure that we don't have a dozen performances of "This old hat of mine!" (or even one for that matter!).
It has also been the practice for each division to give a very brief report during a break in the evening, for Isabel to do her presentation and to draw the Reunion Raffle.
We are planning a memorable evening and we invite you to dress accordingly with No 1's (a suit or a dinner jacket if you wish) and miniature medals - to compliment our lovely ladies.
Plans for Sunday are well in hand. Coaches will pick us up at the "Jasper" to take us down to the river to the "John Batman", our pleasure cruiser for the day. We will sail down the Yarra river and have a look at all the new developments in the Docklands; we are heading for the port of Williamstown and HMAS "Castlemaine" which has been preserved in excellent condition and is sure to bring back a few memories for those who served in small ships many years ago.
We have asked our padre to conduct a memorial service on the quarterdeck of "Castlmaine" (and the jetty, it's not a big ship!) after we have looked round. The service will be dedicated to honour our "Ganges" mates who have 'crossed the bar'. Padre Vernon (Jumper) Collins was in the Buffs as a sergeant major (in WW2) before his ordination, a great man who is a valuable member of our branch as well as the RNA. Port Phillip Bay Branch.
We will sail from Williamstown and proceed up the Maribyrnong river, past the famous Flemington Racecourse to the "Angler's Tavern" perched on the edge of the river and where we will enjoy lunch and some liquid refreshment in excellent surroundings. Then it's a trip back through the backwaters of Melbourne to our berth where our coach awaits us to return to the "Jasper" for a light supper and to farewell those who will be leaving us in the morning. However, "John Batman's" berth is not far from the Crown Casino complex, it's not all casino and is worth a visit if you have the time.
On Monday morning those who have opted for the trip will join coaches at the "Jasper" and head out of the city into the hills of the Dividing Range. One of our team has managed to obtain a good deal for $40 per head and this will be excellent value. Our destination is Marysville, a lovely town nestling in the mountains, and there we shall have lunch and visit a couple of places of interest during the afternoon (we are in the wine country!). The journey through the mountains is a popular tourist attraction Guaranteed to please! More about this later.
Best Wishes
David Rees <daverees1@bigpond.com> & Team.

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