FESR 55th Anniversary Reunion-Letters of Thanks

[JoeLinaker]

VADM R.H.CRANE AO, CSC, RAN
Chief of Navy
R1-4-Coo1 Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600


Dear Admiral,

We have now completed our review of the FESR Navy Association presentation of the 55th Anniversary International Reunion at Twin Towns 27-30 May 2010. Whilst we are not privy to the contents of the report to you from RADM Peter Jones, he did make most favourable comment to his Liaison Officer en route to the airport, and he spoke wonderfully well about our aims and ideals at Sunday’s Memorial Service.

Now, on behalf of our National President Les Bailey and Reunion Chairman Rudi Bianchi, it is my privilege to register most sincere thanks to you for the support you gave to our landmark reunion.

Your New Generation Navy shined brilliantly over Navy Veterans of the FESR during their time with us at Twin Towns. From the time the Guard swept into Chris Cunningham Memorial Park for the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset on the Saturday Evening to their General Salute Present Arms for the National Anthem before march off after the Memorial Service on Sunday, they were simply stunning.

Now, weeks later the lustre remains as our national membership and their wives have not stopped talking about the NGN presence across the reunion. I know you would not expect anything less than the best from the NGN contingent and a couple of former hard nosed Recruit School QMGs’ among our membership probably best summed up their bearing, dress, and skill level with the comment “ Joe, they are good, very very good”

Whilst it may seem unfair to mention individuals in what was a superb team effort may I recognize:

LEUT James Fahey and his Training Team for the splendid presentation of the Navy component of the Australian Federation Guard. Their presentation at the Ceremonial Sunset, their colorful March to the Memorial Service and their performance during that service generated wonderful response from our veterans and the general public. In my 73 years I have not seen so much emotion on the faces of our veterans and their wives during and after their display. As the reviewing officer may agree, to be given the opportunity to march under the White Ensign again with the Guard & Band was something special for our FESR Veterans. Despite age and assorted medical conditions they marched with amazing pride and bearing. An exceptional reaction, thank you.

LSMN Blake Willoughby-Thomas for his dedication to Command of the Navy Precision Drill Team. This reflected in stunning displays by the NPDT prior to the Ceremonial Sunset and in brilliant sunshine before the Memorial Service. Their performances left their audience momentarily stunned followed by loud and prolonged applause. Most colorful, thank you.

LSMN Matthew Goward for his presentation of the Catafalque Party at the Memorial Service. They held their position for the entire service which was quite long, in a wonderful display of discipline that was noticed by many. Very impressive, thank you.

CPOMUSN Andrew Stapleton as Bandmaster of the QLD detachment of the RAN band, he kept everything together despite limited lighting for the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset and for his surprise inclusion of vocalist SMN Leigh Robke in the ceremonial elements of our Reunion program.

SMN Leigh Robke who stunned everyone present with her vocals. This petite vivacious young lady is a wonderful acquisition by the QLD detachment of the Band. She evoked widespread emotion with her presentations of “We are Australian” the Naval Hymns within the program, and must be complemented by supporting our Nation Anthem with “God Defend New Zealand” which she learned in 24 hours to give our service the ANZAC touch. It left our NZ contingent in tears, shared by many of our FESR veterans.

LEUT Jim Anderson ANC for his support and presentation of the Gold Coast Flotilla in our Reunion program. He had them turned out brilliantly for the all ceremonial elements of the program as flag parties and in the parade. They marched with us under the White Ensign for the first time so it was very special to them too, and this was reflected in their bearing as well.

Would you please be kind enough to thank them in whatever manner you consider appropriate.

Russ, we would have cherished the opportunity to present our 55th Anniversary to you but were privileged indeed to have Flag Rank representation in RADM Peter Jones. I do hope we lived up to his expectations, and I must say we were most impressed by the interest he displayed in our ideals and future objectives in particular, our National Memorial project.

We hope you enjoy your reunion package. You will note the color of our memorabilia, fitting after our crushing defeat of the Blues in the State of Origin series. Also included is some documentation and photos your events people may require for their records. We can make available photos by computer for any publications they wish to service. A Reunion video is presently in post production as well.

For information, CMDR Geoff Fiedler has offered to dispatch our Battle Honour Boards to the ships who were not able to receive them at the Reunion.

Our FESR Navy veterans across the nation were indeed proud to be given the opportunity to rub shoulders with your New Generation Navy at the 55th Anniversary Reunion. The RAN is certainly in good hands- Thank You.


Yours Sincerely




Gary (Joe) Linaker

Special Projects.

July 2010


Mr. Michael Fraser
Chairman
Twin Towns Services Club
PO Box 369
TWEED HEADS 2485

Dear Michael,

With the review of our 55th Anniversary International Reunion now complete, may Rudi and I register our most grateful thanks to you for allowing yourself to be swept up in the emotion of our program of celebration, remembrance, and commemoration. To have someone of your standing share a tear with us is just wonderful reassurance that we did our best all those long years ago.

Our thanks too, for the magnificent level of support you accorded our Reunion during our time at Twin Town Services Club. From the provision of Anzac Room, Stars, and Showroom venues through the courteous staff to the quality of the food presentations made our reunion the most memorable of them all.

Our members and their wives told us to ensure we made mention to management “that food presentations of previous reunions in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth did not come within Coo-ee of Twin Towns!”

Whilst it may seem unfair to mention individuals in what is obviously a good team you have Michael, It would be remiss of us not to mention the following people in the best naval tradition of red ink:

Chrissie Thomas Conference & Convention Manager- in packaging our reunion needs Chrissie displayed a professionalism many would envy. As one who spent half a lifetime managing marketing, advertising, promotion, and publicity portfolios in the zany world of television, I say conference and convention managers tend to become rather blasé about their role- not Chrissie. Throughout our dealings with her, Chrissie retained her energy and enthusiasm as if we were her only client! We believe Chrissie could meet any challenge we threw at her and in our brief experience with Chrissie, we take the view that you have a valuable asset to your Executive team who will rise to meet any challenge!



Clayton Peters Light & Sound Technician- They would love him in the Navy! A most knowledgeable technician with a wonderful disposition, who did not hesitate to go the extra yard for us to ensure we were the best we could possibly be with our presentations. We were most impressed with his logic and splendid communication skills particularly when weather inclemency became a factor with Chris Cunningham Park Saturday night. Hang on to this fellow Michael he is a treasure!

Joe Russell President RSL sub branch- while not in your employ, we must mention his fervent desire to build customer flow to your great club. His work behind the scenes to ensure the ceremonial elements of our program were discharged with a minimum of fuss was simply priceless. He advocates your club facilities at every opportunity and would in our view be a wonderful conduit to the wider veteran community wishing to conduct events like ours across any given year in your complex.

Michael, they are impressive and quite productive members of your team, would you please be kind enough to thank them for us in whatever manner you consider appropriate for contributing so much to the success of our most memorable reunion ever.

We understand our event has provided some flow on with a number of our flock taking out membership with your club, and another of our Navy veteran groups the HMAS ANZAC/TOBRUK Association set to enjoy your facilities this weekend.

Michael, we consider it a privilege to have met you as one who provided our 55th Anniversary Reunion with memories we will cherish forever- Thank you


Yours Sincerely,


Gary (Joe) Linaker Rudi Bianchi

Special Projects Queensland President

Thursday 15th July 2010