PRINT POST APPROVED PP333729/00024
The Official Journal of The Odd Bods UK Association
(RAAF 1939-1945)
Reg. No. A0043500Y
www.theoddbods.org

PATRONS
Air Vice Marshal PJ Scully, AO, MiD, RAAF (R'td).
Air Commodore KRJ Parsons,
CBE, DSO, DFC, AFC RAAF (R'td)
Hon. Secretary:- GV Smith
40 Ireland Street
RINGWOOD VIC 3134
Telephone :- (03) 9847-0617
Email:- secretary@theoddbods.org
VOL No 21. No. 1
February 2004
page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Greetings from the President

I'm pleased to be able again to wish all Odd Bods members and their families a happy and healthy New Year. That well-worn phrase "time marches on" is somewhat superfluous - don't we all know that time accelerates the older we become? Let's make the most of it; keep taking the tablets and fend off that old 'grim reaper'. And don't forget the usual advice: yesterday is history, tomorrow's a mystery, today is a gift. That's why they call it "the present". Hope to see you all at the March on Anzac Day and at the Reunion.

Walter Eacott

 

Our Co-Founder's Birthday
 and a Presentation

Two significant events occurred in the Smith family last month. Our popular and greatly admired Founder, Past President and current Secretary George Smith celebrated his 80th birthday on Thursday, 1st January. A happy crowd of family members and many of his friends were present at his home in Ringwood for an al fresco lunch and lots of celebratory drinks.

George's No. 3 son, Mark, did a lovely job in compering a version of "This is Your Life" to his Dad. Several of the family and friends joined in the fun, providing between them many reminiscences that kept the audience greatly interested and amused. It was a lovely day, and we suspect that George was not quite dry-eyed for some of the time. A great family gathering by a wonderful family. Hearty congratulations from all of us, George.

The second event was on Friday, 23 January last, at Nunawading, when Phil Barresi, the Federal Member for Deakin, presented a Certificate to George at the 2004 Deakin Community "Australia Day Awards" ceremony, for his outstanding contribution to community life within and beyond the electorate.

George (on the left) was one of 40 special men and women to receive the presentation before a large audience in the Waratah Room at the Whitehorse Centre.

Ladies Annual Luncheon
The Annual Lunch held at the Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club on 21 November was a "ripper". Over 150 members, wives and friends in attendance on a beautiful spring day, so the pre-lunch drinks on the terrace were greatly enjoyed. Then followed an excellent lunch in the Club dining room, and the happy chatter told it all. A great success, and we thank Norm Smithells for the arrangements, and Free Strickland for being our host for the day.
Some of Jack Elliott's photos appear on the back page of this issue.

DATES TO REMEMBER

SUNDAY 21 MARCH
RAAFA MEMORIAL SERVICE
ST MARTINS CROMWELL ROAD
ASSEMBLE AT AIR FORCE CLUB 10.30am
LUNCH AVAILABLE
RING 9826 8573

THURSDAY 18 MARCH
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AIR FORCES' CLUB
4 CROMWELL ROAD
SOUTH YARRA
(SEE FORM ENCLOSED)

SUNDAY 25 APRIL
ANNUAL REUNION
"YARRA" ROOM
MELBOURNE TENNIS CENTRE
DETAILS IN NEXT ISSUE

SATURDAY 8 MAY
VE DAY PILGRIMAGE
SHRINE FORECOURT
CEREMONY STARTS 11:00 AM
TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE LADIES' LUNCHEON
DETAILS NEXT ISSUE

MONDAY 24 MAY
EMPIRE AIR TRAINING SCHEME LUNCH
AIR FORCE CLUB AT 11.30AM
RING WALTER EACOTT
9741 3401

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