Contents.

Corona Virus.

This CoronaVirus epidemic is causing the biggest upset to world events that a lot of us have ever experienced. Most of us thankfully escaped WW2 and the horrific events the world experienced back then. Those that lived through that period had to endure extreme hardship and shortages of goods and services, most lost friends or family at a horrific rate, everything was in short supply, everything was rationed and that went on for 250 weeks, but they put up with it and came out the other end and got on with it and prospered like never before.

We've been in lockdown now for about a week. Some things are in short supply, we're inconvenienced somewhat but we're getting by. A lot have lost jobs but this time our Government has the legs to help. We're lucky! Most are getting some form of income and no-one is destitute or starving and this problem has a sunset, very soon it will pass and things will return to normal, though you can bet there will be changes to the way some things are done, probably for the better. The financial cost to our country though will be enormous.

But - when compared to normal everyday things to which we're used and accustomed - are we over-reacting? Have a look at the chart below.

Admittedly these are US figures, and the Corona numbers are early days, but they are probably a good indication of what's happening world wide. The death rate of 2.7% is quite a bit more than those that catch the flu, (to which some are comparing Corona) but cancer and heart attacks are still by far the deadliest diseases in our communities.

We're not suggesting anything by presenting these figures, but some will surely say it was just a huge over-reaction to the problem. That's not what all our top medicos think and they are the ones with the know how and whose advise we should be following, not what's dished up to us on social media. We can only hope that it goes away as quickly as it appeared.

Opinion:

This corona virus will cause more bankruptcies than deaths.

Fund raiser.

On the 7th March, we had a fund-raiser sausage sizzle at the Stafford (north of Brisbane) Bunnings store and what an experience that was. Bunnings have to be commended for this, they provide the marquees, the barbecue, gas, cooling fans, rubbish bins, the site, blackboard and even the chalk to write your message on the board, all at no cost. Their only requirement is participants must be a non-profit charitable organisation - which we are.

To obtain a day to roll some snags, you submit your details to Bunnings, including a copy of a public liability insurance policy to cover $10 million, your application along with all the others is then placed in the hat, names are drawn and you get a day. We were lucky to get a Saturday first up and lucky enough to get a Sunday on the 7th June for our second go.

As well as providing all the items above, Bunnings also give you a small booklet outlining a few dos and don'ts, hours you must operate and suggestions as to what you might sell. We found these suggestions to be very close to spot on. 

At the end of the day we made a profit just short of $1,900 - very pleasing.

We have only 1 complaint, the response to our request for volunteers seems to have fallen on deaf ears, we had only 3 respondents, thanks to them, one of whom was an "old" sumpie.  Warrick Reading, who saw 70 quite a few years back, turned up at 6.30am sharp, donned the red apron, picked up the tongs and rolled snags like a champion for hours on end - without a break. We had to call on family and a few mates to see the day out, not satisfactory when profits go to the Radschool Association.

We've booked Warrick for June and hopefully by then the Corona Virus will have left us in peace. .

Below are the troops who started the day, run your mouse over the pic to see what it looked like at 6.30am.

Brad Carlisle,  Trev Benneworth,  Warrick Reading,  Stan Seymour.

We know Bunnings have put the sausage sizzles on hold for the time being, but there's a hope we could be right by June, so, if you can spare a few hours on Sunday the 7th June, please fill in the form below and come along and give us a hand - we would really appreciate it. Bunnings have extended the hours, we now have to trade until 4.00pm

If it doesn't go ahead in June, it will later on - so please consider and give us a hand. We'll keep you informed on what's happening.

We live in hope!!

100th Anniversary of the RAAF celebration.

We had to cancel our plans for the big get together in Melbourne next year but that doesn't mean we're cancelling all together. We've decided to hold our celebration next year in the ACT and to hold it over the ANZAC Day period and if you went through Radschool, whether Ballarat or Laverton, no matter what course, male or female, this event is for you. It also includes your husband, wife, boy friend, girl friend etc, who can join in with us in all events except the ANZAC Day March itself unless they have served. We're all getting on a bit and this could be our last hurrah - let's make it a good one.

ANZAC Day in 2021 falls on a Sunday and we're planning to hold several events prior to that culminating in joining in the ceremonies planned around the War Memorial on ANZAC Day, including the Dawn Service, breakfast and the March itself.

We're suggesting you spend 5 nights in Canberra, commencing Wednesday night the 21st April, and leaving the ACT on Monday the 26th.

Here's what's planned.

Wednesday 21st April.

An informal get together at the Ainslie Football Club that night. We hope to have a handout for everyone, setting out what's planned, etc.

Thursday 22 April

We've arranged with the Army for a conducted tour of  Duntroon. This is a marvellous base, full of tradition and wonderful old buildings and is definitely worth a visit.  This will start at 10.00am and should finish about 12.00midday. After Duntroon, we're planning we get together for lunch, unfortunately, the Corona problem has meant we haven't been able to get to Canberra to organise this, but once things return to normal we will and we'll let everyone know.

Friday 23 April.

We've arranged a conducted tour of the AWM after which we can all lunch at Poppy's Cafe at the AWM. After lunch we'll try for a conducted tour of Parliament House - but we can't confirm that until we can get to Canberra.

Saturday 24 April.

We've also been in touch with the ACT branch of the Air Force Association and have got approval to dedicate a plaque, remembering Radschool, in the RAAF Grove which is on the Federal Highway just inside the ACT boundary - see HERE. We've submitted a claim to DVA for funds to cover costs so there will be no cost to members. As there's limited parking on the highway, we'll arrange a car pool system which will operate from the Ainslie Football Club car park to get everyone out there. Refreshments will be served after the dedication after which we plan returning to the Club for lunch.  The rest of the afternoon is free until about 4.00pm when we can meet up again at the AWM for the "Changing of the Guard" at the tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, followed by the Last Post ceremony where we will lay a wreath. If the WRAAF ladies wish to join us, we will lay two.  After that the day is yours as it will be an early start tomorrow.

Sunday 25 April

Being ANZAC Day we propose attending the Dawn Service followed by the ANZAC Day March. The Dawn Service starts at 5.30am, but they suggest you get there at least 30 minutes prior to that - so no sleep-in that morning. After the Service, breakfast is served in ANZAC Hall at the War memorial, see HERE. The Dawn Service and the following breakfast are wonderful and very moving events.

We've been in touch with the ACT Sub-branch of the RSL and have approval for us to march under the Radschool Banner. The March starts at 10.30am and will finish overall at the War Memorial at 12.30pm - that doesn't mean you're marching for 2 hours. The route for the March is along Anzac Parade, see HERE, if you are not able to march, but would still like to attend, we can possibly arrange to have you carried in a vehicle, let us know in the form below. Sorry, but we can only arrange a vehicle for those with active service.

We'll have more info on when and where to form up etc later.

The Dawn Service and the ANZAC Day March are two huge events and should be on everyone's bucket list.

Click the video below to see what it's all about.

After the March, in the tradition of ANZAC Days everywhere, we can all get together at a club for a "debrief". We're talking with the RSL for a suitable venue, more on that later too.

We're talking with sponsors for funds to meet a lot of the costs and hope to be able provide most events FOC to members, more on that later too. Hopefully, your only expense will be getting to the ACT and accommodation - so start putting a few pennies away.

So we can get an idea of numbers, we know it's still a fair way off, but if you think you can make it, please fill in the form below:

Buying a new car?

If you’re a Radschool member and contemplating buying a new car, we could save you thousands. The Radschool Association has done a deal with Australia’s biggest car brokers whereby you can purchase a car (your choice of make, colour, specs etc) at fleet discount prices.

One of our blokes made use of this facility recently and bought a Toyota Rav4 and saved thousands. You can too!

To see further details, go to the Radschool Assoc home page (HERE) then click on “New Car Purchase”.

Discounts.

Current financial members can now receive a 12% discount on the base rate of the day when hiring a car from Thrifty. If you’re thinking of hiring a car or an SUV or a people mover, this could save you heaps. If you’re a member, send us an email HERE and we’ll send you the promo code.

Membership.

We’ve decided to go with the following membership.

·                Full membership for $35.00 to 30 June 2021.

There’s no more annual Membership, only full Membership which will expire on the 30 June 2021.  As we’ve said, full membership is not compulsory, you can still receive the RAM which will remain open, free and available on the net.

So, if you’d like to contribute and help us with the ever increasing costs, please join as a full member.

If you are already a member (ie: if your name is on this LIST), please fill in the form below and send it to us, if you haven’t already joined (if you're not on the list), please use the form HERE.

BSB: 124-021       Account number: 1048 7401      Title:  RAAF Radschool Association.

Bank:  Bank of Queensland.

and include your name in the "Remarks" window on the deposit.

You can of course pay more if you wish!!

AND!!  If you work for or know of a firm that would be kind and generous enough to sponsor the Radschool Association, please get in touch.

Errors

Our aim is to have this site error free – but that’s probably impossible. But with your help I reckon we can get pretty close. If you see any errors, be they punctuation, spelling, links that don’t work, facts wrong etc, (no matter how small) please let us know so we can fix them.

Thankfully, Ken Morris, who lives over in the West, proof reads our print before it goes public and points out our many errors, not a lot escapes him I can tell you!   

Thanks Ken.

You can download the full magazine in PDF format HERE.

It is a very large file, contains 328 pages and will take a while to download.

The margins have been set so you can print on both sides of the page.

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