Vol 75

Page 20

Privacy Policy  |  Editorial Policy  |  Profit Policy  |  Join the Association  |  List of Members  |  Contact us  |  Index  |  Links  

Merchandise     |     Print this page

Back     Go to page:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20     Back to Start

 

Some of the pics on this page have been crunched to allow it to open quicker.

You can get a better quality copy by clicking that pic.

 

Contents.

 

3TU 75th Anniversary.

Asbestos at Laverton.

Avalon Airshow cancelled.

Criterion Hotel, Rockhampton.

Firefighters support.

France.

Great Keppel Island.

 

IKEA commercial.

Mental Health Foundation.

Rockhampton attractions.

Sub boondoggle.

Tea or coffee?

White Ensign Club.

Wooden bomb.

 

The "Cri" in Rocky.

 

Back in 1968, 38 Sqn sent one (or was it two) Caribous up to Shoalwater Bay near Rockhampton where 7RAR and 9RAR were field training prior to being sent across to Vietnam.

 

The Caribous were meant to keep both ‘teams’ supplied with food, fuel and other requirements and to transport personnel in and out of Rocky as and when required. All good training prior to a posting to Vietnam.

 

Accompanying the Caribous were a number of Iroquois choppers from 5 Sqn and a Winjeel from Pt Cook that was to act as an FAC. The Army had a couple of their mighty little Porters too.

 

I can remember flying into Rocky airport, refuelling then flying out to Shoalwater Bay, which I think was called “Pink-lily Swamp” and being shown our ‘tent-line’ where we were expected to sleep, live and maintain a couple of aircraft. Our boss had a look at the conditions, said “thank you - but no thanks” to Army and we all climbed back on our aircraft and returned to Rocky Airport where we set up our maintenance facilities. I can’t remember what happened to the 5 Sqn mob or the Winjeelers, or the Porter people, but that was their problem, we were just happy we didn’t have to play Army out in the bush. With maintenance facilities sorted, it was time to look for some accommodation.

 

 

After a bit of haggling, we settled on the majestic old Criterion Hotel which is on Quay St, overlooking the Fitzroy River.

 

Being 24 year old young blokes, we didn’t realise or care much about the history or the significance of the Criterion, to us it was a million times better than a tent in the bush, it was an adventure, we had a comfy bed, ‘proper’ showers, good food, access to a cold beer at the end of the day and being only a short walk from the centre of Rocky, there was a fair chance there would be a bunch of girls who we ‘knew’ were just waiting to meet us.

 

It’s only now, after all those years when we revisit Rocky and look back on those exciting few weeks that we realise what a great old Pub the “Cri” is.

 

In 1855, prior to the separation of Queensland in 1959, the New South Wales Government had requested that William Henry Wiseman the Commissioner for Leichardt, locate a suitable place on the Fitzroy River for a settlement. Rockhampton's name and place had been decided on in 1856 although the settlement was not officially proclaimed a town until 25 October 1858. In 1857 a Mr Palmer erected a store in Rockhampton and soon after a Richard Parker, who had been living in Gayndah which at that time was the town of most importance north of Maryborough and Ipswich, moved east to Rocky and erected an iron-bark slab and shingle roof pub which he called The Bush Inn.

 

In 1858 the discovery of the Canoona goldfield rapidly changed the fortune of the Bush Inn which enjoyed overwhelming patronage and clientele over the four months that the rush lasted. In 1959-60, it was enlarged and rebuilt, the entrance to the public bar was from the corner of Fitzroy Street and Quay Lane, and the business premises extended back along Quay Lane. The layout of the Bush Inn now included a coffee room approached through a garden, and a billiard room at the Fitzroy Street end of the building.

 

Parker died in 1860 and his widow Maria, kept the Inn going until remarrying a John Watt in 1861. The Bush Inn was sold in 1862 to a John Ward who changed the name from the Bush Inn to the Criterion Hotel which it has remained ever since.

 

In 1989, with wealth from the mine at nearly Mt Morgan contributing to the development of the town, the hotel was rebuilt and on completion was the finest hotel in central Queensland. At the time it was considered way ahead of its time containing such ‘modern’ conveniences as gas-lighting and toilets with ample ventilation.

 

The Hotel became well known for the black tie balls and dinner parties that were held within its walls from the turn of the century until the 1950s. It has also hosted many distinguished visitors during its existence including Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (when Governor-General), his wife Princess Alice, the former Prime Minister of Australia Sir Robert Menzies, Dame Nellie Melba, Sir Donald Bradman, and Charles Kingsford Smith. Sporting teams such as the touring English cricket sides have also been accommodated at the Hotel and during the second world war it was commandeered for the use of American service personnel. It also served for a period of time as the headquarters of General Robert L. Eichelberger who was on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur. Eichlelberger commanded over 70 000 American troops stationed within the Rockhampton region.

 

We were in Rocky early in October 2021 and of course had to have a look at the old girl once again. We approached Ryan Turnbull, the current owner, and asked if we could have a look around and he was gracious enough to give us a key to our old room. Back in 1968 we ‘lived’ in the room below (arrowed) which we thought was royal like and that all our birthdays had come at once.

 

 

 

 

Not a lot had changed in the room since we’d left it over 50 years ago, we noticed the addition of a small fridge which obviously doubled as a bed side cabinet and a small shower cubicle on the right foreground in the pic. Previously communal showers and toilet facilities were “down the hall’ but as that was what we ‘enjoyed’ in our accommodation block back at Richmond, we just accepted that as the norm.

 

 

The view out on the balcony was just as pleasant as we remembered it, though it has been upgraded considerably. Years back there was a grass verge on the other side of the road which contained a small shelter shed type construction directly opposite our window.

 

 

The current view from the top floor balcony. Years prior, the area beyond that little white car was all lawn and a shelter shed stood about where that person is walking.

 

 

 

The dining room layout has also changed. Once it was a very formal affair, with starched white linen table clothes, silver cutlery and a dinner chime announcing meal time.

 

 

 

The well stocked corner bar hasn’t changed a lot, still old school, comfortable with plenty of wood panelling.

 

 

 

But the rest of the hotel has been extensively and very tastefully redeveloped.

 

 

 

The Bush Inn Bar and Grill used to be a small bar area that sold Mac’s beer in tiny 4oz (120ml) glasses.  As the standard drinking glass size in NSW back then was the 10 oz (300ml) middie we couldn’t believe anyone would want to drink a beer from such a small glass.

 

In 1961, like most small independent breweries back then, Mac’s was gobbled up by CUB which continued to produce and sell the brew until 1976 when it was closed down.

 

 

The little bar was completely remodelled and is now this attractive bar and grill lounge area (below)

 

 

 

 

The grand entrance to the hotel has been retained.

 

 

If ever you get the chance to visit Rocky, make sure you put the Criterion on your “must see” list. Pop in and say hello to Ryan Turnbull and spend a few hours enjoying a fine meal and a couple of cold ones in a fabulous location.

 

Rocky itself is a must see town, with a population of nearly 81,000 people, it contains some wonderful old buildings, built back in time when gold was found in the area.

 

 

The Catholic Cathedral.

 

 

 

The Rocky Post Office.

 

 

 

The Boathouse licenced restaurant on the Fitzroy River. Although new, it’s great for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a drink or two.

 

 

 

And a trip to Rocky would not be complete without a trip to the top of Mount Archer lookout.

 

 

There are a few ways of getting there, it’s about 640km north of Brisbane so you can drive it in one day although at the moment there are lots of road works along the way which will slow you down. You can fly, Qantas, Virgin, Sunstate, Air New Zealand, Singapore and Etihad all offer a service to Rocky but our method of choice is to take the Tilt Train. This wonderful service leaves Brisbane at 11.00am and gets into Rocky at 6.50pm daily. If you’re a TPI or EDA, it’s free. If you’re a pensioner a business class seat is only $92.50 and a full adult fare is $157.25 each way. Economy is pensioner $67.50 and full fare $101.25.

 

It gets along, reaching speeds just over 160kph and the food on board is excellent and keenly priced.  Our suggestion, go business class.

 

Seats are superb.

 

 

 

Click HERE to print out this story.

 

 

 

Great Keppel Island.

 

Rockhampton is only a short 40km drive from the coastal town of Yeppoon, home of the ill-fated Iwasaki Resort which today is all fenced off and being reclaimed by Mother Nature. Yeppoon is not far from Rosslyn Bay, home of the Keppel Bay Marina, from where the ferries leave if you wish to spend a while on Great Keppel Island.

 

Ferries leave the marina regularly for the 30 minute trip across to the Island, though we think it's glory days are sadly long gone. The once great resort is no longer operational and if you're only on a day trip, all that awaits you is a large shed type area in which to sit, a kiosk where you can buy a meal and a cool drink and a booking kiosk where you can hire jet skis or go snorkeling.

 

 

But, if it's a nice sunny day and you like being out on the water then the trip over is very enjoyable.

 

 

 

There are no jetties or pontoons where to get off the ferry, but the onboard landing is extendable and nearly always extends to dry sand.

 

 

 

This is what awaits you, there is talk of 'someone' being interested in bringing the resort back to life but we doubt we will ever live to see it. It's a shame  as most of the once super popular island resorts up the Qld coast have lost their appeal and drifted into obscurity. With airfares so cheap and Bali offering so much it's understandable I suppose.

 

 

 

There are a few walking tracks for those that feel energetic and if you wish to stay a night or two, the track on the left leads down to quite a number of 'shack' type huts. There isn't a 'store' on the island, you can buy drinks and meals from the kiosk in the Hideaway, but normally overnighters bring all their requirements, bread, milk, food, toiletries etc with them.  If I could drop 40 or so years, then heading over with a few mates for a couple of days would possibly be a lot of fun. These days though I was quite happy leaving the marina at 9.00am and returning at 2.30PM.

 

 

 

Mind you, it's pretty easy to sit in the shade for an hour or so, with a cold drink and just look out at the beautiful water.  Reminds me of PNG.

 

 

 

Without freedom of speech, we would not know who the idiots are.

 

 

 

Mental Health Foundation.

 

The Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) are hosting a Defence and Mental Health Symposium on Friday 29 October at Brisbane City Hall. They have a wonderful line-up of speakers and panellists – see HERE. They plan to add 1 more speaker with ‘lived experience’ perspective.

 

 

If your organisation is willing to promote the event to your database of Queensland members and supporters (using the above link), once during August and again in the first week of October, MHFA would be most appreciative. MHFA would acknowledge this partnership by displaying your logo on the bottom of the event web page, and on opening and closing slides at the event. If you wish to proceed, please reply with a high-resolution copy of your logo.

 

Also attached is a poster that you might wish to display at your premises and/or events. Even promotion of the symposium helps raise awareness and hopefully start conversations that reduce stigma.

 

Kind regards

Susan Warby  Project Officer QLD

Multicultural Mind Hotline: 1300 MHF AUS (643 287)

P: 03 9826 1422,  M:0407 392 738,  E: susan.warby@mhfa.org.au

W: www.mhfa.org.au    A:  Suite J, 450 Chapel Street, South Yarra VIC 3141

 

 

 

Much of the social history of the Western world, over the past three decades,

has been a history of replacing what worked with what sounded good.

 

 

 

Avalon Airshow CANCELLED

 

The 2021 Australian International Airshow at Avalon in Victoria has been officially cancelled. Organisers said that considering the increased uncertainty created by the impacts of the Delta variant of COVID-19, Airshow 2021 was officially cancelled. The pandemic had already required the airshow organising team to work through many past challenges in respect of the 2021 event, including postponement from its original planned dates.

However, recent developments as a consequence of the COVID-19 Delta strain meant the planning environment had become too unpredictable.

 

AMDA Foundation Chief Executive Ian Honnery said delivering such a complex, hallmark event in the circumstances would involve risks of uncertainty for attendees, participants, industry and the Australian public. “Therefore, the difficult decision has been taken now that Airshow 2021 will not go ahead,” Mr Honnery said. “It is deeply disappointing for the AMDA Foundation team, our stakeholders, exhibitors, participants and patrons that this signature industry trade show and public entertainment spectacular will not proceed.

 

“But public health and safety must be paramount and responsible levels of certainty must be achieved for all involved in or attending such a complex and multi-faceted major event. The biennial Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition at Avalon is staged with major participation from the Royal Australian Air Force and substantial support from the Victorian government, and is a significant event on the Australian calendar.

 

New dates for the next airshow were also announced – 28 February to 5 March 2023.

 

Mr Honnery said that with an expected transition to post-COVID normalcy, Airshow 2023 would return to international prominence as one of the world’s great air shows. “Showcasing the colour, spectacle and excitement of aviation, and the industrial and technological potential of aerospace, defence and space as national strategic capabilities, Airshow 2023 will again take Australia to the world by bringing the world to Australia.

 

“Neither the sky, nor space, will be the limit at Airshow 2023!”

 

 

 

France.

 

The pic at right says it all!!! 

 

This sign is on the little school in the French village of Villers-Bretonneux, a school rebuilt by the donations of Victorian school children after WW1. The school is appropriately named Victoria. On 25 April, 1918, Australian troops recaptured the village from the German Army. Australia’s National War Memorial in France is located a couple of km’s outside the village.

 

Someone recently wrote: “Dear France. I get that you are pissed off over this sub deal. I would be too. From the reports we are getting it was a massive cash cow at Australia’s expense and going no-where fast. Before you chuck the baby out with the bath water and impose trade sanctions against us can you do us a little favour? Can you go and stick some flowers on each of the 46,000 Australian graves through France and Belgium who’s sacrifices greatly contributed in allowing you to chuck this massive tanty in the first place?

 

Thanks cobber. Australia.”

 

Well said I reckon – tb.

 

 

 

 

The bomb.

 

During WW2, the Germans built a fake wooden airfield with wooden aircraft, vehicles and hangars in order to trick the Allies. The RAF, having known of the secret project for months, patiently waited for them to finish and then dropped a single fake wooden bomb on it.

 

 

 

We seem to be getting closer and closer to a situation where nobody is responsible for what they did

but we are all responsible for what somebody else did.

 

 

 

3TU 75th Anniversary

 

The 15th October this year marked the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the former 3 Telecommunication Unit, near RAAF Pearce in WA. Although the unit closed in 1991, the camaraderie of the Sigsop mustering and technical and admin staff who served there, has been preserved over the years by the 3TU Association.

 

The occasion was be celebrated by a reunion dinner at the new RSLWA Veteran Central in the Perth CBD. Association members from around the nation have registered to attend the celebration, which is planned to include a tour of RAAF Pearce and a nostalgic visit to the old 3TU site, now devoid of all buildings.  

 

3TU operated on a 24/7 basis for 45 years and in 1991 was awarded the Governor General's Banner in recognition of the outstanding service to Australia's national security.

 

 

 

THIS has to be the best ever IKEA commercial.

 

 

 

Easy Lies and Influence in the $90b submarine boondoggle.

 

No-one knew what the evaluation process involved, but it was clear the decision was political, not driven by the obligation of government to spend public funds for the best product and the best price.

 

 

In February 2015, faced with the imminent threat of a leadership challenge, then prime minister Tony Abbott tried to purchase the support of key South Australian Liberal Party members by promising that a local Adelaide shipbuilder would be in the running to construct a fleet of submarines to replace the ageing Collins-class vessels, at an estimated cost of $20 billion. The design and construction of these submarines represented the largest defence procurement in Australia’s history.

 

Despite the oversight of the National Security Committee, three White Papers by successive governments confirming a commitment to acquire new submarines, extensive and well-established defence procurement protocols, the creation of a Defence Capability Plan seven years prior, and the known interest and capability of international commercial shipbuilders, including ones based in France, Germany and Japan, an open tender was abandoned by the government in favour of a new, untested and less-rigorous purchasing process known as ‘competitive evaluation’. Then treasurer Joe Hockey, sent in to do the dirty work, asserted there was ‘no time for a tender process’—and was perhaps later rewarded with a plum posting to Washington as Australia’s US ambassador.

 

No-one knew what the evaluation process involved, but it was clear the decision was political, not driven by the obligation of government to spend public funds for the best product and the best price.

 

 

Defence procurement runs into billions of dollars and is ordinarily governed by a suite of tendering and contracting processes based on established risk profiles. The key phases of acquiring major new defence assets typically include the identification of a capability gap by the Australian Defence Force; the involvement of the purchaser, the Defence Materiel Organisation, and in the case of new technology, the expert Defence Science and Technology Group; and the establishment of a Capability Development Group to liaise with the ADF as a go-between. The process then involves a Cabinet-approved ‘first pass’ to proceed to open tender, sourcing the capability on the open market; the preparation of user requirements that form the basis of the tender; briefings and engagement with industry; and the issue of request-for-tender documents. After the receipt of tender responses, an evaluation process, informed by technical, environmental and commercial working groups with the relevant expertise, starts work to progress towards the second round of Cabinet approval. It is not until this second round that a preferred tenderer is identified and contractual negotiations commence, followed by acceptance testing and evaluation to ensure the assets can do what they are required to do—if they cannot meet the validation and verification requirements, the deal does not proceed to the execution of contracts.

 

On 26 April 2016, only fourteen months after the evaluation process had commenced, the successful submarine partner was announced by new prime minister Malcolm Turnbull (a strategic partnering agreement would subsequently be signed on 1 March 2019, with a separate contract in place for an integrated weapons system to be used in the newly designed submarines). To the very great surprise of the competitive Japanese consortium, a French company, DCNS (now Naval Group), had secured the contract to build the submarines, on the condition that it do so in Adelaide. The problem was that DCNS, jointly owned by the French Government and global arms manufacturer Thales, was tainted by well-publicised probity issues, including persistent allegations of bribes and security breaches. Even the most basic search of online information would have raised red flags, including reports that eleven of the company’s employees were killed in revenge for unpaid kick- backs in Pakistan and corruption involving French officials.

 

Since 1997, DCNS has reportedly been involved in five major corruption scandals, three of them reported before its selection to design our sub- marines—two more scandals involving allegations of murder and the compromise of information continue to swirl around the company. And in Australia, Naval Group is suspected of grossly over-inflating invoices by tens of millions of dollars on other projects.

 

Corruption risk in a multibillion-dollar national security project involving new, classified, proprietary technology, and attracting the interest of foreign defence and intelligence agencies, is clearly a relevant consideration for the purchase of defence assets, due to the potential for the theft of critically sensitive information and for the technology to be compromised by the thousands of foreign contractors and sub-contractors engaged on the project. A new standard for the prevention of bribery, released in 2016 by the International Organization for Standardization, should have been given serious consideration in the context of a broader recognition of the risk of a national security breach.

 

In early 2020, the ANAO conducted an audit into the selection process, including the probity procedure. The auditor’s report found that the Department of Defence had effectively designed and implemented the evaluation process to select a partner for the submarine program. The report made no reference to anti-corruption due diligence being undertaken by any agency, and it appears none was undertaken on any of the preferred partners either. The evaluation process, it turns out, was never intended to assess either the capability of the end product—the submarine—or whether the total cost of the project was value for money. It was intended for one purpose only: to select a project partner in time for the July 2016 federal election campaign.

 

Now, more than six years after Tony Abbott’s initial announcement, the failure of the evaluation process is abundantly clear. Standard defence purchasing principles and risk-assessment processes were apparently abandoned. No-one checked to ensure that local jobs and materials were locked in, and few of the promised jobs have been delivered. It was not even clear that the project was technically feasible. Furthermore, the cost has now blown out, according to evidence presented to Senate estimates, with the final price of the submarines and their weapons systems expected to exceed $145 billion in what is known as ‘turned- out’ dollars—and over the life of the submarines, the cost is thought to end up in the region of two to three times this sum. The first submarine is not due for completion until 2032, although the audit report says it will be 2034.

 

Furthermore, the Japanese consortium understood it had lost the contract because of political expediency, creating tensions in international relations and Australia is now indebted to a partner company facing serious corruption allegations.

 

 

Promises of defence spending in the order of millions, if not billions, are routinely scattered around marginal seats like confetti during election campaigns. Arms dealing has been heralded as the next economic boom for Australia. Former ministers have been appointed to key advisory and well-remunerated consulting roles to arms manufacturers, leading to further acquisitions and the subversion of tender processes. Risk assessments and compatibilities are overlooked, money is spent on materiel that is ill suited to defence purposes and our defence capability is compromised. Only last year, Thales Group persuaded the Attorney-General’s Department to redact parts of an Auditor-General’s report on national security grounds. The report was critical of the purchase of light army vehicles from the aerospace company after intense lobbying for $1.3 billion, twice the price quoted by a US manufacturer, with the resulting loss of hundreds of millions of dollars of public funds.

 

The most galling aspect of it all is that billions of dollars of our money was used to save a former prime minister’s neck. It’s an awfully expensive price tag for ambition.

 

 

This is an extract from Easy Lies & Influence by Fiona McLeod released in August as part of the ‘In the National Interest’ series published by Monash University Publishing.

 

 

 

Some of the biggest cases of mistaken identity are among intellectuals

who have trouble remembering that they are not God.

 

 

 

Asbestos.

 

You may have heard about a possible asbestos exposure to personnel who worked on RAAF Base Laverton in building 474. Building 474 has had several uses, it was the new Radschool building, then the Aerospace Materiel Systems Program Office (AMSPO), then Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DGTA), then Air Force Training Group (AFTG).

 

It’s this building:

 

 

Workers who have worked in building 474, at RAAF Williams Laverton Base are warned of potential asbestos exposure. Enquiries into the historic use of the building and likely exposure period have not been conclusive. Defence WHS Branch has requested Groups and Services to ensure this information is distributed widely.

 

In December 2020, an occupational hygienist report confirmed friable asbestos existed in the ceiling spaces of Ground Floor, B Wing and C Wing, as well as Level 1, B Wing and C Wing of the building, consequently air monitoring and asbestos fibre monitoring were undertaken in areas below the ceiling line. At the time of the monitoring fibres detected were found to be below the asbestos exposure standard.

 

While the monitoring levels undertaken in May and July 2021, indicate levels of fibres to office workers remained below exposure limits, however it cannot be confirmed that asbestos fibre levels were consistently maintained below the exposure standard level prior to these reports being delivered this year. The latency period for asbestos related diseases is between 10 to 50 years, therefore if you or anyone you know worked in any of these areas you should register with Defence Asbestos and Hazardous Chemicals Exposure Scheme (DAHCES). An asbestos fact sheet is attached for your information.

 

This LINK will take you to the Defence Asbestos and Hazardous Chemicals Exposure Scheme and details the process for you to register under the scheme.

 

In short, ring 1800 333 362 and they will take you thru the rego process. If you spent time in Bld 474 on Laverton, please consider registering under the Scheme.

 

 

 

Tea or coffee?

 

 

 

Support for ADF firefighters.

 

As a part of the 2021–22 Budget, the Federal Government allocated $6 million in support of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who participated in fire training at the Point Cook Fire Training School between 1 January 1957 and 31 December 1986. These personnel were potentially exposed to a range of toxic chemicals at a time when personal protective equipment standards were lower than today.

 

The Scheme will provide eligible personnel with:

  • simplified access to compensation and treatment for a list of 31 specified conditions, under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988;

  • screening for colorectal cancer and melanoma, for early detection and prevention; and

  • individually tailored lifestyle advice under the 12-month Heart Health Program.

The ADF Firefighter Scheme is scheduled to begin on 20 September 2021. Serving and former ADF firefighters who participated in fire training at the Point Cook Fire Training School between 1 January 1957 and 31 December 1986 can register their interest in the Scheme by emailing ADF.Firefighter.Scheme@dva.gov.au

 

For more information, please visit the ADF Firefighters Scheme page of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs WEBSITE.

 

If you or a member of your family require assistance with navigating any claim with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, please contact charity RSL DefenceCare on (02) 8088 0388 or email info@rsldefencecare.org.au or the Welfare Officer at your local RSL sub-Branch.

 

 

 

 

Obviously as intelligent as her sign.

 

 

 

The White Ensign Club.

 

Back in the early 1960s, if you lived in Victoria, the pubs used to close at 6.00pm. About a quarter to 6pm every night, you would hear the barman/maid call “last drinks”, everyone would order half a dozen 7 oz beers, take them outside, park them on a window-sill and drink on until you finished. Back then there was no “point 05”, if you could find your car you could drive it home – a lot did and sadly they are not here today.

 

6 O’clock closing was introduced in 1916. Prior to 1915 Victorian hotels closed at 11.30pm, the Gov’t then legislated to close them at 9.30pm then in 1916, during WW1, legislation closed them at 6.00pm. In 1919, after the war, the earlier closing time was made permanent and remained that way until the 1st February 1966 when 10.00pm closing became law.

 

Prior to that, most suburbs around Melbourne had a “sly grog” outlet, a few people would keep dozens of ‘long-necks’ in a fridge in their garage and if you wanted one or six, and you knew where to go, you knocked on a door. Highly illegal but seemingly not policed all that vigorously.

 

Of course the 6 O’clock rule didn’t apply to ADF bases as they were on Commonwealth property. At Laverton the Airman’s Boozer and games room stayed open to 10.00pm but being young and bullet proof, we needed a change of scenery and one such place that definitely offered a change of scenery was “The White Ensign.”

 

 

The White Ensign was run by the Navy and was situated in the magnificent Exhibition building in Carlton. The Exhibition Building was built in 1880 to host the Melbourne International Exhibition and today is one of the last major 19th century exhibition buildings left in the world. It also housed the first Parliament of Australia in May 1901.

 

Opened in 1952, the White Ensign provided a home away from home for junior Navy people. Sailors from the Naval depot at Flinders often travelled up to Melbourne on their weekends off, the White Ensign offered them cheap sleeping accommodation as well as meals and other amenities. If a Navy ship pulled into Melbourne and the sailors wanted a few days off ship, they too could bunk down at the White Ensign in one of the rooms (right). It also had a bar, which Navy called Screamers, which stayed open late and if you had an ADF ID card you could get in and get an ‘after-hours’ drink. This rule seemed to have been relaxed for the female population of Melboune as most of the female patrons we encountered didn’t seem to fit the ADF mould.  

 

The facilities weren’t all that flash either, from memory the ‘bar’ was a wooden trestle table and there was always a gallon or two of beer spilled on the floor – but at that age, who cared.

 

But over the years people’s expectations changed, the White Ensign did not meet current standards and eventually it was closed in Sept 1971.

 

 

 

Why is called ‘Greed” to want to keep the money you have earned,

but not ‘Greed” to want to take somebody else’s money?

 

 

 

  free counter

 
 
 

Back     Go to page:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20     Back to Start

Back to Top