March 2021
PATRON: Major General B. W. (Hori) Howard AO MC ESM (Ret’d.)
2021
Welcome to the first edition of ‘Armi Nius’ for this year. After many months of house selling/buying/moving drama, life is returning to a semblance of normality for me.
The year is looking positive despite the limitations that are necessary to deal with the COVID virus. Vice President Greg Ivey has kept us all informed of the various activities and issues facing the Association over the last few months and for this we are most appreciative.
Greg has also contributed significantly to the editing of this newsletter and we thank him for his relentless efforts.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Remembrance Day 2020
Our Association was again represented well at the Brisbane Commemoration at ANZAC Square with a good turn-out of members.
ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE
The Assn. now has an Archive cabinet for historical material and Members are invited to contribute items. We have stored hard copies of Newsletters and AGM Minutes plus Group Photos (large). We have received some War-time photos from Lt. Jack McIntosh and a War-time map from Lt. Col. Stan Mellick. If you are willing to donate material related to the Second World War in PNG or to the 1951-1975 Defence period in PNG, please contact Vice President Greg (iveygj@gmail.com) who is the current custodian of our Archive.
Vale to Major-General the Honourable Philip Michael Jeffery AC AO (Mil) CVO MC Major-General Jeffery passed away on 18th December 2020 in Canberra. Not only was he a prominent citizen of this country (Governor-General from 2003 to 2008) but also a former Patron of our Association. He gave us support at the highest level and spoke glowingly of his tours in PNG and the soldiers he worked with there. President Don’s Obituary for his long-term colleague and friend appears on our Website (www.soldierspng.com) under “Membership”.
Message to members from Mrs Jeffery Mrs Marlena Jeffery has replied personally to the message of condolence sent from our Association by our Secretary, Kev Horton:
PRESIDENT DON’S PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO HIS COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND
Our President, Don Graham, and Major-General Michael Jeffery were great friends over more than six decades. Don has written his personal tribute to his friend and this appears on the Association website and you are encouraged to read Don’s humorous account of their friendship.
Included below are some excerpts from Don’s account.
THE BEGINNINGS
‘In January 1959, having completed my first tour with the PIR, I met the then Lt. Michael Jeffrey at 17 NS Training Company, Swanbourne, WA where he was a platoon commander training National Servicemen. Our friendship was immediate and remained so for the next 61 years throughout our military service and retirement.
We served in PNG in the 1960s. Mike was OC ‘C’ Company, PIR, Taurama Barracks whilst I was Staff Officer Recruiting at HQ PNG Command, Murray Barracks.
Because of my 1956-58 service with PIR, Mike invited me to attend the official opening of the new PIR Officers’ mess at Taurama Barracks.
Don goes on to recount the rather memorable events that happened subsequently, and you can find these in Don’s account on the website. Don goes on to tell of the significant events of the following years and the General’s acceptance of the role of Patron of our Association.
‘Upon the retirement of Mike as Governor-General of Australia, the Association enjoyed his loyal and positive support for four years as Patron. As an example, Mike and Marlena attended a Kokoda 70th Anniversary Commemoration lunch during July 2012 in Brisbane where Mike was guest speaker. As well, they attended the 75th Anniversary event at Broadbeach in June 2015 at our invitation.
The last time we attended a commemoration service together was in 2017 when we both laid wreaths at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance in honour of the 75th Anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign.
Mike’s passing on 18th December due to his brain cancer was a particularly sad day for all who had the privilege and pleasure of his company, be it during his military service or his vice-regal appointments. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 restrictions on interstate travel and the limited number of funeral attendees, I was unable to attend Mike’s state funeral in Canberra on behalf of the Association. We were only able to watch the service remotely (thanks to ABC TV).
Mike and I shared great times together, everywhere over 61 years.
Editors: Ian Ogston ozoggies2@gmail.com Greg Ivey:iveygj@gmail.com