Junior Recruit Memorial Project

Newsletter

Number 6

Project Update

The project continues to meet all milestones set out in the Strategic Plan. Application has been made for some financial assistance from the WA Government but as most will realise there has been a change of government there and it may be a little while yet before we will find out if assistance is available.

We have written to the new Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Crane RAN forecasting our intention to invite him to unveil the Junior Recruit Memorial in 2010, I expect we will hear from him in due course.

Approaches were made to the RSL and the Naval Association in WA for letters of endorsement for the project; we continue to await replies from them.

The web site for the 50^th Anniversary Reunion is up and running with a tremendous amount of interest in that. For those wanting more information log on to www.jrsreunion.org

One of our primary objectives is to raise the necessary money for the memorial. It is important to note that 100% of the donated funds will go towards the memorial construction and that at this time we are encountering a short fall rather than a surplus. Keep the donations coming, as the amount of money available through grants is quite small. We have been advised informally that DVA is not granting amounts to the levels previously given to many applicants and whilst we are yet to submit an application to them I do not expect that we will be treated differently to others. In any case the amount available from DVA is quite modest and only $4,000 if we get the full amount.

Continuing Support

Throughout the project we have been endeavouring to gain wide spread support for the objectives of establishing a lasting memorial to the Junior Recruit Scheme and the 13,000 boys who participated in it. To date the project has received the endorsement of the Nation President of the RSL, National President of the Naval Association, Vice Admiral Shalders RAN (as Chief of navy) National President Vietnam Veterans Association, The Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, Member for Fremantle Jim McGinty MLA, Leeuwin Barracks and more recently the Deputy Secretary Defence Support.

The level of support received so far is indicative of the importance of this work and recognition given to it within government, defence and ex service organisations across the country. The continuing financial support from the ex JR community is also vital to the completion of this work

Memorial Medallion

The Memorial Committee has decided on a design for the Memorial Medallion. This will be comprised of a cast pewter medallion that will represent the 3 dimensional centre bronze piece of the memorial. The Memorial Medallions will be wholly manufactured in Australia.

The photo below is a first draft of the image which will be finished with a rope surround and lettering at the top “Junior Recruit Memorial” and “1960-1984” at the bottom. The reverse will feature the dedication from the memorial and space will be allowed for the name of the purchaser to be engraved. The size of the pewter casting is 230 grams in weight and 80 mm in diameter (½ pound and 3 ¼ inches for those who have not yet converted to metric), which is quite heavy and will be finished to give a bronzed appearance.

The case for the medallion will be covered with black leather, navy blue velvet lining with the crests of Leeuwin and Cerberus in gold leaf on the lid and Junior Recruit Memorial 50^th Anniversary and RAN crest on the inside of the lid.

A Certificate will be issued with each Medallion. This will be the same size as the case and will give an overview of the commemoration. Rear Admiral Brian Adams AO RAN (Ret), who is the Patron of the project, will sign each certificate.

It is Your Heritage

We have identified the Medallions as being important keepsakes that can form part of the naval heritage in each family. It is hoped that sons, daughters and even grandchildren may seek to purchase one as well. The sale of these will go towards meeting the costs of the memorial construction.

At this time we are seeking advice on the GST position with the sale of these, the JR Memorial Fund is GST free for donations, the Tax office however may treat the sale of the medallions differently even though the transaction is in effect a donation. I will release full details of price and delivery arrangements shortly. There is an 8 to 10 week lead-time for manufacture but they will be available before the end of the year.

(Show this newsletter to your wife you never know what you might get for Christmas).

Payment and Ordering

When the purchase price and GST arrangements have been finalised we will release information for payment and ordering. At this time we expect that orders will be made only by a prepayment arrangement though the JR Memorial Fund Inc.

JR Memorial Medallion

In terms of your family heritage you might ask

“Would your family buy one and have it as a permanent keepsake of your service in the RAN”?

Can I recommend that you bring the opportunity to purchase a medallion to the attention of your family?

I am more than confident that they would like to have a valued memento of your service,

If you don’t do it for yourself then perhaps you can do it for your children and your grandchildren.

Reunion Web Site

Most will now be aware that a web site has been established for the 50^th Anniversary of JRTE at www.jrsreunion.org . This has been set up by a newly formed Reunion Committee that is now faced with the task of putting in place arrangements for an all intakes reunion commencing on 13^th July 2010. The reunion activities will coincide with the unveiling of the Junior Recruit Memorial and several major activities are planned including a Gala Dinner. Updates on the planed activities as well as registration arrangements can be found on the web site.

The web site will also provide information related to the JR Memorial Project including arrangements for making donations. We will make regular contributions to the “memorial page” on the web site as well as the normal distribution of a newsletter.

Memorial Bronze

Consultations are ongoing with the memorial development and I made a recent trip to Ballarat to talk with the companies who will be making the bronze centrepiece for the memorial. Grigsby’s Foundry has undertaken a lot of work of this nature. They are presently engaged to manufacture the bronze emblems for the Queensland Fire Service. I was able to witness the making of some of that work whilst there, very impressive. The engraver for our bronze will be Andrew Borg who is also based in Ballarat. Andrew has previously worked as a coin engraver for the Australian Mint and has been established in this type of work for more than 20 years. After witnessing the collaborative work undertaken by these two companies I am more than confident that the work to done on the memorial bronze will be first class.

The work on the bronze will commence with the engraving and impression making in June next year with the casting and final finishing scheduled for November. The finished piece will be transported to Perth in December for fixing to the granite panel. Work will commence on the masonry side of things from January 2010 with final placement expected in June.

Donations

Yes!!! We do need more donations.

Donation Banking

A bank account has been set up with the Devonport branch of Westpac. The account name is the “Junior Recruit Memorial Fund Inc.” (BSB 037 604 Account 22 7096) and deposits can be made electronically with the bank or by cheque made out to the fund and remitted to JR Memorial Fund Inc. 75 Lovett St Devonport Tas. 7310

Please do not remit cash or cheques made out to anyone other than the fund.

How are we going?

At this time we only have $7,500 and the target is to raise $25,000 and whilst we will get some funds from DVA and others there is a significant gap in what comes from grants and what we need to get it done.

Just $10 from each ex JR will get us there and all of this will not happen without your support.

A Very Motley Crew From 1963

Just in case one of your children asks, “what did you do in the Navy Dad?” you can refer them to these photos (courtesy of Brian “Rocky” Freier)

Do you recognise any of these faces? Some were still serving up until quite recently

“A little bit of JR History”-Aboriginal Titles Given to JR Divisions

In the early part of Junior Recruit Training at Leeuwin the names for the Recruit Divisions were drawn from eminent local aboriginal elders and guides. These elders and guides played significant roles in the early days of white settlement in Western Australia.

Kaiber Division

“Kaiber” was a guide and interpreter to Captain George Grey of the 83^rd Regiment during the period when the area between Fremantle and Shark Bay was explored in 1839.

Winjan Division

“Winjan” was an elder of a tribe in the south west of the state. These people were known as “Winjan’s People”. He much later was given the English name of George Winjan and was recognised for his role and leadership in reconciliation matters between aboriginal people and white settlers. The Winjan Community is a significant aboriginal community in Western Australia.

Nakina and Mokare Divisions

“Nakina” and “Mokare” were members of the King George Sound tribe and were known for their roles in the early English exploration of King George Sound and worked with surveyors of the time such as Lieutenant Robert Dale. The abilities of the aboriginal guides to act as interpreters were well respected, as was their role in establishing good relationships with other aboriginal groups.

Wylie Division

“Wylie” was an aboriginal of the King George Sound tribe who was taken by ship from Albany in 1840 to Adelaide by the explorer Edward Ayre. “Wylie” accompanied Ayre, Baxter and two other aboriginals in the exploration of a land route from Adelaide to Albany in Western Australia. During the journey Ayre and his party suffered from starvation and attacks from natives. One of the party, Baxter, was murdered by natives. Despite suffering from a lack of food and water “Wylie” was able to assist and direct Ayre to his destination. Later through the influence of Ayre the dedicated “Wylie” was rewarded with a pension and returned to his tribal lands in Albany.

Yagan Division

“Yagan” was a very respected elder in the district of Beelier, which was the aboriginal name for the area around the Swan and Canning Rivers. “Yagan” was initially more recognised for his ability to steal livestock from the white settlers and also for his escape from custody. He was very active in crime against settlers and was implicated in many thefts of provisions and also for murder. He was proclaimed an outlaw and a price was placed on his head however he eluded capture for many months. Unfortunately a shepherd shot him in July 1833. He was both admired and feared by the white settlers and respected for his role in defending his tribal lands. One of the guards responsible for his custody named him “Yagan the Patriot” and referred to him as the “Wallace of the age” which had reference to the great Scottish hero William Wallace who defended his homeland from the English.

The 1963 JR Rugby Team

This team was made up of both first and second term JR’s some of whom have passed on, the officer is Lieut. Terry Roach who went on to command submarines and is now, as I understand a “sheep farmer” (one extreme to another)

“Yours Aye”

Ken Dobbie

Email ken.dobbie@bigpond.com

75 Lovett St

Devonport Tas. 7310

Tel 03 64247198

Mob. 0418140042