Jenny May introduced guests: David (Adrienne's husband), plus our guest speakers, James Rogers and Dave Panos

 

Jenny wants items for the hamper. Please deliver to her place. Will take money instead.

Ann has name badges for everybody to use at the Fair.

PP Dick Dawes announced that he had a successful international committee meeting.  Approved the list of small projects in Indonesia recommended by the Nusa Tangarra Assoc (NTA - based in the ACT.)    NTA will now forward the approved list and money to Indonesia so that these projects can be completed over the next six months.

Margaret Silink apologies on behalf of Martin for being absent from fair due to travel.  He has been asked by Katie Christian and Carol Sinclair from LC Council to hand out WATW pamphlets at the Fair for pre-registrants. Jenny, Ann and Tania agreed for these to be handed out at the PR stand.

Ann passed around the duty roster for the Fair as well as identifyIng paraphernalia.

Lindsay stressed the opportunity for revenue by selling BBQ and raffle tickets.

Tania invented a new uncharitable donations box for fleecing members of their loose change.

Paul Benitez reminded members of the Concert on 18 Oct.  $20 cost. 

 

Phil Dudgeon introduced our principal guest speaker James Rogers - who has played for 38 seasons for Syd Uni cricket club. Talking to his book. "To Give and not to Count the Cost."

James began by commenting that it was his 3rd occasion of addressing the club, and that RC of Lane Cove is held in the highest esteem by the community.

1st world War

62 of Riverview's old boys were killed in the war. Born on 31 July 1880, brilliant lawyer "IgnatiusBertram Norris" enlisted. Was commissioned as Lt Colonel (Bertie). Served as commander of 53 Batallion in Fromelles. Was a judge at military tribunals in France when Australian troops were brought up on a disciplinary charge at Fromelles.  5533 killed wounded or captured. 2000 Australians. 623 wounded that night from his Batallion. Bertie was killed after seeing 2 minutes of action- his first of the war. He was one of the highest ranked Australian killed. Finally Buried 2010 due to the previous impossibility of finding and identifying bodies. War not to be glorified.

Poets - Wilfred Owen and Rudyard Kipling. The Slaughter of Fromelles was far removed from heroic charges. Iron slaughter.

Half of the available Riverview boys enlisted. The College was very proud to be part of the then Empire.  62 dead by 1919. Some in their 40s.

8,000 Australian servicemen died from war related causes after war. A totla of 416,000 enlisted (half the elegible male population). 62,000 died. 

Riverview College had been tested and not found wanting. Several Memorial windows in the college chapel have been dedicated to individual soldiers.

Some historical errors in the wall plaques at the College

Further research found another 2 old boys who died in the war. Frank Souter and David Bartlett.

Began looking at life cut short by the insanity of war.

From 1913 when the boys embarked with optimism to finally 1919 where 10 million Europeans had tragically died. 

He asked that we pray that by learning and remembering we can prevent what happened 100 years ago.

 

Lindsay May congratulated James for meticulous research and thanked him for his dedication.

 

Questions

Was any remorse detected from the establishment heirarchy regarding the apalling waste of life due to questionable tactics and blatant disregard for and cavalier waste of Australian lives.

 

22 members present plus 3 guests