NSW SCOTTISH REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION
RECENT EVENTS
The Parade on Reserve Forces Day 2010 was a special one in that it was the first Parade to be honoured by the first female Governor-General and
Commander in Chief. Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AM took the salute and inspected the Parade.
We will let the photos tell the story:
NSW Scottish members had the honour to carry two of the Standards on Parade:
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| Colin Boland with the 8 Brigade Standard |
| and Peter Bryce with the NSW Scottish Standard |
Our thanks to Debra Rodgers for the Parade photos
The Parade was followed by the traditional formal lunch at the Royal Automobile
Club where the honours of the day continued with the NSW Scottish Association hosting His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, the husband of
the Governor-General.
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| His Excellency talks of his Scottish ancestry and visiting the Queen at Balmoral |
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| Tradition was maintained with the usual excellent entertainment by the Pipes and Drums |
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| And the Pipe Major's toast with our guests |
As the Formal Lunch was the last formal occasion on which the Association will be entertained by the Pipes and Drums, the
opportunity was taken of His Excellency's presence to make a presentation to Bill Campbell for his outstanding contribution to the Association
and to Reserve Forces generally since the formation of the Reserve Forces movement in 1998.
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| His Excellency and Bill Campbell |
Frank Woodhams adds his thanks to Bill on behalf of all of us |
The NSW Scottish Regimental Association is one of the very few Associations that is strongly supported by currently serving Reservists.
To recognise their support, A Company members were seated with His Exceellency and introduced. He was very happy to recognise their support.
At the lunch we farewelled strong supporters in Eion and Sheile Elibank-Murray who are moving to Western Australia
The RNSWR Church Parade in 2010 was a special event in that it marked the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Royal New South Wales Regiment.
2010 also marks the 50th anniversary of the disbanding of 30 Infantry Battalion NSW Scottish Regiment, so it was pleasing to see a turn out of about 50 members of the Association for the occasion.
On a sadder note the occasion was the second last appearance of our own Pipes and Drums who piped the Colours of the Regiment's Battalions into the church
and also played a magnificient and moving rendition of Highland Cathedral during the service.
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| The Guard of Honour |
The Governor and the 17Bn Colours |
Following the service our Haggis and Chips lunch was held at the Orient Hotel. THe Haggis and Chips
lunch is now one of our very welcome traditions.
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| Happy Haggis eaters |
and some more |
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| As usual we were supported by A Coy members |
and the Pipes and Drums |
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| Our Elder Statesmen. Harry Macdonald and Alasdair Macdonald |
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| Frank Woodhams and Bill Campbell show that we can take artistic photos - some times! |
Bill Campbell and helpers made the Haggis welcome as usual.
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| Another tradition |
Cost cutting in today's Army has resulted in the withdrawal of issue of any item of Scottish item of dress.
The Association is now assisting Alpha Company members by providing funds for some items of dress. Also with the demise of Pipes and Drums in the Army,
Alpha Company is sponsoring 2 members to learn to play the pipes.The Association has agreed to buy their pipes.
Frank Woodhams presented a cheque to LCPL Greg Smallwood, the President of the Alpha (Scottish) Coy Diggers Club
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| Frank Woodhams and LCPL Greg Smallwood |
To round out and finish the day on a high note were again marvellously entertained by the Pipes and Drums. We will miss them
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| Our magnificent Pipes and Drums |
We cannot see enough of them |
RECENT EVENTS
ANZAC Day 2010 was not one of Sydney's better days weather-wise but the rain held off for the Parade. The Association was not as well represented
as in past years with only about 60 members on parade but we were very pleased to welcome MAJ Trevor Creber, one of the founding members of the Association, a former
officer of 30 Bn and Company Commander of Alpha Company. Trevor now lives in Adelaide but travelled to Sydney for the day.
Photographs of the Association on the March are also less presentable than usual due to the absence of our usual photographer. What we have is shown below:
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The usual Reunion lunch was held after the Parade, but this year at a different location, the Orient Hotel at the Rocks where our numbers,
with partners and friends had swelled to 75.
And again we were well entertained by the Pipes and Drums
But this time our story has a very sad ending. Pipe-Major Bill Campbell
annonunced after the usual brackets of numbers that this would be the last occasion that the Pipes and Drums would lead us on ANZAC Day.
This decision had been very reluctantly taken as members of the Pipes and Drums are reaching an age where they are finding it difficult
to maintain the very high standard to which we have become accustomed.
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| Bill Campbell announcing the sad news |
Following this announcement, Frank Woodhams presented a Certificate of Appreciation to each of the members of the Pipes and Drums.
A presentation that was warmly supported by those if us who were there to witness the historic but sad occasion as after 125 years, there are now
no New South Scottish Pipes and Drums in New South Wales
Photographs of the presentations are shown on the Pipes and Drums page of this web site
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| HMNSWSRV (Her Majesty's NSW Scottish Regimental Vessel) Good Time |
The Pipes and Drums playing "All Aboard" ( A traditonal Scottish tune?) |
A glorious day on the harbour was enjoyed by 76 members and friends on 14 March. In accordance with the theme set in recent years business was transacted
first with Frank Woodhams presenting his report on activities over the past twelve months, the finances of the Association (which are in healthy state) and the activities
planned for the remainder of 2010. 30 members were in attendance.
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| The Port side and President |
The Starboard Side |
(The remainder of the cruise participants were not left on the Quay, they were enjoying the bar facilities and the sights from
the lower deck)
Following the AGM those attending then got down to what we do best - having a good time on HMRNSWSR Good Time.
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| Bon Voyage |
The Senior Contingent - Col Macpherson (joined 1939) and his wife, Mary (at rear)
and Alasdair Macdonald (P&D 1948) in the foreground |
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| and the younger generation |
and the rest |
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| and more of the rest |
and still more of the rest |
The occasion was also marked by the promotion of Peter Bryce, the Association Standard Bearer, to Honorary Corporal and to celebrate
James' McCann's birthday.
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| Peter Bryce, Association Standard Bearer |
the aging James McCann> |
And of Course the Pipes and Drums, splendid as usual
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| In procession |
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The Starboard Side |
And the Port |
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| And a Farewell - to the delight of the tourists at the Quay |
30 members with the Pipes and Drums attended the 2010 Gemas Day remembrance at Pymble . The need for us to carry on their memory as the current representatives of the heroes who
made Australian military history at Gemas on 14/15 January 1942, was highlighted by the very sad news that only six of the original members of 2/30 Bn who fought at Gemas
and survived the horror years of Japanese prisoner or war camps were able to attend the ceremony. A list of those who had passed away in the last year was read and this
seemed to total about the same number as those of us from the Association who attended.
A very strong plea is made to those who were unable to attend this year to swell our numbers next year to show the relatives of those of the 2/30th who have passed on, that
the following generations do appreciate their sacrifice.
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| The Pipes and Drums |
The Gemas Heroes |
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| The latest generation |
The Memorial |
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| Memories |
The 2009 30th Battalion's Church Parade again reminded us of the passing of time with only a few veterans of the 2/30 Battalion AIF and 30 Battalion
1938-1945 AIF being able to march with us. Nevertheless the parade was up to the fine standard set by the previous ones and, indeed, the march exceeded past standards
with about 50 marchers covering all generations from the 2/30 and 30 Bn members to current Alpha Company 2/17 RNSWR members upholding the battalion traditions and led,
of course, by our magnificent Pipes and Drums.
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| The Pipes and Drums |
The generations of 30 Bn members |
It has become a tradition at our Chrurch Parade for the Pipes and Drums to troop through the ranks.
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| The Trooping of the Pipes and Drums |
As is also our tradition the Chruch Parade was followed by our annual end of year of lunch, again at the Harbour Room at the Royal Automobile Club. Highlights below:
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| The Pipes and Drums do play other than on their instruments |
Some of the "all and sundry" also enjoyed the lunch |
The president also took the opportunity to make presentations to Drum-Major Geoffry Leigh, and to Drummer Arthur Robinson to recognise their contributions to the success
of the Association's activities
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| The sash Geoffrey is wearing was sewn by his wife, to whom we are very grateful |
Arthur Robinson and Sandy enjoy the occasion |
