Gippsland Branch Official Newsletter Patron

Royal Australian Air Force Group Captain P. Cleary

Association Lot 3 Red Gum Gully

Victorian Division Boundary Road

Briagolong 3860

President Secretary Treasurer Welfare

Tom Lawless John Power John Schulz Clem Jarvis

125 Farran Road 24 Pollock Street 111 North Road 11 Western Park Drive

Hazelwood Sth 3840 Traralgon 3844 Yallourn Nth 3825 Warragul 3820

(03) 5166 1388 (03) 5174 3231 (03) 5167 1495 (03) 5623 1866

FEBRUARY NEWS 2010

Greetings to members and their families!

I hope you are keeping well and enjoying the very pleasant weather we have

been experiencing, so different to last year. Glenys informed me this morning

that John Schulz has had a slight turn and has been taken to hospital. We

sincerely hope that it is not serious. He is having a few problems at present our

John. At this time I do not know of any others on the sick list.

VALE:

David Pearce, our inaugural President when the Gippsland Branch was

reformed in 1990. David passed away at Christmas at the age of 91. As

mentioned in the previous News a number of members attended his funeral at

Leongatha on 29th December 2009.

David had been a very active member of the RAF Association, Melbourne

Branch, and quite a number of the members travelled to Leongatha for the

service and conducted the ceremony in conjunction with Leongatha RSL.

David served with distinction in the RAF during WW2. He was attached to a

Lancaster squadron and on one raid over Germany his aircraft was badly shot

up. He managed to get it back to England but it crashed on landing and two of

the crew were killed, David received a broken ankle. For his action he was

awarded the DFC. When he recovered he rejoined his squadron and with a

new crew completed his tour. He then became an instructor teaching new

crews the art of survival. Later he became an instructor of the instructors.

…/2

- 2 -

After the war he returned to civilian life in England. In the 1950’s with his

wife Daphne and their family they moved to Australia and eventually they

settled at Leongatha. In 1990 a number of ex RAAF types looked at reforming

the Branch in Gippsland.

A meeting was held and David was elected President. He held the position for

several years. Daphne also served a term as Secretary. She predeceased David

several years ago. We extend to his family sincere condolences of the Branch.

—————————————

The painting of Air Commodore David Beyer, Senior Chaplain has now been

taken to the Gippsland Armed Forces Museum at West Sale. It has created

considerable interest since it went on display last March.

Our meeting on 7th February was attended by nine members and one visitor

with apologies from two. Not bad as our current membership stands at

seventeen. So any of you out there who have not yet payed your subs please

do so as we need to keep the numbers up.

It was decided that we will endeavour to make a trip to the Maffra Sugar Beet

and Motor Museums most likely in April. If sufficient numbers can be

obtained we will organise a bus. The trip will be arranged for a week day.

When the date is announced please let me know ASAP if you intend coming.

There will be a dedication of a Plaque commemorating the RAAF Squadrons

that served in the Vietnam War. This will be held at Point Cook on Sunday

28th March. Those of you interested in attending please advise me by Friday

12th March.

Motor Transport Branch has had to cancel their trip to visit our Branch due to

sickness among the members. They are hopeful of making it at a later date.

All for now,

John.