Reunion 2009 - The Canberra Crowd

Well it happened again! Sad tired old minds and bodies from around the nation gathered together for a weekend of reminiscing, mayhem and bullshit. Thanks to our hosts Kevin Slavin and Tony Redondo for putting on a fine bash, which was held at BAE Systems (thanks to them to for letting us use the venue). I cant believe you guys did this all for $60 a head!

We were treated to some 48th intake royalty as Rexy finally wasn't seeing a man about a dog and could join us, and commanders Menno Zwerver and Dave Strangward made it a long this time. Other 48th reunion virgins who we saw for the first time also included my and cabin mate Greg Evans, FJ Holden, Bernie Nihill, Alfy Lawrence and our beloved AB Mike Hyland (no he didn't wear the shorts).

Greg Evans, Bruce Klimeck, Conrad Bolton

The usual suspects made it along: Conrad Bolton, me, Kev Slavin, Tony Redondo, Jake McLaren, Bruce Klimeck, Bulkhead, Geoff Powell, Smouch, Tace, Andrew Buswell, Jack Benny, and of course our spiritual leader Kerry Jones. (If I have missed anyone please let me know).  We also had some support from reps from the 50th and 53rd divisions!

There were a few guys AWOL from the first reunion - ones that come to mind are DW, Cranky, Blacky, Denis Newton, Jed, Swampy, Bo, Weighty and Chris Gardner. Dean Bartorelli, my partner in crime in conceiving all this was also sorely missed.

In total that's over 33 guys who have come to the last 2 reunions, which is about 25%. The challenge is on for our next one - which Buzz and Bulkhead will be organising in Brisbane. We have decided to align to even years (and have a reunion every second year, so the next one will be about 2.5 years away so we can have our 40th in 2014 in maybe Tassie?

A lot of talk was had about the 50th JR reunion in Perth next year and Bo Bolitho is organising us over there. Many guys committed to turning up for that and a small collection was made to donate funds to the JR memorial at Leeuwin.

It was a great weekend, I love you guys and cant wait for Brisbane.

I will bring the site up to something more current in coming months, but for now here a few of my photos - with lots more to come.

Fitzy 

PS  We all talked about our personal trepidations in coming to our first reunion.  There were a few of us who for one reason or another didnt pass out from Leeuwin.  So for those who haven't made it so far, whatever your reasons for not coming I can assure you no one judges anyone - we are all brothers so make sure you are there in Brisbane!

PPS a Reminder of Reunion 2007 below