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Feature - Anzac tributeAutumn 20154 - 5 Serving his country is in Clive’s blood6 - 7 Birth of a legend8 - 9 Remembering Private Dunstan10 - 11 From horses to Harleys for adventurous Aubrey12 Some Anzac Day customs13 A place etched in Mark’s mind14 - 15 From Duntroon to Iraq and beyond16 - 17 The hardship and heartbreak of war18 - 19 Thoughts on Anzac Day - part one20 - 21 Poppy reflects on war time22 Redknaps realise lifelong dream23 A letter to Lord Kitchener24 - 25 The impact of war on a life26 - 27 Thoughts on Anzac Day - part two28 Simpson and his donkey part of the Anzac story29 The long road to Gallipoli30 - 31 Vietnam vet finally at ease with Anzac celebrations32 Life on the frontline at Gallipoli33 Russell cooked up a navy career34 - 35 Army shaped the manRegular36 Down in the Garden37 Recipe The Anzac biscuit38 - 39 IRT Snippets40 - 44 Out and About what’s happening around IRT45 - 47 Real Estate opportunities at IRTBack Cover CrosswordCover image -IRT The Palmsresident AubreyDucat. Read moreon page 10. Photoby David Tease.You say – we pay!The Good Life is your magazine – and we’reencouraging all readers to share their stories andhelpful hints.Contributions to our regular columnswill all be rewarded with a $25 ColesMyer voucher. Here’s how you can getinvolved.GARDENING: send us photographs ofyour successes – or hints on keeping yourindoor or outdoor plants in tip-top shape – toreceive a $25 Coles Myer voucher. All contributionsreceive the voucher if accepted for publication.COOKING: our regular cooking columnist fromIRT Catering, Ben Mitrevski is inviting recipes andcooking hints from readers. Send us your favouriterecipes or kitchen hints and we’ll send you a voucherif they’re selected for publication.TRAVEL TALES: been anywhere exciting lately?Send us the story and snapshots of your journey –along with any advice or hints for future travellers –and we’ll reward you with a voucher.FILMS AND BOOKS: we’re inviting book and filmreviews from readers for our upcoming editions.All reviews should state the name and author ordirector and be no more than one page. Pleaseinclude your name and IRT community to receive a$25 Coles Myer voucher for all printed reviews.All contributions should be posted to The Good Lifec/o IRT Corporate Affairs, PO Box 2106 WollongongDC NSW 2500 or emailed to editor@irt.org.auIRT reserves the right to make minor editing changesto submitted pieces. Coles Myer vouchers willbe posted to the recipients so please provide fulladdress details (address details will be withheld frompublication).Find IRT online at -www.facebook.com/IRTgroupwww.twitter.com/IRTgroupwww.twitter.com/nievesmurraywww.youtube.com/IRTgroupwww.irt.org.auleading the seniors revolution ®

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTECEOColumnHello and welcome to this special Anzac edition ofThe Good Life.This edition brings together the stories of manymembers of the IRT family including staff and residents.This year marks the Anzac centenary – it’s 100 years sincethe landings on Gallipoli and it’s an opportunity to reflecton the service and sacrifice of those at IRT.Thank you to those who have taken the time to sharetheir stories, photos and memorabilia.In Australia today, Anzac Day represents the sacrifice themen and women of this country have made not only inGallipoli but in all wars and peacekeeping missions, forour freedom.Contained within the following pages we have storiesof sadness, survival and triumph – from the beaches atGallipoli, to Europe, Vietnam and beyond. These storieshave shaped not only the people affected andtheir families, but our nation as a whole. Theseare stories of mateship, remembrance and thetough times – the really tough times. Thereare also tales of seeking closure and findingthat closure.In 2013 I had the opportunity to travel to theSolomon Islands with the Australian DefenceForce Reservists following the launch ofthe Illawarra Reserves Support Committeein Wollongong. The committee providessupport to reservists and educates employersand businesses on the benefits of having areservist on staff. It gave me a glimpse intothe lives of those who provide support to theAustralian Army.We are grateful to those who have foughtand died for our country and allowed thefreedoms we enjoy today.Lest we forget.Nieves MurrayChief ExecutivetheGoodLife Autumn 2015 3

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015My grandfather said ‘ifAustralia’s good enough tolive in it's good enoughto fight for’.Serving hiscountry isin Clive’sbloodClive Gesling OAM's father toldhim two things about his timeat Gallipoli.The first was that each boat arrivingat Anzac Cove held 20 men and in theboat beside his, only three men gotout.The second was that he was carryingan injured Australian solider up thebeach on a stretcher and asked thesoldier his age. The young man saidhe was 19, but Clive’s father knew thatwasn’t the truth and asked again. Theyoung man was a boy – he was 15years old.Clive‘s father, Peter, was a stretcherbearer with the field ambulanceand spent time in Gallipoli andFrance during World War I Duringhis service he had typhoid fever andwas wounded three times. “He hadshrapnel in his shoulder until the dayhe died,” Clive says.“My father wrote to his [Germanimmigrant] father seeking his4 theGoodLife Autumn 2015permission to join the AustralianImperial Force,” Clive says. “Mygrandfather said ‘if Australia’s goodenough to live in it's good enoughto fight for’.” His father’s passion andcommitment inspired Clive to join theRoyal Australian Air Force.In January 1943 he enlisted. “I didn’twant to be in the army and the airforce got better pay and all my matesjoined,” Clive says.He scraped through the eye test– during which he was asked if hisfather was the principal at TownsvilleBoys’ School. “I said ‘yes’ and got a bigtick,” he says.Clive had just turned 18.He spent many months training inQueensland, NSW and Victoria andthen in January 1944, Clive boardedthe New Amsterdam, bound forEngland via Durban.

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTECaptionsFar left: Clive insummer uniform.Left: A LancasterBomber escorted bya Vulcan Jet Bomber.Below: Clive (right)and friend BillWalters.This page - right: Wireless AirGunner's Wing and RAAF Badge.Below: Members of 576 SquadronKelstern with a Lancaster Bomber.Opposite page - below left: Clive'sparents on their wedding day.A railway ticket, which is part ofClive's war-time memorabilia.He spent many weeks training acrossthe British Isles, before he went toLeicestershire and was 'put together'with his flying crew – there wereseven in a crew and Clive was thewireless operator. They trained in theOperational Training Unit and thenonto the Heavy Conversion Unit –flying Lancaster Bombers. “The firsttime I saw a Lancaster Bomber wasin January 1945,” Clive says. “It had avery good reputation – the best ofthe heavy bombers in the RAF. It hadfour Rolls Royce engines and could flyat 1000 feet on one engine. It was agood plane.”Their first mission was on 25 March1945 – the bombing of Hanover,Germany.During the missions Clive says asthe wireless operator he sat there insilence and just listened. “There wasno communication at all during themission, unless we ditched in the NorthSea,” he says. “I was (positioned) in themiddle of the plane.” All the missionswere run during the night and theyflew out of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire inEngland.His crew took part in 12 missions fromMarch to May 1945 and each missionthey dropped 10 to 12 bombs.He has sad memories of losing mates.“When the war was finished foodparcels were dropped to the Dutch,”Clive says. “A friend was on a planewhere a food parcel got caught on thetail wing and the plane came down.”His best mate died when the planehe was in crashed into the North Sea.“I had to visit my best mate’s motherand sister (afterwards) and I won’tever forget that,” he says. “The airforce made up two per cent of theforces but suffered 20 per cent of thecasualties.”On returning to Australia Clive left theair force; he had just turned 21. “Thewar was over, there wasn’t much pointstaying in,” he says.Clive, who has an Order of AustraliaMedal, then had a complete changeof career - becoming a barrister inthe Queensland Supreme Court. Heended up in Canberra working intaxation.Clive, now 90, lives at IRT KangaraWaters, Belconnen with his wife Avis.“Anzac Day brings back memories ofmy father,” Clive says. “My son-in-lawis with the Air Cadets and will be atGallipoli this year,” he says.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 5

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTETroops of the 2nd Brigade landingat Anzac Beach, Gallipoli on themorning of 25 April 1915. CourtesyAustralian War Memorial.ID. P10140_008--2We’re AllAustraliansNowIn 1915, in responseto the reporting of theefforts of the Australiantroops, the poet BanjoPaterson wrote We'reAll Australians Now,including the verse:The mettle thata race can showIs proved withshot and steel,And now we knowwhat nations knowAnd feel whatnations feel.who died in that war. In subsequentyears the meaning of the day hasbeen further broadened to includeAustralians killed in all the militaryoperations in which Australia hasbeen involved.Nowadays commemorative servicesare held at dawn – the time of theoriginal landing – across the nation.Later in the day, ex-servicemenand women meet to take part inmarches through the major citiesand in many smaller centres.A typical Anzac Day ceremonymay include the following features:an introduction, hymn, prayer,an address, laying of wreaths, arecitation, the Last Post, a periodof silence, either the Rouse or theReveille, and the national anthem.After the Australian War Memorial'sceremony, families often placered poppies beside the names ofrelatives on the Memorial’s Rollof Honour, as they also do afterRemembrance Day services.Source: Australian War Memorial,www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/anzac-tradition/convoys of cars carried woundedsoldiers from Gallipoli attended bynurses. For the remaining years ofthe war, Anzac Day was used as anoccasion for patriotic rallies andrecruiting campaigns, and paradesof serving members of the AustralianImperial Force were held in mostcities.During the 1920s Anzac Day becameestablished as a national day ofcommemoration for the 60,000Australians who had died during thewar. In 1927, for the first time everystate observed some form of publicholiday on Anzac Day. By the mid-1930s, all the rituals we now associatewith the day – dawn vigils, marches,memorial services, reunions, two-upgames – were firmly established aspart of Anzac Day culture.With the coming of the SecondWorld War, Anzac Day also served tocommemorate the lives of AustraliansA group of unidentified Australian soldiers around their dugoutbuilt on the hill behind the landing area at Gallipoli. CourtesyAustralian War Memorial. ID H00474--1.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 7

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015Honouring her uncleBenedict has been CathyRobinson's passion.RememberingPrivateDunstanIRT William Beach Garden’s resident Cathy Robinsonremembers going to church each morning beforeschool and saying a prayer for her Uncle BenedictDunstan, a Private who served in World War I.“He was my mother’s brother and was serving in the54th Infantry Battalion with the Australian ImperialForce (AIF),” the Kanahooka resident says.Private Dunstan was fighting in Fromelles, France duringWWI when he was killed in action. He was 23 yearsold. Sadly his family only found out he had died manymonths after the fact. He was killed in July 1916 and inNovember 1916 his family only knew that he had beenwounded.Cathy has copies of letters written by Ben’s father andbrother to the army desperately seeking more detailsabout Ben, his injuries, then his death, location of hispersonal belongings and final resting place over thecourse of many years.Private Benedict Dunstan.Ben was killed in the field and, along with hundreds ofother soldiers, buried in an unmarked field grave.Sadly, Ben’s parents died not knowing the final restingplace of their son but for the surviving family, a phone callin 2010 changed all that.“A farmer in Fromelles was digging up his field anduncovered some bodies,” Cathy explains.8 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTEBen’s body was identified through DNA samples providedby Cathy, her brother and her cousin.Ben is one of 144 Australian soldiers who have beenidentified by name through the Fromelles Projectteam using DNA technology, forensic science andhistorical data.“I couldn’t speak after taking the phone call [to say hisremains had been positively identified],” Cathy says.When a solider is identified the Commonwealth WarThe soldiers were re-buried nextto the other soldiers they had lainnext to for more than 90 years.The army has been marvellous.....Above: Private Dunstan's headstone at Fromelles.Left: Fromelles Military Cemetery.Below: (left to right) Cathy's cousin Peter Dunstan,Cathy and former Governor-General The HonourableQuentin Bryce at Fromelles, France.Graves Commission erects a new headstone at theFromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery bearingtheir name, bringing closure to the soldier's family.Cathy, along with other members of her family, madethe trip to Fromelles in 2010 for the Dedication of theFromelles Military Cemetery. “The ceremony was verymoving,” Cathy says. “We were able to visit the graves.The soldiers were re-buried next to the other soldiersthey had lain next to for more than 90 years. The armyhas been marvellous.”Cathy said the reception they received from the peopleof Fromelles was incredible. “The roofs of the houses hadthe Australian flag painted on them,” she says. “We evenhad the opportunity to meet Prince Charles.”Another interesting chapter in the story is that becausethere had been no funeral or official resting placefor Ben, back in 1924 the Dunstan family donated abaptismal font to St Joseph’s Church at Rockdale in hismemory.The font took pride of place in the church for severaldecades before it fell into disrepair and was thought tobe lost. “When I was young I went to school at Rockdale,”Cathy says. “I was quite proud of Ben’s name being on aplaque on the baptismal font.”Many years later builders uncovered some marble underthe church. The priest realised it was the same marble hehad discovered while playing as a child, without realisingit was the font. The decision was made to restore the font,a project that was funded by parish donations and a grant.Last year, the restored baptismal font was rededicated tothe church.Cathy, along with other family members, attended thespecial service for her uncle and was pleased that in thespace of a few years, two family mysteries had been solved.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 9

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015From horsesto Harleys foradventurousAubreyAubrey Ducat still gets emotional wondering how hisparents felt the day he and his brother Alwyn trudgeddown their farm lane and disappeared out of sight,heading off to serve in World War II.Alwyn was sent to Malaya; Aubrey was posted to WesternAustralia amid fears of a Japanese invasion.“Fortunately we both got back all right. My brother was aprisoner of war in Singapore but he got back safely,” 93-yearoldAubrey recalls.The IRT The Palms resident is very proud of the fact thatat just 18, he was the first in his family to enlist. A skilledhorseman who grew up on a dairy farm near Tweed Heads,he joined the 15th Light Horse Unit in 1940 and in February1941, entered Rutherford Light Horse Camp near Maitland.A call went out for volunteers to break in some large, wildhorses at nearby Greta.“Of course, muggins put hishand up. I could handle thehorses in the saddle but I wasnine stone ringing wet andthe horses were too strongfor me on the ground!”By December 1941 Aubreywas in camp on a permanentbasis, but this time withouthis beloved horses. Theunit was mechanised andrenamed the 15th MotorRegiment AIF. This meantswapping his trademark Light Horse hat for a beretalthough he was allowed to keep the hat, complete withemu plumes, and it still has pride of place on his loungeroom wall today. “I always wear it to Anzac Day celebrations.”10 theGoodLife Autumn 2015Aubrey Ducat is pictured at Rutherford in 1941(centre of photo).

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTEI know the Ode likethe Lord’s Prayer.Aubrey has many tales to tell, but oneof his favourites was during training atCoffs Harbour.“Being a raw young fella straightout of the bush, I asked a bloke whohad stripes on his arm ‘where’s thebathroom?’. He said, ‘Look, see thatbloke walking down there - follow himand he will show you’. I did and theywere all kneeling down at the edge ofthe creek and shaving in the reflectionof the water. I thought ‘hells bells, ifthis is what I’ve got myself into where’sthe next train home’.”He didn’t go home; instead boardinga train for a camp at Mingenew, nearGeraldton, WA.“At that stage there was a Japaneseconvoy somewhere off WA. Only12 miles from our camp we foundevidence of a Japanese radio station.That’s how close the Japanese were,”he explains.A volunteer Don R (despatch rider)was needed to undertake a covertmission to deliver a secret message toPort Hedland. Once again, “muggins”put up his hand – “well, I was lookingClockwise from above left: Aubreystudies his memorabilia. Aubrey(pictured left) with two of hisfellow soldiers in the 15th MotorRegiment in 1942. The 1TP ASQN15th Light Horse on its last paradein Rutherford in 1941, before itbecame a motor regiment. Aubreylooking at his photos. A flatbed traincarrying men and artillery in Cook,Western Australia.for adventure and somebody had togo”.Aubrey set off alone, riding a Harley-Davidson along a rough bush trackall the way to Port Hedland and back– a round trip of some 2600km. Hisonly companion was his fear that theJapanese were lurking somewhere offthe coast.“It seemed to take an eternity. All Icould do was take enough fuel forthe trip there, being told I’d get morefuel when I got there. I was definitelyvery pleased to see the outskirts of thecamp when I got back.”By 1944, once the threat of Japaneseinvasion had eased, Aubrey’s unit wasdisbanded and he went back to thefarm. He couldn’t settle though, andsoon joined the railways, where heremained for 38 years.Now the oldest resident at IRT ThePalms at Buderim, Aubrey is muchlovedas a true blue Aussie, bushie,country music fanatic and family man.Despite being legally blind, he cooksfor himself and loves walking eachmorning, attending a singing groupand reciting poetry.Anzac Day is a very special occasionand since moving to IRT The Palms hehas read the Ode at the resort’s AnzacDay service.“I know the Ode like the Lord’s Prayer,”he says.He will be there for Anzac Daycentenary celebrations on 25 April,proudly bearing his medals andresplendent in his plumed Light Horsehat.In his pocket he’ll probably have histreasured keyring, a slouch hat thatreminds him of his wartime serviceand unforgettable adventures eightdecades ago.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 11

1915-2015ANZAC What’s hot TRIBUTE in travelA placeetchedin Mark’smindalways had to be on guard.‘’I wouldn’t say I felt threatened but Ifelt vulnerable at times specially duringnight call-outs.’’A memory that is etched in Mark’smind is of the remote jungle village ofTegal which had earlier been identifiedas one of the villages in greatest need.‘’It was so remote we had to behelicoptered in – just me and anothermedic, as well as two soldiers whoThe invasion of East Timor byIndonesia in 1975 was followedby years of bloodshed in theformer Portuguese territory.In 1999 the IndonesianGovernment allowed EastTimor to decide its ownfuture and the vote resultedin an overwhelming "yes" toindependence.Tragically, once the resulthad been announced, pro-Indonesian militias launcheda campaign of violence anddestruction throughout theterritory. In late 1999, Australialed a multi-national peacekeepingoperation to helpdefuse the tension.MARK SURACE, IRT LifestyleServices Manager (SouthernShoalhaven), was part of thatoperation.Night had fallen when MarkSurace left Australia for troubledEast Timor, and what he awoketo in Dili came as shock.‘’I’d gone from an affluent countryto a land of nothing with almostno infrastructure, communicationnetwork or electricity,’’ says Mark.‘’Burnt out buildings were everywhereand the villagers had to make do withwhat was left.’’Mark, 44, was attached to 1CSST(1 Combat Services Support Team)supporting 5/7 infantry battalionbased in the village of Maliana.“Although I was in an infantrybattalion, being a medic meant I wasresponsible for the medical supportof those soldiers and to providehumanitarian aid to the people of EastTimor,” recalls Mark.‘’Malaria was rife and there was littlesanitation so something as small as ascratch could soon become seriouslyinfected.’’Downtime was spent writing lettershome, listening to music, and ofcourse, mingling with the locals whichis critical in such an exercise.‘’They were beautiful people with bigsmiles even though they had so little,’’says Mark.‘’I think most of them realised we werethere to help.’’But it was a time of uncertainty withan enemy who couldn’t be discernedby appearance so soldiers like MarkTop left: IRT Lifestyle ServicesManager Mark Surace wearinghis medals. Above: Some of theTimorese locals attending healthclinics that Mark's unit provided.Left: Mark sitting on an armouredfighting vehicle that had beenconverted for education. Below:Mark with some of the Timoreseinterpreters he worked with.provided security during treatment,’’he says.‘’We knew medical attention in EastTimor was critically limited in theordinary villages let alone ones likethis so we worked our butts off fortwo days tending to wounds andillnesses helping as many as ourresources allowed.‘’There were kids there who couldhave died if not for that interventionand for me that encapsulated thewhole reason for being there.’’Mark spent six months in East Timorand he says it changed him.‘’There is not a day I don’t think of theplace,’’ he says.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 13

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015From Duntroon toIraq and beyondOne of the first men to fall onthe Gallipoli Peninsula duringWorld War I was AustralianSapper Fred Reynolds, 1st FieldCompany Engineers (4).“The sappers are usually the first inand the last to leave,” IRT Director andEx-Colonel Mike Hyde says. “It’s a sadstory because Sapper Reynolds wasthe main provider for his family."The risks of being a sapper didn’tdeter Mike, who joined the AustralianArmy at the age of 17 and startedhis engineer (sapper) training atDuntroon. “I was very interested in themilitary and what was happening atthe time,” he says.Also, as the son of parents whomigrated from South Africa, Mike14 theGoodLife Autumn 2015saw the army as an opportunity. “Myparents could not afford to send meto university. I went for a scholarshipat Duntroon.”Mike became an engineer officer andhis first posting was to Townsville.We capturedthousands ofprisoners; somany that we hadrestricted meals forourselves so wecould feed them..During his army career he and his youngfamily moved all over Australia andabroad – 22 times in total. “It was hardfor my family,” he says.He was posted to Lebanon in the early80s for 12 months, along with his family,working with the Palestine LiberationOrganisation. “It was a very intense year,”he says.His family was based in Northern Israelbut still experienced the horror of war.“Our babysitter’s mother was killed in ourhallway from rocket fragments,” he says.But there were also the positives – hiswife, who is a school teacher, establisheda school for the United Nations (UN)families. “It was very multicultural,” herecalls. The school continued to runafter Mike and his family moved back to

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTEWhat is a sapper?The combat engineer belongs tothe Royal Australian Engineers(RAE) Corps. RAE soldiers areknown as "sappers" and areresponsible for assisting forcesto move whilst also denyingmobility to the enemy. Sappersare trained in a broad range oftasks including bridge-building,clearing minefields, demolitions,field defences as well as building,road and airfield constructionand repair.The combat engineer is a soldierwho is a specialist in military fieldengineering.Source: defencejobs.gov.auAbove: IRT Director and Ex-Colonel MikeHyde served in the Australian Army.Right: Mike during the Gulf War.Australia. He was then posted to theArmy Command and Staff College inVictoria for 12 months.Another stint in Townsville gave himthe skills to be selected by the USArmy Engineer School to train USsoldiers. He spent a lot of time trainingin the desert.“I was in the US when the Gulf Warstarted,” Mike explains. He was thenput in charge of training US soldiersand the engineer unit headquartersbased in the US and Germany beforethey went to Iraq.Mike also spent three months in Iraqand said he came across things thathadn’t been experienced in modernwar before – like very large complexobstacles, which were made up offire trenches, double minefields,berms, ditches, very deep barbedwire entanglements and protectiveminefields.“We destroyed a lot of material, butminimised enemy casualties,” he says.“We captured thousands of prisoners;so many that we had restricted mealsfor ourselves so we could feed them.”One thing that slowed the allied forces’advancement during the war waskeeping up the fuel to the tanks. Thetanks used 500 litres of fuel each eighthours and keeping up supplies was amajor challenge.Mike, the Director of Infrastructureand Works at Wollongong CityCouncil, explains that it’s difficultto convey to other people theexperience of being in a warzone. However, he can share thatexperience with his daughter andson-in-law, because they have bothserved overseas. Mike’s daughter,also an engineer officer, went to theAustralian Defence Force Academyand has spent time in Bosnia, whilehis son-in-law, a Blackhawk pilot, hasspent time in Timor-Leste (East Timor)on three rotations there.“It is difficult to find people who canrelate to what we have done,” headmits. Mike was awarded the BronzeStar Medal following the Gulf War.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 15

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015The hardshipand heartbreak of warWally Hinchcliff Neville Hinchcliff Doug Hinchcliff Allan Hinchcliff16 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTEDoug Hinchcliff’s decision to fightin World War II came down to asimple calculation.‘’I thought it was better to fight themover there than here,’’ says the 93-yearoldveteran.It was, however, not so easy for hismother.‘’She waved off four sons and onlythree returned,’’ says Doug referring tohis older brother, Wally.Doug, now a widower and a lean, fitman for his age, tells his story fromhis IRT St Georges Basin LifestyleCommunity villa on the South Coast.He was born in Junee, and at 15 hisfamily of one sister and five brothersmoved to Coledale in Wollongong’snorthern suburbs where his father wasa builder. His fifth brother, Bob, workedin essential services and could not goto war.‘’I was 22 when I joined the army in1942 and three months later with notmuch training I was on my way tofight the [Japanese] in the Pacific,’’ herecalls.It was the young bricklayer’s firstoverseas trip and while he had noromantic notions, he could not haveforeseen the horrors to come.He was an infantry soldier in the SouthAustralian 2/10 Battalion, 18th brigade(7th Division) and his first posting wasthe jungle of Milne Bay in New Guineato fight in one of the most significantbattles in the Pacific Campaign.It involved elite Japanese naval troopswith tank support intent on attackingthe Allied airfields at Milne Bay.But the Japanese miscalculated thesize of the predominantly AustralianGarrison and found themselvesseriously outnumbered.It was the first time in the campaignJapanese land forces were decisivelydefeated and had to completelywithdraw and abandon their strategicobjective.The victory came, however, at a heavycost, says Doug.‘’You didn’t make too many friends overthere because they were there oneminute and gone the next,’’ he says.Doug remembers the Japanese as‘’little fellows but well trained junglefighters’’.‘’The powers that be expected the warto be like World War I with a trenchhere and a trench there with menfighting in between. But the [Japanese]By the time Iarrived back inAustralia in 1946,I was a bag ofbones weighingjust nine stone.were all over the jungle with no frontanywhere.’’But that was not all the troops had tocontend with.‘’The jungle conditions were up tosh…t,’’ recalls Doug.‘’It was muddy, swampy and swarmingwith a million mosquitoes.‘’There was no camp to speak of soyou slept in the jungle often withnothing more to eat than an armybiscuit if native runners they sent outwith our tucker were ambushed onthe way.’’Doug, like most of the other menliving in clouds of mosquitoes,contracted malaria, an illness thatrecurred six times during the war andmany times after that.‘’Most of the time you just foughton sick as a dog but I got so bad atone stage I had to be sent home torecover.’’After Milne Bay, Doug’s unit wasmoved to the north to Ramu Valleywhere conditions weren’t muchbetter.‘’We went from swamps to endlessmountains … you’d get over one andthere was a bigger one behind it.’’When the fighting ended Doug, whowas single at the time, stayed on foranother year basically filling the roleas warden at the prisoner-of-warcamps in the Celebes.‘’By the time I arrived back in Australiain 1946, I was a bag of bonesweighing just nine stone (57 kilos),’’he says.He earned seven service medalsfor his war effort but how was hephysically and mentally?‘’I was alright … I was back at worktwo weeks later and I think thathelped settle me in, at least morethan a lot of other blokes I knew.’’His brothers, Neville and Allan, whoalso fought in the Pacific Campaign,had already returned but Wallyhad died in Sandakan prisoner-ofwarcamp in Borneo after he wascaptured in Singapore.‘’It was a notorious camp where nottoo many survived,’’ says Doug.The closest he has been to returningto the battlefields was a recent trip toCape York Peninsula looking out onto Torres Strait which he crossed 70years ago as a soldier.‘’That’s close enough for me,’’ he says.‘’I never liked the army so I have nodesire to return.’’theGoodLife Autumn 2015 17

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015Thoughts onAnzac Day Part OneGordon Blackshaw (right) withhis mate Jack in Papua New Guinea.Gordon BlackshawIRT Culburra Beach, CulburraService: Gordon, 93, was a Corporalin the army. He joined the army atthe age of 19 in 1941 and was postedto New Guinea in 1943 during WorldWar II. He spent two years abroad andwas in the army’s transport section –taking supplies to the troops. He wasdischarged in 1946.What does Anzac Day mean toyou?I think of all those poor fellas thatnever came home; we lost a few toscrub typhus.We are able to imagine what it musthave been like but of course ourbattalion has whittled down to a fewnow.What will you be doing on AnzacDay?My villa is opposite where they holdthe service at the war memorial. If Ifeel alright I will go across. I used tomarch in Sydney and it was great tosee members from the battalion andhave a luncheon and reminisce.18 theGoodLife Autumn 2015Jack PhillipsIRT Macarthur, CampbelltownService: Jack, 93, joined the Militia(Australian Army Reserve) andtransferred across to the RoyalAustralian Air Force when he was21 years. He was a Warrant Officerand Air Gunner and flew in planesincluding the Stirling and the B-17Flying Fortress during World War II. Hewas based in East Anglia, England. Hetook part in 25 missions – includingD-Day – carrying special equipment,rather than bombs, and were underinstruction to “jam everything”.Jack PhillipsWhat does Anzac Day mean toyou?In past years I’ve taken part in serviceshere at IRT Macarthur and marchedin Sydney city too. I’ve also giventalks at IRT Macarthur on Anzac Day,where I’ve talked about my war-timeexperiences, including some hairraisingones.What will you be doing on AnzacDay?It all depends on what I’m doing and ifthey want me up there (to talk) again.Above: Noel Pickering. Below: Japanesesigning the surrender aboard HMASBurdekin, Borneo, 1945.Noel PickeringIRT Links Seaside, WollongongService: Noel joined the AustralianImperial Force (AIF) in 1940 at theage of 24. During World War II heserved in the Middle East, Borneo andNew Guinea. Noel has photos of theJapanese signing the surrender aboardthe HMAS Burdekin in September 1945.He was discharged after five-and-a-halfyears in the army, in December 1945.What does Anzac Day mean to you?It’s a very important day, it’s our day.All the men who served and thenurses on the hospital ships – they allvolunteered to fight for their country.The (Gallipoli) landing was a completeshemozzle.What will you be doing on AnzacDay?They have a service here (at IRT LinksSeaside) and it’s a very good service. Ispoke at last year’s service.

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTELaurence McCartyIRT Greenwell Gardens, NowraService: As a 17-year-old Laurenceprovided three years of volunteerservice to the armed forces duringWorld War II as a Morse codeserviceman. He received a CivilianService Medal in 2008.What does Anzac Day mean toyou?What heartens me is that in the lastfew years the children, and olderschool-age children, are taking agreater interest. Children are nowtravelling to Gallipoli and are veryinterested, more so than the childrenfollowing World War II. Gallipoli is amagnificent story. I never miss a marchon the television.What will you be doing on AnzacDay?I enjoyed the time I went to the dawnservice at Bomaderry (several yearsago) but now I’m not well enough tomarch. We’ll be watching the marchon the television. I have pleasantmemories and I also lost friends. I’ll bereminiscing. I’ve had a good life.Below: Laurence McCarty, his medal andMorse code equipment.Top: Kay Hegyi.Above: Kay's grandfather.Kay HegyiIRT Tarrawanna Gardens,TarrawannaService: Her grandfather served in theAustralian Imperial Force (AIF) in WorldWar I.What does Anzac Day mean to you?Anzac Day helps to keep the old onestogether and gives people a wayof dealing with what they’ve beenthrough, and I think that’s a wonderfulthing. They are able to speak to eachother and help each other.What will you be doing on AnzacDay?We put an Australian flag out. In pastyears we’ve been to the march inSydney and Wollongong. We will beremembering my grandfather and myhusband Charlie’s father who servedin the first and second world wars. It’svery special to both of us.Ina DrumIRT Diment Towers, WollongongService: Ina’s father was a LightHorseman in World War I, her husbandEric was an Engineer in the army andserved in Borneo during World War II.Ina’s three brothers-in-law all servedduring World War II as well.Top: Ina Drum.Above: Eric Drum in uniform.What does Anzac Day mean toyou?We used to watch the march inthe city (Sydney). Eric, like a lotof servicemen, had no interest inmarching. His brothers were thesame, and I think it was a reaction tothe service they had seen. Eric wasa member of the RSL and a mentorfor young men. Occasionally we’d beinvolved in a service if we were awayin another town.What will you be doing on AnzacDay?They will have a commemorationhere, at IRT Diment Towers, but Iwon’t be doing too much.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 19

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015Poppyreflects onwar timePoppy Quantrill remembersWorld War II as somewhat of anadventure despite the hardshipsshe endured.When the war really hit home in 1941it coincided with two big personalcelebrations.‘’I celebrated my 21st birthday inMarch and a few months later I gotmarried – I shudder to think now ofthe expense I imposed on my poormother,’’ recalls Poppy, now 95.But that was just the beginning ofpositive change for the effervescentPoppy with an appetite forchallenges.Poppy was born in Arncliffe in Sydneyand was educated up to her first yearin high school. At 14 she left schoolto become an invisible mender in aSydenham factory where she met herhusband-to-be, Les.‘’I left work after we married and inmy spare time did the usual things forthe war effort like first aid, volunteerhome nursing and fire drill but Idecided I wanted to do more,’’ saysPoppy from her sunny room at IRT StGeorges Basin Care Centre.‘’I ended up joining WANS (Women’sAustralian National Service) who tookmy height and posture into accountwhen they trained me as a drillsergeant to train the other women inthe skill of marching,’’ says Poppy.‘’They were a nice lot of girls whocontributed to the war effort at home.‘’We did quite a bit of marching invarious parades through Sydneyincluding through Martin Place.’’Poppy at the same time also attendedwhat was known as Army House inthe city where she learned Morsecode, another skill she eventuallypassed on to other WANS volunteers.‘’I enjoyed that training, in fact, Ienjoy anything I put my mind to,’’says Poppy who still has a razorsharpmind, does not wear glasses orhearing aid and ‘’strolls’’ around theIRT grounds at boot-camp pace.Poppy volunteered with WANS for20 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTETop: A class of Poppy Quantrill's drillstudents at Bexley High School in 1942.Bottom: Poppy on parade.two years before she began her familyof two children, and that was whenscarcity struck home.‘’We had no petrol, no cars and nofood deliveries,’’ recalls Poppy.‘’While pregnant with my daughter,Lorraine, I had to walk from Brightonle Sands, where Les and I lived toKogarah to see my doctor, and thenback home again.’’After Lorraine arrived premature atseven months it got even harder.‘’You could scour the shops for weeksjust to find a baby bath and dummieswere even harder to locate becauserubber was scarce.‘’My daughter’s pram was secondhand and had none of the originalwhite rubber on the wheels … it wasmodified with thin strips of blackrubber around the wheels that wouldcome loose during a trip out.’’But glass-half-full Poppy still looksback on those years as characterbuilding, especially for women.‘’It was a time of discovery forwomen like myself who through thelabour shortage were finding theyhad capabilities way beyond theirIt was a time ofdiscovery for womenlike myself who throughthe labour shortagewere finding they hadcapabilities way beyondtheir expectations.expectations,’’ says Poppy.It also helped that she had a mother(Hilda) who was a little before hertime.‘’Mum was an accomplished pianistwho had her own band who wouldplay at dances for soldiers home onleave … she played at the first 2GBball in 1932,’’ says Poppy.She says although the hardships ofthe war years were a bitter pill attimes they helped to instil a sense ofself-sufficiency and appreciation forthe important things in life.‘’I’ve been very lucky – I had adevoted husband who was withme for 75 years all up, a great familyand plenty of good friends, some ofwhom are still alive, ‘’ says Poppy."There’s nothing I would change…I just hope I’m around for a few yearsyet because there’s still plenty ofthings I want to do.’’theGoodLife Autumn 2015 21

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015RedknapsrealiselifelongdreamIRT The Palms Manager Dr RobynRedknap and her husband Ted havean impressive army pedigree.Ted’s grandfather fought in World WarI in the Battle of the Somme, whileRobyn’s grandfather also fought in thetrenches in France.Three of their four parents served inWorld War II, the two fathers in NewGuinea and Borneo and Robyn’smother was involved in educatingservicewomen.Ted himself had a long career in thearmy, where he was a Staff Sergeantand involved in a number of overseaspeacetime missions.It is no surprise, then, that it has beena lifelong dream for Robyn and Tedto visit Gallipoli in Turkey, where theAnzac legend was born.Soon they will realise that dream,setting sail on a 12-night Anzac Daycruise to commemorate the 100thanniversary of the Anzac landings atGallipoli.“When we knew there was no chancewith the ballot [to attend the 100thanniversary commemorations atGallipoli] but there was an opportunityto be in Anzac Cove on 25 April, wepulled out all stops,” Robyn explains.From their position in the Gallipoli22 theGoodLife Autumn 2015Clockwise from above: IRT The PalmsManager Dr Robyn Redknap and herhusband Ted holding their parents' andgrandparents' medals and photos. Tedin 1971 as an army Apprentice Musicianin Belcombe, Victoria. Robyn holds hergrandfather James Robert Platten's InMemoriam card. He died of war injuriesin 1930, aged 46. A photo of Ted'sgrandfather Horace John Redknap, whoserved in WWI, circa 1916.Peninsula they will watch a livetelecast of the dawn service andthen enjoy an onboard service withpresentations from World War I andII historian Peter Donovan. Later theywill get the chance to go onshore,walking the Gallipoli battlefields.“I’m so excited and humbled. It isnot something that everyone getsto experience. When I think of ourparents, they would have givenanything to do what we are doing.We are really doing it for them as well,”Robyn says.For Ted, the pilgrimage to Anzac Coveis an opportunity to pay tribute tothe soldiers who fought and died atGallipoli.“That was the making of a nation.It was such an important time inAustralia’s history. What we standfor today in the defence force reallycomes from how the ANZACS foughtin that Cove. They experienced someof the worst circumstances ever seenin a war. It is about courage, braveryand mateship,” he says.

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTEA letter toLordKitchenerIRT Macarthur’s Gary Knightrecognised the Dublin address at thetop of the letter and knew his uncleAlfie must have written it a century ago.His then nine-year-old uncle hadwritten a letter to Field Marshal LordKitchener, who was British Secretary ofState during World War I, wanting tosign up and fight.The letter is now held by the ImperialWar Museum in England.According to the My Learning website,the appeal from Lord Kitchener, whichincluded various posters with astern-looking Kitchener pointing hisfinger with the phrases "your countryneeds you" and "wants you", resultedin men from all classes signing up toserve, and within weeks half a millionmen had volunteered.“The poster may have influenced myuncle to write that letter,” Gary said.Gary learned of the letter late last yearwhen contacted by a member of theImperial War Museum, who madean enquiry about what happened toAlfie. "I could tell by the address that itmight have been my dad’s brother,”he says.Above: Areproductionof Alfie’s letter,with the spellingunchanged.Left: Gary Knight(on the left) with hisuncle Alfred Knightin the early 1970s.“It’s a sad story; their father died of TB,leaving my grandmother with fourchildren under eight. My grandmotherhad a breakdown and the childrenwent into care.”Gary’s father came to Australia as ateenager under the DreadnoughtScheme – to work on a farm. His uncleAlfie became a merchant seaman andmoved to Vancouver in Canada. “Henever saw active service,” Gary said. “Asa merchant seaman it was his job tokeep doing his job during wartime.”The young Alfie did receive a replyfrom the War Office which reads:"Lord Kitchener asks me to thank youfor your letter, but he is afraid that youare not yet quite old enough to go tothe front as a dispatch rider."Gary says that Alfie’s letter has beenturned into a project for schoolstudents visiting the museum.For more details about Alfie’s letterand to sight the original log on towww.mylearning.org website andsearch for ‘Alfie Knight’s letter’.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 23

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015The impactof war ona lifeNorman Walker’s memoriesof war go back to hischildhood, well before heenlisted in the navy andspent his days working inboth his native British andlater the Australian forces.With a father in the Admiralty,Norman Walker, who nowlives at IRT Sarah Claydon,still has vivid recollections of whenhis family was transferred to HongKong in about 1932, spending timein the restricted area of StonecuttersIsland. He returned to England in1937 but the military always formeda major part of his life. Norman, 87,shares memories of the war, bothas a youngster and later as an activeserviceman.Above: Norman Walker, fromMilton, with his medals. Right:Norman's photo for his GreenIdentity Card when he left school.Opposite page: HMAS Sydney.Image from the Argus NewspaperCollection of Photographs,State Library of Victoria.His youth“I was about 12 and aboutthe time the war broke out,I went into grammar schooland, like most kids, we wereevacuated from Gosport[England] because it was righton the frontline. We went to aplace (outside) Southamptonand I saw the Battle of Britainand the bombings from there.We had to leave our housebecause a bomb landed inthe backyard next door andthere were air raids everynight. We were experts inaircraft identification. I don’tremember ever being scared;I think it was all just a bigadventure.”24 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTEEarly service“I joined the ARP (Air RaidPrecautions) while I was inschool and I was in the armycadets at school. In the ARP,I was a messenger. I wasn’tmuch of a scholar so I got ajob when I left school at 15and a half but I also got in theNaval Armament Service asa temporary clerk. We weregoing through the bombingsand it was the building up ofthe second front and the shipsand I was writing orders for allthe naval ammunition."Selection“The funniest thing was theselection for the Fleet Air Arm.We arrived at Wetherby onenight, all lined up three deep,and this Chief Petty Officerwalked up and down the ranks,then put his arm through theranks and boom, said youlot are all Fleet Air Army andyou lot are Navy. That was theselection process.”The AustralianconnectionNorman was crossing thePacific towards Sydney whenVE Day occurred, describingthe trip as a ferry service.In Sydney he offloaded assurplus and ended up at HMSGolden Hind (a HargreavesPark camp) issuing rum. Hesays there were 15,000 sailorsat Golden Hind.After a couple of monthsNorman was drafted to theHMS Colossus, travelling toHong Kong via Manus andManila. He saw the sunkenships in Manila Harbour withtheir masts sticking out ofthe water. It was followedby Singapore, Colombo andfinally, Trincomalee wherehe stayed nine months asa Leading Hand. Followinghis time here, he wentback to England and wasdemobilised.“At 16 you had to belong tosomething like the HomeGuard or ARP so I joined theATC which is the Air TrainingCorps which was part of theair force in those days. It haddual purpose because aswell as training for air crew,which everyone wanted to be,and learning navigation andmarching, it allowed you togo to the local air force stationwhere they had a dance everySaturday night.”At 17 Norman was called up.Deemed unsuitable for air crewbecause of his eyes he wasearmarked for radio first butended up as a supply assistantand went in as Boy SeamanFirst Class. The next day wasD-Day.The secret missionWhen he was 18, Norman wasdrafted to a ship, the HMSReaper. It was an escort carrierheading to America and it washere he took part in OperationLusty.“When we left England our firststop was Cherbourg (France)where we loaded capturedGerman aircraft and took themto the States in the escort carrier.The Germans were about twoyears ahead of us in jets at thattime (they had the ME 262 jetfighters). We took them all toNew York. The planes wereon board and we were justwalking among them. It wasextraordinary. We didn’t know itwas a secret mission.”The Australian NavyAfter failing to settle back into his oldcivilian job, Norman saw a newspaperadvertisement for the Australian Navy.He joined a ship called the HMASSydney and travelled to Australia.“I never realised how early it was inthe Australian Fleet Air Arm. (The 20thCarrier Air Group was brought fromEngland to Australia by HMAS Sydney)but the Sydney was a happy ship. Wecame into Jervis Bay one day and I wasdrafted to Albatross air station. TheKorean War had broken out and I neverunderstood why they trained us up,when sending people to Korea, andthen replaced us with a fresh crew.”Norman finished his service at HMASCerberus as an instructor. He and hiswife had two sons and now have fivegranddaughters. He spent 30 yearswith the Department of Main Roadswhen he returned to civilian life.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 25

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015Thoughts onAnzac Day Part TwoJean FerrisIRT Sarah Claydon, Milton(As told to The Good Life by Jean’sdaughter Diana Mitchell).Left: Jean Ferris.Right: Jean in uniformduring World War II.Service: Jean joined the VoluntaryAid Detachment (VAD) in Sydney tohelp out with the war effort duringWorld War II. She spent two years withthe VAD, which involved tending toreturned servicemen's injuries. Jean’shusband was a merchant seaman andrecruited to the British navy duringWorld War II – he was torpedoed threetimes. He served in both the Britishand Australian navies.What does Anzac Day mean toJean?My dad had a horrific time, and mum(Jean) really wanted to do her bit, andthat’s why she joined the VAD. Mumand dad used to watch the Anzac Dayparade together on the television, andthey would watch the whole parade.What will Jean be doing on AnzacDay?They have a service here at IRT SarahClaydon and last year mum and Iattended. I volunteer for Community26 theGoodLife Autumn 2015Transport Aid (CTA) and lay a wreatheach year at the Ulladulla dawnservice on behalf of the CTA.Enid Baxter, BuderimIRT The PalmsService: Enid’s father Bert Davisjoined the Australian Army at age21. He was in the 5th Battalionand later transferred to the 1stMachine Gun Battalion. He waswounded at Gallipoli and France(three times in total). He spentfour years overseas and when hereturned to Australia he held thetitle of Acting Sergeant Major.When he came home he workedfor the State Rivers and WaterSupply Commission in Victoriaand then Goulburn Weir. He was incharge of his local RSL in Victoria for30 years. Enid’s grandson was theAustralian Consul at the GallipoliPeninsula for three years and alwayshad a photo of his great-grandad Berton his desk.Enid and Rupert Baxter.What does Anzac Day mean to you?It always means a lot. You never forgetyour dad and it’s a special date. Dadlost quite a few of his mates, and mybrother was named after one of them.Dad used to say he was one of thelucky ones – that he came back home.Enid’s father in uniform.My husband Rupert was named afterhis uncle who was killed in France inWorld War I.What will you be doing on AnzacDay?We will be over at our beautiful hall fora "shotgun" breakfast, which includesmince on toast, and the memorialat 6am.Brian and Betty HartfielIRT The Ridge, Bracken RidgeService: Between Betty and Brian 26members of their extended familieshave fought for their country sinceWorld War I – including Betty’s twogreat-uncles and Brian’s uncle whowere killed in World War I while inBelgium and France. Betty’s cousin(twice removed) served in the BritishRoyal Navy during the GallipoliCampaign.Four sons of Betty’s great uncle, whowas killed in Belgium, served in theAustralian Imperial Force (AIF) duringWorld War II – sadly two of them nevermade it home either. In more recenttimes, Brian and Betty’s daughter andnephew served in the Royal AustralianAir Force and two of their nephewsserved in the Australian Army. Brian didNational Service and Army Reserve fortwo years.What does Anzac Day mean to you?Betty: It’s a day that should behonoured, not commercialised.Sometimes I feel it’s a bitcommercialised. It’s a day when you

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTETop: Brian and Betty Hartfiel. Above:William James Terlour (Betty’s cousin, twiceremoved) was awarded the Bronze Medalfor Gallantry for saving a life at sea in theDardanelles in 1915.remember the lives that were lost, themistakes that were made and the griefit caused the people left behind. Wewould hope we would not have thatsort of thing again.What will you be doing on AnzacDay?Betty: We will be having a fairly quietday reflecting and going to the localmemorial.Judith ThompsonIRT Peakhurst, PeakhurstService: Judith is a war widow.Her husband served in theRoyal Australian Navy andsadly passedaway in his lateJudithThompson.40s. Four of Judith’s mother’s cousins,who were all brothers, all signed upduring World War I and were sent toGallipoli Fortunately they all camehome. Three of her uncles joined theAustralian Imperial Force (AIF) duringthe Singapore-Malaya campaign.After the fall of Singapore they werecaptured and then sent to work on theThai-Burma railway. Her uncle Harolddied of cholera in May 1943 but theother two survived.What does Anzac Day mean to you?Anzac Day is remembering all thegood times and the sad times andthe camaraderie. Twelve years ago Itravelled to Burma for the Anzac Dayservice. I took a lot of poppies, wattleand eucalyptus leaves for the graves.There were five prisoners of war in thegroup that went over but sadly they’veall passed away now. I will never forgetthe dawn service at Hellfire Pass –grieving for our loved ones. A loanpiper played.How will you be spending AnzacDay?In the pre-dawn I reflect on themeaning of this day; the passingof time and the loss of our seniormembers, and how pleasing it is thatthe younger family members havetaken up the torch in the Anzac spirit,to make this a better world.Lest we forget.Judith’smother’sfour cousins,all brothers,who served inGallipoli.Thomasina HollandIRT Berala on the Park, Auburn(As told to The Good Life by IRT Beralaon the Park Wellness Coordinator PeterPaterson).Service: 91-year-old Thomasina was amember of the Australian Army duringWorld War II. During her service one ofher responsibilities was the searchlightsAbove: Thomasinaand her husbandKen. Right:Thomasina in herarmy uniform.off North Headin Sydney. Thesewere used tohelp defendthe coast. Her husband Ken was aserviceman – they met when he wason leave in Sydney. He was in Darwinwhen it was bombed in World War II.He also served in New Guinea. The pairkept in contact via letters when he wasabroad and Ken really cherished hisletters from Thomasina and his mother.They went on to have three children.What does Anzac Day mean toThomasina?She does take time to reflect on AnzacDay about her war years and the manyfriends and fellow soldiers who servedtheir country – the camaraderie andmeeting Ken. It changed her life, and allthat drilling and marching changedthe shape of her feet.How will Thomasina be spendingAnzac Day?In recent years Thomasina has put onher medals and attended the serviceheld at IRT Berala on the Park. In yearsgone by she used to march and catchup with friends.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 27

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015Simpson andhis donkeypart of the Anzac storyPrivate John SimpsonKirkpatrick, working inShrapnel Gully at AnzacCove, with a woundedsoldier on his donkey.Courtesy Australian WarMemorial. ID P09300_001.Twenty-two-year-old, EnglishbornJohn Simpson Kirkpatrickwas a most unlikely figure tobecome a national hero.Having deserted from the merchantnavy, he tramped around Australiabefore enlisting in the AustralianImperial Force (AIF) as PrivateSimpson. He expected this wouldgive him a chance to get back toEngland. Instead he found himself atthe landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April,coming ashore in one of the Devanhalifeboats towed by HMS Ribble.Simpson was given the job ofstretcher bearer, recovering thewounded.It was a difficult task as infantry unitswere scattered, and the difficult terrainmade systematic searches impractical.Simpson was recklessly independentand he set about the task usinga small donkey. He transportedwounded men to the dressing stationamong shrapnel, rifle, and machinegunfire.He was often under fire, and hisbravery was widely spoken abouton Gallipoli. Simpson was killed bymachine-gun fire near a place knownas Bloody Angle on 19 May 1915, lessthan four weeks after he arrived atGallipoli.He was mentioned in despatches,along with several other stretcherbearers, for his exemplary courage anddevotion to duty.The image of “the man with thedonkey”, rescuing wounded comrades,at the eventual cost of his own life, wasquickly adopted in Australia. Today,while Simpson himself remains to mostan enigmatic figure, the nature of hissacrifice has become a vital ingredientof the story of Anzac.Source: Australian War Memorialwww.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/dawn/boat/simpson/"Private Simpson hasshown great initiation inusing a donkey."3rd Field Ambulance wardiary, 1 May 1915"The behaviour of themen in view of theirrude introduction to thecircumstances of war wassplendid … NO. 202 PrivateSimpson … has kept up hiswork from early morningtill night every day."3rd Field Ambulance wardiary, 1 May 1915“No. 202 Pte J. SIMPSON,shot through heart, killed,while escorting patient.”3rd Field Ambulance wardiary, 19 May 191528 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTEThe longroad toGallipoliJan Stuart believes you can’t callyourself Australian if you aren’ttouched by the spirit of Anzac.The 71-year-old from IRT KangaraWaters, Belconnen is fulfilling alifelong dream of her late husbandto visit Gallipoli, and will be there forthe 100th anniversary of the Gallipolilandings. She is travelling with herdaughter, sister and grand-daughter,and between them have two ticketsto the Anzac Day commemorations.But the road to Anzac Cove hasn’tbeen an easy one for Jan.“The trip was on my late husbandJack’s bucket list,” she said. “He wasalways interested in history. Wedecided we would go when thechildren had finished school and werein employment.”But Jack was diagnosed with MotorNeurone Disease (MND), a progressiveand terminal neurological disease.After a long battle he passed away in1999, never fulfilling his dream to visitGallipoli.After Jack’s passing, their eldestdaughter Joanne put her arms aroundher mum and said “we’ll go to Gallipolimum”. But in a cruel twist, Joannewas never to make the trip either. Shewas diagnosed with a terminal braintumour 12 months after her fatherpassed away and died in 2009.Through the pain and grief of losingher husband and daughter, Jandecided that she was going to "bitethe bullet" and travelled abroad in2010 and 2011.Jan faced another challenge in 2012when she was diagnosed with breastcancer, but successfully battled it. SheThe trip was onmy late husbandJack’s bucket list.then decided to visit Great Britain andIreland in 2013. “It was then I thought‘I’ve done this three times now on myown, so what about for Jack and Jo Itake the family to Gallipoli’,” Jan said.So Jan and her family members areleaving Australia on 20 April andJan Stuart is pictured with a familyportrait, which includes her latehusband Jack and late daughterJoanne (bottom centre).making the trip to Gallipoli. Theorganised tour includes a trip to LonePine, Ancient Troy and Anzac Cove.Joanne was a traveller and had beenoverseas several times during her life.“For her, travelling to Gallipoli wouldhave been honouring her father,” Jansaid. Joanne was keen that Haylee,her niece and Jan’s grand-daughter,travelled to an unfamiliar country.“I think this (trip to Gallipoli) is whatJoanne was thinking,” Jan said.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 29

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015Vietnam vetfinally at easewith AnzaccelebrationsI had real difficultyadmitting I waspart of an overseascontingent inVietnam because thefeeling back here inOz was that it wasan unpopular warand the communityjust wasn’t ready toaccept us.As a boy, Ian McManusused to go rowingwith his uncle onLake Illawarra, but admits hewas always the first to endup seasick.It seems strange, then, thatas an 18-year-old he joinedthe Royal Australian Navy in1963, shortly after Australia’sinvolvement in the VietnamWar began.“It’s always been an enigmawhy I did join the navy butI got over the seasicknessand enjoyed my nine yearsin there!” Ian recalls.Ian, who rose to the rank ofLeading Seaman, specialisedin sonar operation andsubmarine detection. Heoften stayed at sea forweeks on end and whenhis specialist skills weren’trequired performed otherduties.In 1966, during a two-yeardeployment on destroyerescort HMAS Derwent, hesaw active duty as part ofa Commonwealth forcesupporting Malaysia in itsconflict with Indonesia.“We patrolled the MalaccaStraits, searching for tradingboats with armed parties orIndonesian Navy ships. I waspart of the boarding partiesthat went alongside theseboats and searched forillegal contraband or arms,”Ian says.In 1968, Ian was on theguided missile destroyerHMAS Perth when it wasassigned to Vietnam forseven months. The ship wassent to the Gulf of Tonkin, tobombard targets identifiedby US air support, in a bid tocut off the supply of arms,munitions and food to theVietcong fighting in SouthVietnam.“During Action Stations,I was team leader inthe forward gun, whichprovided propellants andprojectiles into the fiveinchgun for action on thegunline. We encounteredreturn fire numerous timesfrom North Vietnameseground forces,” Ian explains.For its efforts, HMAS Perthwas awarded the UnitedStates Navy Meritorious UnitCommendation.Ian also recalls an occasionduring the Cold War whenhis ship was in Williamstownin Victoria and the crew gotword the Russians had aship heading for the SouthPole. There were suspicionsit was a mother ship for asubmarine.“We spent two weeks sittingalongside them trying tofind out whether or notthey had a submarine undertheir hull. They did, but theynever did admit it,” Ian says.“It became a bit of a gameactually. Our skipper senta message over to theircaptain saying ‘We’d like youAbove: Ian McManus(bottom left) was amember of the navy’srugby team.Right: The HMAS Perth.to have a carton of our VB’.They sent one back saying‘no thanks, we prefer ourRussian vodka’.”Ian, a long-time IRTGeneral Member, formerWollongong City Council30 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTEAbove: Ian (top right) with someof his navy colleagues.Left: Ian McManus is a member ofthe Vietnam Veterans MotorcycleClub, where he enjoys thecamaraderie of mutual serviceand shared experiences.alderman and State LaborMP from 1987 to 2003, sayshe enjoyed the nine yearshe spent in the navy: “Beingyoung, the adrenalin waspumping. When you thinkback later in life, it seemsscary but it was exciting toan 18-year-old.”He didn’t enjoy, however,the reception he receivedwhen he returned fromVietnam. Like manyveterans, he felt thatAustralians blamed them,rather than politicians, forthe war and the way ithad been conducted. Andso, for about 15 years, Ianavoided Anzac celebrations.“I felt it [the communityantipathy] badly. I hadreal difficulty admitting Iwas part of an overseascontingent in Vietnambecause the feeling backhere in Oz was that it wasan unpopular war and thecommunity just wasn’tready to accept us,” herecalls.However, over time hismates encouraged himto join them at an Anzacservice and he also startedattending Heathcote andEngadine RSLs.“I thought ‘this is actually aplace I can go to remember’.It is important to rememberbecause of the sacrifices thathave been made,” Ian says.“[Our military] gaveeverything to make sure wehave the freedoms we’vegot today. That shouldnever be forgotten becauseour freedoms are beingthreatened all the time. Wemustn’t get complacentabout those freedoms theyfought for.”theGoodLife Autumn 2015 31

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015Life onthe frontlineat GallipoliAustralian dugouts on one of the ridges at Gallipoli. Courtesy Australian War Memorial, ID: H01374Over-salted 'bully', which,in the heat of midday orafternoon, slipped in its ownfat across the platter or messtin,swamping stray flies as itwent … or for the cheese, greasyfrom exposure to the sun andfilling the dugout with an odoursickeningly reminiscent of thatexhaling from the corpses inNo-Man’s Land.With this vivid imagery,Australia’s official warcorrespondent Charles Beandescribed the rations for Australiantroops on the frontline at Gallipoli in1915.There was little variety, with bullybeef and hard tack biscuits the stapleof most meals, supplemented withbacon, onion, jam and cheese.The monotonous food was just one ofmany hardships the troops endured.Dysentery and paratyphoid broke outin an environment where water andsanitation were rudimentary at best.32 theGoodLife Autumn 2015Swarms of flies carried infection fromrefuse, latrines, and rotting corpses tofood being eaten in unwashed messtins. Disease was just as much a threatto the troops as the enemy.By late July, hundreds of tired andpoorly fed men were succumbingto sickness each day, though manyrefused to be evacuated.Throughout the campaign, theAustralian Army Medical Corps founditself consistently undermanned andundersupplied. Water for drinkingand preparing antiseptics was alwaysscarce, and food suitable for patientswas hard to come by. There was alsothe ever-present danger of gunfireand shrapnel.The sheer number of woundedduring the first few days on Gallipolicaused a breakdown in the systemfor evacuating them. There were notenough boats available to transportthe wounded from the beach to thehospital and transport ships. Medicalsupplies on board were inadequate,and personnel were rapidlyoverwhelmed by casualties.In the trenches, soldiers observedand sniped at the Turks and engagedthem in bombing duels. Beandescribed the trenches as deepnarrow alleys where the men “lived ascompletely enclosed as in the lanes ofa city, having their habitations alongthem in niches undercut in the wall,sometimes curtained by hangingblankets or waterproof sheets”.Those not on the frontline spent theirtime carrying water, escorting teamsof donkeys carrying supplies from thebeach, and fortifying their positions.One of the few diversions was a swimoff the beach, their only chance towash. Regardless of the danger ofshelling and sniping, Australians swamat Anzac Cove throughout much ofthe campaign.Soldiers at Gallipoli proved to beindustrious and inventive – theymade periscopes, “jam tin” bombs,cooking equipment, board games,and stationery from what they foundaround them. Initially, they expecteda quick advance, so did not carrythe equipment or supplies neededfor prolonged trench warfare. Later,supplies came in by sea but could beimpeded by bad weather or Turkishshelling.Source: Australian War Memorial,www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/anzacvoices/life-gallipoli/

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTERussellcookedup a navycareerWe had a saying‘we joined the navyto do a job not toget one’. We werecheeky, sure, but itwas much easierto train us.His teachers’ comments and amother’s determination whenRussell Wood was at schoolcould well have set the course of hismilitary life.“It was 1972 and the teachers saidbasically ‘you may as well not comeback next year’,” Russell remembers.“They had a careers night and a sailorthere handed me a pamphlet. I took ithome and didn’t think any more of it.Then mum found it and said ‘oh, you’rethinking of joining the navy’ and I said‘oh yeah, why not?’“Before my feet touched the ground,in January of ’73, I was on an airplaneflying to Perth, as a 15-year-old joiningthe defence force as a junior recruit.”It was obviously a savvy move.Russell, now 57 and working as IRT'sCatering Manager for Shoalhaven andSt Georges Basin, says he “will miss(the military) until the day I die” eventhough he’s been out of the service for20 years.He credits the navy with shapinghim as a person, saying it taught himdiscipline, how to deal with otherpeople and the value of mateship.“The junior recruits were the bettersailors. Well, they got us at a youngerage. We had a saying ‘we joined thenavy to do a job not to get one’. Wewere cheeky, sure, but it was mucheasier to train us.’’After 12 months of training, RussellRussell Wood loved the years he spent in the navy.went to do his category course atHMAS Cerberus to become a cook.Still only 16, he was sent to the US onboard the HMAS Melbourne to pickup some helicopters for the army. Helater got posted to HMAS Albatross inNowra, as a cook, for 12 months.In April 1975 he went to sea on HMASVendetta where, when they were atAction Station, he would work as theright hand bullet loader, lifting bulletsthat weighed 56 pounds (25.4kg) each.Russell remembers being sent up toTimor in 1975, when the Balibo Fivejournalists were killed, and waiting offthe coast to evacuate any Australians ifneeded.Later he took a two-year posting toAmerica to pick up the first two GuidedMissile Frigates (FFGs) Australia bought- The Adelaide and the Canberra.When asked to nominate his bestmemory, he doesn’t hesitate.“First memory and I talk about it allthe time is HMAS Vendetta. I had awonderful time on there. I met blokeson there who are still very, very closefriends today.”theGoodLife Autumn 2015 33

ANZAC TRIBUTE 1915-2015Armyshapedthe manRoger Layton was just 17 and nine months when hestarted basic training at Cowra in NSW. He was theyoungest in a family of 10 who followed his olderbrothers into service.34 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

1915-2015ANZAC TRIBUTEWhen Roger Layton, 88,looks back on his waryears, he thinks notonly about time served and jobscompleted but of what he tookaway from life in the army.“We had a lot of comradeship andI got a lot of character out of (mytime), a sense of tolerance and anunderstanding of people,” he said.The army was Roger’s life for 10 yearsand while he softly says he didn’t seemuch service, his work in the 65thBattalion and his postings aroundJapan shaped the man he was tobecome in civilian life.The IRT Sarah Claydon, Miltonresident was just 17 and ninemonths when he started basictraining at Cowra in NSW, theyoungest in a family of 10 whofollowed his older brothers intoservice.In service, as a member of the 65thBattalion, formed when serving inthe islands of the Pacific, Roger wassent to Morotai towards the end ofthe World War II. His battalion wasone of three units then sent to Japanas part of the British CommonwealthOccupation Force.He flew into Japan at the end ofNovember, 1945 to pave the way forother troops.“I had a licence and they werelooking for advance parties to setup for the main party so I went fromMorotai to Yokohama where anAmerican camp billeted us,” Rogerremembers.“I was a corporal, driving for acolonel in charge of movementcontrol which was about themovement of troops. I toured withhim for 20 months visiting thecamps. All up I was in Japan nearlyseven years but I didn’t see muchservice.“When the colonel went back toMelbourne he gave me a cushy jobtravelling Japan relieving staff for twoyears in rail transportation. I wenteverywhere we had a posting and Irelieved all ranks.I had a lotto do with theservicemenbecause of thetroop movementsand I won’t forgetthat sense ofcomradeship.Roger Layton served inthe army as a young man andit influenced his work as a civilian.“The Japanese thought I was veryimportant. They rolled out the redcarpet everywhere I went. I was stilla member of the 65th Battalion buton loan.”Some of the work Roger did wasinterpreting, using the languageskills he picked up while in Japanalthough he says most of the staffon the railways learnt English.Importantly, he says his unit“didn’t go to Japan with any hatein us. We were cautious.” He saysthere was some friction but theJapanese attitude overall was reallygood. There was some troublewith the younger men but theolder ones were really polite andhad good etiquette.Roger says he did manage to catchup with his brothers for six monthswhile in the 65th Battalion andthat it was good to have themaround.However, once he left Japan Rogerretired from the army, determinedto get back into civilian life. He was27 years old.He worked as a carpet layer andupholsterer in Clarence Street,Sydney then travelled NSW as acontract layer. He also got marriedsoon after he came back, enjoyinga happy marriage until Shirleypassed away last November.He says the two of them were bestmates and never shared a crossword, even as they raised theirthree children.Perhaps the reason was that senseof tolerance and understandingof people Roger gained from hisarmy life. It certainly influenced hiswork as a civilian.Roger worked a lot in welfare as avolunteer, enjoying helping otherswherever he could. Through allthat time, even though he’s neverreturned to Japan, he’s thoughtabout it sometimes, rememberingthe people and the places.“I had a good time in the army," herecalls. “I had a lot to do with theservicemen because of the troopmovements and I won’t forget thatsense of comradeship.”theGoodLife Autumn 2015 35

RegularDown inthe gardenIRT MaintenanceGardener BrianWardhaugh talks aboutplants and flowersthat have a connectionto remembrance andAnzac Day.Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)April 25, 2015 marks thecentenary commemorations ofthe Gallipoli campaign duringthe First World War.Anzac Day is the day we rememberAustralian and New Zealanders whoserved and died in all wars, conflictsand peacekeeping operations,celebrating the human qualities ofcourage, mateship and sacrifice.In the garden, the plant mostassociated with Anzac Day is rosemary.It is an aromatic, woody perennialherb from the mint family, with needlelike leaves and flowers of white, pink,purple or blue.Native to the Mediterranean andfound growing wild over the GallipoliPeninsula, rosemary (Rosmarinusofficinalis) is a plant long associatedwith remembrance.It is popular in Australian gardens, witha preference for high pH soils, liking ahandful of lime or dolomite each year. Itis used in cooking and has a wide rangeof herbal applications.Other plants we can connect withAnzac Day include:The lone pine (Pinus halepensis)Turkish soldiers felled this tree to covertheir trenches. One pine was left on thearea around hill 971, the ensuing Battleof Lone Pine being one of the mostfamous assaults of the campaign.Returning soldiers bought cones of thispine home, seedlings being planted outin gardens and parks around Australia.The Gallipoli rose (Cistus salviiflorus) isa small shrub with white flowers thatresembles a single white rose, requiringsun and excellent drainage.Laurel (Laurus nobilis) is used as acommemorative symbol woven intowreaths. Used by the ancient Greeksand Romans to crown victors andhonour the brave, laurel or bay is a smallevergreen tree or large shrub, its leavesalso used in cooking.More commonly associatedwith Remembrance Day,Flanders poppies(Papaver rhoeas)are becomingpopular on AnzacDay wreaths. Theblood red flowers aresymbols of the massive loss of life andof the sacrifice of shed blood. This samepoppy also flowers in Turkey as it did inApril, 1915 when the Anzacs landed atGallipoli.All are tough, drought tolerant and usefulplants with rich histories in our gardensand in their Mediterranean homes.Brian would like to dedicate thiscolumn to long-term IRT employee KenNelse from the Facilities ManagementTeam, who passed away in February.36 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

RegularRecipeThe Anzac biscuitDuring World War I, the friends and familiesof soldiers and community groups sent foodto the fighting men. Due to the time delaysin getting food items to the front lines, theyhad to send food that would remain edible,without refrigeration, for long periods of timethat retained high nutritional value; the Anzacbiscuit met this need.Although there are variations, the basicingredients are: rolled oats, sugar, plain flour,coconut, butter, golden syrup or treacle, bicarbonateof soda, and boiling water.The biscuit was first known as the Soldiers’biscuit. The current name, Anzac biscuit, has asmuch to do with Australia’s desire to recognisethe Anzac tradition and the Anzac biscuit aspart of the staple diet at Gallipoli.The Anzac biscuit is one of the fewcommodities that can be legally marketedin Australia using the word “Anzac”, whichis protected by federal legislation.For this edition IRTCatering’s Ben Mitrevskifound a recipe for thisAustralian classic.Enjoy!Source: Australian War Memorial, www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/customs/Ingredients• 150g (1 cup) plain flour• 90g (1 cup) rolled oats• 85g (1 cup) desiccated coconut• 100g ( ½ cup, firmly packed)brown sugar• 55g ( ¼ cup) caster sugar• 125g butter• 2 tablespoons golden syrup• 2 tablespoons water• ½ teaspoon bicarbonateof sodaMethod1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Line two baking trays with non-stickbaking paper.2. Combine flour, oats, coconut and combined sugar in alarge bowl.3. Stir the butter, golden syrup and water in a small saucepan overmedium heat until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth.Stir in the bicarbonate of soda. Add to the oat mixture and stiruntil well combined.4. Roll level tablespoonfuls of the oat mixture into balls and place,about 5cm apart, on the prepared trays. Flatten until about 1cmthick. Bake, swapping trays halfway through cooking, for 15minutes or until light golden. Set aside for 10 minutes to coolslightly before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 37

NewsIRT Snippets The latest information from IRTFoundation updateFirst meeting for IRT FoundationCommitteeThe newly endorsed IRT FoundationCommittee met in January with lots ofenthusiasm about the direction for theFoundation in 2015.The Committee, made up of IRTdirectors and community members,were brought up to date with thelaunch of the Community Grants andthe ongoing research, education andadvocacy programs. To support theopening of the Community Grants anew Foundation website was unveiledin February. Discover more about whatwe do, support our initiatives, applyfor a grant and register for events atwww.irtfoundation.org.au.Community GrantsIRT Foundation is excited to receivethe first round of applications for itsCommunity Grants Program. TheFoundation is offering grants of upto $20,000 for community groupsoffering local initiatives to improve thelives of older people.Free information sessions across NSWand Queensland were well attendedby passionate community memberswith big ideas about creating agefriendlycommunities.The Community Grants Advisory Panelis currently reviewing the applicationsand the IRT Foundation Committeewill have the difficult job of decidingthe successful applicants in May.Research GrantsThe Research Grants Program willopen for applications from 1 May.This is the sixth year the Foundation isoffering grants to leading researchersfrom across Australia for innovativeprojects that will improve the minds,mobility and lifestyles of olderAustralians. The Research AdvisoryPanel is focusing on research projectsthat will help older people remain athome for longer.Join your onlinecommunity – MyIRTMyIRT is an online social networkingspace and digital noticeboard createdexclusively for IRT residents.It allows you to stay up to datewith what’s happening withinyour IRT community by sharinginformation about yourself, adding"friends", creating events, sharingphotos, starting discussions, postingannouncements and creating andjoining interest groups.Sign up andshare withMyIRT.MyIRT is ready to use right now athttp://my.irt.org.au.Simply log on, create a secure account,join your community’s group and startconnecting.For more information and assistancecontact Ashley at myirt@irt.org.au.38 theGoodLife Autumn 2015IRT Research SurveyIRT is embarking on importantresearch. Working with our partner IRISResearch we aim to survey customersto help provide the best possibleservice. The survey will be conductedsix-monthly, commencing in May 2015.You may be contacted by IRIS Researchvia mail or telephone to answer a fewshort questions confidentially.

NewsIRT Woodlands updateStage One of construction of IRTWoodlands on the Sunshine Coast isprogressing well.IRT Woodlands will consist of a60-suite care centre and 107 lifestylevillas.Stage One of construction is worth$20 million and includes the site’sinfrastructure, care centre, 20lifestyle villas, a community hall andswimming pool.Stage Onedevelopment atIRT Woodlands,taken in March 2015.Pathways ProjectThe first sod has been turned at aninnovative, purpose-built communityin the Illawarra, where people withintellectual disability will be able tolive with their ageing parent carer.Minister for Ageing, Minister forDisability Services and Minister forthe Illawarra turned the first sodon IRT’s Pathways Project on 11February.The Kanahooka facility will consistof 12 specially designed homes, acommunity centre and a five-bedrespite centre. It is expected to becompleted by late 2015.Above: Aerial photo of the Pathways sitetaken early March 2015.Bishop visits IRTPeakhurstIRT Peakhurst residents were thrilledwhen Foreign Affairs Minister JulieBishop took time out of her busyschedule to join them for a cup of tea.The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Partyattended the afternoon tea on 10March, along with Member for OatleyMark Coure.The event was organised by IRTPeakhurst residents, who each gotto spend time chatting with MsBishop about everything from herappearance on television the nightbefore, to her relationship with PrimeMinister Tony Abbott.Below: (left to right) IRT GeneralManager - Lifestyle & Care NorthernNSW Craig Smith, IRT Peakhurst ResidentRepresentative Judith Thompson, ForeignAffairs Minister Julie Bishop, Member forOatley Mark Coure and IRT Area Manager– Sydney Kylie Ferguson at IRT Peakhurst.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 39

RegularOut and aboutWhat’s happening around IRT(left-right) Joyce Ross, Fay Collins, Doreen Barker and Ron Bunyan enjoying the festiveseason at IRT Birch Villa.Christmas lunchesone, two and threeThe beautiful lunch and Christmasparty put on by IRT at TheShellharbour Club in December forlifestyle residents is the highlight ofthe festive season for so many and2014 was no exception.Catering for nearly 500 people is notan easy job but all seemed to fall intoplace: well done to all staff involved.I had just finished organising aChristmas lunch for 27 IRT Birch Villaresidents at Corrimal Leagues Club:preparations started in June 14 andwere finalised just a couple of daysbefore the lunch. Thanks to the staffand managers for making it a lovelyday and to IRT for helping with thecosts.Two down, one to go . . .The following Saturday we held ourIRT Birch Villa Christmas Lunch inthe Community Room. We had 23residents in attendance and by thelook on their faces in the photos, allhad a good time.The Community Room was decoratedby resident Ron and our SocialHelpers, who are absolute gems.We have a wonderful group of peopleat IRT Birch Villa that just get in, getthings done, look for no reward oraccolades and make our Communityjust the best place to live.Patricia BowmanResident RepresentativeIRT Birch VillaPatricia will receive a $25 Coles Myervoucher for her contribution to TheGood Life. Thanks Patricia.IRT The Palms'residents goon tourA group of residents from IRTThe Palms on the Sunshine Coasttoured a local helicopter hangar inMarch as they plan to raise fundsfor the CareFlight service.The Royal Automobile Club ofQueensland (RACQ) CareFlightcovers much of the aeromedicaland rescue response needs ofsouthern Queensland.The residents toured the hangarof the RACQ CareFlight Helicopterservice, to find out how they canlend a hand and support theservice in the region.They also spent time with aircrewmember Scott Reeman who gavethem an overview of his role withCareFlight.A big well done to the residents atIRT The Palms for supporting sucha great service for the SunshineCoast.Below and top, opposite page: IRT ThePalms' residents enjoyed their tour ofthe CareFlight service hangar in March.40 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

RegularBirthday parties forIRT centenariansFour of IRT's "more experienced"residents celebrated their 100th,103rd and 105th birthdays in recentmonths.In early February Lance Brown, one ofIRT's oldest residents, celebrated his105th birthday.Lance , who credits his longevity toa daily dose of bananas, personallyinvited a group of ukulele players tohis party held at IRT Towradgi Park.There were two 100th birthdays inJanuary: Giuseppina Cario from IRTTowradgi Park and Ron Young fromIRT Macarthur.Then in late January, the team at IRTLinks Seaside helped Flo Salt celebrateher 103rd birthday.Happy birthday to you all!Left: Flo Salt turned 103 on 28 January.Below: Lance celebrating his 105th in stylewith some ukulele players.Concert at IRTHarboursideOn Sunday 8 February, IRTHarbourside residents were treatedto a wonderful musical interludefeaturing Elise Morton playing herharp and singing an eclectic selectionof both popular and lesser knownpieces.This talented young lady sings inseveral languages in which she isfluent including Gaelic which, givenher choice of instrument, made fora memorable experience for herappreciative audience.This great afternoon was the brainchild of Margaret Bartley, one ofour residents who is also Elise’sgrandmother. We’ve all seen "Grannybrag books" but this occasion tookpride to another level.Elise MortonThe concert was followed by anextended social gathering witha great afternoon tea catered byour ladies. It provided us all withan opportunity to speak with thischarming entertainer who is, nodoubt, destined for greater things.Bob PalmerResident RepresentativeIRT HarboursideBob will receive a $25 Coles Myervoucher for his contribution to TheGood Life. Thanks Bob.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 41

RegularOut and about What’s happening around IRTLeft: Pottery group members Jan (left)and Deanna.Middle: Mary (left) and Phoebe manningthe Care Centre stall.Bottom left: The Macarthur Country MusicClub entertained the residents, staff andvisitors at the fair.Fair a great successWhat an amazing day we had atthe IRT Macarthur Village Fair on 21March. As always the rain held off,despite the grey clouds looming.It was so nice to see so manyresidents joining together for a goodcause. From all reports the day wasthoroughly enjoyed by residents,families, friends and visitors. Over$7700 was raised.IRT Macarthur Lifestyle ServicesManagerRachel CartledgePalliative care cartAt IRT Kangara Waters a PalliativeCare Team has been put togetherwhich includes staff, lifestyle residentsand family members and the firstproject was a palliative care cart.The purpose of the cart is to providemuch needed items for families andfriends who are spending time withloved ones at their end stage of life.The cart is stocked with tea, coffee,kettle, toaster, CD player, music, ahand knitted blanket and informationon grief and loss.The cart remains in the resident’sroom during their time in palliativecare.A big thanks goes to Bunningsin Belconnen for donating all thematerials for the cart and also lifestyleresident Sid Wiscombe and the Men’sShed for modifying the cart.Below: Pictured with the cart are (leftright)Jenny White from Bunnings,resident Sid Wiscombe, Lifestyle OfficerTina Raymond and Area Manager – ACTMargaret Thornton.42 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

RegularAustralia DayhonoursA big congratulations goes to six IRTThe Palms’ residents who receivedan Australia Day Medallion foroutstanding service to IRT The Palms.More than 130 residents attended theevent.Pictured (left-right) are IRT The PalmsManager Dr Robyn Redknap, Gaye Duck,Armin Engel, Phillipa Hancock, KathLawson, Bob Lawson, Ray Smith andMember for Buderim, the Hon SteveDickson who presented the medallions.Games DayfundraisingA fundraising card and games day washeld at IRT The Palms on 14 March.It was a fundraiser for the LadiesAuxilary of the Sunshine Coast PrivateHospital and it raised $2600. Morethan 100 people attended the event.Below: Some of the residents enjoying theevent.Summer marketsBrisbane’s Eat Street Marketsfeature some 80 stall holders (incontainers) peddling deliciousstreet food, fresh produce, flowers,cocktails, art, quirky crafts, clothesand music. Here are some photos ofIRT Parklands’ residents enjoying themarkets in summer:Below 1: Val and Ron watching the trafficgo by at Eat Street. 2: Happy IRT Parklandsresidents Sue and Helmut share a laugh atEat Street food stalls Brisbane. 3: Sandy,Val and Jan always have a great time.1.2.3.Oz Day celebrationsOver the Australia Day weekend36 IRT Tarrawanna Gardens’ residentsenjoyed an informal pre-dinner gettogetherin the community hall. Aspart of the celebrations Australianbanners were put up; a memorabiliatable was arranged; red, white andblue serviettes were used; there werelamingtons topped with tiny flags and,to top it off, there was Kev the yellowkangaroo in the entry foyer to greetfolk as they arrived.IRT Tarrawanna Gardens’ residents Ve andBob Rao celebrating Australia Day withKev the kangaroo.Everyone brought their own drinks andnibbles and there was a lot of chatterand laughter – with old friends andnew residents.The national anthem was sung, as wellas I Am Australian. Several residents toldof Aussie experiences – most whichwere humorous.Altogether it was a great opportunityfor bonding friendships as well ascelebrating the fact that we live in thiswonderful nation of Australia.Louise BryantSocial SecretaryLouise will receive a $25 Coles Myervoucher for her contribution to The GoodLife. Thanks Louise.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 43

AdvertorialIRT In-Home CareNeedhelp athome?IRT In-Home Care ishere for you.At IRT we have 45 years’ experience in the seniors’lifestyle and care sector.We understand maintaining your independence in thecomfort of your surroundings is important to you. Wealso know that just because you can do everythingaround the home, doesn’t necessarily mean you wantto. It’s nice to have a little help around the home.As one of the pilot organisations of home carepackages, we understand your requirements and designour services directly with you. We tailor our delivery toyour individual needs, within the privacy and comfortof your own home. Your ongoing wellbeing is ourprimary concern.• We can help with a range of solutions at homeincluding: care and personal services, domesticservices, clinical care and more.• We’re available seven days a week to support you.44 theGoodLife Autumn 2015• We have access to a large pool of resources andprofessional, trained staff.• We’re highly responsive and flexible to suit yourindividual needs.Our experienced team are on hand to help you everystep of the way and are passionate about providingyou with the best solutions.IRT In-Home Care offers Government-funded servicessuch as Consumer Directed Care (CDC) Home CarePackages. We also offer Private Fee for Services.We have In-Home Care options available throughoutmost of our areas in NSW, ACT and South East QLD.To discuss how IRT In-Home Carecan help you at home contactour friendly Customer ServiceTeam today.T 1800 024 915 (Freecall)E customerservice@irt.org.auW www.irt.org.au

RegularReal Estate Opportunities available at IRTLifestyle CommunityVilla and ApartmentVacanciesIf you, or a friend or familymember, are interested in any ofthe vacancies listed please call ourfriendly Customer Service Team on1800 024 915.IRT Macarthur1 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown262 apartmentsIngoing contribution starting from$269,000IRT DalmenyRuth Place, Dalmeny35 villasIngoing contribution starting from$116,500IRT Woonona4-6 Popes Road, Woonona22 apartmentsIngoing contribution starting from$86,000• Lifestyle options for fishing, lawnbowls and golf• Fully maintained and landscapedgardens• 100m walk to bus stop taking you tonearby shops, club and recreationalactivities• One-bedroom apartments locatedon first floor• Located in the heart of Woonona• Close to public transport and services• Easy walk to RSL bowling club• Care services available on site• Central location, close to cafés,restaurants, medical services andMacarthur Square shopping centre• Lift access• Community room and entertainmentareas – for resident activities• Attractive gardens throughout –maintained by IRT• Solar-heated pool• Airconditioned comforttheGoodLife Autumn 2015 45

RegularReal Estate Opportunities available at IRTIRT St Georges BasinCnr of Loralyn Avenue & MeritonStreet, St Georges Basin19 villasIngoing contribution starting from$128,000IRT Culburra BeachCulburra Road, Culburra36 villasIngoing contribution starting from$125,000IRT Sarah Claydon130 Princes Highway, Milton35 apartmentsIngoing contribution starting from$90,500• Two and three-bedroom optionsinclude large lounge and diningroom and outside patio• Garage with internal access andremote control door• Fully maintained and landscapedgardens• 500m to water and boat ramp• 1km to general store, post office,newsagent and pharmacyIRT In-Home Care• Set in peaceful bushland surrounds,abundant with local wildlife• One and two-bedroom villas• Undercover BBQ area• Bus trips arranged for residents• Next door to Culburra Bowling Cluband Senior Citizens Centre• Local shops and services are only400m away. The major shoppingdistrict in Nowra is accessible bypublic transport• Close to services in Milton• A short walk to shops• Fully maintained and landscapedgardens• Variety of resident activities – indoorand outdoor• Spacious community room• Close to golf and bowling clubs46 theGoodLife Autumn 2015

RegularCare CentreVacanciesFor entry into an IRT Care Centre acurrent Aged Care Client Record isrequired. If you are interested inany of the vacancies please call ourfriendly Customer Service Team on1800 024 915.South CoastIRT Crown Gardens1 Guy Lane, Batemans Bay• Many rooms take advantage of themountain views in this beautiful ruralsetting• Close walking distance to town centreand hospital• On-site coffee shopIRT DalmenyRuth Place, Dalmeny• The care centre commandsbushland and water views• On-site shopIRT Sarah Claydon130 Princes Highway, Milton• Rural and ocean views• Close to Milton shopping area• Beautifully maintained gardens• Both general and dementia suitesavailableIRT St Georges BasinCnr Loralyn Avenue & MeritonStreet, St Georges Basin• Located in a rustic bushland settings• Private suites with ensuite bathroom• Lounge/sitting room for all residentsto enjoyIRT Culburra BeachCulburra Road, Culburra• All suites have their own ensuite• Access to a variety of recreational/physiotherapy activitiesIRT Greenwell Gardens4 Brereton Street, Nowra• Close to Nowra CBD• Rooms with ensuites• Beautifully maintained grounds andgardens• Community roomsIllawarraIRT Diment Towers39-45 Staff Street, Wollongong• Spacious community room• Heated swimming pool• Landscaped gardens• Close to bus route taking you toWollongong CBD• BBQ area• Access to on-site physiotherapy,hairdresser and podiatristIRT William BeachGardens286 Kanahooka Road, Kanahooka• All suites have ensuites• Well-appointed community area• On-site kiosk, hairdresser andphysiotherapy servicesIRT Woonona4-6 Popes Road, Woonona• Located in the heart of Woonona nearshops, clubs, cafes and restaurants• Both general and dementia suitesavailable• Private or shared suiteSydneyIRT Woolwich11 Gladstone Ave, Woolwich• Community room• Peaceful gardens• Bus route at front door• HairdresserIRT Peakhurst24 Turpentine Avenue, Peakhurst• Both general and dementia suitesavailable• Community area boasts an indoorheated pool and spaIRT Berala on the Park13-19 St Johns Avenue, Auburn• Single and shared rooms with ensuiteor external bathroom• Luxurious homely feel• Communal dining and lounge areas• Communal courtyardsInformation contained in thispublication is accurate as at1 April 2015. However the informationis subject to change without notice.Please see our website for more details.Please note: photos are used as arepresentation of the communityand not the actual villa or apartmentavailable.theGoodLife Autumn 2015 47

CrosswordAnswers(no peeking just yet!)Autumn 2015Have yourdetails changed?Crossword supplied by Clue Detective Puzzle Agency www.cluedetective.comAcross8 Debacle (6)9 Riches (8)10 Jeffrey Archer novel, Kane and_____ (1979) (4)11 ABBA song (3)12 Kalamata fruit (6)13 British rock group, The Rolling_______ (6)14 Bluff (8)17 Welsh capital (7)19 Implemented (7)22 Sleeveless ecclesiastical garment(8)24 Concurred (6)25 Grovel (6)28 Donkey (3)29 Macadamia foodstuff (4)30 Utilised (8)31 Paste made from ground sesameseeds (6)Down1 Italian white bread variety (8)2 Boardwalks (10)3 British comedy starring DavidJason and Nicholas Lyndhurst,Only Fools and ________ (1981)(6)4 Beetroot soup (7)5 Martial art (4)6 US clothing company, ____Strauss (4)7 Vet (6)15 Actress, appeared in RebelWithout a Cause (1955), ___Doran (3)16 Mazes (10)18 Watch pocket (3)20 Pushing (8)21 Benefits (7)23 Horses’ feet (6)24 Capital (6)26 Musical work by Rossini, William____ Overture (1829) (4)27 Methods (4)If your details have changed recentlyplease help us keep up to date so wecan contact you.If you would like to change any of yourinformation please give our CustomerService Team a call on 1800 024 915.The Good Life Magazineis published by IRT Corporate AffairsEmail editor@irt.org.auMail The Good Lifec/o IRT Corporate ServicesPO Box 2106 WollongongDC NSW 2500Web www.irt.org.auTo be added to or removed fromour mailing list please phone1800 024 915 or emailcustomerservice@irt.org.auleading the seniors revolution ®