6th September 2012 - The Bush Telegraph Weekly

LOCAL PRESCHOOLS SAVED
Story and photo by Liz Templeton
Early Wednesday morning I received the news that we
have all been waiting for….
Ray Williams our local MP rang to inform me that the Minister for
Education, Mr Adrian Piccoli MP had made an official announcement in
writing regarding the “Save our Preschools” Campaign.
The Minister writes: “I am advised that the Department of Education and
Communities, in consultation with the service provider for the Forgotten
Valley Mobile Preschool, recently reviewed the enrolment data that was
provided by Forgotten Valley Mobile Preschool and which the Department
used to calculate its funding allocation for the 2012/13 financial year. Data
inconsistencies were discovered and have now been corrected. I am
pleased to advise that the funding allocation for this service for 2012/13
can now be maintained with a slight increase”.
It is fabulous news and a huge step forward for the preschools
and our entire community. It proves that with the right motivation,
persistence and a “never give up attitude” we can as a united front,
achieve almost anything.
Thank you for all your support, letters and encouragement. My family
has been a huge help with all of them filling in the gaps and taking over
responsibilities that I’ve had to let slide whilst spending time working on
this campaign.
The Muster was, I believe a fantastic wind up to what we have achieved.
At least 6 families registered their interest in the preschools and we have
Bill Foster OAM
(5/3/1917 – 20/7/2012)
“May you have fair winds and a following sea.”
Story & photo by LCDR Mick Gallagher RANR
Along with some 200 others, I attended a funeral service on Thursday 26
July 2012 at St Mark’s Anglican Church Berowra for fellow ex-Navy local,
‘Bill’ William Arthur Foster OAM of Berowra.
Unfortunately his passing was another shock to me as I had already in
July attended the funeral services of 3 other OAM prominent residents
of Hornsby Shire: Harry Edwards (Federal MP for Berowra, from West
Pennant Hills), Harry Fox (RSL & community stalwart, from Berowra
Heights), and then Jack Goyen (Scouting stalwart, from Asquith).
I had met Bill on many occasions over the years through RSL and other
activities and at age 95 we were all sad to see our WW2 Navy veteran sail
off on his final voyage.
“As a preacher I would also love to speak to Bill once more,” said Rev Ian
Millican of St Mark’s, who conducted the funeral service.
“I hadn’t seen Bill since his and Elaine’s 70th wedding anniversary in
March this year– and I would have liked to have been able to speak to him
once more before he died.”
Bill served in the defence of our nation during World War 2 as a Stoker
(Marine Engineer) in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), serving in Australia,
Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. Bill joined the Navy from Berowra on 6
April 1942 (Official Number S6339) and served until 5 March 1946.
His initial training was at Flinders Naval Depot, east of Melbourne, then
a shore posting to HMAS Penguin in Sydney Harbour and the depot
ship HMAS Platypus. His sea postings included HMA Ships Westralia,
Australia, Moresby, Adele and Hobart.
Bill was a founding member of the Berowra RSL Sub Branch in 1947 and
served in many positions as well as Treasurer for over 30 years. Bill was
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had new mums come to playgroup, which is encouraging for the future of
our preschools.
We have such a wonderful community …. Let’s embrace what we have
and find ways of helping our communities grow.
See you around town …
Visit our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/
SaveOurPreschoolGroupWisemansFerrySthMaroota
awarded an RSL Life Membership and the RSL Meritorious Medal for his
commitment and example. Bill went on to become the Patron of the Sub
Branch.
Both Bill and his wife Elaine spent many years in serving the community
of Berowra through the RSL and many other organisations becoming well
known and loved.
Bill carried out his unsung activities with diligence and dedication for many
years and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2006
for service to the welfare of ex-service personnel, their families; and to the
community of Berowra.
“How well he served his fellow man is well known to his fellow members
of the RSL who stand with me here,
mmourning
the passing of one who
wwas
a loyal co-worker, admired and
re respected by all who knew him,” said
BBob
Dobson, President Berowra RSL
SSub
Branch in his RSL tribute eulogy.
“I
remember Bill Foster with respect
aand
admiration, through his long
sservice
with the Berowra RSL Sub
BBranch
and like others in your
ccommunity;
he was surely one of
yyour
Sub Branch greats. With the
re recent loss also of Harry Fox OAM, I
fe feel deep sadness for you and your
ccomrades
at Berowra,” said Rod
WWhite,
President Hornsby RSL Sub
BBranch,
in a letter to the Berowra RSL
SSB.
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Continued page 4
The Bush Telegraph Weekly – Thursday 6 September 2012 3