Message from Grace Anderson - full version

Hi to all my former workmates.

I send my apologies for not attending the reunion gathering and if you have another one down the track, I will certainly try to get there.

I remember so many of the people on the list and in the photos and would dearly love to see them again. Please give my regards to Karen and Al Dalling, Jo Jackson, Pat Brennan, Keith Prinn, Kevin McFadzen, Wilma Hopkins, Sue Seal, Pauline Bishop, Brendan O'Loghlin if you find him, and all the others who remember me. I was very pleased to see the notes from Gloria and Melitta. It is interesting to hear how people have moved on.

My husband and I moved to the Gold Coast in May 1997 to live in the beautiful 'Sunshine State' and we love it up here. We go fishing and play golf and generally enjoy life. I have done research and made a few family history DVD's going back to 1700's which has been very interesting. I do it from old family photos in a computer program and add titles and story and music etc. It is an interesting hobby.

I have just become a Great-Grandmother on 16th August 2007 with my granddaughter giving birth to twin girls, so that is an exciting event. (I am not old though).

I hope you all have an enjoyable time at the reunion and don't talk about me (ha! ha!).

Best wishes to you all

Grace Anderson

(Formerly MAIS)

See Grace's old work photos

Message from Gloria (Tonkin) - full version

Hello everyone.

I am happily married (Brady Bunch 8 kids) with 8 grandchildren to Ralph Eifurth. I'm now Gloria Eifurth and live at 31 Second Street Ardrossan SA 5571 - crab and fishing country on the coast of York Peninsula.

When I left Defence, I went back to retail and managed stores for Coles / Fosseys at Weston Creek and Kippax and Tuggeranong, then managed stores for Lowes at Belconnen and Woden. Then moved over here to Ardrossan.

I am currently Bar / Gaming person at Ardrossan Hotel/motel.

I’ve had great times in Defence; drinking (and lunch) competitions at the Ainslie Football Club, BBQs at the river near Defence. Then we “migrated” to the Worker’s Club and other places including RAAF Fairbairn.

I’m sure Mick Cronin no longer “drives the fastest milk truck in the west”, or Terry Daly no longer plays baseball for the “Indians”? His brother was one of the best pitchers I’d seen.

I wonder if Nicholasses still own the mud-brick house near Hall? Is Tas still cooking fish and chips? I hope Brendon is still not barracking for Carlton and Greg, or was it Mark Nicholas, or both – one eyed Richmond?

I suppose Ken is still in his biker gear and riding to work and then doing a quick change – and the same when he “knocks” off, in case biker mates see him in office clothes??

Is Keith Prinn still boarding with someone or has he finally got his own place? – and, hopefully, married?!

Doddsy, well, he was a larrikin (good one, that is) and I still have a card and present he gave me for my birthday many moons ago.

Is John Wall still stripping off in his laundry when he gets home (he doesn’t like to take dirt into his home). Eilleen, only 2 points to make about her, and they were very obvious (I’m jealous) We all know what ‘they’ were!

I’ll stop here.

Thanks to all for a wonderful experience and good times.

I’ve probably forgotten or can’t (immediately) recall some names, but here goes (in no order)…

Ken (who?), Sissy (Tea Lady), Tas Moudakis, Peter Hanlin, Terry Daly, David Lovi, Mark and Lyn Nicholas, Abe van Arkel, Greg Nicholas, Helen Connor, Jo Jackson, Mick Cronin, Sandra Mead, Dale Thompson, Deb Donaldson, Carmel Warnock, Karen Gerrard, Barbara Grimes-hatcliffe, Mick Juelg, Margaret Lawrence, Karen Coughlin, Margaret Shorten, Brendan O’loghlin, Jenna Lyris, Dave Pettit, Colin Hopper, Mark Marmont, Grace Anderson, Tony Baker, Clive Blunden, Des Hitchcock, Bill Booth, Graham Dodds, Graham Summerville, Alan and Karen Dalling, Nick Strmota, David Eck, Alex Curtis, Julian, Judy Wing, Keith Prinn, Dub Kolobaric, Dave (in duelling banjos), Denise

Message from Melitta (full version)

Hello Everybody from Defence Central Registry

I am sorry I am unable to come to the reunion. I would have loved to come along and re-kindle friendships with those I knew who I have lost contact with and catch up with those that I see occasionally. I have lost contact with a lot of people which is a great shame, as I have many fond memories of those days and the wonderful people I met and shared good times with.

My life at that time (1980-1982) was busy and stressful and there were times I was difficult to be around “yes I will admit that.” My life as an extremely young single mother was tough, but I survived and eventually my daughter and I grew up. My daughter Michelle is now 28 years old. I am a happy and hope and think that I am a reasonably well adjusted sane adult.

My life thus far has been eventful and there is a lot to tell. I will not write it all down, as it would resemble war and peace and would not be of interest to those who did not know me. But in short, I have been a lot of places, lived lots of experiences and am truly honoured and fortunate to have the sometimes complicated, often eventful, mostly happy, sometimes sad, usually healthy and comparatively wealthy life I have.

I left Canberra in early 1992 and lived in Melbourne for 12 years; mostly as a single woman enjoying the music, restaurant, pub and theatre scene with my many friends. I lived mostly in Brighton and just before I left I brought a flat in St Kilda East. Melbourne brought great challenge to my life and gave me the environment and freedom to become the woman I am today.

I have travelled extensively, in Europe, Scandinavia, the UK, some Pacific Islands, nearly every country in Southeast Asia, some in North Asia and America (even up to Alaska), and Canada. Travel is one of my passions and one of my dreams is to join the Century Club.

In 2002 I fell in love with my partner and in 2004 I returned to Canberra. That same year, we left Canberra and were posted overseas to Cambodia. I cannot come to the reunion as we are still overseas. It has been a three year posting which finishes just the week after the reunion but due to uplift and other timing issues, I cannot come home early.

For those that would be interested, I did not have any more children. I also never married. My partner and I spend our time and money travelling the world and experiencing as much of life as we can. I was never settled and enjoy moving around and experiencing new people and places. I am living the life I love, with someone I love who loves me.

I suppose that one day we will settle down in one place, but that day is not yet. My partner and I will be in Canberra for only 4 months, before we embark on our next posting to Brazil which will be for another 2-3 years.

I wish each and every one of you happiness and hope that you have a really terrific night. I would like to be there to raise my glass with those of you I knew and remember absent friends and the good times we shared.

Happy Days and “Cheers”

Melitta Sterling (previously known as Melitta Sturesteps)