C130 Crash

  RAAF in SE ASIA 1968-69 

Dewdrop Re-Union Report

21 – 22 October 2009

We came back to Ballina this year. Ballina had been the scene of our October re-unions from the mid-eighties until 2004     

when we decided to move further afield and give some of the other blokes and states a go. These were really great and well attended and we became acquainted with some of the parts of Australia, which were not familiar to some of us. We appreciated the work the organisers put in to make us welcome.

It was decided in 2007 that we would come back to Ballina in 2009 as we were not going to structure a special re-union in 2008 due to the “Back to Wagga” gathering that year.

The traditional “meet and greet” was held on the banks of the Richmond at the Sundowner Motel.

Although prices have risen since our last gathering at Ballina, which made the Sea Food Buffet out of our price range, we still attracted 45 Dewdrops including partners to a very well presented Carvery meal in the Spinnakers Bar overlooking the beautiful Richmond River.

A very convivial and enjoyable evening was had by all.

In the tradition, which had been established, many years ago, morning coffee was served at the Saundos home in Evans Head next morning, 30 Dewdrops and partners attending. This was followed by a visit to the Evans Head Air Weapons Range, which had been arranged with the current Range Safety Officer, with the intention of showing the Dewdrops where Saundo had served his last four years, full time, in the Service.

As we had not been able to afford the seafood at Ballina, local Evans Head prawns were on the menu for a picnic at the range. Judy, having cooked chooks for the non-seafood eaters and provided salads etc. was heard to say she would not be going into the catering business any time soon! The meal was very well received, as it is well known that Evans Head prawns are unsurpassed in this neck of the woods.

We were welcomed to the range by Sgt.”Lennie” Pascoe and his crew, the Officer in Charge of the Detachment being absent on leave. Tours of the target area and the adjacent beach were escorted by Sgt. Pascoe and his men and a full briefing on the operations of the range rounded out a very pleasant visit to one of the most picturesque RAAF facilities in Australia.

Unfortunately the F111 exercise, which had been planned, had to be cancelled as the aircraft went “U/S”, a not uncommon situation these days due to the imminent demise of the “Pig”. This was a shame as the Squadron lads always put on a good show.

RAAF Detachment Evans Head personnel, who live in Evans Head and have, over many years, become part of the local community, permanently man the Range, which is situated approximately 15 kms south of the township.

The venue for next year, which will be our 60^th Anniversary, will probably be somewhere in Brisbane since this is where we started meeting in the early 1980s.

All the best for Christmas and 2010, to all Appys and their loved ones, from No 4 intake, the Dewdrops.