ATC/AAFC Branch - Autumn 2017
Hello to all members and Happy New Year.
Well, here we are again into the brand New Year 2017 and we hope that everyone had an enjoyable and safe time over Christmas either with their families and friends or wherever else they might happen to have been during the Festive Season.
First we extend a warm welcome to two new Branch members from the ranks of the AAFC, Kieran Rogan and John Weiss. We hope they enjoy being members of the Air Force Association and part of our Branch.
The Branch Christmas Luncheon was a huge success again this year and on behalf of the Committee I thank all of the members who attended and made the day such an enjoyable one. My special thanks to O.C. 4WG WGCDR (AAFC) Shaun Young our Branch AAFC Liaison Officer who assisted greatly by stepping into the breach and conducting the raffle, thus saving much of my ailing voice.
With this being the year of the Avalon Air Show, planning is well under way for the Air Force Association’s display stall. If you’re going to attend, please be sure to drop by the stall and say hello.
On Saturday the 21st January, I had the pleasure of attending the Graduation Parade of the 4WG AAFC Promotion Detachment 01/17 at Laverton and meeting up again with a number of our AAFC Branch members and others, plus quite a few friends of the days of yore. The cadets’ standard of uniform and drill was highly commendable and thanks
to our member, FLGOFF (AAFC) Sarah Gulam who officiated as MC for the parade and afterwards kindly supplied me with the details of the Awards presented on the day for publication in our Branch’s recent newsletter.
Our first Friday of the month luncheon at Box Hill RSL on the 3rd of February was well attended by approximately 28 of our Branch and we remind our members that should they have any family, visitors or friends who would like to come
along with them and join us on these occasions, they will also be made most welcome.
VALE: Once again it is our sad duty to report the passing of Arnold Kopp MBE DFC, another of the ATC/AAFC Branch’s long serving members. Our deepest condolences to Betty and the family and my personal thanks to both Betty and daughter Jennifer Futiere for making Arnold’s war record notes from the funeral service available for inclusion in our newsletter.
Very best wishes to all.
Laurie Bell.