T.S. Vindicatrix Assn. of W.A. Inc

Bugler Paul De Cinque (John Curtin College of Arts) sounded Last Post and service representatives pass a guard of honour to lay wreaths at the memorial (Pictures Martin Kennealey, story from Fremantle-Cockburn Gazette)

Service and sacrifice honoured

Beneath a blue sky on the first Wednesday in September, a lone bugler sounded Last Post as about 80 people gathered at Monument Hill on Battle for Australia Day to pay their respects for the service and sacrifice of all those who served in the defence of Australia in 1942 and 1943

	Federal Member for Fremantle Melissa Parke (left), MLA Joe Francis and Tony Harben, Derek Butler and Terry Pickett from Vindicatrix Association of WA.

	Thursday, 10th December was the last Vindicatrix Association of WA monthly social for the year also our Christmas lunch. Thirty of us enjoyed the lovely two course Christmas lunch at the Fremantle Worker’s Social and Leisure Club, during which Lionel Shepherd found the lucky three penny piece in his portion of the Christmas pudding. Regrettably, the commencement of the lunch inadvertently delayed for half an hour or so, due to three unfortunate committee members being caught in the interminably duplicated procedures required to change signatures and open a subaccount to our bank account at our association’s local bank branch – a process that took nearly 90 minutes. When the three members finally arrived, triumphant in their mission, the delay was soon forgotten as we commenced our Christmas lunch. Much lamp swinging was done during the meal, following which the raffle was drawn and amongst the donated prizes was a delightful painting by our own very talented Eileen Mcquisten, the winning ticket being held by Beryl Barnes, and a bottle of whisky from the Fremantle Worker’s Social and Leisure Club. For those members who were unable to attend this year’s Christmas social, we hope you will be able to join us next year. Best wishes for a lovely Christmas and a very happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2010 to everyone.


	This photo was taken by a Sunday Times Photographer during our march through the streets of Fremantle on ANZAC DAY.



	This morning, 22 March 2009, many of us (along with a number of Allied Merchant Seamens’ Association members) thoroughly enjoyed a very memorable visit to the fantastic, private Nautical Museum owned by Barry and Doris Hicks, situated in East Cannington. What Barry and Doris have is an absolute Alladdin’s Cave for all ex. seamen (and anyone else with an interest in boats, shipping, ropework and, in fact, almost anything to do with the sea). The vast numbers of beautiful wooden pulley blocks and wooden splicing fids, marlin spikes and shackles, plus anchors, steering wheels and binnacles on display, is absolutely mind-blowing. There are so many artifacts and tools of trade (quite a few of these having been specifically designed and made for certain purposes) to be found. The museum really is a “Pearl in an Oyster” and once there, this became very apparent. In addition, Barry and Doris’ friend, Brian Lemon, also shows off his magnificent collection of meticulous hand made model ships and boats at the museum. Many of these are replicas of actual vessels, with quite a few also being remote controlled. Barry, Doris and Brian love to meet people and tell you about all the many and various exhibits they have there. Not only that (if this alone is not enough!) as a very special bonus, Doris and Brian’s wife, Irene, are constantly plying everyone with their complimentary, beautiful freshly baked, hot sausage rolls, sandwiches, mince pies, fruit cake, scones and biscuits, along with copious amounts of tea and coffee! I sincerely urge anyone who hasn’t already been there, do try and go – and take a friend or two with you, because you will certainly not regret this lovely experience, as what you will see and find at this museum, you are likely to find nowhere else!! Following the wonderful tour of this Nautical Museum, we all then proceded to go to David and Dorothy’s nearby home for a lovely “Sausage Sizzle”, various salads and other lovely things to eat. (One of my favourites were the absolutely delicious home-made waffles, which Dorothy very cleverly made!) The company, as also the weather, was really magnificent. The presence of our lovely wives, the A.M.S.A. members and, our various friends and with the liquid amber along with the other drinks continuing to flow at a nice steady rate, all made the afternoon a wonderful success! A very big “Thank You” to you, David and Dorothy!


	These photos are of two social occasions we held recently. Firstly there was a BBQ on the John Tonkin Reserve and then the Christmas luncheon held at the Fremantle Workers Club. As you can see, we all had a great time with the Vindi covering the full cost of the BBQ and supplying copious amounts of wines at the luncheon. (The photos were taken by Jim Spratt - click on each photo for a larger image)

Anzac Day 2008 - for a report on the Anzac Day Parade please go to the Notice Board page

Jack Edwards the Secretary of the Allied Merchant Seamans Association




		Ken Clift an honoury member of our Association

Although not a social occasion these photos show a very important event. They are photos of Vindi lad David Bell who helped me lay two limestone plinths at the Fremantle Cenotaph, one is for our plaque "HEROES" and the other was donated by our association to the Allied Merchant Seaman's Association so as they can also erect their own plaque. It was a long hard grind getting through the red tape but we prevailed. The plaque, as you know, was cast last September and was unveiled by the author, Vindi lad David Partridge at the W.A. Vindicatrix Reunion last November. The W.A. Vindi lads have every right to be proud of our memorial which will be seen by many thousands of people long after we have all "Crossed the Bar" My sincere thanks go to all of the lads who made this possible, give yourselves a pat on the back lads, you deserve it. Best wishes Tony Harben [President]