With Gary Elliott, president of the Pakenham RSL sub-branch.
Tell us a bit about your time in the services.
I’m a National Serviceman called up for the second intake but delayed due to an apprenticeship… finally went in in the 11th intake – 7 February 1968. Did my basic training at Pucka Punyal (Seymour), a standard 12 weeks rookies.
This was followed by another 12 weeks of corps training (RAEME) at Bandiana (Albury) where the training focus was on Centurion Tanks, Armoured Personnel Carriers, International Trucks and Land Rovers. All the standard vehicles in use at the time.
At the end of this I was offered a posting as an instructor at Bandiana or a posting to Vietnam… I chose Vietnam. So a temporary position was found back in Seymour at Pucka Area Workshops with a three week stint in Canungra… then off to Vietnam on 14 December 1968
I spent the majority of my time there in Vung Tau at the 102 Field Workshops with some time spent when sent out on jobs in Nui Dat, Quy Nohn and also down in the delta area. I returned from Vietnam on 28 November 1969. So with about six weeks leave owing by this time I put in the last two or three weeks as a vehicle driver at Southern Command (Watsonia Barracks). This was pretty interesting at times as I had just spent about 12 months driving right-hand drive vehicles on the right-hand side of the road
At the end of my time I was glad to get out although never sorry to have been involved and serving my country.
Anzac Day has had a surge in popularity in the past few years. What do you put that down to?
Education… governments of both persuasions have put a lot of time, money and resources into the Anzac legend and compared to 40-50 years ago there is a lot of information out there now.
How will you be spending Anzac Day?
I have a Dawn Service to run that starts at 6am… I’ll be there an hour or more before that. This will be followed by taking part in the re-dedication of the gates at Officer at 10am, followed by an involvement with the Anzac Day Football competition between ROC and Pakenham at the Toomuc Reserve. So a busy day for me.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Although I’ve lived here a very long time I wasn’t born in Pakenham.
What has been the most memorable moment of your life to date?
Getting married to my lovely wife of over 45 years, Alma.
If you could witness any event, past, present or future, what would it be?
To stand at the opening of a new Centenary RSL in Pakenham – which we’re working on.
You are hosting a dinner party and can invite six guests, dead or alive. Who would they be?
Clint Eastwood, Henry Bolte, Bill Gates, John Cash, Katharine Hepburn and Wilbur Smith.
What has been your most embarrassing moment to date?
Arriving right on time for an official opening only to find I’m three days early.
If you could live in a particular era, which would you choose?
It would have to be the ’50s… they were a very free era.
What was the first or best concert you have ever attended.
I loved the Gympie Muster.
