Moree organisers in early preparation for next year’s 25th annual Nashos’ reunion
THE North-West Sub-Branch of the NSW National Serviceman Association is in early preparation for the organisation’s 25th annual reunion at Moree in 2018.
The reunion, held in Moree for the first time earlier this year, will take place on March 9-10-11.
Celebrations will be held in conjunction with the Moree RSL Sub-Branch, with the support of the Moree and District Services Club.
Moree’s inaugural reunion back in March was a great success, event co-ordinator John Tramby said.
“Many participants from this year booked their accommodation for next year before departing,” Mr Tramby said.
“A full and enjoyable weekend for next year is being planned. We are currently in discussions with a well-known and very popular and beautiful singer from the Vietnam era.
Reg Jamieson and John Tramby at last year’s inaugural Nashos’ reunion in Moree (Image: Copyright Bill Poulos).
“Due to a very busy schedule she is doing her best to be part of our reunion. Watch this space for further announcements,” Mr Tramby said.
Local sub-branch president Andy Doyle, who’s heading into his 19th year at the helm, said the reunion earlier this year – a first for Moree – was the product of many months of planning and hard work.
“It was made very special because of the terrific committee that we have,” Mr Doyle said.
“We really never had enough people to run something like it but the RSL came in and helped in a big way as well.
“It would probably be one of the best committees that I’ve ever had the privilege of being on and I’m very impressed with how it all was achieved,” he said.
Moree put out the welcome mat for nearly 200 former nashos and returned and ex-servicemen and women, who travelled vast distances to attend the reunion.
(From left) At Moree’s inaugural reunion earlier this year were National Servicemen’s Association of Australia Gosford City sub-branch president Alf Hill, North-Western NSW sub-branch president Tony Doyle, NSW National Servicemen’s Association and Affiliates assistant secretary Alan Drinkwater, NSW president Ron Brown, national president John Redman and Moree RSL sub-branch president Reg Jamieson were just some of the dignitaries at the inaugural Nashos’ Reunion in Moree at the weekend (Image: Copyright Bill Poulos).
The reunion had been held at Bingara for the previous 23 years, but was this year passed on to the Moree sub-branch.
National president John Redman praised the Moree committee, which has worked tirelessly to ensure the tradition continues.
“There’s no doubt that the local committee has done a great job continuing on from Bingara when the branch there decided to pull the pin because of age and distances travelled,” Mr Redman said.
Moree RSL sub-branch president Reg Jamieson said the transition from holding the reunion in Bingara to Moree was seamless, adding that the collaboration of both sub-branches produced a reunion that Moree and district can be proud of.
Mr Jamieson, who also sits as vice-president of the local arm of the National Servicemen’s Association, said Moree’s inaugural reunion had been a sensitive and emotive event.
“It was very emotional,” Mr Jamieson said.
“Our first reunion was successful because of our marvellous committee that worked so hard to put it all together,” he said.
Meanwhile, new funding of $175,000 is now available to help communities protect and repair local war memorials and to support projects which commemorate the service of current and former NSW service men and women.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has called for applications in the latest round of the Community War Memorials Fund (CWMF) and the ANZAC Community Grants Program (ACGP).
Mr Marshall said the CWMF provided grants of up to $10,000 for local war memorial projects, including conservation works and protection.
“There are two rounds a year each offering $125,000, closing on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day,” Mr Marshall said.
“The $50,000 ACGP provides grants of up to $2,000 to schools, community and veterans groups to educate the community on the service and sacrifice of military personnel, support activities benefiting veterans, and engage with the community.
“The majority of projects proposed for the latest ACGP round were applications to support ANZAC Day commemorative activities.”
Mr Marshall said the NSW Government’s investment in local and state war memorials helped ensure that the service and sacrifice of the state’s war veterans is remembered and appreciated.
Applications for both grant programs are open until Saturday, 11 November 2017.
For more information, please visit www.centenaryofanzac.nsw.gov.au
