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30 Nov 2009
Bev & Geoff

Dear members, My husband Geoff and I would like to send you ALL our heartfelt thanks for the invitation to the 9 RAR Reunion 2009.
For myself, I have never felt so much love from such a group of wonderful people. My own pride and loving memories of Trevor (Black) is mirrored in each and everyone of you. To be in the midst of his mates and to hear you all talk about him with reverence drawn out of vivid memories and to hear the words first hand has been for me a long awaited healing.
As you all know Dad was our family representative and that is as it should have been as he too needed your love and support and his own healing.
To be able to march at Enoggera with all of you was so very moving and special an almost overwhelming experience for me. Both Geoff and I want thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful welcome you bestowed on us at the reunion and we would also like to thank the Ladies for their unblemished organization of all events.
We now have wonderful memories and new friends in the RAR.
With a great deal of love, Bev and Geoff Douthett
PS: To one and all , if you pass by Townsville Qld please drop in for a coffee (but not all at once as we have limited cups..)

30 Nov 2009
Stan & Jan

Hello Barry, I've just returned to Yacka having been in Melbourne for the weekend. We have a service at the Melbourne Shrine each year followed by a nice lunch afterwards. It's been raining down in Victoria but thankfully it held off whilst we were at the Shrine.
Barry, When you meet with your Committee next, could you kindly convey to them the thanks from all Victorians within the 9 RAR family for such a wonderful reunion. Jan and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as did us all from Victoria and its a credit to all who played their part in making the reunion the great success it was. Once again our thanks and very well done. Take care Barry
Stan Sutherland (President) 9 RAR Assoc. Inc. Victoria

30 Nov 2009
Rod & Julie

Well done to all the team including the Partners. A wonderful reunion which was well organised and run and we certainly got our monies worth. The only complaints that we heard was the $7.00 stubbies at the Hilton, but then again if that's the only complaint, they can't have been too thirsty. The meal on Sat ni was excellent and having The Big E present for Fri & Sat & messages from Eric Philip was a real positive highlight. Special mention for Greg Decker especially for his organisational & entrepreneurial skills .. and 8/9RAR Assn, all of whom we'd suggest went a long way to making Fri & Sun such a success. Kind Regards

29 Nov 2009
John E.

Dear Folks, This is just a very short note to cover a mighty thank you for plethora of kindnesses and warm friendship shown by you all, and a multitude of others, to Susan and me.

We were absolutely overwhelmed by your warm welcome and constant care, attention ,and friendship from the moment we were first met at the Contemplation Building of the Regimental Memorial Walk, until the time we sadly left you at the Hilton. We could never have asked for more genuine acceptance and warm fellowship from many of you who had never met us.
We both thoroughly enjoyed the reunion and it was a far more emotional time than either of us had expected. You are all 'champions'. I have attached a 'quick report' on the reunion from my 'post-narm' perspective that I may use to enlist a few more 'post-narmers' using other networks.

25 Nov 2009
Doug

I wish also to compliment Barry Stalder and his wonderful committee for staging a first class reunion. A range of activities spanned almost a week and people were free to choose any that they wished to attend. Everything was planned to perfection and went off superbly.
The memorial march and service was a highly-charged emotional affair. Superbly presented by Garry Mayer it was very special to have our dear Margaret Morrison, the ”Mother of the Battalion, attend on her son David’s arm. David’s speech was wonderful in both style and content. It was quite eerie at times to close your eyes and think that it could have been Alby speaking. Ted Chitham was very informative in his introduction of the activities of the RAR Association and the working bees to maintain the memorial trees which have been planted in honour of all the fallen. We were treated to a trip down memory lane wandering through the 9RAR museum amongst the conviviality of the BBQ lunch. Throughout this wonderful series of events, organised to perfection by the Qld committee, the soldiers of 8/9 RAR played a significant role. How young and fit they all looked, so ably led by their very impressive CO Lt Col Simon Stuart.
The Dinner on Saturday night was a magnificent occasion. Our Patron, Peter Cosgrove gave his customary superb speech to the assembled diners before John Essex-Clark, a former 9 RAR CO of the post Vietnam era, offered a fascinating insight into his period of 9 RAR leadership. This outstandingly executed period of sustained conviviality was rounded off with Sunday’s relaxed BBQ in the picturesque gardens overlooking the city – a perfect location to finish a perfect reunion. Congratulations once again to the Qld team.

24 Nov 2009
Richard

Thanks for your mail. It was the 3rd Reunion that I have been to and I must say how great they are. It was my pleasure to be able to assist with your project. Yes I was in anti tank and served from Oct 1970 to May 73.
I look forward to attending more reunions. Regards,

24 Nov 2009
Robyn & Roger

What a great time we had in Brisbane at the reunion! This was our first and
we are already looking forward to the next one. I must have taken about 300
photos, using two cameras.

24 Nov 2009
Michelle

We had a wonderful week away and especially enjoyed the service on the 13th, it was very moving. Thank you to the 9 RAR committee in Qld for putting together a great reunion. With Respect,

22 Nov 2009
Ian & Merilyn

Congratulations on an absolutely wonderful reunion, you all worked so hard over the past year. You have all made this such a wonderful, emotional and happy 9 RAR family Reunion. Thank you all