Category Article

Welcome Home

by Bob Whittaker Editor’s Note: This story is the second extract from the book ‘Jellybeans in the Jungle’ by Bob Whittaker. The first article, ‘Call Up and Rookie Training’ can be viewed by clicking here. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ We boarded the Qantas…

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Leadership

by Sgt Terry Edwinsmith Bellwether, chief, commander, director, foreman, head-most, premier, ruler, senior etc. Leadership is as diverse as the people placed in that position. Some are anointed, promoted or born to that position. Many are conferred this position by…

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A Poem by a WW2 Veteran

In war there are no unwounded soldiers, No unsightly wounds to show, No limbs are missing of these men, But inward pain and thoughts crowding on, The mind of ageing veteranswho saw it but have nought to show, Only memories…

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1971 Intake Advice

Introduction Over the duration of “operation skoolim”, the RAAEC regular staff in PNG improved its procedures for recruitment, training, and induction of National Service Instructors deployed to PNG Command. The document which follows was written from Port Moresby and designed…

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Various Items of Interest

This page shows various single items that are of interest but could not be displayed elsewhere on the website. Learner’s Permit and provisional licence issued in the 1970’s  A newspaper item spread over two images of a football match involving…

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1PIR’s BOOMERANG BOY

1PIR’s BOOMERANG BOY (By Terry Edwinsmith) RSM WO1 Frederick Alexander Wilson ARA 5487 24/06/1924 to 27/03/1968 The book, ‘Boomerang Boy’ tells the compelling story of Taurama Barrack’s RSM, Fred Wilson who died at 1PIR on 27th March 1968 when he…

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National Servicemen’s Day

National Servicemen’s Day, February 14 each year. This 14th day in February, the 45th day of the year, is remembered for many events. In recent times in Australia, Decimal Currency was introduced with metrics overtaking the Imperial measures from this…

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The graduates

This is article is reproduced with the kind permission of author, Mark Dapin. It contains interviews undertaken by Mark of fellow Chalkies Les Rowe, Wayne Bensley, Andrew Remenyi, Ray Nichol, Ray Bassett, Peter Porteous and Chris Poulton.First published in 2014,…

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SURFING – WEWAK STYLE

by Sgt. Graeme Johnson I was introduced to this pastime by a civvy mate Bob PRINS who was employed by the Administration in the then Department of Ag., Stock & Fisheries in Wewak town centre. He was friends with some…

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Tales of a Chalkie

by Sgt Paul Taylor What the heck is a Chalkie? Before I answer this question I would like to take you back to 7th February 1968. Why is this date significant to me? Because it was the first day of…

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‘Chalkies’ honoured for their work teaching Papua New Guinean soldiers

____________________________________________________________________ Editor’s Note: This article was copied from the NSW Teachers News website education.nsw.gov.au/news unaltered and in its entirety. We (the Chalkies) sought and received permission to copy the article. We copied it here to acknowledge an important milestone in…

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NINGERUM on the OK TEDI

by 2Lt John Stringfellow In June 1967 Delta Company of the 1st Battalion of the Pacific Islands Regiment, under the command of Major Colin Adamson, flew to Ningerum to conduct military training and to win the hearts and minds of…

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