Hi Everyone, Here, for archival purposes, is the CAN YOU HELP? column published in The West Australian on Monday, January 30, 2006. Cheers....... Erica Hills ________________________________________ The CAN YOU HELP? column (incorporating REUNIONS) is compiled by Jenny KOHLEN and published on Mondays as a free service. E-mail your requests to <mailto:canyouhelp@wanews.com.au> or write to : Can You Help? "The West Australian," GPO Box N1027, Perth 6843. Fax (08) 9482 3830. Phone (08) 9482 3382 (Mon-Fri). mailto: <mailto:canyouhelp@wanews.com.au> ================================================================================= CAN YOU HELP? : Monday, January 30, 2006 (The West Australian p26) BRITISH MIGRANTS PRIOR TO 1974 - WHERE ARE YOU TODAY? : There was a rush prior to May 31, 1974, which was the last day British and Commonwealth migrants who had lived in Australia continuously for five years could become instant Australians by notification: "Fill in this form, mate, we'll stamp'er, and you're an Aussie." From the following Monday all would-be Australians had to take part in naturalisation ceremonies. Historian, and co-author of TEN POUND POMS: AUSTRALIA'S INVISIBLE MIGRANTS, is seeking informants for a new book on British migrants, both unassisted (with no government support) and assisted (in the scheme that was phased out by 1982), to all Commonwealth countries from the 1970s to the present. The book will be based mainly on stories told in writing or in interviews by migrants themselves. Contact: Jim Hammerton, history program, La Trobe University, Vic 3086. Tel: (03) 9479 2364. mailto:j.hammerton@latrobe.edu.au CLONTARF MEMORIES : Bruno House at Lancelin was built as a retreat for the Christian Brothers by the boys from Clontarf in the 1950s. Does anyone remember the year and the long trip to Lancelin via Gingin travelling on the back of the truck with material for the house? They drove along a sand track to reach the place and camped in the old church that is still there. Bruno House was named after then superior, Brother DOYLE. Also interested in the war cries the boys sang on sports day at Clontarf in the 50s. They were named after Brothers BODKIN, O'CONNOR, DALY and possibly HEFFERNAN. Memories are sought for a book. Contact: Tony Ryan, Post Office Box 540, Northampton 6535. Tel: 99341801 mailto:tonyryan@midwest.com.au --- COUNTRY CALLING MANJIMUP SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL : Calling past students from the group Year 10 1987 to Year 121989. A reunion will be held at Manjimup Country Club on Saturday, March 4. Contact: Adam Davey, 0408 918 080; Jacinda Lazarov (nee Eaton), 9777 1092 or Tania Shaw (nee Gnjech), 0439 941395. NOGGERUP : The Noggerup Hall will celebrate its 50th birthday with a Back to Noggerup Reunion to be held in the hall on Saturday, February 11. Morning tea at 10am. Lunch and drinks on sale (please no BYO). Program includes unveiling of commemorative plaque by Mick Murray MLA, unveiling of commemorative mural, entertainment, vintage car display, photographic and historical displays, art and pottery by local artisans, wine tasting, displays of local produce. Seeking photographs and memorabilia for display on the day. Contact: Liz, 9732 2002 or Lynn, 9732 2091. WAROONA VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE : This year marks 50 years since the formation of the brigade. Calling past members for a reunion celebration coming up. Contact: Barbara, 9733 2524. mailto:waroonavfb@hotmail.com --- DENMARK PROJECT/BRADFORD : Seeking the family of Rene and Sidney BRADFORD and their daughter Naomi. Rene's brother, Stuart HENDERSON, died in Belgium in 1917. His father, George Alexander HENDERSON, farmed in Denmark and there are two landmarks recognising this family — Henderson's Hill and the Henderson Cut (on the old railway line). Rene's first husband was also killed in World War I. Contact: Bev McGuinness, Denmark Historical Society, Post Office Box 54, Denmark 6333. Tel: 9848 1781. mailto:history@denmarkwa.com.au ENROLLED PENSIONER GUARDS : A general meeting will be held at WAGS, Unit - 1, 48 May Street, Bayswater, on Saturday, February 11 at 1pm. Guest speaker police historian Peter CONOLE will speak on the pensioner guards who served in the WA Police Force. Contact: Jean McDonald, 9450 4304. mailto:jeanmc2@bigpond.com --- FAMILY REUNIONS COYTE: Great-great-grandfather Samuel COYTE and several of his siblings and cousins migrated at various times in the mid-1800s from Devon and Cornwall in England to mainly South Australia and Victoria. The writer's grandfather, Arthur Samuel COYTE, followed the goldmining to WA and others have spread across Australia. A family reunion will be held in Canberra on October 6-7 to which all descendants and relatives are invited. Contact: Lyn Adams, 26A Dunbarton Way, Bunbury 6230. Tel: 9795 8727. Email (Fiona): mailto:coytedwn@bigpond.net.au --- HISTORY PROJECT FOR SCHOOLS : Schools in the Netherlands are keen to link up with WA schools to learn more about Australia and exchange projects. This year, Australia will celebrate a 400-year relationship with the Netherlands that started in 1606 when Duyfken landed at Cape York peninsula followed by charting a big part of the Australian coast. The Netherlands was Australia's fifth ally in World War II when Dutch submarines operated from Fremantle to protect ships against Japanese attacks. Language will not be a problem due to English being taught from Grade 4 in Dutch schools. Teachers and students are invited to express their interest either as a class project for 2006 or as independent individuals. Contact: T. Vanderveldt, VOC Historical Society, 135A Rockingham Beach Road, Rockingham, 6168. Tel: 9528 1217. Website: www.voc.iinet.net.au PERTH CUP : Seeking a photo of the 1949-50 Perth Cup race won by Beau Vasse. The horse was trained by the writer's father, F.W. BANKS, owned by Mrs BUNBURY and ridden by Brian DOYLE. The last person known to have had the photo has died and no one knows what became of it. Contact: Ellen Millington, 9277 3467; 0419 902 601 mailto:yapyap@iinet.net.au SINCLAIR : Information is sought about Robert Matthew SINCLAIR, who came to WA from South Australia with his wife Laura (Alice) Louisa. Records show Laura married a William John Frederick HALL on May 29,1918 and is buried at Donnybrook. No further information has come to light about Robert Matthew SINCLAIR. Contact: Betty Plunkett, 36 Daglish Street, Wembley 6014. Tel: 9381 9194. mailto:charlene2@iinet.net.au TREASURER SOUGHT : The South Perth Historical Society is seeking a honorary treasurer to join its management committee. If you have computer book-keeping skills and the time to attend a meeting every two months, plus a few hours in between, the society would like to hear from you. Contact: president Mr Kerry Davey, 9367 5354. YILGARN SHOW : The Yilgarn Agricultural Show committee is searching for a Yilgarn Agricultural Show Schedule for 1957. They have all the others, from 1958 to 2005, but have not been able to locate this very first schedule. The 50th anniversary will be celebrated on September 2 and it is hoped to have a full complement of show schedules to display during the planned week-long festivities starting on August 27. The committee would be grateful just to borrow one for the duration of the show. Contact: Kaye Crafter, 9049 1467. mailto:ylbtours@wn.com.au UNKNOWN SOLDIER : Mystery surrounds a portrait drawn of an Australian soldier in a PoW camp in Celebes and signed "W.J. VERRION, 19-7-44, Macassar". The soldier gave the drawing of himself to a fellow prisoner-of-war (the writer's uncle), a member of the Royal Navy. He concealed it from the Japanese and eventually took it home with him to England. The uncle has died and nothing is known about the artist or the identity of the soldier. Clue: does anyone have a passenger list from the HMS Maidstone that docked at Fremantle in September 1945? It is possible W.J. VERRION was among them. Keith WARREN hopes to hear from relatives of either man. Contact: Keith Warren, 17 Worcester Road, Colchester, Essex, England C01 2RH. WALTON : Descendants of Joseph William WALTON (1865-1936) and Louisa WALTON nee FOX (1874-1956), of Greenbushes, are sought to compile a family history. Contact: Lee Hockley, 22 Maidstone Way, Morley 6062. Tel: 9279 1973. mailto:rendys@bigpond.com --- VETERANS & SERVICES 2/4TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION ASSOCIATION : The association will hold its annual Singapore service at the PoW Memorial, Saw Avenue, Kings Park, on Monday, February 13 at 11am. A picnic lunch will follow. BYO chairs and refreshments. General public welcome. Just turn up. Inquiries: 9457 8727. ROYAL MILITARY POLICE : All former members of the Royal Military Police in WA, including WRAC/ATS Provost staff, and any other service personnel who have been attached as support staff to RMP units worldwide, are invited to a reunion lunch to be held in Perth on Thursday, March 23. Contact: Ron Jones, 9294 4534. mailto:ronjones747@hotmail.com. WAR VETERANS EDA SOCIETY OF WA : All EDA recipients, their partners and carers are invited to the general meeting to be held at City Place Community Centre, Perth Railway Station (upper level) on Wednesday, February 1 at 9.45am. Contact: Aurelie Bergin, 9402 2043. Fax: 9402 4036. mailto:aurelie@iinet.net.au ------------------------------------------------------------ REUNIONS CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL (HIGHGATE) : Students from the class of 1968 interested in a long overdue reunion are asked to get in touch. Contact: Tony Notte, 9212 2833; 0408 958 747. mailto:anotte@arg.net.au ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS (UK) AND BUSHEY BOYS : A reunion is planned to be held in Walpole on February 4-5. Any people who went to either Rickmansworth, Weybridge or Bushey for boys during the 1940s and 1950s mailto:phylpeach@westnet.com.au CHURCHLANDS SHS : A 40th anniversary reunion for students who started in 1966 will be held at Maxwell's Courtyard, Herdsman Tavern, Wembley, on Saturday, February 11 at 7.45pm. Who remembers "decimal currency day"? Cost: $40 a person (pay at the door, purchase drinks at the bar). Teachers welcome. Please RSVP. Contact: Deirdre Croft, 9446 1880. NORTH KALGOORLIE PRIMARY SCHOOL : The annual breakfast get-together for the 1953 Form 6 class will be held at Matilda Bay on Sunday, February 19. Contact: John (Chas) Lauri, 9245 4916. mailto:jlauri40@yahoo.com EASTERN GOLDFIELDS HIGH SCHOOL : The 1958 leavers' class will also hold its annual breakfast at Matilda Bay on Sunday, February 19. Contact: John (Chas) Lauri, 9245 4916. mailto:jlauri40@yahoo.com DERBY : The annual Derby reunion for past and present residents wiJI be held in Kings Park, on the corner of Saw Avenue and May Drive on Sunday, March 5 from 9.30am till after lunch. BYO chairs and lunch (don't forget the memorabilia). Please spread the word to other Derbyites. Contact: Marie, 9291 6079 or Pat, 9279 3492. NORTHAM HIGH SCHOOL : A reunion for students and teachers from the years 1950 to 1960 will be held under the trees at Whiteman Park, Caversham, on Sunday, March 5 from 11am. BYO food, drinks, photos and name tags. Parking in carparks 4, 5 and 6. Contact: Helen Vincent, 9293 1914, Joan McMiles, 9250 4597 or Jan Luhrs, 9295 1281. mailto:kentay@bigpond.com.au ot mailto:joanmcmiles@yahoo.com.au or mailto:jmo4502@bigpond.net.au FREMANTLE DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB : A reunion of past players, officials and supporters will be held at the clubrooms, Stevens Reserve, Swanbourne Street, Fremantle, from 11am on Sunday, March 5. If attending, please reply for catering arrangements. Special recognition will be made of the 613 players who have played in the first-grade team since the club joined the WACA in 1886. Those players (or next of kin) not already contacted are asked to respond as soon as possible. Contact: FDCC, Box 105, South Fremantle 6162. Tel: Robbie Moore, 9339 3926; Ron Bowe, 9335 4681; Grant Edgar, 9319 3646; Bev Campbell, 9418 3862 or Steve Matkovich, 9434 1022. mailto:moorero@netunltd.com.au --End--