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Contention - something to discuss

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                                He is coming South: Australian War Memorial Poster Collection The propaganda poster above refers to the threat of Japanese invasion. A Japanese soldier is striding across the globe towards Australia with the Imperial Japanese flag behind him. He is armed with a submachine gun and is about to stomp on Australia. This work highlights the psychological impact the Japanese advance had upon the Australian population, and the poster was considered so alarmist that it was not released in Queensland or Melbourne. During the Second World War it was assumed that the Japanese would continue their southward advance and invade and conquer Australia. It is now understood that although the Japanese authorities did briefly consider invading the northern part of Australia, they ultimately decided to pursue a plan of isolating Australia as they realised their military recourses would ...
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Frederick Gillespie by Ella Tanti

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  Frederick Gillespie  B orn in Semaphore South Australia on the 30 th of January 1914, son of Thomas Stanley and Irene Gillespie, Fredrick James Gillespie died in an aircraft accident on the 5 th of August 1945 aged 31 years. Husband to Hazel Gillespie and father of two sons Graeme and Peter, he worked as a bank clerk along with being a member of the Berri Golf Club and one of the outstanding players of the Upper Murray, and a prominent cricketer. Gillespie joined the air force in November 1940, training at Mt. Breckan, Parafield, Point Cook, Camden and Deniliquin, when he became appointed the squadron leader of no. 87 (Photographic Reconnaissance) squadron. The squadron was first formed at RAAF Station Laverton on the 8 th of June 1942 as No. 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit, also known as 1 PRU, with eight officers and thirty-five airmen. The unit received its first mosquito aircraft on 26 th May 1944 representing a significant upgrade in capability, between June and A...
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April has not happened but all is go for October!

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  Still waiting for Darwin Study Tour but it will happen!! Unfortunately, we needed to cancel the April trip because of COVID considerations. Whilst incredibly disappointing, the good news is that the trip has been re-scheduled for 1-11 October this year.  The itinerary has been completed and booked with only a few changes. The main reason for the changes is that we do not now have Anzac Day commitments in Darwin, and as a result we can spend more time adventuring in Kakadu and Arnhem Land. The new trip looks fantastic and we now have to wait another 6 month before the group finally has the trip to share and learn from.  Whilst it has been a long wait, the staff are determined that this will be a great trip for you all. We will probably meet as a group before October because in June a new group of Premier Anzac Spirit School Prize awardees will be announced and presented with their medallions and certificates - you will all be invited to that ceremony if it is held before...
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