Rise & Shine
Rise and shine soldiers!
Rise and Shine Edition one, Volume one dated 13th November 1950, the 4th Battalion Newsletter was edited by F.C.Horsley.
Prior to this date the first Reunion had been held at the Auburn Town Hall and notice was given in this issue that the 6th Reunion would be held at the Homebush Drill Hall on 23rd February 1951. It was produced on the old foolscap size paper printed on both sides, one sheet only.
Anzac Day Reunions were always held in addition to the Reunion referred to above. At that Reunion tables and chairs were not available at the Drill Hall but Captain Charles Morgan (then Mayor of Strathfield ) provided the tables and chairs. Major George Murray OC the working party that returned the furniture.
R&S was published about four times per year at that time.
Lt Col P W Crosky our original CO was our first President. In 1951 he was succeeded by It Col C H Neville who had succeeded him in command.
Inspite of attempts to find a new name in 1951 for R&S none was forthcoming and so it has remained unchanged over the years.
In 1952 our first Anzac Day banner was made ready for 1953 and the Association lapel badge was available for 7/6. Production through the decade of the 50s was due to the help of various members one of whom was Harry Jago.
Through 1960 1973 R&S was in the booklet form similar to the present format. It then reverted to the earlier form until April 1980 when the booklet style returned.
Over the years R&S reported on many of the social functions that were held, picnics, golf, dances, bowls. Editors at different times included Kev Campbell, Bruce Lunam, George McMahon, Geoff Tuckwell and F C Horsley.
During the seventies and 80s publication was irregular. Eventually it became a regular twice yearly publication in book form running to twelve or sixteen pages. There was a long period during that time when Phyl and Bruce Brown did so much for us by producing the R&S in truly professional style at no cost and Noel Gray did the printing.
Our title block like the name has never changed. Who designed and drafted it is unknown. Avery smart, tin-hatted sergeant is the centre piece with a background of barbed wire and a shell burst more reminiscent of the great war perhaps and looking back probably with some recall of that time.
As well the format of the cover changed to record office bearers and those awarded Honorary life Membership of the Battalion Association.
Reading through the odd copy to prepare these notes recalled many events, many names became so familiar again and there were times when over 100 would attend a Reunion. Today we have about 50 members enrolled all over Australia and thanks to the younger generation who are now maintaining the name.