PNCT TRIBUTE TO PETER BADCOE VC

(aka - Badcoe Hall Re-Dedication)
The 7th Feb is almost here, and I have just received the final guest list, who's speaking, etc.

Class Orderlies have, in the meantime, received notification to pass on to Alumni members about the "down-sizing" of the PNCT (Point Nepean Community Trust) function. Where, initially we had hope to be able to have paid seats at the Dinner for around 280 people, we are now down to about 70 people all up. We have tried to maintain as good a representation as possible - with Offrs (Comdts, Snr Instrs - RSMs and WOs - SNCOs and Jnr NCOs all represented). We even managed to get a few grad members invited.

Ken Gillespie will be the "Reviewing Officer", and Alan Grifin will also be there. That these two are attending is important as the intention is to persuade them to investigate the potential for use of the old OCS for respite purposes for Veterans and/or their families. There is already respite facility planning within the Master Plan, so maybe we could "plug in" to that. It certainly is an ideal area for this purpose, and the custodians of the area would also benefit from some Defence funding to assist in maintenance. As we all can appreciate, the maintenance bill for the whole area is horrendous, so funding must be found somehow - in keeping with the Master Plan.

By the way - the latest edition of the PNCT magazine "Quarantine Station" has a graphic of the Master Plan as its centre spread. Unfortunately the digital copy does not include the centre spread, so I have scanned it and made it available separately (with permission from PNCT).
Download addresses for both are available below.

We (the Alumni) will be presenting Badcoe Hall with a framed print. This will be presented during the Dinner so as not to detract from the actual Tribute by the PNCT at Badcoe Hall.
May I take this opportunity to express our thanks for all the "suggestions" we received from Alumni members concerning the name of the print and the label within the frame. We all know the advantages(?) of decision by committee......!

A digital copy of the print will be available for purchase on CD (no download) shortly to help defray the cost of the presentation. Purchasers can then print or have printed a copy for their own purposes. Details shortly.

OK - the program for the evening is as follows. If it changes before Fri, I will put amendments in here.
7 Feb 2009
1800 hrs - Badcoe Hall - Tribute by PNCT. This short ceremony will take about 45 minutes. Those of you who have contacted the PNCT will already have received advice on entry. Unfortunately there is no "open to the public" due to security in place. It is probably far too late to request entry at the moment, but their contact details are: info@pointnepeantrust.org or phone: 03 9927 2222 (Melb office)
Dress, neat casual. I believe there may be some light refreshments available after the Tribute.

1900 hrs (approx) - VIP guests (only) will be ushered to the Cadets' Mess for Dinner.

Entrance to the area will be controlled by PNCT and the appropriate security staff.
There are no activities in the old OCS area on Sunday.

Some of the VIP guests will be remaining on the Peninsula overnight, and it is envisaged that we will get together for a late brunch on Sunday either in Portsea or Sorrento (loc TBA).

Yes, of course we will be taking many photographs and will share these with you as soon as possible after the event. I believe Army Newspaper may also be covering the event, as well as Melbourne and local newspapers.

To download, click on following links:
"Quarantine Station" (Acrobat .pdf format - 4.5 MB)
Master Plan centre spread (Acrobat .pdf format - 6 MB)

Loyalty & Service

Bob de Haas