The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak. Lieutenant Colonel John Neale ED was a former Commanding Officer of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles.Representative of a luncheon to commemorate the formation of a World War II armoured regiment.Coloured folder with heading 2/8th Armoured Regiment Association colour patch and blue and yellow bands across top right hand corner.Secured inside by gold cord is invitation to 50th Anniversary Luncheon to John and June Neale, 22nd September 1991. 50th Anniversary Lapel pin is attached to front cover.2/8th armoured regiment, neale john

An invitation sent to J. R. V. Anderson by the Mayor of Bendigo, Cr. J. E. Holland, in 1921 to attend a luncheon to celebrate the opening of the Soldier's Memorial Hall at the Bendigo Town Hall on Tuesday,15th November, 1921 at 1 pm. This Soldiers' Memorial Hall still stands today in Pall Mall, Bendigo. It is now called the Bendigo RSL Memorial Military Museum.Celebrates the opening of the Soldier's Memorial Hall in Bendigo, as well as indicating the importance of J. R. V. Anderson in the Bendigo community at that time. This significance has been assessed in-house.Personal invitation to Mr. J. R. V. Anderson from the Mayor of Bendigo (Cr. J. E. Holland) to attend a luncheon to celebrate the official opening of the Soldiers' Memorial Hall, Bendigo on the 15th November 1921. Rectangular card in blue print, with the person's name handwritten in black ink.Inscribed on card bearing City of Bendigo emblem is the following: "On the occasion of the Opening of the Soldiers' Memorial Hall / by / His Excellency, The Governor of Victoria, The Earl of Stradbroke, / K.C.M.G., C.B,, C.V.O., C.B.E., A.D.C. to His Majesty the King, / The Mayor of Bendigo, (Cr. J. E. Holland,) / requests the pleasure of / Mr. J. R. V. Anderson's / company at Luncheon at the Town Hall, Bendigo, on Tuesday, / the 15th November, 1921, at 1 p.m. / R.S.V.P. TO TOWN CLERK BEFORE INST." (Last line crossed out in black ink).anderson, j. r. v., bendigo school of mines and industries, soldier's memorial hall, bendigo, 1921

Information from research by Mabel Rogers from the first meeting in August 1939 – 1969 Notable Events of the CWA The document contains information about meetings and events and numbers of members who attended. December 2013 – a selection of some of the items of interest have been extracted by Wendy Barrie NOTABLE EVENTS Page 1 1938 August 10th 1938 Minutes of inaugural meeting of Melton Branch Country Women’s Association. Cr Coburn introduced Mrs Toose, Ballarat G.P. [Group President] 42 ladies were present, including visitors from Bacchus Marsh and Smeaton Branches. September – Miss A Raleigh was elected Magazine Secretary October- 26 members present. Penny Collection for Million Members Fund November December – Mrs Swan gave demonstration of basketry, using stringy bark, Eucalyptus bark and reeds 1939 February 1939 – 18 members present. Branch total 50. Donation towards Pedal Transmitting Set. Inquiries made of Shire Council re permission to fence War Memorial March April – cost of fence material beyond Branch Funds May- 24 members present June, July, August – birthday celebrations. September 25 members present October – Meeting hled at Toolern Vale Bird Sanctuary 36 members present November – 1st Annual Meeting December – Owing to harvest operations, only 11 members present. 1940 February electric kettle and urn to be purchased for Mechanics Institute. Also to install a power point. [Electricity was connected to Melton in December 1939] April end of page 1 Page 2 May – Council Permission to be sought, to plant trees on oval below Shire Hall P.M.G. to be asked to supply a seat outside telephone booth for convenience of callers after P.O. was closed. June- Wives of A.I.F. soldiers be made honorary members. “1d per week drive” for gift for the Empire. July, September, October November – Group President stressed the importance of keeping Branches together during time of war. Collection of sheep skins to be made into vests for fighting forces worthy of consideration. Group President, Mrs Morgan-Paylor. December 1941 February 30 members present March – Eight members attend Ballarat Group Conference. Approach Council re fencing and preparation of land for tree plantation May – Mrs Swan demonstrated making of slippers from pieces of sheepskin June – Empire Gift Scheme of 1d per week to be continued for another year or duration of the war. July – Demonstration on making camouflage nets August, September Group Conference at Smeaton, October, November meetings held 1942 February- Enquiries to be made as how to help with A.R.P. work March, April, May, June,- Headquarters busy on war work. July end of page 2 Page 3 August, September. October – 15 Camouflage Nets forwarded to Headquarters November- Mrs Glasson Group President presided at Annual Meeting. Meetings to be held at 3 monthly intervals. Overseas link, enquiries be made of Melton Mowbray had a C.W.A. Branch 1943 February- Overseas link to be Lampeter, Cardiganshire, Wales May- 7 Camouflage Nets to Headquarters. American overseas link Nov 5th Annual Meeting, letters received from Wales and America 1944 May – Approach to be made to Council re formation of Baby Health Centre July – Ball held for Baby Health Centre effort. Admission 3/- 1945 February- Mrs Lemke present at meeting May August- Miss Strahan of Womens Hospital gave a talk on “Work of Almoner Departments in Public Hospitals” November Annual meeting. eight food parcels sent to Britain, 2 to Lampeter 1946 meetings held every two months May- Congratulations to Mrs Swan, Group President Elect June – 20 members present. August- 8th Birthday celebrated with a Social Evening Music was supplied by Mrs E.W. Barrie September - Scone competition 1. Mrs Beaty, 2. Miss Robinson 3. Mrs Exell November- Eggs sent to Somers House 1947 February – Demonstration of Glove-making March – revert to monthly meetings April - decided to have an auto tray made for the Branch May – Branch decided to plant a tree for Princess Elizabeth’s 21st Birthday.. Council to be asked if agreeable to continue arrangements in 1940, to fence C.W.A. Plantation end of page 3 Page 4 June - Food parcels sent to Overseas Link July – Invitations to birthday celebrations sent to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Sunbury, Mt Egerton August September - Collection of silver coin taken a donation from Branch towards wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth … forwarded to H.Q. November – C.W.A. together with Red Cross and Bacchus Marsh C.W.A. to provide afternoon tea and luncheon at Eynesbury sale. 1948 February – Food parcels sent to ex-Prisoner-of-war. Publicity agent appointed April – Decided to apply for trees to be planted in area already chosen a beauty spot May – Additional listeners to Broadcast Session were appointed June July – Gift of books received from Overseas Link. I was decided to stat a Library . Miss Raleigh to at a Librarian. August – 5 pound donation from Branch funds to “Save the Children” Appeal. September, October, November 1949 January – At Group Conference, delegates to vote in favour of resolution that State School children be allowed to sit for exams in own school March – Decided to contact Council for permission to fence off Water Reserve April, May – Another parcel to be sent to Ret. British P.O.W. Association June July – Fancy Dress Children’s Ball to be held for Annual Effort August – 11th Birthday September – Bank Balance November – 11th annual Meeting. Members agree to supply small gifts to Ballarat Mental Hospital 1950 February – Five books were received from Lampeter March – Branch to support idea of holding a Music Drama Festival in Group April – Miss Smith elected Group President May – C.W.A. Science Van visited Melton June – Demonstration of Macrame work - July August – 12th Birthday Celebration end page 4 Page 5 September, October November 12th Annual Meeting, Miss Smith Group President. Melton's Country Women's Association Choirlocal special interest groups, local identities

Letter dated 15 May 1970 from Lt.-Col. W.H.A. Becke, Private Secretary & Comptroller to Victorian Governor Sir Rohan Delacombe, thanking Ivan Layton, the Executive Officer of Melbourne Legacy, for his invitation to speak at the Legacy Luncheon meeting on Monday 31 August 1970 to open Legacy Week. The invitation was extended to and accepted by both Lt.-Col. Becke and The Governor. See also 00123, 00464, 00786, 00461.Governor Delacombe was the patron of Melbourne Legacy from 1964-1974, and Junior Legatees were invited to annual Christmas parties at Government House.Copy of a letter on Victorian Government letterhead - fading black on white/cream.'COPY ONLY' stamped in purplegovernor of victoria, speakers

This is a copy of a letter to Sir John Leahy in 1986 inviting him to speak at a Legacy luncheon, it was then used as a draft in 1990 for another invitation, this time to Senator Jocelyn Newman, Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs. Note that women were now being invited to speak at Tuesday luncheons. Legatees met regularly and had guest speakers to entertain and inform on different subjects at their Tuesday Luncheons. This document was from a file of information about guest speakers (see also 00812-00822 and 00829-00837). The Programme Committee was responsible for organising the speakers. A record that the speakers at Legacy functions were from very different walks of life and the subjects spoken about were many and varied. This draft to Senator Jocelyn Newman shows that from 1990 women were invited to speak at Legacy Luncheons. Refer to item 00816 para 3 in regard to changing attitudes.Yellow A4 copy paper, carbon copy of a typed letter to Sir John Leahy, with handwritten pencil updates.Dated 25 March 1986, edits in pencil.speakers, programme committee

A letter dated 10th April 1987 from Legacy President B.R. Wilson to Mr Ross Oakley Chaiman of the Victorian Football League VFL (now AFL) inviting him to speak at Legacy's Tuesday Luncheon. Legatees met regularly and had guest speakers to entertain and inform on different subjects at their Tuesday Luncheons. This document was from a file of information about guest speakers (see also 00812-00822 and 00829-00837). The Programme Committee was responsible for organising the speakers. A record that the speakers were from very different walks of life and the subjects were varied. This was an invitation indicating the diversity of guest speakers. White A4 paper with black type, a photocopy of a letter to Ross Oakley at V.F.L. on Melbourne Legacy letterhead. speakers, programme committee

Reply to invitation by Legacy to Mr AGW Keys, National President of the Returned Services League of Australia (RSL). Legatees met regularly and had guest speakers to entertain and inform on different subjects at their Tuesday Luncheons. This document was from a file of information about guest speakers (see also 00812-00822 and 00829-00837). The Programme Committee was responsible for organising the speakers. A record that the speakers at the Legacy functions were from very different walks of life and the subjects spoken on varied. White A4 paper, black type, on R.S.L. letterhead to Legacy.Signed: Bill (A.G.W. Keys, President)speakers, programme committee

Letter thanking Legatee Rex Hall for congratulations for an award, accepting an invitation to speak at a future Legacy Luncheon, and the pride that Sir William takes in that the award recognizes the support of his wife Dulcie. Then there is a hand written note from L/- Rex Hall as a reply with possible dates that Sir William could speak. Legatees met regularly and had guest speakers to entertain and inform on different subjects at their Tuesday Luncheons. This document was from a file of information about guest speakers (see also 00812-00822 and 00830-00837). The Programme Committee was responsible for organising the speakers. A record of correspondence between RSL and Legacy and shows Legacy invited speakers from many areas. Also Sir William Keys attributes the honor of recieving the award as much to his wife Dulcie support, as to his own personal contribution.00830.1 White A4 letter on RSL letterhead to Rex Hall at Legacy from Bill Keys on 22 January 1980. 00830.2 White notepaper carbon copy of a handwritten reply. 00830.1 Signed by Bill Keys in black pen. 00830.2 Carbon copy of handwritten note.speakers, programme committee

This document was sent from Sydney Legacy to assist Melbourne Legacy with fund raising. In 1974 Sydney Legacy raised $4,070 using this technique, and $163,883 in 1984 . The Citizens Committee was made up of non Legatees who were prominent within the business community. A prominent leader of industry was selected to chair the committee. The committee only met three times a year. The document sets out in detail the formation of the Torch Appeal Committee, Format of the invitation, Programme for the luncheon, Table lay out for the Official Top Table, Publicity, and 5 general points to be noted. Although being separate entities, Legacy clubs all over Australia were prepared to share their ideas with other Legacy Clubs and thoughts for the common good.White foolscap paper with black typeTop left hand corner, blue biro L/ R Foskett, pencil, P.T/. 8901517 Top right hand side, blue biro, Ring P.D. Centre, title in black type enclosed in rectangle of asterisks. Lower right, Preparred by: Marilyn J. Roberts Appeals Director 10/12/85 Bottom, for A.T.H. meeting on Tues 21 Jan 1986 at 2- 16 also Patron(s0fundraising, committee

Invitation to farewell luncheon to farewell Mrs. Jean Eichler, on the occasion of her retirement from P.S. 489 Portland, on Thursday, May 5th 19? Beige card, dark brown print. Photo of National School on front.