gray plasticnon-fictionThe history of the New Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company. This reprinted version contains a map of the dispositions of Spotting Stations August 1943, additional MID awards listed and some additions to the nominal roll. The New Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company was formed in Port Moresby in late January 1942 and was granted “Separate Independent Establishment” status in October 1943. The company’s “founding father” was Major Don Small, who had witnessed Japanese air raids on Rabaul and realised that having lacked an effective early-warning system around New Britain meant that the defenders were taken by surprise. At the time, gaps had also appeared in the coast-watching communications network because the territory administration ordered the withdrawal of civilian wireless operators when Japan entered the war. The first influx of men into the company consisted largely of volunteers from the 39th Infantry Battalion, which was stationed at Port Moresby. Initial training was rudimentary, hasty, and was sometimes even carried out on en route to a new station. The first party of company personnel, or “spotters”, left Port Moresby as early as 1 February 1942, bound for the strategically important Samarai area, at the tip of Papua. In the first month of the company’s existence 16 spotter stations were established on the coast of Papua and in the mountains around Port Moresby. At the end of 1942 there were 61 operational stations being run by 180 men. The company’s high-water mark was in late 1944, by which time over 150 stations had been set up in Papua and New Guinea behind enemy lines. On 3 February 1942 the company issued its first air warning in Papua, when spotters at Tufi saw Japanese aircraft about to attack Port Moresby for the first time. The following month the company was responsible for the first Japanese killed in action in Papua by Australian ground forces, when spotters from Gona engaged the crew of a downed Japanese bomber. And in July 1942 the station at Buna signalled Port Moresby with news of the Japanese landings in Papua, marking the beginning of the Kokoda campaign. The dangers involved in the company’s work had also been made clear by this time. In July 1942 a party of spotters attempting to set up a station at Misima Island, off Milne Bay, was intercepted by a Japanese destroyer, resulting in the company’s first operational losses. Anticipating the direction of the campaign as a whole, the company’s focus moved north and north-west over the three years of its existence. In May 1942 a network was set up in the Wau area in association with the activities of Kanga Force. As part of the Wau network, spotter Ross Kirkwood audaciously constructed an observation post overlooking the Japanese airstrip at Salamaua. Kirkwood’s position was photographed by Damian Parer on the understanding that the pictures would not be published. They nevertheless appeared in a Sydney newspaper. The day after the publication of the photographs the observation post was attacked by the Japanese and Kirkwood was lucky to escape. In June 1944 the company’s headquarters were moved to Nadzab. By that time, spotter stations existed behind Japanese lines, as far north as Hollandia, and the company began to train Americans to perform similar work in the Philippines. In early 1945 the company moved to Balcombe, Victoria, where its members were posted to other units of the Australian Corps of Signals.world war ii, special operations, new guinea, new guinea air warning wireless company

This is No.1 the first Newsletter produced by CMHS members in August 1961. Topics : October 1960 Mayor Cr. D.H. Clark called a meeting in the Moorabbin Town Hall to form the City of Moorabbin Historical Society. Local residents attended including descendants of early settler families - Coates, LePage, Shipston - and a Committee was elected. Mr T.A.Sheehy, President, Mr R.Colbourne, Secretary, Mrs F.Wright, Treasurer set the Annual Membership Fee at 5/- ( shillings), arranged the next meetings at the Moorabbin Town Hall and began to compile a Newsletter to tell the ' story of Moorabbin'. The Cheltenham & District Society Co-operative Limited (est.1896) sponsored this 1st CMHS Newsletter published August 1961. The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is the 1st Newsletter of CMHS in August 1961 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 Foolscap paper printed on 1 side.CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL / SOCIETY / NEWSLETTER No 1 / AUGUST 1961moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, newsletters,, sheehy thomas, coates l.r, shipston h, lepage e.a, lepage f.w., blackburn nance, clark d.h., wright f, moorabbin city council, cheltenham and district society co-operative limited, moorabbin town hall, early settlers, market gardeners, pioneers, dendy henry, brighton, box william, bent thomas

This is Newsletter No. 7 Vol. 2 produced in October 1962 by Mr T. A. Sheehy President CMHS for members and visitors. Topic ; New President . Rietman House The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ . The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash This is Newsletter No. 7 Vol. 2 of the of CMHS in October 1962 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x L 34 cm x W 21cm foolscap paper folded for 4 pages CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL / SOCIETY / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria ). President T.A.Sheehy …… Secretary Mrs L. Harvey……. NEWSLETTER No 7 Vol. 2 OCTOBER 1962 city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., harvey l, , cheltenham & district co-operative society limited,

This is Newsletter No 10 Vol. 2 produced in January 1963 by Mr T. A. Sheehy CMHS member for members and visitors Topic ; Australia Day, Progressive 1880s The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash This is Newsletter No. 10 Vol. 2 of the CMHS January 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 1 side.folded for 4 pages CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL / SOCIETY / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria )./ NEWSLETTER No 10 Vol. 2 JANUARY 1963 / HISTORICAL SOCIETY; President ; R Ashley ...... / Secretary; Mrs L. Harvey……./ MOORABBIN COUNCIL RESEARCH : Historian : T.A.Sheehy city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters,

This is Newsletter No 1 Vol. 3 produced in February 1963 by Mr T. A. Sheehy CMHS for members and visitors Topic; Australia Day, Progressive 1880s The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1962) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash This is Newsletter No. 1 Vol. 3 of the CMHS February 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 1 side folded for 4 pages City of / MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Vic. )./ NEWSLETTER No 1 Vol. 3 FERUARY 1963 / HISTORICAL SOCIETY; President ; R Ashley ...... / Secretary; Mrs L. Harvey……./ MOORABBIN COUNCIL RESEARCH : Historian : T.A.Sheehy

This is Newsletter No. 2 Vol. 3 produced in March 1963 by Mr T. A. Sheehy CMHS for members and visitors Topic ; War, Higginbotham 1890 The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter No. 2 Vol. 3 of the CMHS in March 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 1 side folded for 4 pages CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society / of Vic )./ NEWSLETTER No 2 Vol. 3 March 1963 / HISTORICAL SOCIETY; President ; R Ashley ...... / Secretary; Mrs L. Harvey……./ MOORABBIN COUNCIL RESEARCH : Historian : T.A.Sheehy..... city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., harvey l, , cheltenham & district co-operative society limited, ashley r, moorabbin city council, standard newspapers ltd., higginbothan george,

This is Newsletter No. 3 Vol. 3 produced in April 1963 by Mr T. A. Sheehy CMHS for members and visitors Topic ; Town Hall, Thomas Bent The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter No. 3 Vol. 3 of the CMHS April 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 1 side folded for 4 pages CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Vic. )./ NEWSLETTER No. 3 Vol. 3 April 1963 / HISTORICAL SOCIETY; President ; R Ashley ...... / Secretary; Mrs L. Harvey……./ MOORABBIN COUNCIL RESEARCH : Historian : T.A.Sheehy city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., harvey l, , cheltenham & district co-operative society limited, ashley r, moorabbin city council, standard newspapers ltd., bent thomas,

This is Newsletter No. 4 Vol. 5 produced in May 1963 by Mr T. A. Sheehy, CMHS, for members and visitors Topic ; Moorabbin 1901, Dr F Joyce The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter No. 4 Vol. 3 of the CMHS May 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 2 sides folded for 4 pages CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society ) / NEWSLETTER No 4 Vol. 3 May 1963 / HISTORICAL SOCIETY; President ; R Ashley ...... / Secretary; Mrs L. Harvey……./ MOORABBIN COUNCIL RESEARCH : T.A.Sheehy city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., harvey l, , cheltenham & district co-operative society limited, ashley r, moorabbin city council, standard newspapers ltd., bent thomas, dr joyce fleming,

Topic ; Funeral of Mr E.J. Trait, Tommy Bent , Evan Griffiths, The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter No. 5 Vol. 3 of the CMHS June 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on both sides folded for 4 pagesCITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / NEWSLETTER / No. 5 Vol. 3 June 1963 city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters

Topic ; The Junior Citizens Scheme, Tommy Bent 1900, Nell Harvey died; Mr Moule correction; The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 6 of the CMHS July 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 2 sides folded for 4 pages CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL / SOCIETY / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria ). / NEWSLETTER Vol. 3 No. 6 1963 city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters,

Topics ; 2nd Birthday CMHS; Arts and Crafts Cheltenham; early 20thC Moorabbin The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter No. 7 Vol. 3 of the CMHS August 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 2 sides folded for 4 pages NEWSLETTER / Vol. 3 No 7 AUGUST 1963 / HISTORY / CAMERA / FILMS / LIGHT / OPERA / ART / FLORAL / ART / CULTURAL / ACTIVITIES.city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters,

Topic ; 'Wangarratta' Dr D M Whittaker; Moorabbin 1901; Keys Family Story; Moorabbin News; The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter No. 8 Vol. 3 of the CMHS September 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 2 sides folded for 4 pages NEWSLETTER / Vol. 3 No 7 September 1963 / HISTORY / FILMS / CAMERA/ ART / LIGHT OPERA / FLORAL ART / CULTURAL / ACTIVITIES. city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters,

Topics Librarian Miss Pixie S. Allen; Mrs Tommy Bent; Local Groups meeting dates; The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash This is Newsletter No. 10 Vol. 3 of the CMHS November 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 2 sides folded for 4 pages NEWSLETTER / Vol. 3 No. 10 November 1963 / City of Moorabbin Historical Society /

Topic ;Moorabbin Library Statement The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter No. 5 Vol. 4 of the CMHS May 1964 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 2 sides folded for 4 pages CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER / Vol. 4 No. 5 May 1964 / city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters, library

Topic; Lucas Electrical, Moorabbin Roads Board, Moorabbin News The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter No.9 Vol. 4 of the CMHS September 1964 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 2 sides folded for 4 pages CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria ) / President ; R Ashley ...... / Secretary; Mrs R. Neville ……./ : Historian : T.A.Sheehy / Volume 4 No.9 September 1964 city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters, lucas electrical ltd; moorabbin roads board;