The meeting started with a laugh when our chairperson, Doug Lougoon, reminded that the egg eaters that morning missed a chance to support vegan month.

 

AGM

The minutes of last year’s AGM were accepted and the nominations for the 2019-2020 board supported. Also, thank you for the members who have indicated to assist the directors in their portfolios to ensure continuity. Introducing the 2019-2020 board of directors:

Presidents:                  Toni Carrington and Adrian Schoo

President elect:           Ted Gretrix

Secretary:                   Geoff Michell

Treasurer:                   Peter Elliott

Community support:   Ted Gretrix

Fundraising:                Bruce Fraser

Corporate services:    Chris Rankin

Youth services:           Cathie Miller

Vocational:                  Jim Rolfe

Foundation:                 George Waters

 

Presentation

Maurice and Pauline travelled recently to Belgium and France to commemorate the end of the 1^st world war and in memory of Percy Pitt Goullett MM, Maurice’s maternal grandfather (13/03/1893 -15/10/1958). Percy was the 14^th child of Frederick and Susan Goullett of Burkes Flat, and his parents owned shops in Rheola, Wehla and Burkes Flat. He was enlisted in Packenham on 2^nd Feb 1916 and was assigned to 13^th Reinforcements, 21^st Battalion, and joining them in France in November 1916 as part of the 6^th Brigade of 2^nd Division AIF. He fought in Gallipoli then on to the Western Front in March 1916. His battalion was the 1^st Australian Battalion to commence active duties on the Western Front. He fought at Pozieres, Mouquet Farm and Bullecourt before moving to Belgium, Ypres, Menin Rd, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde and Passchendaele, and returning to France at Hamel, Amiens, Mount St Quentin and Montbrehain.

During his time on the western front he suffered from Pneumonia and trench fever, and was gassed at Villers-Bretonneux and again at Mont St Quentin. Due to the high number of casualties within the 21^st Battalion they were ordered to disband and join the 24^th Battalion in September 1918, but following the last battle at Montbrehain, the whole unit refused to carry out the order, eventually persuading the disbandment to remain in Abeyance. The battle of Montbrehain was the last action involving Australian Infantry on the Western Front in WW1. Liberation of Montbrehain took place on October 5, 1918, when the allies breached the final elaborate system of German defences on the Beaurevoir trench line. That day Percy was awarded a Military Medal for the bravery he displayed, so Maurice wanted to be there 100 years to the day later. As far as the family knows, the Citation for Percy spoke of his bravery in setting off under heavy machine gun fire to deliver messages of extreme importance to his company commander and, on his return, he gathered a party together to attend to the wounded prior to setting out again to liaise with the flanks.

The population of Montbrehain was 800 at the time (5^th Oct 1918). At 06:05am the 21^st , 24^th Infantry Battalions and the 2^nd Engineers Corps liberated the township. There were 400 casualties and 135 men fell or died of injuries sustained. To commemorate the occasion all streets were closed for the day and decorations mounted around the town. Food and drinks were supplied to all the visiting people (2 bus loads of Aussies from St Quentin as well as individuals who were there). Lunch included baguettes, cheese, cakes, wine, soft drinks tea and coffee. The mayor, Gabriel Dirson, welcomed everyone and also inspector Michael Glinski, Victorian Police, along with Robert Webster, the Blue Ribbon Foundation, spoke. Australian Ambassador to France, Brendan Berne, assisted in the dedications and was very interested in the story of Percy and the meeting with Dave Stewart, who Percy saved on the day. The day’s celebrations ended with champagne and nibbles. It was quite an emotional day for both, myself and David Stewart, travelling to the other side of the world to meet someone we had no idea about prior and celebrating the day. David lives in Echuca.

 

Adrian