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2009

The first public Sydney Merchant Navy Day remembrance service was held at the Mosman Cenotaph on the occasion of the Australia's second Merchant Navy Day Thursday September 3rd. 2009

The Day and the Service were both a resounding success.

On behalf of our Vindi branch I would like express our grateful thanks to all those people who have spent the past 10 years working towards this day, especially to the Rylie family - Ron, his daughter Catherine and their extended family.

The service was well supported by the MNA & RSL MN sub branches and representatives from the RAN.

Mosman MN Sub branch President Ian Henderson was the MC for the service.

 I counted about 200 people in attendance, the dignitaries list was headed by the NSW Governor Professor Marie Bashir, followed by the Consul Generals of Germany & Japan, followed by the mayor of Mosman and other local mayors and councilors.

Music was provided by the SCEGGS Concert band.   Flag Orderlies by HMAS Penguin

Prayers were conducted by the Rev Stuart Smith from a local church.

Capt. Mick Costelloe presented a talk "Merchant Navy" which featured war time stories of Mosman MN men from WW2 and later read the 'Naval Ode'

Commander Michael Hickey RAN, commanding officer HMAS Penguin  read the main address which featured a well researched  WW2 history of the Merchant Navy.

Following the service we were all invited to the Mosman RSL Club for light refreshments as guests of the MNA, on making enquiries about who exactly was paying for the 'refreshments' I was told Ron Wylie!  Another thing we have to thank Ron for.

On a lighter note:

As I said the day was a 'good day' all round,  Peter Bearman, David Partridge &  I took the scenic route to the service in order to see the RED ENSIGN flying on the Harbour Bridge.  The Harbour trip to the Zoo got better when the Skipper of the "Lady Northcott" spotting our MN badges etc came down and invited us up to the wheelhouse for the trip.

The super friendly bus driver from the ferry wharf then completed the job by driving us direct to our destination by means of a little diversion!  And the only other one other occupant on the bus , 'Blue Blazered'  like us turned out be none other than my ex boss and good friend ex senior Pilot Capt Liley of my  pilot service days, what more could a fellow want. I ask you.  TH

Lower left- William Mackinnon V1942 laying the Vindi wreath,  Lower right-Catherine & her father Ron Wylie- The bewhiskered gentleman is a UK MNA fellow. (hope to get his name later)

The Vindi group L-R  -Terry Hales I(me), Vaughn Richards, Kevin Bedford, George Murray (pointing), David Partridge, Don Jenkins (partially obscured), Mike Siegle, Peter Bearman, Mick Wilkinson, Brynn Hansell,  John Mears,  Bill King  & William Mackinnon. 

Thoughts