Victoria

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CROSSED THE BAR

NO REPORTS 2021

HISTORY

The Frankston Sub-section was launched on Tuesday 27th August 1963 with Captain Alvord Sydney Rosenthal, DSO & Bar, OBE, RAN (Rtd), being elected as the inaugural President.

Initially the Sub-section's membership convened meetings in a number of venues, the Frankston Hotel, Summer Tea Gardens, Frankston Municipal Golf House (present Frankston Bowling Club), Frankston RSL Club Rooms in Davey Street, Baxter Cricket Club and as well, several private residences.  Throughout this early period the priority was to raise funds in order to establish our own permanent meeting place.

In 1968 the sub-section, with financial assistance from Dandenong Sub-section, purchased two acres of land in Barretts Road, Langwarrin South (then located in Baxter), for $2,400.00, a sum repaid in quick time.   Further fund raisings ensured sufficient income for the membership to erect a building on the two acres and in November 1973 the 'Tin Shed', 24' x 24', was born and heralded the arrival of the Frankston Naval Memorial Club.   In 1976 a further expansion was called for but then only two years later, August the 19th, 1978 the beloved 'Tin Shed' was replaced by a concrete breeze block structure.

A major reason behind the sub-section's fund raising success was the Ladies Auxiliary, established in 1967.   Its impressive endeavours culminated in the 1980's when the Ladies Auxiliary was realigned and amalgamated into the Social Membership Section of the Memorial Club.

After several successful years, the sub-section and club saw a decline in membership during the mid 1980s.  A reinvigoration of the sub-section was well underway when at the end of 1989, catastrophe.  On December the 28th, a fire destroyed the premises, the greatest loss was all of the club's content which consisted of priceless memorabilia.   Despair, yes, but where we have camaraderie, hope is ever present and the membership rallied to the call.   A project was launched to rebuild the Frankston Naval Memorial Club, that goal was achieved with the help of the wider naval community on Saturday, 24th August 1991.   As a tribute to all who helped to rebuild the club, their names are recorded within the walls of what has become a magnificent building, the Frankston Naval Memorial Club.

Further milestones were achieved during ensuing years.   A Wall of Remembrance was erected which reinforced and augmented the 'memorial' designation in the title of the club and recorded the names of sub-section members who have 'Crossed the Bar', as well as the Sub-section's Associated members.  Since 1998 extensive lobbying by Frankston Sub-section, at National level, brought about a change to the Constitution which in 2007 included full membership of the Naval Association of Australia by former members of Allied Navies.  Still later the club instituted a Memorial Garden in the name of a former member, Jim Bourke.  Rose bushes are planted in memory of former club members and their families.

On ANZAC Day, following the annual march in Frankston, members, affiliates and serving Officers and Sailors from HMAS Cerberus have returned to the club for lunch and social drinks, however as a result of Covid, 2020 saw the club march from the front of its premises and it appears this will continue in the future.  In November the sub-section, its affiliates and club members observe Remembrance Day with an informal Commemoration Service that includes a plaque dedication to those sub-section members that have 'Crossed the Bar' during the previous 12 months.  The commemoration service is followed by a light lunch and drinks.

Our members and affiliates are generous with their time and money, providing for camaraderie and social activities, involving not just the member but also families as well.  Other affiliated organisations, that have set up their centre of operations to emanate from the Frankston Naval Memorial Club are the Naval Association of Australia Victoria State Section, the Royal Naval Association Port Phillip Bay Branch, the HMAS Sydney Association and the HMS Ganges Association.   Also the club has established closer veteran ties with a weekly Tuesday morning coffee club where all veterans are welcome and since Covid we are enjoying closer community relations, providing a meeting place for a local Probus group.

If you want to get onboard for convivial events, further information can be obtained by contacting our Secretary.

Abridged history credited to Barry McDaniel, USN

ONCE NAVY - ALWAYS NAVY