Victoria

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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 as several private residences.  Throughout this early period the priority was to raise funds in order to establish their own permanent meeting place.

In 1968 the sub-section, with financial assistance from Dandenong Sub-section, purchased two acres of land in Barretts Road (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 but a reinvigoration of the sub-section was well underway when at the end of 1989, catastrophe.  December the 28th and a fire destroyed the premises, lost was all of the club's content and much 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 being 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 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', the club's affiliated organisations' members who have similarly passed on and the Sub-section's Associated members.  Since 1998 extensive lobbying by Frankston Sub-section, at National level, brought about a change to the Constitution in April 2007 to include full membership of the Naval Association of Australia by former members of the 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 return to the club for lunch and social drinks.  And in November the sub-section, 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 families as well.  Affiliated Organisations that have established their centre of operations 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.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the club or the Secretary.

Abridged history credited to Barry McDaniel, USN

ONCE NAVY - ALWAYS NAVY