ROCKHAMPTON &DISTRICT

HISTORY

National Servicemen's Association of Australia (Qld) inc

Formation and history of the Rockhampton and Dristrict Branch
of the National Servicemen's Association of Australia.

On the 18th November 2000, a meeting was call inviting intrerested persons who had served as National Servicemen during the period from 1951 to 1972 to attend a meeting at the Criterion Hotel commencing at 7.00pm for the purpose of forming a Branch of the National Servicemen's
Association.
This meeting was Chaired by Ray Spring who was supported by Alex Garlin from Brisbane, and Eric Beutel Vice President of the Caboolture Branch.
As a result of this meeting, a further meeting was called on the 11th December 2000, to form a Branch of the Association with (18) persons attending.
The founding members were.

H.Dicinoski - J.Egretz -V.Beaton - J.Williamson -G.Budd - J.Samin -N.Backhouse - J.Brown -
R.Smith - G.Burggaff -W.Sichter -H.Everett -G.Grace -A.Brown -J.Webb - J.Markey -
J.Wilson - K.Bloxsom.

The following were elected to the Executive Committee:

President:                                       K.Bloxsom
Vice President:                              H.Dicinoski
Secretary:                                      J.Egretz
Treasurer:                                      G.Grace
Asst. Secretary:                             W.Sichter

The first General Meeting was held on the 22nd January 2001 at the Criterion Hotel. It is to be noted that the meetings continue to be held at that location.
During the meeting, The Federal Member Ms. K Livermore M H R and Mr. J Pearce M L A, for Fitzroy, accompanied by Police Superintendent, Wayne Browning, were escorted into the meeting by the National Servicemen's Pipes and Drums Band.  The members of parliament presented the Australian Flag and the Queensland Flag to the Branch.

During the meeting, retired Colonel Neville Harris was appointed to the position of Patron, a position he still holds.

At the meeting held on 11th February, 2001 J Egretz resigned the position of secretary with W Sichter carring on in the position.

The Rev. Fr.B Harvey accepted the position of Padre. On ANZAC DAY, 2001 the branch marched behind the Banner for the first time.