Date:        Mon, 25 Dec 2000

Subject:     Woomera 1995 - 1997

I  ran across your Woomera web site and it brought back a lot of fond memories and a small tear to my eye. I spent the best two years of my 24+ years in the Air Force at Woomera. I retired in May of 1999 and now live in Wichita, Kansas. I have an entire wall in my downstairs dedicated to our stay in Australia.

I met a lot of great Aussie friends and brought a little karaoke to the outback. I still karaoke at least once a week, but I will always hold a dear memory of doing karaoke shows at the Oasis. I miss the dart leagues, lawn bowling and the small bowling alley we had in Woomera. I enjoyed everything about Australia, except watching the dots at the site. When they recently had the Olympics televised from Australia, my family and I were torn between cheering for the Australians and cheering for the Yanks, I won't say which side I cheered for. I miss Australia and I've vowed to return there someday before I leave this world. I would love to hear from anyone that has been stationed at Woomera and would be willing to share their experiences. Happy Holidays and God bless.

Virgil Crady

(Dale, Susan, Melissa, Amanda & Kristoffer Crady)

E-mail:    cradsmak@msn.com

Date:        Sun, 24 Dec 2000

Subject:     Woomera

Gaday Mates, how ya goin?  I was stationed in Woomera from 1974-1975.... I was assigned to the Tracking Station to the south of the Village.... I was an Airman in the USAF.... I was also in a Rock Band with another GI and three Aussies.... We were called Gypsy Moth.... We use to play at all of the clubs, the Senior Mess, the Junior mess and the Eldo Club.... If anyone can remember please write... No Worries...

Whitney James

E-mail:    whitneyjames@msn.com

Date:        Fri, 22 Dec 2000

Subject:      "E" range, Contraves, WRE trials staff

Hi folks,

This is Bruce Aiken, I worked at Woomera from 1956-58, then down to Salisbury for a stint and back to Woomera approx 1962 to 1972, working on Jindiviks, Contraves, Operations, Eldo.

Would love to hear from old friends.

E-mail:    bruce_aiken @ hotmail.com

(Below is sad news from Alan Kennedy who only recently added some wonderful recollections under Memories 16.)

Date:        Wed, 13 Dec 2000

Subject:     Passing of Joy Kennedy

It is with deep sorrow that I inform you that Joy, [Joycie, BFJ, and other timely names], passed away this evening, at 8:35pm, [1035Z], December 13th, 2000. In the end, it was pneumonia, and she is now at peace.

Having been at the hospital since 10am yesterday, except for a 2 hour break at home, I am now off to bed for a good sleep. Funeral arrangements will be made tomorrow.

See you all later.

Alan and Gary Kennedy

E-mail:    akennedy@powerup.com.au

(Alan has forwarded a copy of "Keep Your Fork" which will be read at Joy's funeral, on Monday, December 18th, at 2PM [0400Z]. On that page are some further details relating to the Brisbane church service.)

Date:        Tue, 5 Dec 2000

Subject:     Woomera Rocket Range -1959 Soccer Team

Dear Mr Rigby

A friend from the UK - Colin Hipkin was stationed at Woomera Rocket Range and was Soccer Team Captain in 1959 (photo below). He is looking for any of the people on the photo and anyone who may remember him. I wonder if you could add this to your web page to see if we can get any results for him.

Thanking you, in advance.
Pamela Howe

E-mail:    pam1711@yahoo.com 

League Premiers Back Row: G. Freeman, A. Innes, A. Ball, H. Illingsworth, K. Oxley, S. Bayley, G. Hunter. Front Row: G. Street, A Dandridge, B. Gallagher, C. Hipkin (Captain), D. Tubb, J. Humpheries, K. Smith. Absent: I. Inglis, G. Speedie, J. Harris, G. Long.

Please Note (28 November, 2000):  A couple of correspondents (Graeme C. Saunders of U.S. HQ Air Force Space Command and Ernest Rodriguez) have informed me recently that people interested in U.S. reunions can check a web site at http://www.geocities.com/woomera_alumni/index.html

Date:        Fri, 24 Nov 2000

Subject:     Request~reunion

What do kangaroos, 100 degree (F) heat, flies, the United States of America, Jazza flats,  Eldo discos, summer wine, the arboretum, salt and vinegar chip rolls, and the coffee lounge all have in common? They are all a part of who we are, and memories we have treasured for nearly 20 years. Please join us, the Woomera High School girls, in a reunion to be cherished for years to come.

WHERE: The Grand Hotel, Glenelg, South Australia        WHEN: July 2001.

WHO: We are trying to get all the girls we can remember being at school with. Included is a list, if I have forgotten anyone, or you have info on the names at right contact us at the e-mail addresses below.
 
 

E-mail:            Kerry (veale) Johnson ~    Aussi6@donet.com (States)
                    Cathy (porter) Gibbs ~ cmgibbs@ruralnet.net.au  (Australia)

Date:        Sat, 18 Nov 2000

Subject:     G'day mate from Terry Porch/Woomera '95

G'day Mark, I just got your excellent web site info from the renowned and infamous Saundo, currently residing in and terrorizing Colorado.

I had the great luck to avoid a USAF assignment to the American outback of Oklahoma and, instead, went to Woomera in 1995.  I worked at CE with some of the best folks I've met in my 20 years with the yank USAF:  Alison Keatch, Peter Martin, Wolfgang Wagnitz, Mick Insch, Vic Schut, Bev Byard, Roz Perry, Wind Commander Talbot and Alex,  Bruce and Danielle Christensen, Anne Hocking, Bruce Emms and the gang at the RSL, Danny at the Opal Shop, Darryl Topp, Paulie Stringer, Lee Mahoney, Saundo, and several others.

My travels with the USAF have taken me to several great places (currently I'm in Estonia, just south of Finland for 6 months) but the one I'd want to go back to would always be that little slice of paradise called Woomera.

Please pass my best wishes to all of these folks who may remember me.

Cheers!

Terry Porch/Woomera '95

E-mail:    elporcho@aol.com

Copyright © 1999-2003  Mark T. Rigby
(Last updated: 18 October, 2003)