Date: Monday, Apr 24, 2000
Subject: Woomera
Readers interested in the broader aspects of rocketry, pilotless aircraft and defence industry matters as well as Woomera recollections may care to read an account of one person's lifetime experience in these fields.
I have just published a 250-page autobiography
which, amongst other things, details an adventurous career, beginning with
training as a cadet engineer at AWA. I then joined the Long
Range Weapons Establishment in Salisbury, South Australia - initially
to work on the development of Jindivik. From Salisbury, I
was seconded to the Royal Aircraft Establishment in
Farnborough, UK, developing Firefly
and Meteor pilotless targets.
After several years further experience with Jindivik back in South Australia, I returned once more to England, now as joint UK/Australian project officer for a large target missile being developed in France and at the French rocket range in the Sahara Desert. Then I was transferred to Woomera itself, eventually to become Officer-in-Charge of Operations at the Range at its busiest period in the 1960s. Many interesting and amusing anecdotes colour these periods.
I later became head of the Defence Industry Development Branch in the Department of Defence in Canberra. This group was instrumental in stimulating the revival of defence capability in Australian private industry during and after the Cold War period. When the Branch was fragmented by transfer to the ill-fated Department of Defence Support, I retired and subsequently achieved new personal satisfaction in creating fine-art woodcraft pieces.
Along the way, there is a good deal to tell about family matters as well as overseas travel to many countries, for both business and pleasure. The book (dare I say it) is a very good read in its own right and is enlivened by many photographs. It has been well received by a wide range of readers.
Flights of Fancy is available for A$27 plus postage. Further information is available by e-mailing me at the address below.
Geoff Taylor
E-mail: geofftay@pcug.org.au
| Date:
Sun, 23 Apr 2000
Subject: WOOMERA - 1975 My wife and I served in Woomera in 1975 as part
of
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| Attached is a photo of when the White Ensign
was pulled down for the last time at Launch Area 9 (above right).
Also a photo of the team. I'm third from the left. Richard and Denise Lord E-mail: dil.1@virgin.net
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Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2000
Subject: Woomera
My wife Judy was born at Woomera in 1961. Her father, Kenneth Beecham, was a Linesman for the PMG looking after the Woomera area until his death in 1969. Unfortunately she also lost her mother in 1967, Dorothy Joyce, who is buried at Woomera cemetery. Judy and her brother, also a Kenneth, lived with their parents at 28 Boorri Street or 19 Burrimul Street.
Because the children were so young they were shipped off to relatives to live and as such have no photo's etc of the area. I was wondering if anyone has any old photos/recollection of this family. If not would anyone be kind enough to take some photo's of these addresses (if they still exist) or more importantly one of her mother's grave. I would readily pay for any costs involved.
She has many fond memories of Woomera, and she is unaware I am writing this. I know she would be thrilled to have some sort of record. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanking you for your consideration
Allan Blay
Camira, QLD
E-mail: ajab@one.net.au (e-mail address updated 25 July, 2000)
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000
Subject: Hello From Okuma, Japan
Once again I am pleased to read about people and
events that happen in Woomera. I want to take this time and say I really
enjoyed my stay there from Feb '95 to Aug '98
as the Site Fire Chief. I worked closely with Woomera Emergency Service
(WES) and it was a blast. My memories are some that will not go away anytime
soon. I worked at 5 RRR, the Black Heritage Committee, I even drove the
town net ball female team to take part in the championship game which they
won at Roxby Downs.
To all my friends that were there and are still
living in Woomera take care and good luck. Anyway if anyone out there wants
to
contact me feel free.
Take Care and God Bless...
E-mail: mccattyn@hotmail.com or noelmccatty@blackwebmail.net
Noel McCatty Jr., TSGT, USAF
Chief, Fire Protection
18 SPTG, Det 1, Okuma Japan
Joint Forces Recreation Facility
Phone: 098-041-5164,
Fax: 098-041-5165;
From U.S.: 011-81-98-041-5164,
Fax from U.S.: 011-81-98-041-5165
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 2000
Subject: Woomera visit
Tomorrow morning, I am setting off to travel from Geelong (in Victoria) to Woomera, taking my wife on a journey back in time. I arrived in Woomera in 1954, aged 4, and left at the end of 1966. I have been back twice and, like all who spent some time there, have very fond memories of the place.
I found your web site very interesting and it is good to see the interaction from ex-Woomeraites.
For those who are reading this who may be trying to remember me, my parents were Arch and Bernie Ryan. Mum passed away two years ago, and Dad is now living in a nursing home in Adelaide, still creating havoc. My brothers were Mark, Gerard, and Kevin, and my sister was Bernadette.
After a long career as a teacher, I am now Group Manager of the Office of Residential Life at Deakin University, looking after 950 uni students in accommodation. In my spare time I am a baseball umpire, having graduated from the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring in Florida, USA. I also am the manager and chief instructor of the Australian Academy of Baseball Umpiring.
I would be pleased to receive responses from people from my past.
Regards
Terry Ryan
E-mail: terence@deakin.edu.au
Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2000
Subject: Colorado Springs Woomera Reunion
JDSCS Woomera Australia -- A reunion is planned for August 5, 2000. If you were ever assigned to the Joint Defence Facility Nurrungar and the village of Woomera, South Australia, we will be holding a Woomera Reunion at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, CO. For more information, contact Paul Chester, (719) 567-9016, DSN 560-9016.
Email: paul.chester@jntf.osd.mil
Paul Chester, TRW
Test & Evaluation Directorate
Joint National Test Facility
AFOTEC/OL-SC/ATEC
Shriever AFB, CO, USA
(719) 567-9016
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000
Subject: Past Friends
Great to see the best place in the world on the web. I first moved to Woomera in 1970 while my father worked at the range. I left in 1975 to start work in Adelaide but returned many times to visit my family. In 1989, I returned to Woomera to work for D.S.C.W. with froggie Tilbrooke (where is he now?) I met my wife in Woomera but due to family commitments had to leave in 1992 (with much sadness). We now live in Townsville with the Four Children. Does anyone know where Jeff Stotler is these days? Would love to hear from any of the Village MUGS.
Regards and Best Wishes
John Harrison
Mug 80
E-mail: jch@ultra.net.au
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