I recently received a copy of your circular ref "Marconi School of Wireless Re-union 1997".

I regret that I am unable to attend what will be a historical event as I am now over the age of 90 years.

I attended the Marconi School in Sydney from December 1937 until about mid June 1939 in which time I studied and obtained;

I also obtained the Broadcast technicians certificate but not through the School.

I was unemployed in Sydney until the coal strike was called off and the ships began to move.

Then I signed on as second radio officer on the MV Merkur employed by AWA Marine.

If there is to be a report on the dinner I would be interested to pay for a copy if you would advise the cost.

Yours Faithfully
Frank Brandon

Sorry for the late reply to your call for interest in AR months ago. I was reminded again by Graeme Russell recently and we had decided to attend and were looking forward to meeting up with old friends.

Unfortunately, I have a daughter receiving an award at Government House on the same day and almost the same time, and I agreed to attend this some time ago. I cannot disappoint her now.

I wish you every success with the reunion. I remember Ces very well and would have liked to have met up with him again.

I attended York St in 1960-61 Leichhardt in 1976

I have accessed the Website and found it very interesting.

I would be interested in a copy of the video of the event if any are to be available later to those who could not attend. Maybe you could email me the cost etc.

Best of luck on the day.
Regards. Sven Shimell VK2BSV

Finally got on the Internet and downloaded the Marconi School info David but because of distance and the time factor regret very much not being able to come over. I did the First Class Commercial course by correspondance in 1947/48 and spent six harrowing months doing practical with Wilbur Pope at Melbourne and bringing my morse up to speed. I remember Ray Baty who is on your list of acceptances also Jim Fes, Ted Jolley (ex RAAF) and Peter Leech from Port Lincoln. I met the last two in England at the Marconi depot in East Ham about 1951 but have lost touch. After obtaining my ticket worked for Aeradio as Comm Officer and first ship was Dominion Monarch out of Fremantle bound London.This berth obtained through Curly Williams of AWA office in Fremantle. Spent six years at sea then returned to Australia where have worked in Radio and Television broadcasting except for thirteen years spent at North West Cape on VLF and HF transmitter sites.Have retired but keep in touch via ham radio. My apologies to Ces and thanks to him and the School for starting me off on the right foot. My Ist Commercial ticket no.is 1457 and I later upgraded to a General, No.W2.

Sincerely,

Gerry Wild VK6GW

I read of the forthcoming Marconi School of Wireless Re-union in the latest publication of the Red Ensign News.

I attended the Marconi School in the early fifties in York and Clarence streets and obtained my Broadcast and First Class Certificates and subsequently joined the AWA seagoing staff for a number of years, serving in Newcastle Hunter River, Adelaide Company, Burns Philip ships etc. I left the Sea in 1957 and joined the ABC in the early days of Television. I Retired from the ABC after 30 years service in 1987.

I am currently employed by the Open Training and Education Network at Straithfield, where I have designed and constructed a television complex for the delivery of education courses in TAFE and School education.

I was surprised to read that Cec Bardwell will be the guest of honour at the luncheon. The last time I saw him was in 1980, when I attended the School at Leichhardt to revalidate my Certificate. As I remember, the School closed shortly after this and he was about to retire. I am looking forward to meeting him again as he is a person I have always admired.

I obtained your address from Col Christiansen and he tells me there is a great deal of interest in the coming event with many people attending.

Well David it is time to finish my ramblings and I look forward to meeting you at 67 York Street.

Yours Sincerely
K Doug Curtin

Thank you for your invitation to the Marconi School re-union to be held September 20th in Sydney. Regretfully I will not be able to attend.

I have however completed the attached form and will be pleased if my name is entered on your records as being an ex Marconi School student. You will see thet I was at the Melbourne School during two periods. I commenced about 1949, completed half of the course then discovered girls and grog and drifted away. A couple of years later I went back and completed the job! By that time my new wife had limited my access to both girls and grog somewhat!

There is really no sound reason why I could not attend the function, rather that I just could not psych myself up to make the effort. Perhaps if there is another at a later stage I would attend.

If the occasion arises, please pass my apologies to the attending ex-students and in particular Cec Bardwell and of course my very best 73's to any who may remember me.

On a personal note, I of course retired with redundancy, and have finally found my life's true vocation. I am sure I was meant to be retired from the moment I started work. Some would say I did retire at that time but just neglected to tell the Boss! They might be right. Healthwise I remain fine, enjoying an occasional beer, a little red wine with the evening meal and half a bed at night. Luxuries for an old sailor. Lovely to be curled up in the lee of Bum Island each night.

I have not involved myself with internet, already waste too much time doing nothing productive, but I am active on amateur radio and operate on CW/SSB and digital modes most days. My local BBS is Alan Appleby/VK4BFQ.

Thank you very much for your consideration in sending me the invitation. My best regards to you and yours.

73's Deane Laws VK4ALN

Greetings from Nelson Bay NSW. Tom Brady (Sydney) kindly forwarded me a copy of your circular "Marconi School of Wireless Reunion 1997" concerning the Reunion gathering in Sydney on September 20th.

I would be delighted to attend David and in fact forwarded photstat copies of your circular to former Radio Officers namely: Peter Branchied, Arthur Major, Mike King, Bob Banks, Seanus Casey, Harry Campbell (Melb) Russell Brown (old) and even Chris McGrane, former PREI Sydney! Hopeful for a suitable response from the majority of these former members.

I will be in company with Tom Brady and David Chandler and will be looking forward to meeting both yourself and former comrades.

Best Wishes

Bill Muldoon.

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