This is the first NORFORCE Association Newsletter and it is a great opportunity to bring ex members and serving members of NORFORCE up to date on some very exciting and important issues that have come about in the past twelve months, these are:

The formation of the NORFORCE Association, and

Presentation of Colours to NORFORCE and 25th Birthday Dinner Celebrations on the 26 June 2006.

NORFORCE Association
Over the years there had been a lot of interest and discussion about developing a NORFORCE Association. Leading up to November 2004 a lot of behind the scene work was done by various serving and ex members to draft a constitution for a NORFORCE Association. This draft constitution was tabled at the general meeting of serving and ex members of the Regiment on the evening of 8 November 2004 where the draft constitution was accepted and passed by the meeting. Once the Constitution was accepted the meeting elected the NORFORCE Association Committee.. The committee members as it stand today are:

President: Peter Allen
Secretary: David Rose
Treasurer: Ian Tibbits

Committee Members:
Ian Amy
Peter Herden
Trevor Smith
Roger Harvey
Mark Christopher
LTCOL Richard Parker (CO NORFORCE)
John Jankowski Arnhem Sqn Rep
Brenton Wiley Centre Sqn Rep
Robert Knox Kimberley Sqn Rep

Membership
Membership to the NORFORCE Association is $20. An online application form can be found here, or you can request an application from NORFORCE Association at RHQ (08 89355310) or any of the Squadron Headquarters.

Included in the membership is a bronze medallion with the NORFORCE Lizard etched on one side and the reverse side has the words North West Mobile Force and a serial number.

NORFORCE 25th Colour Parade and Birthday Dinner
NORFORCE is to celebrate its twenty fifth birthday on Monday the 26 June 2006. This is a major milestone in the units history as the unit is to be presented with its own Regimental Colours, a first for an RFSU in its own right. The celebrations will commence with a parade where Regimental Colours will be presented to NORFORCE by the Governor General (The Governor General who most will know had a leading role to play in the formation of the RFSU in particular NORFORCE.) In the evening NORFORCE will host an all ranks dinner for serving, ex members and the Nackeroos on the lawns of the Darwin Sky City Casino.

To that end NORFORCE is extending their hospitality to invite ex members and their families of the Regiment to attend the Colour parade and the Birthday dinner on the 26 June 2006. For most of us it will be an experience of a lifetime. For the out of Towners it would also be an ideal opportunity to come and enjoy the magnificent delights of Darwin that the Territory dry season brings.

There are a few points that you need to know so that you start planning and enjoy the events:

Tickets will need to be purchased to attend the dinner by no later than 1 May 2006. The cost of the dinner is $70 per person. Tickets can be purchased from RHQ or by sending cash or cheque to NOFORCE Association RHQ Larrakeyah Barracks Darwin NT 0820. There are a limited amount of tickets available so be early.

Ex members will need to find their own accommodation in Darwin. Given that June / July is the peak tourist time and when most of the main social and sporting events are held in Darwin it would be wise to book your accommodation as early as possible. You may wish to stay an extra week for the V8 Super Cars or the early part of the horse racing for the Darwin Cup Carnival.

Dress for the function is Mess kit white jacket for serving members and Territory formal (Long sleeve shirt and tie) for ex-non serving members and after five for ladies.

On Sunday the 25 June 06 between 1100hr and 1530hr you are invited to the NORFORCE Museum were a BBQ will be provided by the Army Cadets. The museum is located in Darwin Squadron compound at Larrakeyah Barracks. This will be a good opportunity to come along and renew old memories while at the same time assist the museum volunteers identify some of the photographs and memorabilia that has been collected over time. If you have any photographs or memorabilia that you wish to donate to the museum please bring it along. The NORFORCE Regiment Shop will also be on hand to offer you the opportunity to purchase various items of NORFORCE memorabilia

Then on that evening of the 25th June there will be a sunset evening held at the Darwin Ski Club commencing at 1730hr. The Ski Club offers a perfect venue for a relaxing while having a few drinks with old and new friends along the pristine shores of Fannie Bay and to watch a glorious Darwin sunset. The club offers live band entertainment, full bar service and meals can be purchased from their kitchen.

For those of you who cannot make it in June please keep in touch so that we can keep you up to date on events that are occurring in NORFORCE and the Association. To everyone fond regards and stay Ever Vigilant.

EVER VIGILANT

PS a couple of reminders:

Please have your Birthday Dinner tickets paid by 1 May 2006 to avoid Disappointment. Pre paid Birthday Dinner tickets can be collected on the 25 June at the NORFORCE Museum

Registration to join the NORFORCE Association can be done at the NORFORCE Museum on the 25 June 2006.

To gain entry to Larrakeyah Barracks you will need photo ID (ie drivers licence)

You are able to transfer to the association DEFCREDIT account

BSB- 803205
Account number- 3839296
Remarks - YOUR NAME- NORFORCE BIRTHDAY