5^th  June 2007

Last Christmas I did wonder if they had left it too late, “It will happen and we'll all have a ball” was the reply from Brisbane’s Steve Pelecanos.  I’m delighted to report that he was right in every respect although I never really doubted my old shipmate. But having witnessed first hand the busy life Steve lives, I’m amazed he found a moment to organise such a party. I say ‘party’ bearing in mind ‘Australian hospitality’, and feel it best describes the mood for the three days. 

With help from Graham Poynter and Tom Sommerville, Steve had selected, three excellent venues.  On the Friday night we met at the “Breakfast Creek” Hotel, (c 1897) one of three most famous Pub’s in Australia. They serve Castlemaine’s XXXX a brew that will be remembered by our seafarers.

On the Saturday night we met at the “Decks Restaurant”  Southbank very close to the Brisbane River, situated amongst the Bougainvillea in the park. The tables had been set nicely to include booklets and menus especially designed for the event.  Wally Trickett’s montage showing the many classes of ship, featured on the reverse side of the menu. On the other side could be found a choice of “Rack of Lamb” or “The Bangkok Chicken”  crispy fried breast, filled with prawns in yellow curry, served with wild rice and greens. I have to say a great disappointment to those who yearned for a simple “Kromeski à la Russe” like the old days. Throughout the meal we had a slide show ticking away, Graham Poynter, Tim Noble and myself had compiled DVD’s/CD’s for the event.

Having left a Wellington winter the climate in Brisbane was most comfortable, people walking about at night in their shirt sleeves – hardly  any wind. However the weather for the Sunday cruise on the Brisbane River was perfect, allowing people to sit out on deck with a relaxing drink. The Master of the “River Queen” was very obliging, on producing ‘our‘ flag, he had the Chief Engineer bring down the Australian ensign and hoisted our BSL flag in it’s place - Technically not the correct spot, but surely a place of honour. Tom Sommerville tells me we lost power three times during the 3 ½ hour cruise, he’s an engineer and should know.  At one stage I heard the anchor being let go but assumed it was part of the cruise, with at least 21 Masters, 10 Chief Engineers and 3 Chief Electricians – that’s not counting the ship’s complement we were pretty safe.

Sadly all good things have to come to an end and the day was wound up at the Ship Inn, but there we discovered something I’ve never seen before. A tower of beer, packed with a collar of ice with a tap ……. only the Aussies could come up with a more efficient way to distribute beer.

A big thank you to all who made it possible, Tom Sommerville, Pat and Graham Poynter, Barbara (Secretary, Brisbane Pilots), Di and Steve Pelecanos. Finally but not least a big thank you to all the following for coming, participating and making it such weekend to remember.

Peter Stacey
Wellington

The Brisbane Reunion bought together after 47 years Peter Connolly [2nd Elect.] and John Devenish [M/Grs]. Peter and John sailed together on the
Melbourne Star in 1960 and after discharge they lost contact with one an other. Both being Aussies they formed a special bond and spent many happy
hours in each others company both ashore and on board.Through the internet they renewed their friendship and Peter decided to come all the way from the U.S. to the Reunion. They had many old tales to talk over and needless to say this was done of quite a few beers. It just goes to show just how small the world really is.