Date: December 31, 2002
Subject: Woomera
Thank you for such an informative web site. Could you please put a request in for anyone who knew the Sheppee family. Could they contact me at the e-mail address below.
They were there from approx. 1967-1969.
Thanks
Glenys Sheppee
glenys@alphalink.com.au
Date: Wed, November 27, 2002
Subject: Adelaide Meetings
Joe Murray (Memories 30) is visiting Adelaide and would like to know if anyone holds regular meetings of ex-Woomerites. If you can help Joe, please contact him at walkaboutjoe@hotmail.com
Mark Rigby
Webmaster
Date: Sun, November 24, 2002
Subject: A Woomera Storm
Just to let you know the sequel to The Woomera
Trap - A Woomera Storm - is now on line from Jacobyte Books
and
available in paperback at their site:
http://www.jacobytebooks.com/store/books/wstorm.asp
This sounds very long winded but it gets you straight to the book!
I would be very grateful if you would provide a link to your Woomera Website as you did with the first novel.
Best wishes,
Jean
E-mail: oplwitch@powerup.com.au
Date: Mon, November 18, 2002
Subject: Woomera
I spent probably the best 18 months of my life in Woomera 1974-1975 testing a missile which I am not allowed to name. I mixed a lot with the Aussies and the Americans while I was there. The social life was superb and the softball comps were hard fought. I was a commitee member of the Village sports club and was player manager of their soccer team. We won the cup and were runners up in the league that season.Wonderful times.
Regards.
Harry Wright,
England.
E-mail: harry@marketdrayton200.fsnet.co.uk
Date: Sun, November 17, 2002
Subject: Woomera '82-'85
Just another satisfied Woomerite here that was pleased to stumble acrossed your web site. My father John Thomas was stationed there in the Air Force. I like everyone else on your site have had nothing but fond memories. I have thought a lot about my friends. Thanks again and hopefully I will hear from some of my friends?? I have seen an address for Christy Wallace, but it didn't work, so hopefully she sees this!
Donavon Thomas
E-mail: Donavon1216@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, November 16, 2002
Subject: General Grant Tank
I represent a group that is restoring several military vehicles at the Keswick Barracks Museum.
One of our current projects is to restore to static display condition a General Grant Tank. This particular vehicle was transferred from the Army to the Dept of Supply in the 1950's. It was used at Woomera and Lake Roy as a mobile(?) observation post during the rocket trials at those sites. The vehicle was subsequently transferred to 3/9 SAMR at Smithfield.
We are trying to gather any available information to enable the assembly of the history of this particular tank. Do you know of any details or of anyone who might?
Regards
Mark McKenna
E-mail: mark.mck@ihug.com.au
Date: Tue, November 12, 2002
Subject: Documentary Film Project
Documentary Filmmaker seeks old movie footage of Woomera! I am an Australian documentary filmmaker researching a program on 'Woomera - Past, Present and Future' which will use current developments as a way into exploring the history of Woomera through its various 'eras' to date.
I am primarily concerned with the town's social history and as well as researching official film archives I am seeking old home movie footage (e.g. super-8 or video) from ex-Woomerites around the world which could be of interest. If you have footage which reflects community life or particular aspects of Woomera's past, its location, activities, lifestyle, etc and might be interested in allowing this to be used, I would appreciate hearing from you.
In the first instance, a brief written description of the footage would suffice and then an arrangement for viewing could be made if appropriate. Also, if you have any particular, personal experience or knowledge of Woomera which you feel would be important to include in a film like this (including news of any planned reunions, etc) I would be glad to hear from you.
I am interested in all perspectives, including those of wives and families and of workers who came to Woomera from overseas. This documentary research is supported by Film Australia and it is hoped that filming will begin around March 2003.
My contact details are:
Steve Thomas, Flying Carpet Films, c/o Film & TV School, Victorian College of Arts, 234 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3006.
Regards,
Steve Thomas.
E-mail: flyingcarpet@pacific.net.au
Date: Fri, November 8, 2002
Subject: G'day from an old Woomerite
My name is Lachlan McGowan and I found your site courtesy of a friend who recognised my name in an old school photo.
Please does anyone remember or know what happened to an old Mate and best friend from up at Woomera, Hans Preiss as I have not seen him since 1967 when I left to come to Adelaide. Hans if you find this message, an old Mate would love to catch up.
For any other friends of my brothers and sisters who may find this column and would like to say hello, I can supply e-mail contacts. My own net address is below.
Thank you and best wishes to all old Friends and class mates.
Lachlan McGowan
E-mail: lachlan2@senet.com.au
Date: Wed, October 30, 2002
Subject: Woomera
My name is Cale Queen, my father was an American fire chief at Woomera. I wanted to add a request for my father as well as my own memories.
We were at Woomera from Oct 1982-1984. I was in second grade and made the move to the new trailer school buildings that year. My fourth grade year at Woomera Elementary was the most memorable year in Australia. From our teacher Mr Bodycomb being bit by a snake to the mid-evil banquet we had.
Which true to the era had no silverware, much to my mother's chagrin (she had prepared a dish of Mac and Cheese).
If the Teagues read this letter please contact me.
Cale Queen
E-mail: csqueen98@aol.com
Date: Fri, October 11, 2002
Subject: Request
My name is Fred Schorm and I was stationed in Woomera from 1989-1991. I belonged to the 1970CS which supported the communications for the 5th space wing. I also lived at 3 Banool. I have lost all contact with both American and Australian friends. I would like to have contact with anyone who remembers me.
Thank you,
Fred Schorm
E-mail: SchormRacing@aol.com
Date: Sat, September 14, 2002
Subject: I lived in Woomera also
Greetings Mark,
I just heard about this site tonight. My dad was stationed at Nurrungar from the middle of 77 through January of 1980. I still can't believe I had the priviledge of living there! I remember it was not very hard to get from one side of the city to the other - most of the time I walked wherever I needed to go, rarely if ever did we need a car. I am glad the Port road was finally paved. It was hellish trying to get through it.
I am going to tell my parents about this site,
as I am not sure if they have seen it or not. The most ironic thing
is that I met some people I knew in Woomera, living not too far from me
when I resided in Cleveland, OH. This site is wonderful. Hope
to
hear from you soon.
Paul Johnson
West Bend, WI, USA
E-mail: pjthetallguy1968@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, September 10, 2002
Subject: Lost Friend
I am trying to contact a friend of mine. We were in the British Army together in 1969-1978, I left in 1978 and I think he went to Woomera sometime later. His name is Tony Smee, nickname is (eems). It would be good to hear from him or anybody that knows his whereabouts.
Thank you,
John
E-mail: jay651@ntlworld.com
Date: Tue, September 3, 2002
Subject: Family History
Could you possibly help or offer me any advice.
My uncle emigrated from Liverpool, England, in the 1940s and went to work
at the Woomera rocket range. We have recently been informed by the Australian
embassy that he has sadly passed away. He
has been dead now for the past five years - it
has taken the authourities this long to track my mother and her sisters
down to inform them of the news.We are now trying to find out as much as
we can about his life in Australia and at the range. Does a list
exist of past employees at the range? Any information
that you may be able to offer would be greatly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Gordon Small.
E-mail: gts@kochg.co.uk
Date: Mon, September 2, 2002
Subject: Fire Truck
I am restoring an old series 1 fire truck, and I have been told it originated from Woomera. It is a Land Rover Series I (1958 approx.), 107in wheel base Land Rover fitted with a PTO rear mounted pump; it looks to be a factory build Fire Truck made in England.
It was sold to the South Australian Country Fire Service in 1971. I would like to know if anyone has any information on the vehicle or a contact person whom may know?
Thanks
Wayne Ellard
E-mail: wmellard@bigpond.com.au
Date: Sat, August 24, 2002
Subject: Woomera web site
I am looking for anyone who may have known Barry Ryan, a Queensland radio engineer, civilian, who worked on the Blue Streak and Black Knight Projects between 1956 and 1961.
I am conducting family histories and as Barry died late in 1961 of a brain tumour resulting from a melanoma on his ear, I would love to contact anyone who knew him while he was working at Woomera.
Thank you - look forward to hearing from you,
Regards,
Donna Santilli.
E-mail: ryasant@bigpond.com
Date: Wed, August 21, 2002
Subject: E-mail from ex-resident of Woomera
My name is Stan Broad and I was stationed
in Woomera for four years on the Seawolf project. I was accompanied by
my wife and son Ian, and was a member of the Senior Mess during my stay.
My son went to the local high school and matriculated there, before going
to Flinders University for several terms until the Seawolf project ended
and we returned to the UK in 1975.
My wife was assistant librarian for a couple
of years, under a Mrs Smith who was the wife of Alex Smith, who was
employed by BAC, chief contractor on the Seawolf project. My own
Company was EMI Electronics at Feltham, Middlesex.
I well remember the happy sporting hours at Woomera - the football and cricket and table tennis. Most important was the time spent at the Golf Club - the engine oil and sand 'greens' etc. And the bus trips to places like Andamooka and Alice Springs.
To sum up, I think the years at Woomera were amongst the happiest in my lifetime.
If you would like to reply to this message, please use the e-mail address below
Mark Todd
Email: MarkATodd@aol.com
Date: Tue, August 13, 2002
Subject: WOOMERA - A Pictorial Tour
Firstly Mark,
I must thank you the opportunity that this site has allowed me to meet, both by e-mail and personally some most wonderful people. At least once a week, somebody contacts me for information or help about Woomera and I am glad to be of service.
I would like to advise you and the visitors to your site that my CD, A Pictorial Tour 2002, is now up and running and available for purchase. The cost of this CD is A$9.95 with postage and packaging being an extra A$5 within Australia. USA and UK will be A$20, postage included. Orders will be dispatched the next day.
I must reiterate that I am only to happy to talk to past residents of Woomera and to intending visitors to our unique town.
Rob Dillon
Postmaster
Post Office
Woomera SA 5720
Australia
E-mail: dillonr@bigpond.com
Date: Tue, July 30, 2002
Subject: Woomera
Good work Mark,
I spent a few years there too. I lived in Goornan St. next door to the Mac's. My old man Collin Shepherdson was a butcher and Val (late Velma Shepherdson) worked everywhere. Great spot as a kid, always found plenty of trouble to get into. My brothers Grogen (David) Doce (Garry) and Shep (John) are still about.
Old school Mates were Spotty, the Frog, the odd Yank or two, Mitch, all the girls. I still see people like Zac, Jonesy and Bullant now and again. Would like to hear from Abo.
Any way, any day above ground is a good one.
Puds
E-mail: coursesuper@mccgolf.com.au
Date: Mon, July 8, 2002
Subject: Woomera on the Web
Having been out at Woomera very recently (June 24-26, 2002 to be exact), I was a little disappointed (as I have been many times during my visits to Woomera in the past) that the work that the UK Ministry of Defence have conducted over the last twenty years with the Australian Department of Defence receives nary a mention in the annals of Woomera history.
Our work has been largely to examine, review or establish safe standards of construction and siting for the storage and handling of conventional military explosives. There is nothing highly classified about our work and it has certainly been reported in the Gibber Gabber as well as the South Australian press over the years. In fact, our next sequence of trials work was reported in the most recent editions of the Gibber Gabber. As importantly, it has put Australia firmly at the cutting edge of the technology of storage and handling of explosives. It is my fond hope that I will be able to generate a history of Woomera from our explosives trials perspective in the run up to our next sojourn at Woomera in September/October 2002, including some spectacular photographs.
It may also interest you to know that, although originally from Aberdeenshire in Bonnie Scotland, I have actually spent significantly more time at Woomera than in the village I grew up in Aberdeenshire where most of my family still live.
Jon Henderson
E-mail: normh@aone.com.au
Date: Sun, July 7, 2002
Subject: Update on news
My name is Deidre Child ( nee Williams) and I was wondering if I could let people on this web know that my Mum Claire Williams passed away suddenly on the 22 June, 2002. Mim ( my sister) and I would welcome anyone wishing to contact us on the addresses below.
Thank you for your time,
Dee
E-mail: dchild@vtown.com.au or mim2212@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, July 2, 2002
Subject: Woomera
Hi, my name is Framora Crawford, back then it was Framora Wallace when I lived in Woomera from 1983-1985. I went to the Woomera Area School. We moved back to America. My dad was American Air Force. I'll never forget Woomera. My sisters Jennifer and Christy and brother Paulie had good fun memories. I hope a lot of people that I knew back then will remember me and hopefully will e-mail me.
Framora and Michael Crawford
E-mail: framora1@bellsouth.net
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Memories of Woomera |
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