LATEST ISSUE / Editorial
Greetings dear Reader!
During May I had the pleasure of visiting Tasmania to take part in the Texcare Tasmania Weekend Seminar, a wonderful tradition that combines great speakers with a warm camaraderie, and is always held somewhere interesting. In recent years, apart from the obvious attractions of Hobart and Launceston, Members have explored places as diverse as St. Helens, Coles Bay and Bischeno. This year the venue was the north of the island, Devonport, and the event got great support across the membership.
A highlight of the weekend, though, was the awarding of Life Membership to Philip Littlejohn. President Jamie King took him quite by surprise when he spoke of the 25 years service Philip has devoted to Texcare Tasmania. “Philip came into the industry from his career path as a Chartered Accountant, following in his father’s footsteps, and many would recall Vic Littlejohn of Status Drycleaners, Hobart. Once John Young discovered Philip was an accountant he was elected to Treasurer of the association! Always a driving force on the Texcare Tasmania Committee Philip was involved in staging memorable – and profitable – TwinClean Conventions in Hobart. Proving himself in as a Treasurer of note, he was soon promoted to be our National Council Representative at DIA Ltd. While he did a lot of work we didn’t know about, when Roger Smith recently returned from a council meeting to tell us of the awe and respect in which Philip is held, it wasn’t really a surprise.”
Philip, on the other hand, was taken completely by surprise! He recalled his first exposure to the industry in 1985 at Ulverstone and said 25 years had gone very quickly and he had not expected any acknowledgement since he had enjoyed the fellowship of Texcare so much, and everyone puts in what they can for the association. Philip said it is in fact Meredith who deserves any accolades for what she has put up with!
Few people would deserve Life Membership of their state body more than Philip, and it was a delight to see his pleasure at receiving the approbation of his peers. No doubt the beautiful glass plaque Texcare Tasmania had commissioned in his honour will find an honoured position at home.
Shirley Naylor,
Editor
EVENTS / Upcoming
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MARK RYAN MAKES A SPLASH IN "CANBERRA CITY NEWS"
http://issuu.com/citynews/docs/100819_citynews/11?zoomed=true&zoomPercent=10
0&zoomX=0.06931608133086886&zoomY=0.2285237698081735¬eText=¬eX=¬eY=
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NOTICE
THERE IS A FREE BURTON IRONER 42" IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION MUST BE GIVE AWAY NOW DUE TO LIMITED OF SPACE,
PLEASE CONTACT ALAN 0416-228-222
RASKO LAUNDRY, MARRICKVILLE, NSW WAS THE BACKDROP TO A GREAT 'JOHN BUTLER TRIO' MUSIC CLIP. LAUNDRY MADE COOL! paste this into your browser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p2BLqpZiKY&feature=youtube_gdata
DRY CLEANING INSTITUTE OF AUST. (SA) INC. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING – LATEST.
“At a Special General Meeting held on the 21st April 2010 and called for the express purpose of deciding on whether DIA(SA) would participate in the proposed National Single Entity, a decision was taken not to wind up the association but in fact to continue as a separate association, thus leaving members to decide to join the National Body as Individual Members if and when they wished.
At the last Management Committee meeting on the 16th June 2010 a vote was taken to confirm John Brownsea’s position as Secretary and Public Officer. This vote was defeated and as a consequence John is no longer our Secretary or Public Officer and Peter Corones was appointed to fulfill these roles on an interim basis until a more permanent appointment can be made.
John has served the DIA(SA) well over several years and the Committee expressed its appreciation for his past service to the association.
The Committee recognised this vote as a vote to remain independent and to keep its options open; it did not see it as a decision to cast itself adrift from the main stream industry associations nationally, nor a move to split the membership in South Australia. The Committee is committed to a strong and united state association. To this end DIA(SA) will continue to maintain its independence but also maintain an open and friendly dialogue with ALL national and state associations and branches. DIA(SA) is committed to providing a level of services and benefits to its members that will continue to be of value to all dry cleaners in South Australia and thereby encouraging those of its members who do join the new National to also continue their membership with the state association thus avoiding a possible serious membership split.
The Committee believes that to implement all the changes and innovations necessary to achieve the broad goals outlined above, it is essential to inject new blood into our association and hence DIA(SA) will be seeking a Secretary who can revitalize our association and implement the wishes of the membership and the policies of the Management Committee. DIA(SA) is keen to maintain its relationship with the mainstream industry bodies in all states would hope that this position is reciprocated by all other industry bodies.
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DRYCLEANING Institute of Australia (South Australia Inc.)
22nd April 2010…
SOUTH AUSTRALIA VOTES TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT
In a vote of all Drycleaning Institute of Australia (South Australia) Inc Members held on 21st April 2010, it was resolved not to disband the organisation to enable a shift to a proposed National Entity.
The vote was decisive – 75% against and 25% for, with well over 50% of Members participating.
South Australian Drycleaners will now ‘go it alone’ and following the vote, the Members made some decisive decisions to ensure that the SA organisation would continue to deliver the services that Members wanted.
The graduated Membership fees would continue until the annual review at the AGM in September, when it was quite likely that fees would be reduced.
All Members will now receive, free of charge, the bi-monthly magazine produced for the drycleaning / laundry industry (The National), while they will also have access to all of the industrial services of the State Retailers Association of SA.
The Training Program already in progress will continue with Training Days now scheduled for July & October.
A system to recognise drycleaners who achieve a targeted degree of professionalism & environmental responsibility is under development for the implementation in the near future, along with a series of publications to improve the public’s knowledge of the drycleaning industry and in particular, the meaning of Care Labels on garments.
All drycleaners will be personally contacted in the next two weeks regarding their views on what they expect from the DIA SA into the future. From that, a properly costed business plan will be developed for adoption at the AGM.
State President Paul Nemer, commenting on the vote said “We now have a mandate to deliver what Members want and then at an affordable price – and we can do it”.
Enquiries, John Brownsea Ph (08) 8352 8233
LETTER FROM STELCO CHEMICALS TO INDUSTRY
We wish to make you aware that internationally there are hefty price hikes emerging as a result of strengthening demand for all chlorinated solvents such as methylene chloride, trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene.
These solvents are increasingly being used in alternative formulations to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) products in refrigerants due to environmental concerns. Couple this with the fact that several plants closed last year during the recession and you have a recipe for price hikes and product shortages.
Over the last 12 months we have had increases in the buying price of perchloroethylene of about 50%, fortunately the strength of the Aussie dollar has buffered this effect to some extent. Further Stelco have so far been able to absorb most of the increased costs by streamlining our operation practices thus enabling us to maintain our competitive pricing. However, things are about to change and we are forced to put the price up to reflect more closely the true cost of the stock.
Perchloroethylene is now being allocated by major manufacturers, meaning restrictions of supply and the price is increasing dramatically, We have already been advised by our supplier that we can expect monthly price reviews for the coming months.
At Stelco we have been very active in ensuring we have sufficient supply in the pipeline to service and support the Australian Dry Cleaning Industry but this comes at a cost. Hence, please be prepared for increases. How long this situation will go on for we are not sure but we will be doing our best to keep the increases as modest as possible.
In the next few months, we will be reviewing our Perclean price monthly, and then advise our customers of the new price structure promptly. It is therefore important that our customers help us to minimise our servicing costs so that we keep our selling price down.
In the unlikely event that allocation of stock is required, our stock will be allocated to our customers according to their respective buying pattern in the past year. To those customers who has had a history of buying Perclean from Stelco consistently in the past, we will give them priority allocation of their monthly average requirement. This is to highlight that our loyalty to our long term customers is never compromised.
We thank you for you understanding and we endeavour to bring the price back down should the supply condition improve.
Teresa Pong,
Stelco Chemicals
FRANK HAUSER HAS JOINED KANNEGIESSER AUSTRALIA
Kannegiesser Australia announce the appointment of Mr. Frank Giordano-Hauser who joined our Company at the beginning of May in the position of Area Sales Manager (NSW).
Frank is an Australian permanent resident but a native born German national from the Stuttgart area of Germany who moved to Australia in 2004.
Frank started his professional career in Germany in instrumentation and controls and has a strong background in industrial plant automation.
Since moving to Australia in 2004 Frank has been working in the Sydney area as an instrumentation engineer specializing in major water treatment and desalination project management.
While he has not been directly involved in the laundry industry before Frank brings to a wealth of technical and project management experience, in an area that is closely associated with our industry
Frank is looking forward to the new challenge of the laundry industry and in particular providing sales solutions and support to our customers across NSW and Australia.
I am sure you will make Frank welcome.
WANTED - ALL ROUND DRYCLEANER FOR RELIEF WORK, SYDNEY
If you are a reliable, experienced drycleaner, available for relief work in the northern suburbs of Sydney, please Phone Annette on 0432 450 845
GreenClean 2010 – October 15-17, 2010
"GreenClean 2010 is the premier down under International Business Conference open to all dry cleaners interested in building a successful future for themselves. Internationally renowned speakers from the USA, New Zealand and Australia will share their expertise and their experiences with the Conference attendees. David Shorland of Central Dry Cleaning will be our local host providing a tour of his GreenEarth plant." trumpets the GreenEarth website!
This will be a very affordable International Conference and some great return airfare deals are available on the net. Plan your holiday now. More details soon.
Sponsored by GreenEarth Australiasia for the benefit of all dry cleaners in their pursuit of a prosperous future. Mark these dates today. October 15-17, 2010
- Download the brochure from the EVENTS section of this website -
LAUNTEX 2010 ANNOUNCED – BREAKING NEWS –
September 22nd - 24th, at the Swiss Grand Hotel, Bondi Beach, NSW
http://www.swissgrand.com.au
Download the draft programme here.
Launtex 2010. The 15th Annual Conference of the Australian Healthcare Laundry and Linen Services Association, which quite apart from the healthcare sector increasingly attracts heavy patronage from commercial launderers, is on the move!
This year in choosing iconic Bondi Beach, they have broken with their tradition of siting the conference at a country centre (previously Mitchell, Newcastle and Wollongong). With international laundry consultant and engineer Glen Phillips of Glen Phllips & Associates headlining the speaker list, and a visit to Parramatta Linen Service with address by Jagat Prakash, Manager of PLS on the menu, do not miss this conference.
More details will be announced shortly, stay tuned. If you need to speak with the Launtex team, email Josh Jowsey at jowjow@bigpond.com You can log on to the launtex website for further details. www.launtex.com
TRLA SA
At Berri, the weekend of August 28 - 29, 2010. Awaiting further details from the organisers, but what I have heard about their proposed programme impresses me greatly! See EVENTS for the full colour brochure on this fabulous weekend.
A moving account of an historical Australian event, by Caroline Woodward, Hamilton Drycleaners Victoria.
We did a lot of travelling to war cemeteries and I found it very daunting. There are over 1000 Commonwealth War Grave Commission cemeteries in France and Belgium. It is amazing that at every one, there is not a blade of grass out of place, they are so well kept. It was very confronting when you visit some and they have nearly 12,000 headstones, as well as over 35,000 names of missing soldiers on plaques. Others are very small with several hundred or even less. In some areas you travel along the roads and they are every couple of kilometres, some in the middle of villages. The people over there are still so appreciative of the soldiers’ sacrifice - they are very friendly when they find out you are from Australia, even after over 90 years. Don’t forget, the Australians were all volunteers, whereas the British had conscripts as well. We visited one village which has the Shooting Post where the British shot deserters and soldiers who had shellshock (it wasn’t recognised back then). Some of these fellows were as young as 15, and were thought of as cowards.
After the Fromelles ceremonies we went to the reinterment of another Australian soldier- Ted Mather. He had been found when a gas mains was being dug, and his remains were identified. His family was flown over and he was buried at a nearby war cemetery. That was also a very moving ceremony.
We went to the Bullecourt battlefield where Simon Fraser was killed. The local roads go through it (as they did) and when you walk over a ploughed field, you pick up shrapnel. I picked up rifle casings from both German and Australian rifles, and lead shrapnel from the antipersonnel shells- the smaller shells had 365 lead balls the size of marbles and would explode 10 feet above the trenches showering the lead over the soldiers. The larger shells had over 500 pieces of shrapnel. We were there in the middle of summer and the ground was very muddy, so I can well imagine the winters with the mud up to the knees of the troops. We came across a live shell in the field- ploughs still dig them up every year- the farmers have to get the bomb squad in to defuse them. A farmer was killed several years ago when his plough set it off and the shrapnel killed him. Another was ploughing his field in 2000 and his tractor fell into an underground bunker which no-one knew was there. These are quite extensive, but filled with water and mud as the water table is so high. They pump out the mud and water and find rifles, hats, shoes- all the items just left there after the war. We went through a bunker at a museum and it had barracks, dressing stations, pump rooms to keep the water out, and maintenance rooms for the repair of the rifles and machine guns.
It was amazing going through the villages which you think have been there for years, but you have to remember than many of them were wiped out by the bombing and everything you see is post WW1 and in some places, post WW2.
Ypres in Belgium was interesting- it was demolished by the Germans, but it had had lovely 15th century buildings. They found the plans and rebuilt the Cloth Hall, finishing in the 1950s-1960s. You would think it was the original building.
We did a lot of travelling to war cemeteries and I found it very daunting. There are over 1000 Commonwealth War Grave Commission cemeteries in France and Belgium. It is amazing that at every one, there is not a blade of grass out of place, they are so well kept. It was very confronting when you visit some and they have nearly 12,000 headstones, as well as over 35,000 names of missing soldiers on plaques. Others are very small with several hundred or even less. In some areas you travel along the roads and they are every couple of kilometres, some in the middle of villages. The people over there are still so appreciative of the soldiers’ sacrifice - they are very friendly when they find out you are from Australia, even after over 90 years. Don’t forget, the Australians were all volunteers, whereas the British had conscripts as well. We visited one village which has the Shooting Post where the British shot deserters and soldiers who had shellshock (it wasn’t recognised back then). Some of these fellows were as young as 15, and were thought of as cowards.
After the Fromelles ceremonies we went to the reinterment of another Australian soldier- Ted Mather. He had been found when a gas mains was being dug, and his remains were identified. His family was flown over and he was buried at a nearby war cemetery. That was also a very moving ceremony.
We went to the Bullecourt battlefield where Simon Fraser was killed. The local roads go through it (as they did) and when you walk over a ploughed field, you pick up shrapnel. I picked up rifle casings from both German and Australian rifles, and lead shrapnel from the antipersonnel shells- the smaller shells had 365 lead balls the size of marbles and would explode 10 feet above the trenches showering the lead over the soldiers. The larger shells had over 500 pieces of shrapnel. We were there in the middle of summer and the ground was very muddy, so I can well imagine the winters with the mud up to the knees of the troops. We came across a live shell in the field- ploughs still dig them up every year- the farmers have to get the bomb squad in to defuse them. A farmer was killed several years ago when his plough set it off and the shrapnel killed him. Another was ploughing his field in 2000 and his tractor fell into an underground bunker which no-one knew was there. These are quite extensive, but filled with water and mud as the water table is so high. They pump out the mud and water and find rifles, hats, shoes- all the items just left there after the war. We went through a bunker at a museum and it had barracks, dressing stations, pump rooms to keep the water out, and maintenance rooms for the repair of the rifles and machine guns.
It was amazing going through the villages which you think have been there for years, but you have to remember than many of them were wiped out by the bombing and everything you see is post WW1 and in some places, post WW2.
Ypres in Belgium was interesting- it was demolished by the Germans, but it had had lovely 15th century buildings. They found the plans and rebuilt the Cloth Hall, finishing in the 1950s-1960s. You would think it was the original building.
If you have any queries, my mobile is: 0407806681.
Caroline Woodward
Personal Tragedy Mars Fromelles Ceremony
(By David Prior, Journalist)
Michael and Caroline Woodward, from Hamilton, were accompanied by Max and Maria Cameron, from Port Fairy, Geoff and Liz Yule, from Yambuk, and Jan Hawker, from Koroit together with the Prince of Wales and the Governor General of Australia attended the dedication of the first new Commonwealth War Grave in 50 years at Fromelles, Northern France, on Monday, July 19.
However it was to be a day tinged with personal tragedy back home in Australia when they learnt that Annette Cameron, the last surviving niece of Sergeant Simon Fraser, a hero of the battle of Fromelles, had died. Annette Cameron was the mother of Max Cameron and the aunt of Caroline Woodward
Sgt Simon Fraser, whose heroic action after the battle of Fromelles was immortalised in the statue "Cobbers" only a few kilometres from the new cemetery.
They had arrived in France to witness the laying to rest of the last soldier, as yet unknown, from the Battle of Fromelles. Under a cloudless blue sky in the picturesque Northern French town he was finally given peace.
His body was born to his final resting place on a restored carriage from the First World War, drawn by horses from King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. The unmarked coffin was carried to his grave on the shoulders of men of the Australian and British Army.
A bugler from the Australian Army sounded the “Last Post” and Reveille on a bugle recovered from the battlefield only last year and specially restored for the ceremony.
The Battle of Fromelles was fought over two days, July 19-20, 1916. It was a battle that need never have been fought and was seen as a diversion to the Battle of the Somme, 80 km to the south.
At the end of the fighting some 5500 Australian and 1500 British soldiers were killed, wounded or missing. Any tactical advantage gained was lost by the end of the day.
Commemorative ceremony
Two days before the main ceremony began, Michael and Caroline Woodward, Max and Maria Cameron, Geoff and Liz Yule and Jan Hawker, attended the commemorative ceremony for the 94th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles, held at the Fromelles Australian Memorial Park where the Cobbers statue is situated.
Max Cameron and Caroline Woodward are great nephew and great niece of Sergeant Simon Fraser of Byaduk, the soldier depicted in the Cobbers statue.
Martial Delebarre, Head of the Association of the Battle of Fromelles who runs the war museum in the town of Fromelles, and who has been honoured with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), said the Battle of Fromelles was the bloodiest day in terms of numbers of soldiers, killed, wounded or missing in Australian military history, with 5,533 casualties in a single day.
"It was also the first battle carried out by Australian Imperial Forces on the Western Front. The 5th Australian Division fought besides the 61st British South Midland Division who suffered 1547 soldiers, killed wounded or missing. No tactical advantages resulted from the action," he said.
Brought together
Hubert Huchette, Mayor of Fromelles, spoke how in 1916, the Australians and French were brought together and are now together again honouring the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives.
He went onto say: "In 2010, the Australians and French people as well as the young ones and the older ones are gathered together on the front line to honour them. Each time I stand at the foot of this magnificent statue I can hear these words "Don't forget me Cobber." Sergeant Fraser answered this call. This statue also reminds us that even when life is difficult you can open your heart and help other people.
"Let us be as brave as Sgt Fraser and his friends to build a better world. Do not let us put anyone aside. When nations are united and when generations are united, memory is still more vivid."
Lambis Englezos the Australian schoolteacher and amateur historian from Melbourne, whose painstaking research led to the finding of the graves, hoped more of the soldiers will be identified to bring closure to the families.
He said: "On July 19th the last of the soldiers will be laid with respectful rest. For 94 years they have lain in anonymous ground. Now they will rest in peace forever in defined and blessed ground. It is reassuring for us to know that they are in the care of a village that will love and protect them."
He thanked the villagers and the school children of Fromelles. "They will be the custodians of the Pheasant Woods soldiers. Our boys are in good hands," he said.
Wreaths were laid at the Cobbers’ statue and the Last Post was played on a bugle recovered from the battlefield and restored for the ceremonies. The national anthems of Australia and France were also played. The same bugle was later used in the dedication ceremony on July 19th.
Caroline and her party were then invited back to the village school in Fromelles, known as the Cobber's School, where Tim Whitford presented the village of Fromelles with a frame containing a photo of his Great Uncle, Private Harry Willis, and his good luck medallion from the Albertson Shire in Gippsland. This medallion was discovered in the initial search of the Pheasant Wood burial pits.
The Mayor of Fromelles presented medallions to both Tim and Lambis who were then made citizens of Fromelles.
Moving experience
Caroline Woodward said she found this ceremony an extremely moving experience.
She went on: "I was both impressed and inspired with the appreciation shown by the villagers both now and in the past, for the sacrifice by the British and Australian soldiers.
"The school children are taught about the war and how people volunteered from the other side of world to come to their aid. They are taught to never forget.
"The dedication of the Fromelles, Pheasant Wood cemetery, was an equally inspiring experience.
"We sat with many Australians, British and French and listened to excerpts taken from diaries and letters of soldiers who fought at Fromelles.
Records from the 16th Bavarian Reserve Regiment record the bravery of both the British and Australian soldiers. It said: ‘The British and Australians began to attack our position. They were met head on by the fire of our infantry machine guns. Again and again they tried in vain to form a firing line and press forward. The German machine guns decimated their ranks. Heroic officers, with drawn bayonets, rushed forward to encourage their men by example. They were mown down’."
Recalled bravery
Captain R Hugh Knyvett's account of the battle again recalled the bravery and dedicated of the soldiers. It said: "Nothing could exceed the bravery of these boys. The first wave went down like wheat before the reaper. When the time came for the second wave to go over, there was not a man left standing from the first, yet not a lad faltered. Each glanced at his watch and at the arranged tick of clock leapt over. In many cases they did not get further than the first. When it came time for the last wave, though they knew they had to do the work of three, each man was in his place."
The Duke of Kent, President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, felt it was fitting that these men, comrades, allies and even brothers lie side by side in this beautiful cemetery.
He said: "All who visit the cemetery will depart the better for the experience, inspired by the young men who gave their lives for an ideal which they held worthy of their sacrifice, and who now lie here finally at peace."
Governor-General
The Governor-General of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, said: "We are here to observe the end of a long silence, a near century of questioning and not knowing; of loving hearts unrequited; generations of absence; lives extinguished without explanation; missing without proper account. That is, until today, 94 years since the slaughter, maiming and displacement of thousands of soldiers in the nearby field."
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, dedicated the cemetery "In grateful memory of all those in the land forces of the Commonwealth, who died in the cause of freedom, particularly those who fought and died in the Battle of Fromelles and the 250 soldiers who we remember especially today.
"May we ever be mindful of them, and their comrades in arms of all services and be guided by their example of loyalty, service and selflessness," he said.
It was after the main ceremony at Pheasant Wood as the party travelled back to the Australian Memorial Park and the Cobbers statue that they learnt of the death of Annette Cameron. The wreath they had intended to dedicate to the memory of Simon Fraser was also dedicated to Annette as well.
Sergeant Simon Fraser survived Fromelles, was mentioned in despatches for venturing out into no man’s land against orders and bringing in wounded soldiers, and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He went on to fight at Bullecourt and was killed at the second battle of Bullecourt, May 1917. His body has never been found.
Lest we forget.
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