Back Row (L-R): Ray Hand, Victor Watt, Michael Tolhurst, John Colley, Alex Hindle, Paul Musk, John Cadden, Les Ransome, Mark Maxwell, David Carstens, Mark Single, Dave Bishop, Peter McKenzie, Herman Schafell, Justin Wallace, Syd Little, Justin Ross, Trevor Luff

Middle Row (L-R): Graham Pryde, Frank Kenny, George Friend, Denise Allen, Ian Swan, Richard Unwin, Andrew Brooks, Paul Siddall, Robert Hill, Robert Innis, John Dare

Front Row: Malcolm Robinson, Robyn Graham

We experienced another exceptional Midwinter Dinner this year with 50 members and guests in attendance. It was hearting to see current expeditioners Hermann Schafell and Justin Ross engaging fully with the veterans and also relating their Antarctic experiences in the usual ANARE manner.

The AGM was held pre dinner followed by the election of the 21/22 Qld committee. Richard Unwin President, Trevor Luff Vice President, Graham Pryde Secretary/Treasurer, David Carstens Historian, with Peter Field, Dean Campbell, Peter Thompson, Frank Kenny and George Friend as council members. (All members are welcome to assist on council) Apologies were also received on the night from Peter Field, Syd Kirkby, Rod and Jeanie Ledingham, Bob Tompkins, David and Liz Parer.

The MC, Graham Pryde made everyone most welcome and kept the tempo going through out the night. Toast to the Queen by George Friend, to ANARE by Justin Ross and the toast to Absent Friends by Peter Thompson.

George Friend read out a Midwinter greeting from the AAP Director, Mr Kim Ellis, which was warmly received. Brian Harvey, ANARE Sales Officer also sent in his best wishes.

Our keynote speaker Victor Watt gave an outstanding address reliving his ANARE Club Berth of two years ago. This was most informative and appreciated by all present.

Early in the night we had our birthday boy on the day, John Russell, join us for his 101^st birthday on face time. (John has now lived through it all). During the day John celebrated his birthday with a small family gathering at his home in Deception Bay and managed to sign a few more books ‘Antarctic Engineer’ for our raffle. We ended the connection with a rousing rendition of happy birthday to John. As an aside to John’s book ‘Antarctic Engineer’ we are about to order a third print run.

Sue and Keith Morgan, John’s daughter and son-in law, also sent an apology and were most disappointed in not being able to attend on the night in person also with John.

Dave Carstens introduced the calling of the years via the Rumdoodle story and reminded everyone of the 153 second’s rule. There was a lot of hilarity with the stories, plus, many members ran overtime with Phil Vardy tapping his glass for time out.

Once again, the raffle was introduced by Trevor Luff who pointed out, the dozen items on display all had provenance and thanked those who put forward their treasures for the raffle. The Nella Dan numbered print was the first item lifted off the table followed by a unique collection of books, a Sharp ANARE plus other pieces of memorabilia. A big thank you to Victor Watt once again for donating many Nella Dan numbered prints since 1988, and to Peter McKenzie for donating the Sharp ANARE plus a very rare book ‘A Life Given To The Antarctic’ by the Russian author E. M. Suzyumov. This book with Peter’s permission, has been retained for our National ANARE Club Library which is in Brian Harvey’s garage down in Melbourne. Phil Vardy was also amazed to pick a ‘Top Shelf’ book off the table on draw No 8, which others had overlooked.

Once again, we were looked after in fine style by Tattersall’s on Queen Street in Brisbane.

An immense amount of goodwill has also been generated from our 2021 MWD with members and visitors still sending in accolades.